dreams do come true!

About a year ago, two people (we love you "Nurse" Wakara and "Mighty Max theme song writer" Dan!) told me that they had dreamed about Maxwell. My two friends don't know each other, yet their dreams were very similar.

Both watched him walking independently at his two year old birthday party! It was heartwarming to know that people were actually "dreaming" of my lil' boy...and dreaming of such positive, exciting moments in Max's future! (Another friend recently told me about her Max dream...he was doing jumping jacks! Love that!)

This dream (the walking that is...not the jumping jacks yet!) was something I desperately wanted to come true. But also knowing that many children with CHARGE don't walk independently until three or four years sold, I was realistic that the dream might come later. Some much later, so you just never know.

When setting our goals in December, Max's physical therapist and I listed "walking independently" as a goal for his second birthday. We were really, really hoping he would do this by the conference in July. (Not only would it be fun to show off to all his friends, but it sure would make traveling a bit easier! It's quite difficult to use a walker in a busy airport!) Our PT was completely convinced he would be walking, and we worked together on a plan to make this happen.

Well as you know, that goal has yet to be checked off the official PT "list." Maxwell has great difficulty with balance (very typical of CHARGE) and has yet to master standing independently.

HOWEVER, as we "walked" on the basketball court last night...it hit me. Those dreams did come true, but they are just slightly different. He IS walking independently. He just needs some support and balance from his trusty walker. :) That's pretty independent to me!

*For those fellow parents with special needs children, the "Welcome to Holland" poem comes to mind when I thought of this slightly altered dream. What a perfect way to describe our daily journey, goals and expectations.

Thanks Wakara, Dan and all the amazing people in Mighty Max's fan club! Your dreams, love, and support bring us great joy and encouragement every day! :)

GO MAX GO!
You are doing amazing!!!