THERASUIT GRADUATION DAY - Day 15

Well Camden finally made it! 15 days, for 4 hours a day of "save me" smiles, bulldog lips, yummy snacks, babe watching, full blown tantrums, Trixie dogguarding, rice baths, moonwalking, sideways War Chant chops, wearing dorky hats, projectile vomiting, guitar serenades, and not to mention, intensive therapy in the Therasuit.

Becky was able to join us for the last session which was important because Ms. Tammy had a lot of exercises and stretches to teach us so that we could continue to work with Camden at home. Camden still had to work hard today but was rewarded by Ms. Tammy during his first break with a Handy Manny balloon and a graduation ice cream cake. He also had one final guitar picking lesson with Ms. Beth followed by some amazing french fry inspired walking steps with Ms. Val. We learned about some really cool and affordable therapeutic tools that we can use at Camden's home gym and have our fingers crossed that our insurance will help cover some larger therapeutic instruments.

Gramps came by for the final half hour to help celebrate Camden's graduation and it was a bittersweet ending. We are happy to return to our home in Jacksonville and get back to our friends and family and daily routines, but we are definitely going to miss the loving people and wonderful new friends they we have made at Progressive Pediatric. Later in the day, since it was graduation and all, Camden took his first trip to Westcott Fountain (an FSU tradition for new grads).

We weren't really sure what to expect when we embarked on this journey. Sure there was the hope in the back of our minds that Camden might be walking after 3 weeks-- What parent wouldn't want that wish for their child? What we did discover is something we worried might have been lost, and that is that Camden now believes he can do anything he puts his little mind to. Before this therapy session started it had seemed that Camden had resigned himself to the fact that some things were just out of his reach and maybe he was content with staying in one small area. Now he has rediscovered his neverending will and determination to be independent and do everything that all of the other kids are doing. Camden now has the muscle strength and correct motor patterns to match his heart and courage, now we just need to get his brain to answer the phone.

So you see Camden had his wings all along, he just needed flying lessons. These lessons would not have been possible were it not for Grandma and Grandpa Kimble's generous investment, Nana and Gramps Bailey's warm hospitality, and emotional and physical support, the tough love of Ms. Tammy and her staff, cool dips in the Rosenberg's pool, and the never-ending flow of thoughts and prayers from the Camden fan club(which is greatly expanded).

I didn't think it was possible for me to love Camden any more, but after witnessing his bravery and courage through tear-soaked cheeks, I find myself humbled by my little 2 and a half foot hero. We have to remind ourselves that all of these blessings were the work of God and the result of something we have been praying about for a very long time. We have a renewed awareness of the power of prayer and the vast grace, love and faithfulness of our God.

So stay tuned as his journey continues next week with vital-stim therapy and a feeding tube consultation. God has great things in store for our champ and is by no means finished with him yet! Thanks for being a part of the "climb."