Using his power for good

Sept. 18, 2011

After the fall, one of our worst fears was that Nathan would associate the walker with the fall and he would fear it and not want to use it again. Gratefully for us, that wasn’t the case. He’s been willing to jump back in and head full speed again.

Going to-and-from school he’s happy to be in his favorite place and to see his extended family, (the teachers and staff to be precise.) This week he’s travelled down the long hallway, through the lobby, on to the elevator and from the elevator into the classroom.

Afterschool, we’ve actually had a few chances to get out of the house in the evenings. Needless to say, Nathan hasn’t complained about that at all. The first day, he walked one way from the driveway then next, he wanted to go the other. Each time he went about a quarter-mile before turning around and heading home.

To walk on the sidewalk, we still have to lock the wheels forward. He’s getting better with his steering, but still not able to keep within the three-foot wide pathway. Without having to worry about the steering, it arose to greater confidence in his feet, and a few good giggles trying to run Annette or I over, helping keep him on the path. On Wednesday, he made the whole trip in 20 minutes. It’s no world-record, but it could definitely be considered a personal best.

What’s my motivation?

We’ve always known that Nathan is at his best when something inside stirs him and he sets himself on a mission. Generally, if we want him to do something, he’ll smile, but most of the time, just sit there, or head the other direction.

Sunday evening, we decided to head back to our church’s parking lot, giving him lots of open (paved) area where we could unlock the wheels and let him go where ever his legs led him. He frequently headed toward the grate (the low spot) but found the rough ride over the drain a challenge but a small success in his mind.

We tried luring him with several toys but nothing seemed to grab his eye. We then go out a small soccer ball that fits under the low bar of the walker and he could get himself. If he thought we could get to it before he could, he’d sit there, but if he thought he could get there first, he’d go for it. Several times he got only got to it, but seemed to know what to do moving it forward and keep it between his legs.

I then stopped chasing and sat down where Annette had been sitting just a few minutes prior. I then took off my sunglasses which seemed to catch the sun in a way that caught Nathan’s eye. From about 40 feet away he stepped in once of his straightest paths to date, and grabbed the glasses right out of my hand. Once he had them, there seemed to be awe and fear of having “Dad’s glasses” that he carefully handed back.
I got up from my chair, walked over to the far side of the car and tapped on what Nathan knows as his door. As I opened it, Nathan’s eyes widened, and when I reached inside and pulled out his sunglasses, he accepted his next mission.

The distance was only about 15 feet, but would require him to make a 90-degree left turn, and another right turn and navigate a path 4 feet wide to reach me. After making the first turn, he was temporarily distracted by being able to reach the grill of the car, grabbing parts he normally wasn’t in a position to grab. After calling out his name and tempting him with his glasses again, he regained his focus and made the rest of the trip in just about a minute.

Nathan never ceases to amaze. We’re thrilled to give him new experiences and he’s happy to do new things as well. With a little more steering practice, we really think his confidence will make him feel like he’s in control, and can go anywhere he wants. Just as long as another flight of stairs isn’t on his agenda, we’ll keep expanding his world and keep opening new doors for him.

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