I CAN WALK

The sweet sound I CAN WALK. How amazing the recognition I CAN WALK. How glorious the ability I CAN WALK.

For months, quite frankly years, have I been waiting to hear these 3 words I CAN WALK. Today, a very ordinary Saturday, I was having her walk to the car. She wasn't warmed up or stretched. She had just finished breakfast and we were going to go on a walk with Jeanie and Theo. Josie was walking on her canes about half way across the kitchen and all of a sudden she giggled a bit and said "I CAN WALK". It was almost as if she couldn't believe it herself. It just dawned on her. She then proceeded to walk all the way out of the house with a new spring in her step. She even told me that I didn't need to tell her what leg or cane to move next that she got it. It is amazing that she was the last to realize that for the past month she has been walking. It is only now that I am secure in the fact that she can do it. She now knows that she is doing it and that not someone else. AMAZING!!!!

I thought when her epiphany came like this after so many years of incredibly intense work that there would be fireworks, marching bands, etc instead it was a very peaceful epiphany. I'll take it.

So I decided to push it a little farther today. I had her walk in the toy store. This was a good test to see if she could really put her skills to work. It is one thing to walk in a quite gym with someone giving you commands for every move and it is another to walk in public with distractions, people and many things to see. You can't possibly rely on your concentration but your skill. She did better then I ever dreamed. She took those canes and walked right back to pick out the birthday gift for her friend Mayra. She even stood on them while the lady decorated the gift. I am in awe of her ability. She wasn't fast but she was able to do it. The speed will come over time. It is now more important to get the perfection of every step. I will continue at home to make cane walking functional.

I am going to bed now and dream of those 3 magic words...I CAN WALK. For all of you who support her these are for you too!! We can't do it without our "village". To that we are eternally grateful. Love, Jenny and Miss I CAN WALK