Born with a hole in his lung, he missed some vital oxygen in his early hours and we started noticing signs around 5 months that concerned us. He began PT at 7 months and at 1 was diagnosed with very mild Cerebral Palsy. We weren't sure exactly what that would mean, but were told he might not walk at all, and probably not until he was three at best.
When Karyssa started walking everywhere at 19 months, you could see the look of determination in his eyes. At that point, he could pull up and cruise, but could only stand for a few seconds. One day, I was showing his OT how he could stand for a little longer, and he took 7 steps toward her! His progress was slow, but he was walking everywhere by 2. At that point, his PT said that the kids in his kindergarten class wouldn't know, and by high school, a trained professional might notice his gait was a bit off when he ran. It was very hard to believe at the time.
He still fell a lot, but on his way down would yell, "I'm ok, Mommy!" Then he got right back up and kept going. As he got older, he was often accused of being "clumsy" by those who didn't know and would never have guessed. Over the years, I have talked with many professionals who said they never would have known.
There was a time when he hated PT. It was hard work. Especially after a long day at school. But as he got stronger, he grew to really like it. He loved his therapists and the one-on-one time he got with them. He loved being able to set goals based on things he wanted to do, like kickball and choreography. Before long, he was upset when he found out he didn't get have PT for any reason.
When his original therapist, Danielle, left to take another job, he was convinced he'd never love another therapist as much, but he and his new therapist, Ashley, developed an amazing bond.
Not only did he love his therapists, but they loved him too. They both came to several of his shows and took a real interest in his life. I owe so much to both of those amazing women. They found ways to motivate him and push him, while still giving him the encouragement and patience he needed.
Ashley warned me it was coming, but still I was not prepared for what she told me five months ago...his most recent evaluation showed him to be average or ABOVE AVERAGE for kids his age in every area! The test was done only on his strong side (right side), so she would spend the next three months working on goals and teaching him home activities for his left side and other goals he wanted to meet. Then he would be done.
Done.
In December 2019, after more than 10 years, Kyran was done with physical therapy.
We are keeping an eye on him, as they will reevaluate as we believe necessary, and there is a possibility of him doing more in the future, but I am amazed at what his therapists (and, I'm convinced, choreographers) have been able to get him to accomplish.
He is still a little slower, he is still a little less muscular, he still trips more than other children his age. But it's rare. And watching him up on stage doing dance moves that he might never have been able to do takes my breath away every time.
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