ANALISE IS WALKING!!! ANALISE IS WALKING!!!

ANALISE IS WALKING!!!  ANALISE IS WALKING!!!

And not just taking a few steps or standing, she is actually walking!! 

At our last appointment with Dr. vanBosse in Philadelphia this past summer, Dr. vanBosse had recommended doing the serial casting, but remaining in Philadelphia for 6-8 weeks was not possible, so we thought we would ask the doctors here in California to follow Dr. vanBosse's recommendations.  Several weeks ago we visited Dr. Hurley at Kaiser Fontana and convinced her to try serial casting to stretch her tight Achilles tendons.

All of you who know Analise know what a resourceful little girl she is and that she has been trying to walk for quite a while, but her Achilles tendons are extremely tight which causes her to walk on her tippy toes making it hard for her to balance.   

Dr. Hurley didn't know if it would work, but said she would give it a try.  (The other option would have been, and still might be, another Achilles tenotomy to lengthen the tendons.)  After her third set of casts, and tons of crying/screaming/restless nights/"all done"/"take them off" moments, Analise realized that she could balance rather well when her feet got to neutral.  She was taking a few steps here and there, but falling face first into our arms.

  

Then, on November 16, 2013, as she was at her grandparents John and Annette's house, she balanced on her own, and took her first steps, without falling, to her grandma.  Fortunately the big moment was caught on tape.  Her smile and look of accomplishment was priceless and she just kept repeating, "I am walking!  I am walking!"  I'm not sure whose smile was bigger, Analise's or ours!!!

The following day, after she learned that she could balance while turning a corner she walked all around a coffee table by herself, again repeating our new favorite phrase, "I am walking!"  And now that is all she wants to do.  And we absolutely love it!!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI2BY_wXIbU

A huge reason this is such a monumental victory for Analise is that her original doctors told us that Analise would never be able to walk on her own without support.  Obviously, we refused to accept this negative prognosis for our daughter, but it was still a troubling thought that doctors would give up on our daughter so quickly.  They clearly do not know Analise, and us, very well.  

 

So instead of giving in to their negativity, choosing to do whatever was necessary to give Analise every opportunity to walk actually became our number one goal.  

And now after all of the flights to Philadelphia, the relentless doctor's visits, the hurt backs following her around the house in her gait trainer, the incredible love and tolerance of our family, the competition with her 11 month old brother who is already walking, and her sheer will, Analise is walking.  Analise is walking and SHE IS AMAZING!

Here is a short video of her walking, still wearing her casts:

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=ytsN9_E5Qg0 

Several people have already seen the videos of her walking and there have been many different reactions.  From tears of joy to full astonishment to utter amazement.  I always thought, that when this day came, I wouldn't be able to hold back the tears.  But for some reason, it was different.  I didn't cry.  I think that I have told myself so many times that she would walk, I already knew it would happen and the tears didn't come.  But the happiness… the happiness came and hasn't left!!  

A few days ago, Analise had her casts removed and received new AFO's (Ankle foot orthotics)  We worried that if her Achilles tendons had not stretched enough, she may have to get the tenotomy again.  We will have to wait and see what Dr. Hurley thinks, and we may also have to consult with Dr. vanBosse, but the way she is walking is very encouraging!!

Grandpa Richard and Abuelita Marti took Analise to get her casts off and get her new AFO's (while Mommy was having gallbladder surgery) and they promised Analise that if she was behaved and was brave, they would take her to McDonalds for ice cream.  Here is Analise walking from the car all the way into McDonalds' counter to get her well-deserved ice cream.  The progress in the last couple of weeks has been incredible!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3cPjn6JUoY

To see this little girl's pure delight at being able to do something that we all take for granted is beyond priceless.    I see her walking every day, and I still watch the videos just to see that smile.  She now says "I walk ALL DAY"…and she does!!!

I'M WALKING!!! I'M WALKING!!!

Analise loves to see herself walking and standing in the mirror.  She is so proud of her accomplishment and so are we!!

Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, Amyoplasia has been challenging.  It has changed our family in so many ways.  But it has also allowed us to see how bright the future can be.  It shows us that with determination, perseverance, will, hard work, family, and love, anything is possible.  We can't wait to see what the future holds for this girl.

Thanks for all of the encouraging responses, thoughts, and prayers.  We are surrounded by incredible family and friends.

You have  helped us, and Analise more than you will ever know and this awesome milestone gives us the opportunity to tell you all how grateful the Persek family is for your love and support.