Thanks so, so, soooooo much for entering my giveaway. Long story short, my own child who was born with clubfoot was my inspiration. We went to Iowa City for 2 1/2 weeks for treatment and stayed at the Ronald McDonald House. Around the holidays is one of the times we give back to that amazing organization. {If your blog stalking urges are overwhelming you - you can stop reading now}
Longer story...
Clubfoot is when one or both of your feet are turned inward and upward, it's a congential birth defect. Without treatement, you won't walk. In our state {at the time} the most common form of treatment was surgery. More times than not repeated surgeries are required to maintain proper function of the foot - which most likely results in early onset arthritis and a whole slew of other health issues. This wasn't acceptable to my husband and I so thanks to the www we searched and searched other options {mind you, at the time when you searched clubfoot, first on the list of results was a band called "Club Feet".} After scrolling and searching and scrolling down some more we found the guru of clubfoot treatment, Dr. Ignacio Ponseti who worked out the University of Iowa. He was 87 years old at the time and had come out of retirement because he couldn't stand to see children treated surgically - he treated kids nonsurgically through a series of manipulations and casts.
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| Our Angel, Dr. Ponseti, who always said "Sit, sit, sit in the rocking chair - the baby should never cry" during treatment. Unfortunately we lost him at the age of 95. He touched SO many lives... |
In case you're interested here's "our story" on ABC News
After four casts and a 2 1/2 week stay in Iowa City at the Ronald McDonald House {and wearing a bar with shoes attached to hold his feet in the corrected position for 24 hours a day 7 days a week for the first month and then slowly weaning off - we did this for 4 years} he is now a 9 1/2 {gotta put in the 1/2} year old sports enthusiast. You'd never even know...
So, while I know this is a teaching blog, I thought I'd share that little piece of me.
Shoot - that was long. Sorry...
Wonder if you can hang in there for the whole crux of my post? I thought having a list of the new blogs mentioned in my giveaway might make it easier for you to just "click and follow" and I hope you do! If your numbers have skyrocketed, try to remember back to when they weren't so abundant. If you're a new blogger, you'll want to follow because it helps "drum up business" {And who doesn't need another cute blog to follow?}, if you don't have a blog of your own, consider following because it really makes a heart sing.
Here's the list so far - I hope I didn't miss any...
It's Friday, peeps - FRIDAY!!!!!! For those of us who worked this week... we made it, heavens to Betsy, we made it!!!!!!
Holly
Sometimes the web does bring everyone closer. Glad to hear your son had the interventions he needed and that he is better now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing some new blogs.
Awesome story!! I always do my research - most of life is not one size fits all!! Good for you for doing what you knew was best despite other opinions! Did you only have a one week break for Christmas?? I thought you would still be home this week!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Very inspiring Holly. I am truly touched! I had a tear or two while I was reading. Thanks for sharing new blogs, I can't wait to check them out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us all know you in a new way!
ReplyDeleteAwesome story! Knowledge is such a powerful thing. With information at our fingertips, we are able to make the type of informed decisions that led you to Dr. Ponseti. I'm so glad we live in the day and age where we don't just "do what the dr. tells us" without being able to research first. My daughter has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and being able to research treatments and talk to other parents in our situation has given us an educated voice in her care.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story. :)
Live Laugh and Love to Learn
What a wonderful story!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteInspiring. :) Love that you pay it forward.
ReplyDelete♥ Dragonflies in First ♥
This is an amazing story. That doctor's picture is absolutely adorable and I love that you remember what he told you about sitting in the rocking chair with your baby. I love doctors like that. I had to come down here and comment and now I'm going to watch your story. Thanks for sharing this -- I love the ending!!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteA Teeny Tiny Teacher
Hi Holly!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the shout out! I love you blog, it is so inspiring! So excited to follow you throughout the year! I'm off to read your daily 5 information, i am interested in finding more out about it !
Kylie :)
Wow, amazing story. I look forward to following you! And thank you for the shout out!! :)
ReplyDeleteCaitlyn
Sliding into First!
Thank you for sharing this. It makes everyone remember their own stories to hear someone else's. You are special.
ReplyDeleteKimberley @ 1st in Maine
Thank you Holly for sharing this story! :)
ReplyDeleteHere are the rules for accepting the award:
Cheryl
Crayons and Curls
Our daughter, who will turn 8 soon, was treated by Dr. P as well. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to have a better treatment for my precious one. We have been seeing Dr. Dobbs in St. Louis for awhile now and I'm so very thankful Dr. P shared his discoveries with such competent Drs. Thanks for the smile today!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspirational post! Thank you for sharing your story! I always find it amazing to realize how many "ordinary" people go through extraordinary trials and you'd never realize it because of their upbeat attitudes!
ReplyDeleteJennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten