7 Months Post Op

Abigail continues with physio on nearly a daily basis. Her endurance continues to grow and I love watching her socializing with her friends with her newly acquired confidence. She is enjoying the company of friends now that she has new interests similar to those of her peers.

She tells me that her physio and her appearance are the things that are so important to her at this present time. This is a huge leap forward, after dressing and looking like a boy for the last two years! She's even asked her her Dolls House to be resurrected from the garage! I thought this was a thing of the past! She has even begun to wear a skirt to school again.

Both daughters have things in common again and I can see Talia's eager eyes on Abigail's new girl's clothes, knowing that one day they will be passed to her when she's big enough. Last month Abigail even went to drastic lengths and got her ears pierced.

From a Mother's perspective it's like watching an ugly duckling bloom into a Swan. Don't misinterpret that, she was never ugly but that's how Abi felt inside and now she is emerging a much more happier, confident girl and I'm bursting with pride as I look on knowing it's the surgery that has changed her life and we were brave enough to proceed, despite how daunting it seemed at the time.

This week 11 July was Sports Day at school. Abi took part in everything with the help and dedication from her support worker, Jane. It's a good job Jane is very, very fit and into long distance running as it takes an awful lot of energy to help Abi participate to the level she does on days like this. There was the egg and spoon race, sack race, bean bag, skipping, relay, javelin, long jump, and hoop races. Obviously Abigail was slower than her piers but she took part in them all and many times she completed them with class mates and parents chanting "Abi, Abi" and she wore the biggest smile she's ever worn. I was there as usual splitting my time between the two girls, with the paparazzi camera and a voice like a fish wife!! I'm a very proud Mummy and I'm not ashamed to show it.

What fun

This time last year I would have been in a wheelchair

Mums favourite - look at the nice heel to toe walking.

Still need a bit of support but we are getting there.

Today, Saturday 16th July, has been quite a relaxing day. Abigail's Nanny & Grandad came to visit. Abigail completed her physio session first thing in the morning and she then had some well enjoyed, as she calls it, "me time!" on the favouite websites. This lasted quite a long time and I was eager to get her on her feet and active. So I suggested we went for a walk on her crutches outside. She walked, very capably up the close, out the front of our house over all the gravel stones at a very speedy rate. I should add, at this point, that Abigail's NHS physio, only seems to want to support Abigail using her crutches at school during toilet breaks and during physio sessions, as from September, despite me asking to support us in allowing Abigail to use them this term. Hardly what I would describe as supportive and certainly not allowing Abigail to have the challenge she needs in order to progress.

During a phone call from my Sister this evening, Abigail was keen to chat to her. I turned around to see Abigail getting herself off the chair and starting to pace around whilst chatting!!!! After that phone call she wanted to phone someone else and another so she could chat and walk around. After she had completed her calls she continued to walk around the house, every now and again I had to offer a little correction but she was amazing. Her ability to change direction is coming along nicely as is her self correction of balance when she becomes unsteady. Needless to say, Abigail is over the moon with herself. Well done Abigail.