Karate!

When Owen turned one, I took him in for his well baby visit and the doctor watched him scoot around the office for what seemed like a very long time. He finally told me that he wanted me to see a neurologist to make sure everything was okay. The problem was, Owen would sit up fine, but he would scoot while sitting up. He wouldn't put any weight on his arms. And if you tried to get him to stand up, he wouldn't put any weight on his legs.


I took him to the neurologist and while I was there, his nurse asked if I had tried to get him help through the District Health Office. She got me the paperwork and I filled it out. A few months, and many tests, later; we found out that his speech was great, his small muscles were great, but his large muscles were very much delayed. We began having a physical therapist come out to our house twice a week. She would play with Owen and show me things that I could do with him to strengthen his muscles. He began progressing immediately. Within a few months, she went down to once a week, and finally down to once every other week.

Just before Owen turned three they tested him again and decided that he didn't qualify for help anymore. It was hard to say goodbye to Lisa. She had been a part of our family for a long time, but we were glad that he had progressed so much. He still had a delay, though and things that were easy for other three year olds were still very hard for him. I wanted to help him continue to progress, so I was on the lookout for something to stimulate his large muscle groups.



I kept hearing about a karate class in a town about 10 miles away from us. It was taught by a guy who used to live out here. Finally, the thought wouldn't go away and I called. I actually got to talk to Shon. I told him about Owen and asked if karate would be something to help him. He told me that Owen was a little young for even the youngest kids that he taught, but I was welcome to come and see how he did. He also told me that he had been working with some kids with muscular dystrophy and they had gotten to the point where they could do the karate stances without crutches. The next week we were there and Owen has been taking it ever since. He's doing GREAT!! I've seen a huge improvement in his muscles. He used to walk up and down the stairs with two feet on each step and now he'll walk down normally. He can get into the car or truck without much trouble.


At karate, they have many drills that they do (crab walk, bear crawl, duck walk, etc.) and at first Owen couldn't even make if across the gym when all the other kids would make it there and back. Now he is the last one back, but he usually makes it. All of the instructors have commented on how much he has improved.


The other day I overheard some parents talking about Owen and how slow he was. The mama bear came out in me and I told them about him and how much he has improved. I told them that I was very proud of him and how hard he works. It was hard for me to see others not understanding him and judging him. I haven't heard any more comments.

Karate has been a HUGE blessing to us. Owen loves it and it is helping him so much. I'm glad that I finally talked to Shon and got him in it. My hope is that when he starts kindergarten that he will be able to keep up with his peers, not the most athletic in his class, but just keep up with them. I've seen that that hope might just come true. He's been able to play tag and soccer lately and somewhat keep up. I'm so proud of him!!