"Kamakana"

Caleb's been doing so well and he's had great days this past week. On Wednesday at therapy he rode a tricycle again. The first one he rode was a bit to small for him I think. His foot got caught with the pedal. After that he didn't want to ride it anymore and kept his legs straight out so no one could "make" him ride it. Smart guy...
So they brought out the tricycle he rode the last time and he was okay to ride it. It was so cute. Caleb's occupational therapist mentioned a motor chair. She asked if we had ever heard anything about getting him one. I was stunned...I asked, "you mean a wheelchair that moves the kind that people control themselves?" She said, "yeah." Again...I was stunned. Wow. She thinks he could totally do it and said she'd look into it. All I could say was...PRAISE GOD! It wouldn't even matter to me right now if he could do it or not but for his therapist to say that and actually think he could do it made my day...no, more like my year. That goes to show how quickly he is progressing.
Caleb also had his swallow test done on Wednesday. The therapist said that she can see that he is really trying to do what he needs to do in order to swallow but he does need help to strengthen the muscles in his tongue and mouth in order to do so. She showed us exercises to do with him at home that she believes will help him out a lot and seemed to have much confidence that he would be able to at least reach the first goal of his therapy before actually starting therapy at the hospital. The news made me quite happy to hear that...
Yesterday I took the boys to Keiki O Ka Aina...finally. I've been holding it off because I just hadn't done the paperwork and I needed to go to the doctor to get the usual TB test and such done. But I was able to take them to "check it out." Caleb loved it...being around other kids who were very interested in him. At first they were a little apprehensive and curious but Patrick made them feel comfortable with him and talked to them about him and then they were totally cool with him. Caleb and Patrick were the highlight of their day at Keiki O Ka Aina I believe. Caleb loved it...his reactions were very similar to his excitement at the Soccer Game. (By the way, I posted the news video on the right side of the blog for you to watch if you didn't notice.)
Micaiah also loved it. I'm definitely going to submit my paperwork now so I can take them weekly.
I don't think I ever mentioned about the turtle that was named after Caleb. Caleb's Hawaiian name is Kamakanapomaika'imaikalani (the blessed gift from heaven) or "Kamakana" for short. We actually call him Kamakana...anyways, Patrick works with the turtles up on the North Shore everyweek. He was the one to find one of the new turtles that came in and therefore got to name him. So he named him Kamakana! They found out later that this turtle actually had come before and had disappeared for a year and then came back!
So here's a little story of what Kamakana the turtle did this past Monday according to Patrick:
"Kamakana go stuck on a rock while coming to shore. Any other turtle would just go around the rock. But not Kamakana! He went over the rock. He struggled for quite a bit, slipping back down but persisted to get over it. And at one point had his fins (like hands) up on the rock, lifting his upper body. (picture ariel in little mermaid on the rock) Whatever it took, Kamakana made it over the rock." Patrick got pictures of the whole process that I just explained. Here's one: "Kamakana" courtesy of: Uncle Patrick

Isn't that an amazing story? Just like Caleb...He's going through something big and tough. He can't go around it but has to go through it. No matter what, he keeps trying and fighting...he's no ordinary little boy and won't try to do it any other way. He continues to keep pushing himself up. If he "slips" he just keeps going until he finally gets through it! That's our "Kamakana!"

Don't forget...MARCH 6th, THURSDAY...Caleb's potluck celebration at our house ~ starting @ 5pm (come by anytime though! before, or after) Caleb usually falls asleep somewhere around 7pm...so the earlier, the better! EMAIL me @ prayforcaleb@yahoo.com for more information!