Yesterday was a very long day, but one that I needed.  Let me explain.  First off, the crazy schedule.  We had MOPS in the morning, followed by a rushed lunch at McDonald's (on only $4), then off to Riley for a PT evaluation, then back to the north side for hippotherapy, then run to a stranger's house to pick up maternity pants from Freecycle, then finally home, followed by dinner, putting the girls to bed and me collapsing on the couch!  Whew!  I had been dreading the day because I knew the girls would not get a nap (=disaster!) and we would be running around all day.  In all honestly, I was kind of feeling sorry for myself.  It is easy to fall into the trap of "Woe is me!" when you feel like your life is one big doctor's appointment and therapy session.  But God had a different plan for yesterday.  He decided to show me how blessed I truly am! 

We have not been to Riley for awhile because most of Mia's specialist will see her at Clarion North.  This is much closer than driving downtown, so I always schedule them there.  But yesterday we went to see a physical therapist that was new to our medical team who only works downtown.  I was anxious for the visit.  Deep down, part of me is beginning to wonder if all of this PT is truly helping Mia, or if Mia is who Mia is.  When we arrived, the clinic was running behind so we sat in the waiting area.  And here, God started to work in my heart.  As I looked around I saw so many kids with so many different disabilities, most of them in wheelchairs with severe disabilities.  Avery and Mia were playing quietly until Avery noticed one particular girl in a wheelchair with a feeding tube.  The girls looked to be around 9-years-old.  Avery began to ask me why she was in that special chair.  Knowing her caretaker was listening, I wanted to make sure I didn't offend but was honest.  I explained to Avery that God makes all of His children perfect in every way, and He has chosen for that particular little girl to have to use a wheelchair and a special tube that helps her eat.  That yes, it was different, but it also made her extra special.  Avery continued to stare, and I continued to let her.  Her caretaker kindly asked Avery her name.  To my surprise, Avery looked up, told her her name and then told her she liked the girls' shirt.  Avery saw through all the wires, the wheelchair and the severe mental retardation of this little girl and noticed her shirt - something so normal.  Wow!  Avery met several friends that day, and with each one she seemed to understand in her own way that they were different yet worthy of her love.  She became a kind of caretaker, holding a girl's hand twice her age and helping her tear out pages of a coloring book.  Somehow she understood they needed her help.

Once we were back in the rehab room, things became even harder for me.  I watched with tears in my eyes as a boy who had an incision scar running from his scalp to the bottom of his spine try to crawl across the floor.  I saw a little boy with a disfigured face and one eye try to do a puzzle.  Avery remarked "Mom he only has one eye."  My response: "I know, but I bet that one eye can see really great!"  I walked out of there feeling like a schmuck for ever thinking my life is so hard.  I can't imagine watching my child struggle in ways of some of these children.  I can't imagine the pain and the hardships their families have faced.  And I can't imagine what in the world made me ever think that what little we deal with for Mia could even compare.  God has such amazing ways of humbling us.  I hope to have more days just like this one.

Mia's PT evaluation did go quite well.  They have decided to try a special suit that helps activate certain muscle groups.  Mia's trunk/core muscles are still quite underdeveloped.  We tried the suit on and she started walking more upright (rather than like a pregnant lady) and started using more of her core muscles when bending over and standing back up.  It was amazing.  The suit is worn under her clothes, right on her skin and only is worn for certain periods of time.  We decided to go ahead and start on the paperwork and get Mia's ordered.  If we can get her core muscles working better, all of the other things we are working on should start to get easier (lifting up legs over obstacles, standing on one foot, jumping, running, etc.).  I have included a picture.  It reminds me of a wet suit.