Summer 2014
This has been a summer of firsts with a prosthetic leg for Jordan. And he's doing amazing!
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| First Jousting match - Windsor Community Centre BBQ |
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First walk with Rehabilitation Centre for Children
Team Nubbie raised over $1,000.00! |
Figuring out a 5 day canoe trip was interesting. He didn't like the kayak at first because you need the foot to push down on the pedals to move the rudder, but he figured it out. We did a long portage and Jordan managed a very rough terrain which was challenging for all of us! Our canoe trip was in the Experimental Lakes area east of Kenora which is beautiful and rocky. He went swimming with his cousins and preferred to swim without his leg, which was great because I was worried of it slipping off and sinking to the bottom of the lake.
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Figuring out a kayak with a prosthetic foot is a challenge
but not impossible! |
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| Archery at the campsite! |
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| The bugs were no match for this guy |
The sledge hockey team was invited to skate with Olympian Billy Bridges from Canada's Sledge Hockey Team!
We took a road trip to Ontario where we visited with family and friends. Every summer we visit Point Pelee National Park and stand on the tip which is the southern most point in Canada. It was here that we realized it was the week of July 23rd - 6 months since Jordan's surgery and as we watched him play in the waves with his sister and cousins, we couldn't help feeling very emotional and reflective of his progress during this incredible journey.
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| Yes, he can still climb trees |
We returned from our trip in time to attend our first War Amps Conference which was held in Winnipeg. The child amputee program is called CHAMPS and their motto is "It's what left that counts!" The War Amps is an incredible program. It began with veterans from WWII who came back missing limbs and received support, counselling and prostheses. They wondered about the support for children who were born missing limbs, or lost limbs from an accident, who was there to support them? They began the War Amps program 39 years ago to support children amputees and today, they help fund active limbs for children across Canada, provide counselling to families, education displays and seminars and so much more. The War Amps already funded Jordan's active leg and we began to understand that our relationship with this program will be long term. We are so grateful for them and all they do for children amputees! It was a very powerful experience to be in a room with 95 other CHAMPS and a privilege to hear their stories. Pool time was fun as legs and arms were removed and strewn across the pool deck. Kids splashed and jumped and the space filled with so much laughter.
And as I write this, Jordan is camping with a friend and they were water skiing, tubing, cliff jumping and fishing. I think Jordan has rocked this summer of firsts! Jordan always saw the big picture. He knew that a prosthetic leg would open up possibilities for him. And he was right!
Jordan, you have inspired your family, friends and community with your perseverance, your positive attitude and your humour. We are all so proud of what you've accomplished in the past 6 months and we're excited to see what the next chapter has in store for you. We are so grateful to you, our families, our friends, our neighbours, our community, our sledge hockey families for your love, support, encouragement and hugs. It has been an incredible journey and we thank you for joining us.
