I have been waiting to do this post until we could download the pictures off our cellphones. Kooper got his very first prosthetic January of 2010. Rikk, Kooper, Conner and I went to visit Shriner's in Portland, Oregon in December '09 and he got all fitted for it. Then in January '10 we headed back to Portland and Kooper got his cute little Curious George covered leg. Kooper picked out the material himself...we laid about 6 different patterns on the floor and he picked it out three different times, so that's how Curious George was picked. The foot on this first leg was the smallest one that they had and it was HUGE compared to Kooper real foot.
Kooper meeting his leg for the very first time. Look how happy he is!
He LOVES his leg. He seriously loves on it when he isn't wearing it.
Trying it on for the first time.
Getting some physical therapy while his leg gets finished.
Trying on his finished leg for first time. He didn't think it was too bad.
Until he stood up and then he was unsure...
And then he didn't really like it all that much...
Until we got back to the hotel and then he was just chillin' with it.
Playing with his real toes!
And then in May of this year Shriner's came to Anchorage for a visit and made a mold of Kooper's leg. It was time for a new one. Then they came back again in May to make sure the mold fit. We forgot to give them (Todd, the BEST prosthisist(sp?) ever!) the material to put on the leg and we then also forgot to mail it. So Todd picked out the material for us. We had no idea what it would look like until it showed up. It was an exciting/nervous feeling waiting for it to arrive. And then it did.
Kooper now wears frogs and what adorable frogs they are! You did awesome Todd, we LOVE it!
Kooper thinking he is pretty cool standing up to the entertainment center like Conner...with TWO legs!
Kooper modeling it for us.
Now Kooper LOVES to wear his leg. We are getting more used to him wearing it and putting it on him. I HATE to put it on him because there is a lot of tugging and pulling involved and I am just not really strong enough, so Kooper does a bit of crying. He also has physical therapy every two weeks, soon to be every week. His PT lady Martha is very nice and seems to enjoy working with Kooper...and Conner! We know that this is a slow and steady process and we are sure to celebrate every "little" accomplishment Kooper makes.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
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9 comments:
Yeah Kooper!! We are so proud of that little dude. What a sweetheart.
Wow, how amazing. I am curious after reading the post:
1) Does the leg bend at the knee or is it rigid?
2) How does his leg stay in there and not slip out?
That is seriously the cutest thing ever. I love it. He's a rad little kiddo already.
Oh my goodness, Kooper is just so very cute!!! I love his frogs!!! How often will he need to get a new one? I still think you should come to the Shriners here in Spokane : ) Kooper looks so great standing up, way to go big guy!!
Wow!! That is just amazing!! He is absolutely adorable! We're going to be in Anchorage for a week (we're staying on Elmendorf... we should get together at Arctic Oasis or something!)
Dana:
Thanks, we are proud of him and think he's a sweetheart too!
Katie:
1) The leg has no knee joint, it's just straight. They say that he will not get one with a knee joint until he is 2 or so, b/c toddlers walk straight legged. Around the age of two is when they start to bend their knees a bit when they walk
2)His leg is compression fit, which involved tugging and pulling and quite a bit of strength. (I should video it getting put on) It likes to slip off when he crawls around and if he is being passed around. So he just wears it for now when we are working with him and if we know he will be in his carseat/stroller for a bit.
Kacey:
1) He will get one they say about every 4-6 months. From birth to 2-3 years they grow so fast, that is the reason. Todd couldn't believe how much he grew from his first one to the new one. (I'll have to take apic of them side by side) Shriner's hopes to come up here a few times a year, but if they can't and he's in need of a new one, then we go there.
2)For whatever reason we are told that the state of Alaska goes to the Shriner's in Oregon. It's a bummer we can't go to the one in Spokane. I would love to see your kiddos and you!
Amy:
Sounds like a great idea. Just let me know when, I believe we are pretty free!
OMGosh, that is amazing, what a little trooper!!! I have to say it does bring a tear to my eye, but his smile makes it a happy tear!!! You guys are doing a wonderful job and it shows;) Great Job Kooper, keep upi the good work!!!
Blessings to you all!
The Luetkemeyer's
Kooper is such a cute little guy! The frogs are adorable! I love the story of him picking out the monkey pattern however. He's such a rockstar!
Yeah! What cute pictures you have! He is getting so big! Can't beleive how fast time goes by!
Yeah! What cute pictures you have! He is getting so big! Can't beleive how fast time goes by!
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