Responding to Your Comments #1

I have been trying to figure out the best way to respond to your comments. I want you to know how much I appreciate you taking the time to leave your thoughts in this little blog of mine.

I have responded to some comments in the comment section as well, but I don't think that is the most effective way to respond. So, in light of that, I will be responding to your comments here, as a separate blog post, and I will try to do so every week.

So here we go, "Responding to Your Comments #1"

Blog post: When "Cute" Makes a Difference

If you really have no other option (which would surprise me), I knew a girl from Easter Seals who wrapped her crutches in colorful ribbon. She could change it out whenever she wanted to and it looked darling!

 What a great idea! I never thought about it, but we will keep that in mind if we cannot get her some pink or purple ones!

Or could you spray paint them?

I am under the impression that whenever you alter medical equipment permanently, that you loose any "insurance" or "guarantee." I have always thought that painting is considered permanent alteration, which is the only reason we have not given it serious thought. I should ask about this though.

We use "Walk Easy" and my now 14-year-old son orders Maroon every time! (His favorite team's color!) The crutches are only $125. I know that is a big "only" but sometimes, we find it just easier to fit that into our budget than to deal with insurance....also, since he started using them at 3, we have called them "Power Sticks"....so much better than "crutches" in my opinion. Everyone we know thinks that is their "technical" name! ha Go Nina!!
 That is the brand that Mayo recommended and we could have gotten if I had ordered them there...and insurance would have paid for them. This is why I need to call and ask if other places don't work for us. For Nina, the cost is only $99, so we might consider buying them. And I love that you call them "Power Sticks" we might have to call them that too!

I was thinking of reusable vinyl stickers so that they could be taken on and off as the mood strikes. If you check the scrapbooking aisles of craft stores there are usually lots of cool options.

 Yes! We did see a little girl that covered her walker with those and it was so cute!

Back in the day :) I decorated Sarah Kate's boring green and tan gait trainer with a Sharpie and some letter stickers. The bar across the back said "Girl Power" and it solicited a lot of comments. She was too young at the time to really grasp "cute" but I felt like it put other people at ease to see that bit of humor. When she graduated to canes, we spray painted them in a color of her choosing.

 I might have to use that idea for Nina's walker. Now, let me ask you about the spray painting, because I have always thought that is a "no, no." If they break, bend, etc. would they still be replaced without having to buy new ones?

Blog post: Two Years Ago. Why We Adopted

It would be great to write a follow up to this, the "why", and hear from you what you "got" out of the deal. So many people think that it's something that we adoptive parents are giving a child , when we are actually getting some pretty huge benefits from the deal, both as families, individuals, and churches that are enriched through adoption.

You are right, there are many blessing that have come to us because of Nina. What a great idea for a blog post, I will definitely write about that!

Blog post: First Chapter Finished

I would love to follow another series like this on CP or adoption or anything else.

Yes, a couple of people have e-mailed me about this too, so I am working on that! I am hoping to start those after the Holidays. 

So many of you left encouraging and such thoughtful comments while I shared my story of finding out Nichole had Down syndrome. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your comments. If I did not respond to them individually here, it is because I would have said thank-you a hundred times. But I will say it here: 

Thank You!

And thank you also for the comments where you celebrated with us Nina's progress 6 months after her surgery. She loves to hear that other people are cheering for her too.