Hope

Dear friends,
I hope you will take the silence from Gabe's blog as a good thing. No news is usually good news with Gabe. I have sat down to write updates a couple of times but have always started off with 'I'm sorry for not updating sooner.' I then feel guilty that it's been so long, and then I wonder if anyone is even checking at all, and then I get distracted, and then a new post is never posted.

But there is a lot of news to share... mostly good news!!!
We received funding (through ARC of Fred. Co.) to purchase an 8kw generator so that when the electricity goes out, we will not have to worry about Gabe's machines losing power and having to rely solely on his 8 hour back-up battery. In simple terms, when the electricity goes out in the neighborhood, it won't go out in our house cause the generator will kick in. HoOrAy!




We were able to purchase a big blue swing, just like the one Gabe likes to swing in at our nearby playground, for our own back yard! Gabe was given some very generous birthday gifts from dear family and friends, and we bought it from the Adaptive Child!



Gabe's long-awaited equipment arrived!! Back in May, Gabe was fitted for a custom-made stroller; a car seat; a stander; and his own special bath tub. They finally came! Well, except the stander.











The car seat you've probably seen pictures of him in already. We've had it for a month or two. We had to wait so long for the equipment to arrive because it has to be covered/denied by his primary insurance company and then resubmitted to his Maryland Medicaid. Thankfully I had very little, well nothing, to do with handling the insurance, so for that I am very thankful.

And I've saved the best news for last. Last week Gabe reached a new milestone by bearing weight on his legs again. Until recently they would crumple beneath him if you tried to stand him up. But now, he can bear his weight on them! Pics to come, I promise! And if you keep a secret, I'll let you in on one.... Gabe has been tasting some baby food in recent days. Just don't tell his doctors :) He will also be switched to Pediasure, from formula, any day now.

Phew, I told you there was a lot of news.

These are small steps, but steps nonetheless. I have been encouraged in the last few weeks, and filled with hope. I trust that you still have hope for Gabe as well, and that we can all reflect on God's goodness in Gabe's life.