Annie walking through the years

I've said it before but it definitely needs repeating, Annie is the strongest little lady I have ever known!  A typical child may learn to walk by age 1.  James learned to walk at 15 months, Gracie it was about 13 1/2 months, and our sweet, persistent Annie has not yet met that goal but is consistently making progress each and every day towards this very difficult feat.  Here is a glimpse of her accomplishments:
At 1 Year Annie was standing and holding on all by herself!

 At Age 2 Annie was able to "walk" with a toy

and eventually a walker

And we started persuing intensive therapy programs

At age 3 Annie started using the theratog suit

 We continued to work relentlessly on Annie's walking:

 She had good days

 

And hard days

At age 4 we were able to fund intensive therapy and started the universal exercise unit and therasuit which helped Annie gain much needed skills and some pretty substantial muscle tone:

We then started the Lokomat - an intensive therapy that helped Annie start to bend her knees and gain stamina:

At age 5 Annie was able to get out of her chair and walk with assistance around a public place (like Chuck E Cheese!)

Annie continued to work on transitions and walking weekly during physical therapy at Beaumont.

We held Annie when she needed to be held,

and pushed her when she needed to be in her chair,

and helped her up when she wanted to be on her feet,

We will continue to cheer her efforts to walking independently but we will NEVER be too far to lend a hand whenever she needs someone to lean on!  

2011 Annie is now 6 years old, she is back on the Lokomat and will start another round of intensive therapy using the universal exercise unit in July.

Here is Annie walking today!

Annie walking with one hand

Annie we love you so much and have been blessed to be a part of your road to independence.  We pray and believe that you will be walking on your own soon but if that is not what God has planned we will spend the rest of our lives happily guiding you on the path that is chosen for you.  We love you beyond measure!  Daddy, Mommy, James and Gracie! 

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 4o:31