Jake IS Amazing and Fall Fishing Is On Once Again!!!

Jacob has been totally amazing us these past few weeks since returning to our home. You can tell he is so comfortable and thankful to be home with us, and wants to do many of the things he use to do when he lived with us throughout his childhood. Well, today was the day. Since we did not have a scheduled PT/OT/Speech session at Gundersen, we take it upon ourselves to recreate this physical learning moments and activities with Jake in and outside of our home.

Since we have returned home, Jake has been wanting to go down to the dock and go fishing, but our steps have such an incline and the bending of his left knee has been such a challenge. Well, he was bound and determined to make this happen, no matter what. With the assistance of mom and dad, we aided in Jake's mission today to use his walker to step onto the stock steps and then one by one we ventured down the dock steps. After the first three steps, Jake was elated and said "I want to make it all the way down to the dock and sit on the bench!" "Ok we said" and we kept going one step at a time, mom in front, dad in back of him with the gate belt and jake had extra support with the wooden hand grip side rails of the dock- it worked out pretty darn well.

We continued down to the EZ dock portion where know it sits on top of the water and it is much wider and he could step with easy with guidance from both of us on each side. Jake then continued on to get to the bench and take a seat. Whee- he made- I would have nevered believed it- but he did it. jeff and I are still astounded. Jake proceed to request the need of a fishing pole, and Jeff went to get one with a lure to attract a bass or possible northern.  We introduced the strategy of how to cast with a fishing pole once again, without tangling himself or anyone around him with the fishing hooks :-) Four to five casts later he mastered this feat and continued on with successful fishing casts out into the bay. Though he did not catch anything with exception of some Mississippi seaweed, he was so exciting he could enjoy the afternoon with practicing one of his past hobbies. I am so thankful I finally got my fishing buddy back and can't want to enjoy more Fall fishing with him!!!

Now the challenge, we have to go back up all these steps. Oh dear Lord, all I was thinking is I hope he has enough energy and strength to get back up all those steps.  We asked him if he thought he could do it, Jake stated "No problem" with a smile :-) Sure enough, once getting past the EZ Dock portion and then onto the angled plank connecting the EZ dock with the steps- that was the most difficult part. He then proceeded to take a normal step like motion as you and I would- but stepping with his strongest leg of his right leg first, and then boosting his whole body up to the step, as then to balance on both legs. Boy is this kid strong strong and so determined is all that was running through my mind at this time. I knew Jake had an adrenalin rush with this accomplishment and that is shy going back up he was so determined, but I think his mom and dad had more of an adrenaline rush as we were internally coaching him and giving positive verbal cheers to support his efforts and to make sure he met his goal for the day.

We are so proud of our Jacob, we know he is going to make it in whatever he sets out to do. Hmmm I wonder what is in store for us tomorrow? Here is a collection of the photos that we could take of his progress today through an Animoto Video playback.

And the nice addition of an interview with Jake on the dock today through the captured vdeo below.