Tru's Teachings

Tru and I spend this Tuesday "giving back". We started our morning at a day care facility for disabled children. This facility is sponsored by Kennedy Krieger Institute where Tru is also a patient. At Tru's last visit to Kennedy Krieger some of the staff at the hospital asked if we would be willing to speak with the employees of the day care facility as they were preparing to care for a child that will have a similar surgery as Tru. Afterward the child will have a prosthetic leg as well. The staff of this daycare facility are medical professionals and care for children with a variety of disabilities however, they wanted to learn more about what to expect from a parent's perspective.

I spoke to a staff of ten people that included nurses, administrators, social workers, etc. While we spoke about our family's experiences with Tru's surgeries, medical needs, care of his limb and prosthetic leg, etc. Tru helped himself to their expansive array of toys. As we spoke the staff observed Tru's play and the way he moved with his prosthesis. We talked for about an hour and then Tru and I gave them a demonstration on the proper way to wear and care for his leg. Tru was sooo shy! He was totally out of his comfort zone and did not speak to anyone there.

After our visit there we were off to the University of Maryland. Tru's Prosthetist had also arranged for us to be guests at a teaching clinic for physical therapy students. Again, Tru did not fully understand why we had come to this new place. He would not let go of my hand.

Before we met the students we met the other volunteers who were attending the clinic. Of course, all of the other volunteers were also amputees. As odd as it may sound, Tru has never met another amputee before! He has only been around other children and adults who have two normal, human legs. When we walked into the room with the other amputees (all older men) Tru was very confused and very timid. The men tried to befriend him but Tru only wanted Mommy.

We finally met the PT students and Tru had not yet warmed up. I tried giving him candy, soda or anything I could think to coax him to move around for the observing students.


Finally... one of the instructors blew up this beach ball for Tru. That did the trick! The poor PT students did not know what hit them. Tru turned into an entirely different kid.


Tru was soon playing soccer and volley ball non-stop for the next two hours.


Tru and two of his fellow volunteers.

These are about one quarter of the students in the class. Unfortunately all of them, at some point, got a beach ball to the head or some other body part courtesy of Wild Tru. Sorry guys and girls!




In the end Tru had a blast!