Mom, look at me! I’m standing!

Early Intervention brought a stander for Zach to use until we order him one - probably at the beginning of next year.  It’s not the one we thought they were going to bring because they couldn’t find it.  This one is a pain to get him strapped in and it’s really big and hard to move around.  But at least it’s getting the job done!

He uses it to bear weight on his feet which helps his muscles and bones to become stronger.  He needs to get some braces for his feet and we are going to start the process of getting them ordered.  They aren’t cheap and have to be replaced as he grows so we are looking at different options. 

He doesn’t love getting strapped into this contraption (partly because I’m completely inept and take forever) but once he’s standing up straight, he’s pretty happy.  He likes being up and having a different view of things.  At least for a little while.  Then he starts to get mad and pushes the little table away because he wants out!  We are building up tolerance to it.  For now he’s supposed to be in it for about 15-30 minutes at least twice a day but that will need to increase as time goes on. 

The other one has big wheels like a wheelchair so that he can learn to move himself around and not just be stuck in one place.  If they don’t find it at the early intervention office, that’s still the kind we’ll order when it comes time for that.

It’s taking some getting used to, seeing him strapped in there, but I know that it’s what he needs to become stronger and allow him to do all that he is able to.  I think his condition was easier for me to accept when he was a baby but now that he’s at the age that he should be moving everywhere and wants to be involved in things, reality is a little harder.  But it’s okay because he is learning great things and will do many great things.  I just have my moments.