Saturday, August 23, 2008

It's Official...We Have a "Walker"

Evan has been cruising along the walls and furniture, intermingled with a few "hands free" steps for some time now. Today, Grandma and Grandpa Key were babysitting and he decided to take a few series of steps with just a little wall or table touch in between to steady himself. And he's just kept doing it all afternoon long. Daddy is working on getting some video to post. We are super thrilled!

Children with CHARGE Syndrome start walking on average at 3 years. Evan is 37 months. While we had been working with his PT and OT, hoping he would walk sooner, he is pretty much on target. Considering all the abnormalities in his vestibular (balance) system, the fact that Evan--or any child with CHARGE, for that matter--can compensate and learn to walk is absolutely amazing.

Evan, you just gave mommy the best birthday present ever!

8 comments:

Leslie, Arlin and Katie Kauffman said...

Yay for Evan!!! What fun!

Evan, I love the other new "skills" you've accomplished recently too, as evidenced by all the cute photos of you in the act! :-)

Leslie & Katie

Kristi said...

Congratulations! What a HUGE milestone and major accomplishment! :-)
(And I LOVE the way you told the story of the broken breadbox lid... made me laugh out loud! :-))
Way to go, Evan! :-)
Kristi

amy and mighty max said...

WOO HOO EVAN! This is huge! Congratulations! Max started doing that recently too and now he insists on walking between people back and forth, back and forth everytime there are two people in a room. Crazy...but I love every minute of it!

CONGRATS~! And happy birthday Sarah!!!

Unknown said...

Way to go, Evan!!! That is awesome, can't wait to see the video.

Prince Andrew and the Queen Mum said...

hey there- just found you via DV..i blog there too. we have a multiple need guy too...just turned 8. adhd, autisticish etc...i don't know much about CHARGE but want to read on it now. i have a mini-passion about kids w/ implants and 'other.' not enough resources out there. Andrew did not walk well until 4 yo (malformed semicircular canals.) he also used a walker..lots of pt and ot in our lives!

Prince Andrew and the Queen Mum said...

ps: you are right about it being amazing... anyone who lost inner ear function or malformation of semi-circular canals via an infection when they are older basically has to crawl. to watch Andrew learn to walk was incredible... step by step... he got his implant at 13 months and we literally padded the walls w/ styrfoam! (NOT kidding.)

Crystal M. said...

Great Job Evan!! We are so proud of you, keep up the great work on all you are doing.
Hugs,
Crystal and Eva

Catherine L said...

What a wonderful accomplishment to read of! love Catherine x