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accomplishments

Parents brag about their children!

I just wanted to share with you that Katie has finally mastered jump-roping! She has always wanted to do this and can't wait for school to start again so she can show her stuff at recess. She can do it with two people twirling or if I stand in front of her and twirl for both of us. We've been practicing for the last few weeks or so and last night she jumped 20 times in a row while turning in circles. Just one more thing to check off that wish list

two-wheel bike - check
swim - check
jump rope - check
zip coat - check
tie shoes in progress
roller-blade ready to try again !
-- Susan, mom of Katie 9,with right hemiplegia

Conor, with right hemiplegia, with his leg more involved than arm, will be 4 in a few months.  He's has done a lot in the last few weeks.  He has pedaled his tricycle 4 strokes, hit a wiffle ball with a wiffle bat 2 times, and is somersaulting all over the yard!!!! I get all choked up everytime I see the joy in his eyes everytime he accomplishes something really hard for him. -- Laura W.

Sam's biggest accomplishment (aside from walking which he was never supposed to do) is that he is voluntarily using his right arm and fisted hand (affected) to knock over blocks or knock something out of your hand and he's is trying for all he's worth to pull the lever down on his 'see and say' with his wrist!! He has used his right arm and 'hand' more in the past two days than he has in whole 2 years!! -- Lisa proud mom of Sam 2 yr old sweetie

Corbyn's greatest accomplishment...the fact that she's alive, healthy, and happy. Let's just go with the latest accomplishments...within the last 3 months
1. Learning to canter on horseback.
2. Competing in trails and equitation riding events in the state Special Olympics games and placing 4th and 2nd, respectively.
3. Tying her shoes with both hands without complaining.
4. Manipulating all fasteners (zippers, buttons, snaps) so she can wear ANY kind of clothing she wants...even JEANS!!!

I guess, last but not least....Corbyn's entering 5th grade in the fall and is still in all regular classes! Way to go Corbyn! -- Karyn, mom to Corbyn 10 1/2 with right hemiplegia due to 2 strokes

I didn't think I would be able to write this so soon, but today Danny discovered that he could use his right arm to hold a block (Lego-type thing) and remove the attached one with his left hand! Prior to this, he would whine at me to hold one end while he pulled with the other. I would place it under his right arm, and show him he could do it himself. Finally he understood! He did it over and over and over - I practically cried (actually, I did - and still am!). My friends just don't understand, but I know you will. Thanks for your support! -- Tricia, Mom to Danny, 16 month old with right hemiplegia

Joel has had two big accomplishments so far this year. The first was being able to swim the length of our 9 metre pool all by himself with no one else in the water (mum and swim teacher perched on the side getting ready to dive in - just in case). He got a special certificate for it and it is proudly displayed.

The second one was learning to tie his shoe laces, two handed. We had lots of frustration over this but Joel kept on perservering and seems to have it now.

Wonder what our next hurdle will be? Maybe riding a bike without training wheels :) --  Andrea, mum to Joel, 6.5, left hemiplegia

I remember a like situation with my son 11 years ago. You will see as time goes by that he will use his affected hand as a great "helper" for his unaffected side. While my son lacks fine motor skills in his right hand, there is practically NO task that he can not accomplish using the two of them together.. happy for you. Olline, mom to almost 14 John (with right hemiplegia)

Megan blew kisses with her affected hand, relishing the applause from her adoring fans - mom, nana and grandpa! She has also begun to swim the front crawl, getting that affected arm out of the water and reaching forward. Swimming has been the greatest equalizer for Megan. In the water she can keep up and even surpass her peers! -- Sarah, proud mom of Megan, 5 yrs, left hemiplegia

My six year old daughter, Samantha, is finally riding a tricycle (adapted). You can't believe the smile on her face! She wants to go faster though so today we put on knee pads. She still needs to learn to steer though and believe it or not, that is on her IEP for next year. We are bringing the tricycle to the school for the winter and her APE teacher will be working on it with her. --Laurie

Kaelin, 27 months, is in waterbabies at the Y. Last week she swam 2 lengths of the pool by herself with just the bubble. She is awful to get out of the tub. She actually even uses her left side in the pool. -- Katie

Just wanted to share with all of you the good news. Vinny learned to tie his shoes in occupational therapy last week. We are so proud and he feels so great about himself. --Jill mom of Vinny 8, right hemiplegia

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The information contained in this Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) Web site is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment, and CHASA recommends consultation with your doctor or health care professional.