Giving Thanks

I ran across this video about a year ago and wrote the following thoughts then but never published the post. As we quickly approach the next step in Timothy's clubfoot journey, I thought this would be a good time to post it. I've added in some current thoughts at the bottom and info on that next step.

14 Jan 2011

William from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

I cried when I saw this video. Timothy was born with clubfoot.

The correction process was started before he was two weeks old. By the time he started walking one year later, those crooked feet were a distant memory for me and Timothy won't remember them at all. He still wears his "boots" at night just to be sure his feet continue to grow in the right direction. When his feet outgrow this pair, he'll be done. To watch him play, you would never know he was born with clubfoot. At 2 1/2, he runs, jumps, climbs, and has a mean "hiccup kick." :) William (in the video) is Joshua's age currently and has been greatly handicapped because his clubfoot had to go untreated. I am so thankful that God has gifted doctors to be able to correct this and other deformities and that we live in a place that gave us access to that possibility very early in Timothy's life.

26 Feb 2012 - It's been almost a year now since Timothy stopped wearing those boots. In about two weeks Timothy will have tendon transfer surgery which will help him be able to pull his foot straight up towards his leg instead of curved to the inside. It will also help prevent him from walking on the side of his feet and likely rolling his ankles as he gets older. He will be in full leg casts for 6 weeks then weight bearing casts for another 6 weeks after his surgery. It's gonna be tough for our active 3 (almost 4) year old but we remain very thankful for God's providence in placing us here, near UNC (where Timothy has received excellent care since his birth), during this time in our lives and Timothy's.

28 Feb 2012 - We went for Timo's pre-op appointment today. Timothy chose red to be the color for his casts when he gets them in two weeks. He enjoyed riding the shuttle bus to go over from the orthopedic center to see the hospital. And he's warming up to the idea of getting to ride around in a wheel chair and pushing the wheels on his own.