Kyle's dance

Childhood leaves us quite suddenly, and it seems to speed up for us as parents. It seemed much longer as a child, but seeing childhood speed by for my kids leaves me wondering what are the memories I have. What are the moments that are going to be indellably ingrained into my memory.

Recently we were looking through some pictures, and Ayden suddenly exclaimed: "this is when Kyle could walk." Having a child with dmd childhood becomes even more cherished because the older they get the more the deterioration sets in and the sweeter the childhood memories are. Not only are the childhood memories great for each of our children, the memories of Kyle's childhood will be equally memorable.

When Kyle could walk he would get excited and there was this uncoordinated dance move that he would do. It would involve some hip swinging, and look a little bizzare but it was a move he would do to show his excitement.

It was through looking through those pictures that day that brought the memories of those times. Although Kyle can not walk at all in normal conditions. He can still walk to some degree in water.

During the christmas break holiday we were able to spend the night at a hotel with a pool. Through careful manuvering we were able to get Kyle into the pool. When he got into the pool the water was able to take the pressure and the weight off of Kyle and he was able to form some sensblance of walking. As he began to gain a little balance excitement came over him, and then came the Kyle dance. We hadn't seen it in about a year, but in the water he was able to move somewhat freely and the excitement led to the expression that became synonomus with his excitement.

For a brief second his disinigration was forgotten and the memories of the past were renewed.

I believe God gives us small blessing each and every day. Some days it takes some work to find them, but when circumstances and situations are tough anytime dancing happens is a blessing.

Kyle still dances in the house, it just involves wheelchair spins, and a lot of arm raising. Each day that he is here with us is a blessing and although there inconviences, and things we wouldn't have wished for God blesses us and takes care of us.