Bye-Bye Magic Stick!

We had an appointment with Mr. Tony today. Before we set out, I dug to the back of the closet and retrieved Annie's blue 'magic stick', her arm crutch, which was a demo loaner from Mr. Tony. She hasn't used it for weeks. She asked me to carry it to the van. The mantra, 'big girls don't need magic sticks,' was oft repeated to reinforce her new habit. It seems that her posture, balance and strength have also improved with her new habit. Duh. It was a crutch!

In the office, we heard the story of a young boy who had a traumatic amputation recently. Annie told Mr. Tony, 'maybe someone else can use this. Thank you!' The stick is a nice medium blue, perfect for a little boy who's learning to use his new leg.

I thought of A Christmas Carol and Tiny Tim and the potential-scary-future image of an unused crutch. Here, however, the unused crutch makes my heart glad with the thought 'God bless us, everyone!'

Mr. Tony version 3.0

Annie had a physical therapy session today and afterward, we went to see Mr. Tony and pick up her third prosthesis from him. She seemed to grow two inches in that hour. He continues to tweek and rework and adjust her prosthestics for her and her growing body and expanding physical needs. As she learns to do more, she wants to do even more. This leg has a new, larger foot [to match her fleshly one] and the leg itself is shaped like an oval and less like a circle to minimize the leg turning on her while she's wearing it. It comes up much higher on the outside of her leg and it will accommodate a knee joint when we decide to try that out. It's so obvious that Mr. Tony loves our little girl and puts all his skill and creativity into her prosthesis. We are so blessed and grateful.

PT Guest: Mr. Tony

Annie had her weekly PT appointment today [moved because of Wednesday's dental exam] and we were graced with a visit from none other than Mr. Tony in Miss Ashley's gym. He is a big bear of an Italian man, thinning hair on top, big brushy dark mustache under his nose, bright eyes and a ready smile. He got right on the floor with Annie and let her show him her good balance with the Mardi Gras beads. When we told him she walks on the treadmill, he was brightly skeptical, challenging her to show him. And she did. I overheard the two orthopedic professionals noting how her gait is weight-bearing and straight forward. Annie didn't rely on her hip adductors to swing the leg around, but walked right over the top of the prosthesis. He watched her shoot baskets and left as she was getting ready to climb the stairs.

Mr. Tony, looking like he's from Sicily and sounding like he's from Boston, is jubilant and life-affirming. He absolutely loves Annie's red hair and her strong will. It's all he can do to not pinch her cheeks every time he sees her. If Roberto Benini and Leo Buscaglia had a son, it would be Mr. Tony. As he was leaving, Annie gave him a "big juicy" [our slang for a nice kiss on the cheek] and a hug and said, "Sanka you, Mista Towny. Sanks for my weg." He stood back, basking in that moment, put both his hands to his heart and beamed, "You know, it's moments like these that make my work worthwhile. Where ya' gonna' get a bettah paycheck?" His eyes were twinkling a little as he left.

Annie tried something new today. She used the scooter to go into the "little gym" where Ashley set up a body-size punching bag from the ceiling anchor. Annie didn't quite know what to expect until Ashley sent it swinging and Annie tried to catch it. She's got incredible balance. I think she's got a genius for body movement. She's determined as all get-out and when her hour is up, she's spent. She giggled when she went to kick the punching bag. I don't think she's ever used that leg to kick from a standing position. Come to think of it, she hasn't.

Next week, taking Mr. Tony's suggestion, we plan to film Annie. Not just for her, but for the children who come after her to see how the process works. In those very dark moments in December of 2005, Mr. Tony was the one who encouraged us with the amputation. He's pleased at how well Annie is doing and we are, too.

Annie Update: Final Fitting Countdown

Annie saw Mr. Tony today for another fitting of her soon-to-be-completed prosthesis. He made some measurements and adjustments and let her try on the "test socket" from which he will make her prosthesis. He figures it'll be done in about a week. Everything is customized to the patient. He will make hers purple with butterflies. For her first one, there will be no bend in the knee, but it'll be a straight leg. He had us bring in a left shoe so he can fit a foot to her prosthesis. I have a perfectly white, never-been-used sneaker to go with her slightly dingy, scuffed-on-the-side shoe. It'll be good to get some wear out of the left shoe.

I can hardly wait.