I decided to start blogging about Jordan from the moment I found out I was pregnant. Jordan was born with a little arm that didn't grow like most babies. Her left arm stopped just above the elbow. Now I'm committed to making sure Jordan gets everything out of life. We feel blessed to be the parents of a very special little girl.

4.12.2007

How is she doing....

A lot of people check in on me to see how Jordan is doing. Usually one of the first questions is: "How is she doing with her prosthetic arm?" And I have a hard time answering that.

Jordan is using her prosthetic arm more. She can throw it up onto a table, chair, stair to climb or stand up. She holds her arm more sturdy and balanced. But she's still stiff. She still doesn't hold onto things with her hand and prosthetic hand. She's better at pre-walking without it on. I'm not sure why.

I know the prosthetic is helping her in some ways and hindering her in others and that leaves me very torn. I want her to feel comfortable in both ways. It's just hard. As I've said before. I wish it were easier. But Jordan is lucky. She doesn't know any other way. That will certainly help her in everything she does. But that torn feeling remains in the pit of my stomach. I can never really say what I want to say when I'm asked about Jordan's prosthetic. Yes, she's learning ways to use it. Yes, she's doing pretty well with her prosthetic (especially now that she isn't getting heat rashes in it anymore!). Yes, she is building muscles and growing in ways she wouldn't without it. Yes, she'd be okay if she wasn't using it. Yes, I still think we made the right decision. Yes, I still question that decision from time to time. Yes, I wish someone made a how-to book on raising a child with an above elbow amputation... Anything that would tell me what to do. Maybe I'll be able to do that for someone else someday.

1 comment:

L said...

I bet the prosthetic is just messing with her balance a bit for walking. Riley had a tricky time with that too. He fell a lot and then one day he just got th balance issue and now here are few problems. But that thing is heavy. It can take some adjusting, expecially if you are just learning to get around.
Where are you on your trip? West Coast? If so, drop me a line.