Made New

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me
Daniel 4:2



BEAUTIFUL FEET


FIRST SHOES

Finally, I can post some pictures. Our camera was out of commission and it wasn't in the budget to repair it. However, Daniel had wisely purchased the two year warranty for it last year, so off it went to the manufacturer. Once I sent it to them, they were very quick to fix it and send it right back. It arrived back at our house in tip-top shape the day before Thanksgiving. What perfect timing.

The day Maxim's last little casts came off, all the other kids decided to go too so they could see his "new feet" as soon as possible. Actually, some of them didn't stay in the room with him the whole time because, once again, he was really freaked out by the cast saw. He has definitely had it with that process. I'm sure he will be a very happy camper if he never has to see another cast saw. Us too. Anyway, once the casts were off and his feet were unwrapped, he was smiling. A little concerned at first because of some tickly feelings, but he seems to have gotten used to the new sensations for the most part.

We were very excited once Maxim received his afo's (ankle-foot orthotics - plastic braces that fit down the back of his lower legs and into his shoe for support). They are such a great fit. Cyan has been through them many times in the past so I've seen a lot. These looked perfect right away. Maxim was a little scared at first, about moving his newly freed legs and also that the braces would hurt. Once they were on though, he was good with it.

We couldn't resist heading to the stores right away to buy Maxim's first shoes. Target first, but nothing wide enough. Based on past experience with Cyan, we headed to Payless Shoes. They are good about carrying wide widths and styles that allow the tongue of the shoe to be folded back further too; key factors when you're trying to fit shoes on a child with afo's.

I was feeling a little guilty about spending so much on shoes, but after we saw how each of the three pair looked on Maxim, how well they fit, how happy he was to see them on his feet, and Joel said, "Just think, Mom, this is a lot less than you've spent on all of our (older kids') shoes over the years.", I went to the cash register with all of them. Now I don't regret it at all. He really enjoys deciding which ones to wear to which place.

I will admit that the picture I have posted here is the most flattering of the shots we took of Maxim's feet at this point. They are by no means perfect. To give you an idea, they basically look like the feet of a baby who has never born weight on their feet. Straight, fat, and still a little curved on the bottom. However, the curve is in the opposite direction that his feet were turning when we first brought him home. Last January, his feet turned severely under and toward each other. Now, like I said, they are kind of chubby and curved in the proper direction. We are thrilled because now they can slip into the afo's and then into shoes.

The next day, we were off to Dr. Reinhart, the specialist's, office. Maxim wanted to show her how he could take some steps with Mama's support. That was what he had wanted to do over and over the whole evening before. He really wants to take off!
She looked at new x-rays of his right hip, his level of upper body strength, and his drive and decided to prescribe lofstrand crutches (Sp?) instead of a walker. She feels he is ready. These are the crutches that do not come all the way under the arm. They have a cuff at the top that wraps around the forearm and a handle on each one for the hand to grasp. Maxim's are now on order. He asked for silver ones and they should be ready on December 11.

The best part is that the evening after we had been to the specialists, Daniel and I were with the kids at a prayer meeting we enjoy attending on Wednesday nights. Enjoy is an understatement, actually. We have been soooooo refreshed and stretched at the same time by these gatherings of people who can testify to God's transforming power in their every day lives and pour the resulting exploding faith into prayer. Fervent effective prayer. Anyway, while we were there, listening to testimonies, Maxim just wanted to walk walk walk. I walked him as long as my back could stand but I finally had to sit down. While we sat there, listening to others, Maxim quietly slid down off his chair and, hanging on tightly to chairs and knees around him, he walked himself down the row from me to Daniel. Such an awesome thing to see. I really believe he is going to do much more, go much further, than many people think. Between God's healing love and Maxim's own persistence, his potential is incredible.
I believe Maxim will continue to be a testimony that God cannot be contained in our boxes.