Never Underestimate the Determination of a Child

Candidate W has recovered completely from his viral illness. He is now again his rambunctious little self, getting into things that he's not supposed to and testing his limits with everyone in the clinic-a typical 8-year-old. Today while at the clinic for physical therapy, the new therapist Nancy was searching about for him, but without much success.

Suddenly she found him coming from the bathroom with his prosthesis securely strapped in place, and a big smile on his face. So proud he was of himself for having done this, all by himself. Not just going to the bathroom but so proud that he was able to put his prosthesis on and walk without assistance except for one crutch supporting him.

If you remember, from a previous blog entry, Candidate W’s initial fitting and attempt to ambulate made him so incredibly nervous that he did not want to take that very first step. Not for anything. He has now gotten past that fear where he is strapping his own leg on, walking by himself, and taking the prosthesis off when he is tired and wants to go for wheelchair race around the clinic.

Never underestimate the determination of a child. Now there is no stopping him.

So where do we go from here. First and foremost is to call the orphanage and alert them of the change and the upcoming discharge date, for candidate W. Instead of the anticipated 3-4 weeks stay at L'Escale, Candidate W will be discharged back to the orphanage after spending only 7 days at the Hanger clinic. How about that progress?

Thanks for reading-Project HOPE volunteer Joy Williams