Now I Can Therapy - Day 2

Therapy has started! This was his 2nd day. They prepped him with stretching and then got him suited up to get to work.

(You can click the video above to view the full video at YouTube.)

I want to thank all the pledges we've received! You are our heroes.

And if you would still like to pledge, we still need help. You can let us know by either leaving a comment or emailing us at [email protected]

'Better Days' are ahead for Porter - he's already been making marked improvements!

Pledges for Porter

As many of you know, Porter had a stroke before he was born. He's had many struggles in his development, yet he keeps his happy demeanor! With the therapy he's been receiving, he's been making some progress, but he still struggles with walking correctly at nearly 2 1/2 years. Along with his right arm, which Porter forgot existed -- until recently. And as of now, a 6 month old can still do more than he can with his right hand.

We heard of a company in the area, (actually within walking distance from our home!) that does intense physical therapy and are very innovative in their methods! Intense therap means that they work with the kids for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 3 to 4 weeks. Patients come away with more concrete and consistent results. The company is called the Now I Can Foundation. And you can see their website HERE: -------------> http://www.nowican.org/

A friend of mine with a son who has very similar limitations as Porter knew about their work and she had her son in their program -- and LOVED it! Her son is a year younger and already having MUCH better progress than the current therapy Porter (and her son) received.

The issue here is that the cost for 1 session (3 weeks) is $6,000... and they don't work with insurance. I got an email this last weekend from them with a special deal for Porter. We came in about 2 months ago for a consultation - to see the facilities and what they can do for Porter. There was an opening available for 2 hours a day for half the normal price -- so instead of $6,000, Porter can get in for $1,500!

We felt that we couldn't pass up this opportunity -- so we told them to sign him up! It started the 2nd of November and goes through the 20th. They are willing to work with us, still that's $500/week. We've paid the first payment. When we drain our emergency fund, we'll still be $500 short.

As Dane and I talked about it, we had an idea come to us to see if anyone wants to Pledge for Porter. If we can get just 10 people or families to pledge $50, we can have the therapy paid for! If there are more pledges than this, it'll help keep us from going in the hole and nixing Christmas for the kids... as well as equipment for Porter after the therapy (at home program).

Unlike the call-in-and-donate-to-such-and-such-fund, where you don't know who's getting the help and how they're doing... you can follow Porter and his progress. Here's Porter's therapy blog! ----------> http://portertherapy.blogspot.com/

Our gift to you!

If you would like to help us out -- and have fun watching Porter get stronger -- drop us a line or an email. ANYTHING will be appreciated!

All of us,

The Gilson's

Dane, Jenn, Debany, Myanna, and of course...

PORTER!!!

Mode of Transportation

Porter's car

Porter sure has gotten better at riding his car!

(Of course, I think him getting bigger has had something to do with that, too!)

'Where's righty?' -- 'Good boy, Porter!'

It's getting easier!

We're still working on turning the car, though.

Baby steps, baby steps.

Porter's Tastebuds --- ???

---???---

Riddle me this: What goes good with PB & J?

BEEEEEP: I'm sorry, the correct answer was MUSTARD.

(Of course, his sister dips her canned fruit in sausage gravy and puts it on her biscuits.)

I wonder if anyone will come to our house anymore. Huh.

'The Mummy'

This isn't even fully-wrapped -- we'll get a picture of that, too!

Thank You, Einstein

Fun with Baskets