So, What's with All the Gear?

It's always entertaining when Corban and I go out (usually to one of his many doctor appointments), to hear how people choose to ask about him. Some do it better than others. Sometimes it's easy to answer them graciously, and other times... uhhh, a little more challenging.

Like Monday, someone chose to strike up a conversation with me by asking, "so, what's wrong with your baby?"

Hmmm. What did I want to say? How about, "What planet did you just get kicked off? I mean, really. How about asking what's right with my baby?!? Then I'd tell you, 'SO MUCH!' He's been through more in his short baby life than most of us ever have or will, and he's come out ALIVE to tell about it. With a smile on his face, nonetheless! And if you're insinuating that I did something to cause his condition, no, I didn't. This is how God gave him to me. He could have been born to anyone - including you. But you know, I'm awfully glad he wasn't! Because if he were, he would be stuck with an insensitive mother who strikes up conversations with complete strangers with, 'what's wrong with your baby?'" 

But, I didn't say that. What I actually said was, "He has a condition called 'arthrogryposis' that affects his joints and muscles." I figured that would probably be the more godly response, and all she really wanted to hear anyway.

So, that was Monday's adventure. On Tuesday, I met someone else who came up with a more creative way of asking about Corban. AFTER she said hello and talked to me for a bit, she asked, "so.... what's with all the gear?"

Haha. "What's with all the gear." You know, honestly, I would probably wonder that too. And there's a good chance many of you might as well. So, I thought I'd take a quick minute to explain what all the "gear" is really for.

Cranial Molding Helmet. It's nothing serious. It's nothing dangerous. Corban just has a flat head. He spent the first 5 months of his life in the NICU where he could barely move or be moved (4 broken bones + chest tubes + ventilator + feeding tube). So he spent a good bit of time on his back. While he's doing much better now, he still is very limited in his mobility. Thus, his head is a little flat.

The doctor says, he'll need to wear it about 4 months. Which, really, is nothing compared to a lifetime of having a beautifully shaped head. I'll take the 4 months of sweaty, stinky head, any day! Just praying it actually works!!

 

Hand splints. Pretty simple. We gotta get those fingers opened so he can use his hands! Hopefully with lots of splinting we'll be able to get his fists opened and avoid further treatment. Although, his upper extremities doc says he might end up needing surgery on his thumbs down the road. I'm hoping he's wrong.

AFOs (ankle foot orthotics). Just some really awesome shoes. He'll be wearing these guys for a few years (as he grows) to keep his feet in the right place. After 6 sets of casts, foot surgery, and 5 trips up to Philadelphia, he'll be sporting these babies FOREVER! ;)

So, I hope that little explanation helps, and puts you at ease when you see all the weird things my baby is wearing these days. He's ok. Really, you won't break him by looking at him! He just needs a little extra equipment to help him along in life.

And can I just take a moment to say, I think my baby is beautiful? He puts a smile on my face every time he sucks on that bottom lip of his. When he smiles with his eyes. When he kicks his legs with excitement over something he's accomplished. There's nothing "wrong" with him. He's perfect! And without all the "gear," it's easier to see how handsome he really is.

So, without further adieu, I present to you, Corban Levi. Gear-less...