I remember our shock the first time we gave him a bath. He wasn't shocked. He was thrilled at being in a shower; squealing with joy at the fun of being under the water and chasing the soap bubbles down the drain. We were the ones shocked. Shocked at the sight of the twists in his skeletal system. It was the first time we were able to get a look at our eight-year old son's entire body. It was the first time we were able to get a look at the full extent of the effects of arthrogryposis. Before he had always been covered with layers of clothing. Now we stood in the bathroom of our rented apartment in Eastern Europe and watched our new son play in the shower.
With our biological children we immediately assessed their physical condition while still in the delivery room. We looked at their little toes and fingers. Although the ultrasounds showed nothing out of the ordinary before birth, we still searched for any sign that something may be out of the normal once they were born. It is amazing how quickly we were able to determine that all appeared well with them. Before the nurses even took our newborns from our arms to weigh them etc, we knew that everything seemed to be in place. Well, now we were new parents again, but this time our assessment went a little differently. This time we already knew about the arthrogryposis, but now, during that bath-time, we finally had the opportunity to determine just how severe it was.
A lot of water has gone down the drain since that first shower. That was almost exactly one year ago. At this point we still don't know the underlying cause of his arthrogryposis. We are awaiting the results of genetic testing that will help us determine what can be done to straighten legs and strengthen arms. We love him and we love those little legs and feet. We love our heavenly Father who put it on our hearts to adopt. Here is a link to a great article I read today. I couldn't have said it better. dont-you-already-have-kids-adding-to-your-existing-family-through-adoption
With our biological children we immediately assessed their physical condition while still in the delivery room. We looked at their little toes and fingers. Although the ultrasounds showed nothing out of the ordinary before birth, we still searched for any sign that something may be out of the normal once they were born. It is amazing how quickly we were able to determine that all appeared well with them. Before the nurses even took our newborns from our arms to weigh them etc, we knew that everything seemed to be in place. Well, now we were new parents again, but this time our assessment went a little differently. This time we already knew about the arthrogryposis, but now, during that bath-time, we finally had the opportunity to determine just how severe it was.
A lot of water has gone down the drain since that first shower. That was almost exactly one year ago. At this point we still don't know the underlying cause of his arthrogryposis. We are awaiting the results of genetic testing that will help us determine what can be done to straighten legs and strengthen arms. We love him and we love those little legs and feet. We love our heavenly Father who put it on our hearts to adopt. Here is a link to a great article I read today. I couldn't have said it better. dont-you-already-have-kids-adding-to-your-existing-family-through-adoption