Braylon's MRI photos

Here are some of Braylon's MRI photos of his brain. As described to us... the light gray areas are damaged parts of his brain and the white areas are the way his brain should look all over. If you look closely at the images you will see black circles or ovals; that part of his brain is dead and fluid filled cysts are now there. I guess when the brain dies it shrinks and the cysts take up space so the brain can be secure. I'm not a medical doctor though.... just going off my own experiences.

Braylon has hundreds of other images that show almost the same thing.... half a brain. BUT the image we all see of Braylon in person is completely different. He is my HERO and exactly were he is suppose to be..... God is so good! I can't believe my son's brain looks like this, but his actions have never shown us despair. Please give no excuses for where you are, just keep moving in the direction you want to be!

He fell 30 times today!

It's been a couple of weeks since I last updated the blog. It is not because Braylon has stopped progressing, matter of fact he's moving leaps and bounds. His left arm is moving more and he's learning how to control it. B is crawling so fast that my eyes have a hard time keeping up with him. Plus I know when he finally does walk.... well RUN, he's out of here!!!!
There is something that I want to update you all on.... and it's very inspiring. For about 6 weeks now B has been trying to pull himself up to a standing position. Everyday he tries and everyday he falls... EVERYDAY! My husband would come home and I'd tell him "B fell 30 times today trying to stand up." On average he would fall 20-40 times a day for 6 whole weeks. I couldn't imagine that; falling flat on my face 1000 times in a row and to have enough nerve to try again. But again B defies all odds, b/c a week ago HE DIDN'T FALL!!!! He stood right up, holding onto the ottoman and smiling in his accomplishment.
Why do I feel like giving up after only a couple of rejections or failures??? I'm sure I'm not alone. I guess in some situations I give up b/c what I'm trying to do holds no value, i.e. wake boarding. In others it may seem easier to quit than to fail.... although failure is just on the way to success. Please take motivation from B. He is amazing and always makes me question myself... Am I really doing my best? Usually the answer starts as No, but it doesn't have to finish that way. I can't wait to update you again!

Earlier today I loaded an app so I can send messages to my blog. I didn't think I'd ever use it. But I was thinking of B and how good he's doing. Then I remember a comment made to me once.
One day I was speaking with someone about an experience she had with a student who once had a stroke. She said the students only problem was writing. I know her intentions were good and supportive and they were, but I see what she doesn't.
That student may be my son one day, sitting in a room full of teachers and nurses and me. A teacher or nurse may say "His only problem is he needs help holding a pencil". But I will know that he learned how to be a champion, an overcomer with only half of the brain we have! Matter of fact he's done so well that you think his only problem his holding a pen!

CRAWLING!!!

Crawling, my baby is crawling!! I can't even begin to explain how it feels to see B take his first few steps to crawl, but I can tell you that I started cheering so loud for him that he stopped crawling to "clap" for himself. Most babies begin to crawl around 6-7 months... well for B it is 13 months. Not that he's worried about being a late bloomer! His independence is something my husband and I always pray for. B watches his brothers run to hide when daddy comes home and I can see it in his eyes that he wants to do the same thing. Well he's getting closer.
A couple months ago I wasn't sure if B would ever crawl.... I thought he'd go straight from rolling everywhere to walking. I think his p/t was worried that would happen too. Why worried??? Because developmentally he needs to learn to balance first on all fours so when he does walk he doesn't fall so much. It's funny to see all of us gather around him and cheer him on, if only we treated all the people we know the same. He can't help but want to do more and try more.
When we first met with the neurologist he mentioned that B's progress would be determined by how "bad he wants it". I promise he wants it B-A-D! This boy doesn't stop. I wish I had his determination.... let me rephrase that. I know I have his determination b/c God is no respecter of man, meaning we are all created to achieve great things. My goal, instead of wish, is to use what I have and not worry about failing or getting hurt. When I grow up I want to be just like my little B!

Tom McCarthy - General Quarters

Watching the Kentucky Derby on tv is the only horse racing my family and I really pay attention to. This year was an exciting adventure, but my favorite part was told way before the race. There is a man by the name of Tom McCarthy who had a horse racing this past weekend... horses name is General Quarters. Now Tom somehow managed to buy this horse for $20,000 and train the horse himself. He obviously did a good job, they're racing in THE Kentucky Derby. Anyways..... before the race all of the owners and trainers walk with their horses over to the gate and while this was happening a news crew was interviewing Tom. Due to his lack of money, experience and fame in the horse racing world they asked "Have you ever imagined yourself walking your horse in the Kentucky Derby?" Duh..... I love Tom's answer, "I've been dreaming about it for 50 years!"



I love his attitude. It took 50 years for his dream to come true, but it did! He may not have won the race that day, but he stuck to his dream when MOST people would have given up decades ago. Plus he was not intimidated by horses that were bought for millions or training who have "super bowl" rings from derbies prior. For my sons.... never give up on your dreams, the big ones or the little ones. God put those dreams in you for them to be accomplished. On a daily basis my dreams for Braylon come true as well as my family. Thank you for those dreams Lord!



Tom McCarthy's story

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/04/28/2009-04-28_feelgood_story_of_tom_mccarthys_horse_general_quarters_rides_into_kentucky_derby.html