AFO's.
Ankle Foot Orthotics.
When I first heard these words, my heart ached a little bit more. I knew they would help The Lodger but here was something else we had to deal with and ultimately come to terms with.
Just last month The Lodger was fitted with AFOs. To the uninitiated these are also called splints. Splints. It's such a harsh word. It's an even harsher word when you attach it to your two year old little boy.
When we attended our orthotics appointment, I was hoping that the physiotherapist had it wrong, that he wouldn't need them. The Lodger as usual, smiled and waved through his assessment and it was concluded that he would need AFO's. The warrior in me, smiled and said 'Anything that helps him to walk is great'. Inside, I was sad. Here's another thing that The Lodger had to deal with.
As parents, we approach all the challenges The Lodger faces with positivity. AFOs were the last thing we wanted for our son but for them to succeed, we needed to be pro-AFOs. We didn't need to worry. We should have remembered who are son is!
The Lodger always surprises me. Not once has he complained about them. They immediately became part of the routine. Each day, an extra hour of AFO time was added on to get used to them and within a week, he was in them full-time. It should've taken two weeks.
Yet again, The Lodger wins. He's stronger because of them. He can walk with someone holding just his hands. He's sturdier on his legs.
He was recently showing his AFOs off to my cousin.
"Action boots" my cousin said. I agreed. These are The Lodgers Action Boots.
Action (definition): the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim
The Lodger is determined. He will walk one day independently and it's the Action Boots that will help him succeed.
Ankle Foot Orthotics.
When I first heard these words, my heart ached a little bit more. I knew they would help The Lodger but here was something else we had to deal with and ultimately come to terms with.
Just last month The Lodger was fitted with AFOs. To the uninitiated these are also called splints. Splints. It's such a harsh word. It's an even harsher word when you attach it to your two year old little boy.
When we attended our orthotics appointment, I was hoping that the physiotherapist had it wrong, that he wouldn't need them. The Lodger as usual, smiled and waved through his assessment and it was concluded that he would need AFO's. The warrior in me, smiled and said 'Anything that helps him to walk is great'. Inside, I was sad. Here's another thing that The Lodger had to deal with.
As parents, we approach all the challenges The Lodger faces with positivity. AFOs were the last thing we wanted for our son but for them to succeed, we needed to be pro-AFOs. We didn't need to worry. We should have remembered who are son is!
Yet again, The Lodger wins. He's stronger because of them. He can walk with someone holding just his hands. He's sturdier on his legs.
"Action boots" my cousin said. I agreed. These are The Lodgers Action Boots.
Action (definition): the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim
The Lodger is determined. He will walk one day independently and it's the Action Boots that will help him succeed.
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