Jennifer's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 11/11/02 -------------------- 10/22/02 10/14/02 -------------------- Jennifer's Introduction

October 22, 2002

Born 3-1-98


Our move to Texas was at the beginning of November in 1999. Matthew was 1 1/2 years old and had yet to crawl. He was however starting to push himself up into a sitting position which was very exciting. After we had settled into our new place I contacted a new Pediatrition, Dr. A., to have Matthew evaluated. Doctor A. was very kind to us and yet very upset at the fact that Matthew's doctors in Missouri did next to nothing to help him or figure out what went wrong. He immediately prescribed physical, speech and occupational therapy for Matthew to be given in our home on a weekly basis. He also contacted a Pediatric Neurologist (Dr. B.) from Corpus Christi for us to take Matthew to. Dr. A. told us that in South Texas there are only 2 PN's and that we will be seen by one of them. We were VERY pleased with Dr. A. and his compassion for Matthew. It was actually a little overwhelming for me being Matt's mom, because no one else had given us that much attention about him. Sad but true! Matthew began receiving therapy in our home through Region III from Victoria. The men and women were excellent with him and took the time to get down on the floor and do the exercises that Matt needed in order to build his strength. Within a matter of months, Matthew began to crawl. He was learning how to sit in his own, although he had a tendency to lean back really far, as if he were about to fall backwards, but never did. This was due to weak trunk muscles. His arms and legs had poor muscle tone as well and felt very squishy most of the time. In the middle of all of his therapy, we took him to see Dr. B. to have him evaluate Matthew. We explained his situation from pregnancy to birth and up to the present time. He ordered a series of blood tests as well as a CT Scan to be done of Matthew's brain. All of the blood tests and the CT Scan came back normal. It was very puzzling for us because all the tests were coming back normal and yet all of these things were wrong with Matt. At a follow up exam with Dr. B. he told me that if he had to categorize Matthew under something specific it would be "Global Developmental Delay" and "Autism". I cannot tell you what a relief it was to finally have a name for his problems. Only because we now knew what direction to go in as far as getting specific help.
His in home therapy continued until he turned 3 years old. At that point our case worker with Region III took Mark and I to our Elementary School and introduced us to Matthew's new teachers and classrooms. I was pretty confused at this point because I didn't understand that they were wanting Matthew to attend full day school. I was told that it was my choice weather or not I wanted to just send him for therapy, or for the all day program. So one afternoon all of these teachers and administrators showed up at my home and told me that they wanted him to attend school. I began crying and explained that since Matthew was my baby and because he had never been away from me, I would rather that he just attended his therapy sessions there. Ms. P. (who would end up being Matthew's teacher) asked me if I would feel more comfortable leaving him there for only 1/2 of a day from 8 to 12. Plus she would hire an extra teacher who would take care of only Matthew. I gather my thoughts and agreed. Although it was tough on me, we took him there and slowly but surely he began to improve. He finished out the school year and then began again in the Fall of 2001. We decided that he would benefit from all day school since he had been doing so well. My only request was that they buy him a crib to sleep in for nap time, since that is what he still slept/sleeps in at home. They agreed.
Somewhere around his 4th birthday, he began pulling himself up at the edge of the couch and started taking steps. In the months to follow he began walking a little more and then finally took off. I remember the very first time that I saw him walk by himself. I was in the dining room and Matthew was at the edge of the couch. He let go and walked about 8 steps across the living room and grabed onto the love seat. Without hesitation, I ran towards him picked him up high into the air and yelled "You did it Matthew, you did it". Tears were streaming down my face as I squeezed my precious little guy. He just looked at me and grinned and I knew that he knew I was proud of him. :0)

In case you didn't know already, we are planning to move back to Missouri at the beginning on March. We decided to have Dr. B. evaluate Matthew once more before we go which will take place in Corpus on December 11th. He also ordered some more blood tests to be done. We took Matt two weeks ago to have his blood drawn and we are awaiting those results.
Hopefully by the time I do my next entry, I'll have those results.

Take care ya'll~
Jennifer and Matt-O :0)