Kate's Blog

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Cassie is fifteen

Today Cassie told me she showed her blog to her teacher and EA's at her high school. She asked me why I do not blog about her anymore. I told her when she hit a certain age she asked me not too. Cassie promptly told me she said she would like it if I kept blogging about her so here is your first update Cassie in quite a few years!! Cassie is a typical teenager, she loves hanging out with her friends and cousins. Listening to music with her BEATS and Pill. Her favorite bands are 5 Seconds of Summer and One direction. She loves surfacing the internet for funny videos and VLOG families. Cassie volunteers every Wednesday at our church with a program called MACSOC. Run by the Mcmaster Nursing students and our church helping the homeless or disadvantaged Cassie attends St Johns Evangelical Lutheran Youth group. She attends YAC, (Youth Advisory Council). Recently she was an Ambassador for the New Ron Joyce Children Center, She was on the CANCHILD youth panel for family Engagement day. Cassie still sees a developmental pediatrician, orthopedic surgeon, Neurosurgeon for her shunt, Cassie attends the Teen transition clinic with Dr. Gorter, She sees Julia her OT and her entire rehab focus is on learning life skills that promote independence.

I am thrilled with the support she has been provided by Children Developmental Rehabilitation Program. Cassie is looking forward to her time at the New Ron Joyce Centre for her last few years before transition to adult health care. I have grown as well as a mother of a girl with a disability. I am the Parent Ad visor for CP Net. I will link you to the CP Net website. I follow websites for Mcmaster children s hospital, CANCHILD, NeuroDev Net, Easter Seals Ontario, CP net family Network, CP Alliance, Ontario Brain Institute, OFCP and Spina Bifidia and Hydrocephalus Association.

I am so Happy Cassie says I can blog again. I will fill the blog with Teen transition for a young girl with CP.
Happy Family Day!!

http://cpnet.canchild.ca/

Cassie with her Cousin Emily!!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Cassie loves baking

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Cassie gets picked for Dream Lift

Cassie was referred to Dream Lift by her CDRP therapist Julia. Cassie will fly to Florida on April 22, 2014 for the day, she will have a volunter and spend the day in Disney world with a lot of other children with disabilities. A Sunshine Dream Lift transports a plane full of children to a special destination (like Disneyland) and back. For many of the children, a DreamLift is more than just fun. It is their first chance to taste independence and experience the adventure of a first plane ride or a first day away from mom and dad.

I love these two sisters!

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/shine-on/sisters-wheelchairs-perform-unforgettable-dance-routine-180305328.html

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

An article Posted in the Dunnville Chronic July 29, 2009

I found this article saved in my drafts, it made me smile. Cassie three years later is a fish in the water. She swims about 12 lengths of the Ancaster Aquatic Centre. It is amazing to see how far she has come.

Posted By CATHY PELLETIER , CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER

Up until recently, Kathy Fruck has never had any luck getting her eight-year-old daughter Cassie interested in swimming. But that was before they met Josh Packham.
Soon after beginning her private swimming instruction at the Packham family pool, the youngster with cerebral palsy was taking to her lessons like a duck to water.
"I heard about the lessons from a friend of the family," said Fruck," adding that Cassie was one of "a small class of three children. I tried to get my daughter swimming in Hamilton with many programs and she has never enjoyed it. She has been afraid of water. But I think it was his style. He's really good with children," she said, referring to 25- year-old Josh Packham.
"Every day, Cassie wanted to go. She couldn't wait to get there. Every day she was talking about Josh and phoning my mom and telling her about what she did that day."
Set in a homey environment, "on a country farm road with a big fence around the pool," Fruck feels the relaxed atmosphere also made it easier for the young students to learn how to swim.
"They have it set up with a little changeroom and the parents get to sit outside the pool and watch the kids swim."
More than anything, Fruck believes Packham's supportive teaching technique is what leads to children's ultimate success in mastering movement within the water.
"He's so comical with the kids," said Fruck. "They were all at different levels. The one little boy had fears in the deep end and the third one could go to the deep end, but I think it was better that way, because Cassie had some boys to pattern herself after, which worked well. She has totally taken off and she would never let go of the wall before, so just getting comfortable getting in and out is huge. She can float and learned how to use a float-board and kick across the pool. If you have C. P., it takes a lot of coordination and she does it for him. "My mom even said, 'If he told me to jump in, I'd do it.'"
Under Packham's tutelage, Cassie has also learned to master her fear of putting her face in the water, which was formerly "a big scare for her," according to Fruck.
"Josh would ask Cassie, 'Is your hair wet, Cassie?'" Once she felt it and found that it wasn't, she tting her face in, said Fruck.
"It's such a neat style and the kids try a little harder for him. The boy didn't really want to jump in the deep end but the next thing you knew, he was doing it. It's offering so much encouragement for the bravery; this man with the upbeat class."

Although the lessons only lasted an hour a day for a week, Fruck hopes to enroll Cassie for another week during August.

"It's a great summer job," said Packham, a supply teacher for Haldimand students from Kindergarten through Grade 10. A swimmer since the age of three, Packham and his younger brother Jeremy enjoy sharing swimming skills in their home base. "I've done it for 10 years."
When it comes to teaching children with physical limitations, such as Cassie, he finds that "just having a good attitude helps. We made sure she could work on stuff she would be successful with," he explained. "We didn't worry about the stuff that she was unable to do."
Classes begin every hour from Monday through Friday at the Packham's pool on Lane Road. "You just call and sign up and we put you in the appropriate time slot for your level," said Packham. "When they finish the week, they get a report card listing the requirements and then they get a badge."

We spend a lot of time at the Lake, Cassie loves to swim. She has been doing All ages laps and uses a flutter board, sometimes she swims with no board, she still needs goggles as she does not like chlorine in her eyes.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Emotions
I have a reason to be
upset
But I won’t take it out on
you because of it
I have a reason to be mad
But I won’t yell at you for
it
I have a reason to cry
my back grows crooked
I have a reason to love
That love is endless
My way of thinking is
different from yours
If you think I’m wrong, than
maybe I am.
I will never say I was
That’s me and there’s no way
to change who I am
So if I cry don’t be
sad.
There is still a light out
there.
Be happy so I can smile at
you.
Copyright©2011JuliaFruck

11 year old Cassie is having a Great Year

Cassie turned 11 this year. She is having a great year in Grade 5. Her favorite subjects are science, language and gym. Cassie has many friends in school; Chelsea, Rachel, Paighton and Erin. At church her best friend is Olivia and her friend on her street is Shelby. Her best friends with disabilities are Katie and Ashyln. Recently, I was honoured and touched to receive an email from Shauna at the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario asking to link my blog to their website. I am happy to agree to this as I have always wanted to give back to this amazing organization. SB&H has provided my family with education and support over the last 11 years. I hope other parents find my blog helpful when raising their child who may have hydrocephalus. Although alot of Spina Bifida kids have shunts Cassie is actually cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus caused by an intraventricular hemmorage in her brain. Thankfully we can report that Cassie has now had the same VP shunt for close to 11 years. We understand that shunt complications can arise at any time, we are educated about shunt complications and know the signs to watch for but we do not stress and worry about complications at this point in our girls life. Cassie's wonderful neurosurgeon Dr. Rob Hollenberg has retired from Macmaster Children's hospital. Despite one shunt infection, shunt externalized, shunt removed and new shunt put in we had no further shunt malfunctions now for over ten years. Two new pediatric neurosurgeons have replaced Dr. Hollenberg. Dr. Singh and Dr. Gunnerson. Thoughtfully the doctors agreed that Cassie can come for shunt checks every two years now!!
I have enjoyed blo

gging about learning difficulties that are associated with hydrocephalus and brain injury in the past. Cassie suffers from very specific learning disabilities and has interesting neuropsychological reports describing areas of strength and areas of weakness. Having a wonderful grade 5 teacher Mrs. Hahn and a wonderful EA Mrs. Cook has made a world of difference this year in school. Cassie has matured and flourished in grade 5. Using a modified IEP and report card based on her IEP Cassie received her first A in math this year. Our girl was so proud of herself and her self esteem is soaring this year. The individual program in Grade 5 with class room modifications has allowed Cassie to be integrated and staying on track socially with her friends. The school has now obtained a laptop and Cassie is accessing technology in her classroom. Cassie has made progress in sharing ideas, and despite low written output she is able to learn visually and shares ideas verbally and with technology. Best of all Cassie loves going to school everyday. We are so thrilled with Fessenden school, Mrs Hahn and Mrs Cook. These teachers play to Cassies strengths and ignore some of her weaknesses always being positive and eager to help our girl.
Cassie now walks to and from school everyday which is a good ten minute walk. She can ride her bike to the park unassisted. Horse back riding is still Cassie's passion. She continues to ride at TEAD and is now riding one of the larger horses Lexie. Cassie can tack Lexie up herself. She can post, walk, trot, turn, change the rein and much more on her horse. March break Camp is next week and Cassie can't wait for extra time in the barn.
Last year Cassie was back on CH CH news. Her Never Say Never attitude and love for Justin Beiber was filmed and aired around Hamilton.

Rehab wise our family decided to take a break from Botox and Cassies left wrist and hand steadily worsened. Cassie has grown alot and spasticity continues to be a challenge. We will be returning to Dr. Gorter at Macmaster Childrens hospital for another reassessment and may need to rethink some therapy and future injections. Cassie took her yearly flu shot bravely and has matured so we can talk about options with wonderful Dr. Gorter. Being an RN and Case Manager I am always willing to have Cassie participate in research studies. Cassie recently joined a study at Macmaster Hospital trialling a new foot brace called the ToeOFF carbon brace. Dr. Burrows is looking at the effectiveness of Innovative Bracing in Children with Lower Limb Disability who require Ankle Foot Orthosis. As I have written before the AFOs have definately contributed to decreased functionality in Cassies left foot. Although the foot is straight it is weak and stiff. We still work to maintain proper bone alignment as Cassie is still growing but the carbon fibre brace alows more flexibility and movement around her ankle. Cassie adjusted easily to the new brace and wears it all day at school and for gym and for any intense physical activity. The website for this brace is www.allardusa.com. The shoes come from www.keepingpace.com. I can post a picture of her new brace. The studies are early on and Cassie continues to wear her AFO at times as well. The orthotist for Cassie's new ToeOff Carbon Fibre brace Eric Bapty is really gentle and kind to Cassie. We have also had the greatest orthotist Sharon Carr makes Cassie's AFO at Macmaster Chedoke's prosthetics and Orthotics. Cassie continues with frequent mobility assessments done by her PT Cindy Gamberetto and at Macmaster's Gait and Mobility lab.
On a last note five weeks ago Cassies older sister Julia had a spine operation. Julia has Scheurmann's kyphosis and had two rods inserted in her back. I think Cassie has realized that she is not alone in challenges. Cassie is thoughtful and helpful to her sister, showing sensitivity towards the challenges Julia is facing in her recovery. My two girls make me so proud. I hope to continue to share our girls journey with the goal of sharing raising a special needs child with other parents and am happy to link my blog to the parents section of the SB&H of Ontario's website.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Hamilton Challenger Baseball banquet

Cassie and her friend Katie at the Hamilton Challenger Baseball banquet

Cassie receiving her trophey!! Way to go girl

Friday, April 15, 2011

Compare these two pictures for Cassie's Foot

The Left Foot one year ago, the new left foot one year after Orthopedic Surgery

Did I ever post pictures of Cassie's Foot Post Orthopedic Surgery

Here are four pictures of Cassie's left foot. Much straighter and much flatter. The difficult issue of muscle tone still prevails. Cassie's big toe always curls up and her foot still wants to roll out. She can correct it when she thinks hard about it. The need for AFO is still one hunderd percent present due to the tendency for the weak foot to want to do its usual thing. The Foot slides easily into her AFO and looks very beautiful. Heading off to see two doctors next week, Orthopedic surgeon and physiatrist at the one year mark post surgery. Also looking for new exercise opportunites. Could not find funding for a bike as we make too much money now that Chris and I both work full time. Found the best bike at Brant Cycle in Burlington. It is a three wheel trike and Cassie has done so well learning to ride. Love the work out the left wrist and hand gets when biking. I am so thrilled with my daughters progress. I am so thrilled with my older daughter Julia as she is the best big sister teaching her little sister to ride a bike and letting her tag along all the time!! Julia you rock!!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline Tribute Band and Diner at Carmens Easter Seals Event

We had the privilege of receiving tickets to an event at Carmens in Hamilton Featuring a Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline tribute Band. The Event was a Silent Aution Fundraiser for the Easter Seals of Ontario. The Easter Seals is dedicated to helping children with physical disabilities achieve their full individual potential and future independence. We have been able to go to numerous Easter Seal events in the past and this event was another highlight in Cassie's life. The girls loved the tantalizing cuisine at Carmens. Julia loved the tapestries that adorned the ceiling. The concert was an Authentic "Man in Black Show" and a masterful creation of the unique style of the country singer Patsy Cline. The girls had trouble staying in their seats and danced together at the back of the banquet hall. It was a wonderful event and a great start to our March break 2011.

Julia took pictures of the tapestry!!

The girls dancing at the back of the hall!!

Chris and Cassie at the diner table. Delicious Food!!

Julia and I, Julia looks so grown up at almost 13 years of age. I am so proud of my girls!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Gait Analysis (Movement Lab at McMaster Children's hospital

Our nine-year old daughter looks like other young girl her age. Her walking abilities are so good right now a lot of people don’t even realize she was born with cerebral palsy. Cassie can run playfully at recess with the other children, walk to the park or walk her horse around the barn at her therapeutic riding club. Our daughter frequently requires an assessment of her gait or moving abilities. Gait assessments have been done before and after each procedure that Cassie has trailed. Every parents dream for their disabled child is to have them walk, thus promoting independence, accessibility and living a productive life.
The efforts to improve our daughters walking abilities; have been tireless for us as parents and successful thanks to a large team of health care specialists at Mcmaster Children’s hospital. Born with a brain injury our daughter got her first pair of leg braces by six months of age. For the first three years of her young life Cassie scooted around on her bottom, using one hand and a foot to propel herself forward, she never crawled and had extreme difficulty pulling her self up or balancing. So began the exhausting journey to rehabilitate our daughter.
The Mcmaster team consisted of physiotherapists, occupational therapists at Chedoke Developmental Rehabilitation Program, a developmental pediatrician, an orthopedic specialist, a physiatrist, an extremely talent orthotist and lastly two average parents, hard working middle class, with dreams for their daughter that she will walk as best she can. The last nine years of treatments have consisted of extensive physiotherapy, conductive education, gait training on a tread mill, new braces made every 10-12 months for nine years, serial casting procedures, botox treatments and repeated gait analysis done through Mcmasters Movement Lab. Many of the treatments remain uncovered by OHIP, causing financial hardship for parents, extended benefit struggles and fund raising efforts. The gait analysis done in the movement lab is an OHIP covered desperately needed service and this article will outline why it is so valuable.
The Movement lab is an essential service needed to improve children’s walking abilities. Located at Mcmasters Innovation Park this lab examines closely the gait of children and adults with walking problems. A movement assessment allows doctors, therapists and orthotists to look closely at how our daughter’s muscles and joint’s work when she is moving. This information helps her team make decisions about exercises, braces and surgery. It also shows the team how movement changes over time due to her growth or treatments she has undergone. The full assessment includes a collection of EMG and/or Kinematic and Kinetic info and a video. The test takes only about one and a half hours for the patient however the analysis takes many hours and is essential and useful when examining the complex walking patterns of children.
The use of the Gail Analysis guided our daughter’s orthopedic specialist decision to perform a much-needed orthopedic surgery on her left foot. Six months later our daughter walks without the aide of a wheelchair, walker or even a cane. Our nine- year old daughter is begging her dad to sign up for soccer with her best friends in Ancaster. The tireless hours invested and the specialized team approach has yielded wonderful results. The possibilities for our child are enormous. There are still promising improvements in gait analysis technology on the horizon. Our daughter needs this essential Movement lab until she reaches full height. New procedures are still being developed and planned for children with cerebral palsy or other forms of movement disorders. The Proper use of Gait analysis yields better results for patients. We are still using the Gait analysis for indications for various types of orthotics for our child. We are pursuing a new sport orthotic for our daughter and you can bet Cassie will play soccer in the near future thanks to the medical professionals at Mcmaster Children’s hospital and the Much needed Movement Laboratory!!

Cassie walking her dog Charlie, My favorite place Port Maitland Pier

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Children with LD's Can Thrive too!

Cassie Fruck age 9 years old playing in the leaves November 2010

Cassie started Grade 4 at Fessenden Public school and we quickly noticed the work for grade 4 is very hard and even the first homework packages sent home I realized Cassie could not do these pages. Over the last few years Cassie has worked with a modified program and an IEP. The primary grade teachers could take the classroom homework and slash of some of it off the page and Cassie could work some of the same homework but with less questions. If the children had ten spelling words Cassie would be given 5. If the children had a page of Math Cassie could work on some of the math but with a few less questions. I have always been the parent who spends the time with the girls on their homework. Chris, if asked will spend some time and this year I have asked him frequently to step in. Julia's grade seven homework is getting pretty hard. Chris just graduated college and is great for helping out particularily with Math work. This year it was apparent to me that grade 4 work was way too difficult for Cassie. As well I noticed less and less time is given to Cassie to work on her literacy. She had been given alot of time in the last few years working on letters, phonics and words. In primary grades all children are working on literacy and alot of time is spent focusing on it in school. Cassie is still working at learning sight words and increasing the amount of words she knows.
Chris and I had an idea to post a sign at our church looking for a tutor. I was having difficulty figuring out how to assist Cassie with reading. Cassie did not seem to enjoy reading as much with me and was having attitude with her mom. Luckily for us a very very experienced teacher named Janet Weingartner offered to tutor Cassie. Cassie has now spent many weeks working with Janet. Cassie has already improved her reading and recognizes 100 or more site words. Cassie has improved in the speed of reading words she recognizes and her confidence in tackling new words seems to be growing. Cassie puts forth a great effort each week. Janet makes learning words fun and uses a program called pci education. The website for this program is http://www.pcieducation.com/ . Cassie has always worked hard in her rehabillitation, and she is putting forth the same great effort with reading. I enjoy hearing her reading! It warms my heart because I know what a struggle it has been for her. Despite the other children in Cassie's class moving ahead of her, she maintains a positive attitude and trys hard with work in school. The gap has grown fairly large unfortunatley, Chris and I had to spend a few nights greiving again after the talk with the learning resource teacher. I wondered how after all these years raising a special needs girl I could again be greiving. I guess I was exhausted thinking of the difficult journey with literacy and the problems associated with learning difficulties was overwhelming me. I approached the learning resource teacher , classroom teacher and principle. Everyone was quickly trying to get up to speed and provide me with ideas on how Cassies grade four year could be modified and stay productive for our girl. Cassie needs to work on school work that is geared to her level of learning. Sadly the school has cut down substantially her EA time despite Cassie needing it greatly for her learning disability Cassie has done so well physically and emotionally she requires much less assistance by the EA in other areas. Cassie herself is very proud that she does not have an EA in the afternoon. Despite grade 4 being a hard year, I am still excited to get the first report card. It gives us another chance to meet the teacher again to hear where Cassie is at and see what strengths the teacher has found and isolate again areas of weakness. Janet, Cassies tutor tells me I need to tell the school that Cassie needs time on her PCI program and I will do this ASAP. I rely heavily on the teachers and Cassie's new tutor telling me where Cassie is at. I am super busy and need to focus my time and energy on areas that are productive and make good use of our time. Right now I feel the biggest area to keep focusing on is literacy. If Cassie can read she can function so much better in the world. It will help her every day life and allow her to get a better job.
December 2 is a system meeting at the school to discuss Cassies progress and the next steps for her education. The meeting will include the classroom teacher, learning resource teacher, principal, special education consultant and psycho-educational consultant. I will eagerly attend and hope that again we can all get back on the same page regarding Cassie's education. The question of a different placement into a comprehensive class has been raised this year. It appears the school board advocates for integration and their is a total transparency associated with the comprehensive classes. They cant tell me where Cassie would go to school, what type of classes are offered. How these classes would benefit Cassie as opposed to integration.? What the teacher to class ratio is? Would Cassie get a better education geared towards her level of learning? Modifing Cassie's school program and working at her level at her present school is alot of work but appears to be the best option for Cassie right now. Chris very quickly shot the idea down that Cassie would go to a Comprehensive class that would not allow her to work for a high school diploma. He refuses to bus our daughter out of our town to go to school unless it was for a school that was exceptional and could provide Cassie with a better education geared towards her learning disability. The warm friendly small school of Fessenden is a school that Cassie loves. She is accepted, has many friends and understands how things work at Fessenden. She loves attending school and goes off each day with a positive attitude and is thrilled to go to school. What more can any parent ask for. Our daughter with alot of concentrated effort continues to thrive even with a significant learning disability. Thank you God for sending Janet our way. I have already learned some easy ways to help Cassie and the results gained are enourmous. We contine to aim high with our expectations regarding Cassie's education. Chris and I are moving towards acceptance, the challenges will continue each year in public school as she is exceptional and a great deal of work is needed to keep her on track. The difficulties with her learning will plague her for the rest of her academic years but children with learning difficulties can thrive and learn and Cassie surprises us and we love hearing her read!!

Cassie with her tutor Janet W.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Cuts to The Movement Lab would hurt childrens walking abilities

Funding Needed for Gait Analysis (Movement Lab at Mcmaster Children’s Hospital facing funding cuts)

Our nine-year old daughter looks like other young girl her age. Her walking abilities are so good right now a lot of people don’t even realize she was born with cerebral palsy. Cassie can run playfully at recess with the other children, walk to the park or walk her horse around the barn at her therapeutic riding club. Our daughter frequently requires an assessment of her gait or moving abilities. Gait assessments have been done before and after each procedure that Cassie has trailed. Every parents dream for their disabled child is to have them walk, thus promoting independence, accessibility and living a productive life.
The efforts to improve our daughters walking abilities; have been tireless for us as parents and successful thanks to a large team of health care specialists at Mcmaster Children’s hospital. Born with a brain injury our daughter got her first pair of leg braces by six months of age. For the first three years of her young life Cassie scooted around on her bottom, using one hand and a foot to propel herself forward, she never crawled and had extreme difficulty pulling her self up or balancing. So began the exhausting journey to rehabilitate our daughter.
The Mcmaster team consisted of physiotherapists, occupational therapists at Chedoke Developmental Rehabilitation Program, a developmental pediatrician, an orthopedic specialist, a physiatrist, an extremely talented orthotist and lastly two average parents, hard working middle class, with dreams for their daughter that she will walk as best she can. The last nine years of treatments have consisted of extensive physiotherapy, conductive education, gait training on a tread mill, new braces made every 10-12 months for nine years, serial casting procedures, botox treatments and repeated gait analysis done through Mcmasters Movement Lab. Many of the treatments remain uncovered by OHIP, causing financial hardship for parents, extended benefit struggles and fund raising efforts. The gait analysis done in the movement lab is an OHIP covered desperately needed service and this article will outline why it is so valuable.
The Movement lab is an essential service needed to improve children’s walking abilities. Located at Mcmasters Innovation Park this lab examines closely the gait of children and adults with walking problems. A movement assessment allows doctors, therapists and orthotists to look closely at how our daughter’s muscles and joint’s work when she is moving. This information helps her team make decisions about exercises, braces and surgery. It also shows the team how movement changes over time due to her growth or treatments she has undergone. The full assessment includes a collection of EMG and/or Kinematic and Kinetic info and a video. The test takes only about one and a half hours for the patient however the analysis takes many hours and is essential and useful when examining the complex walking patterns of children.
The use of the Gail Analysis guided our daughter’s orthopedic specialist decision to perform a much-needed orthopedic surgery on her left foot. Six months later our daughter walks without the aide of a wheelchair, walker or even a cane. Our nine- year old daughter is begging her dad to sign up for soccer with her best friends in Ancaster. The tireless hours invested and the specialized team approach has yielded wonderful results. The possibilities for our child are enormous. There are still promising improvements in gait analysis technology on the horizon. Our daughter needs this essential Movement lab until she reaches full height. New procedures are still being developed and planned for children with cerebral palsy or other forms of movement disorders. The Proper use of Gait analysis yields better results for patients. We are still using the Gait analysis for indications for various types of orthotics for our child. We are pursuing a new sport orthotic for our daughter and you can bet Cassie will play soccer in the near future thanks to the medical professionals at Mcmaster Children’s hospital and the Much needed Movement Laboratory!!

Cassie Fruck age 9, at the motion lab at Mcmaster Children’s Hospital prior to having orthopedic surgery. I appeal to the LHIN, local government, health care administration do not cut funding for this essential service, continue to fund the Movement lab at Mcmaster Children’s hospital please!!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Reflecting on turning 40!

My family and friends must have guessed I’d write something about turning 40. To me it is a big deal. I was born in 1970 and now its 2010 already! I really can’t believe I am at middle age. It is difficult to think I may be half way through my life already. I don’t feel 40. At the same time I love my life and am happy with where things are at right now.

After graduating from nursing school in 1993 I met Chris, The perfect man for me. Chris is tall, dark and handsome. So calm, I’m so hyper. So quiet, I’m so talkative. He thinks through things carefully, I rush ahead. We compliment each other. He slows me down and always stays calm. I speed him up, motivate him and keep things exciting! Two years ago he had a stroke. We were not paying enough attention to each other, working too hard, fighting too much. Out of bad, comes good. Now we make more time for each other, try to have our meetings like Jamie suggested. We took our first vacation together since our girls were born. Cruised the Caribbean with Bill, Triena and friends. Chris is healthy again. Next to health, Chris is the most important thing in my life. Thanks for having this 40^th birthday party for me Chris. Thanks for cleaning up the house and yard, thanks for my table and chairs a nice meeting place to talk and thanks for cooking 120 cabbage rolls! I love you with all-my heart husband.

In 1998 Julia was born the second biggest day in my life. She was so perfect, a Gerber baby. Julia won the Caledonia Fair baby contest. Colleen and Jamie thought of her name. It was the first name Chris did not say no too so I jumped at it! Julia is a perfect daughter smart, beautiful and so well liked. I really enjoy you Julia, I love being your mother. You are growing up fast.

In 2001 our second angel girl Cassandra was born. Named by Chris this time. Cassie met some complications and this was a difficult time for Chris and I. We could not bring you home for many months. The doctors told us about your brain injury and we were worried. Chris and I relied on our faith. Difficult times in life enable you to clearly see who your good friends are. Colleen and Jamie, Steve and Sue Case, Colleen and John, Aunt Helen and Dave. My family and Tex’s family all stepped up to the plate. Phone calls, visits to the hospital, food, babysitting Julia, words of encouragement it all helped. Chris and I accepted what God had in store. Cassie is so chatty like me. She makes friends with everyone. She pushes herself. She tries hard. She hardly even looks “like a girl with a disability”. She makes us so proud. She teaches us all not to feel sorry for ourselves. Cassie has the world at her doorstep. I am blessed to have my two beautiful girls. Chris and I work as a team and parenting is our favorite job.

I can’t let turning 40 go by without thanking my mom, my best friend. Mom and Joe will do anything for us. Nothing is ever too much to ask. They are the best parents in the world. They raised me well, they are the best grandparents and we will always be grateful for what they do for us. Thanks mom, your baby girl is turning 40.

I am a very blessed person. I am lucky enough to have the same girlfriends since public school. Laura, Chrissy, Colleen, Susan and Tracy. Over 30 years of true friendship with these gals. Girl friends are important to me. They remind me I can still look hot and that 40 is really the new 30! I will always make time for my girlfriends. It never matters how long it has been since we last visited. I am glad to see them when I can. I love them and am blessed to have them.

New friends have been added since living in Ancaster. Graema, Susi, Giselle, Deb, Janet, Andrea. They make Ancaster home. They are involved in my everyday life. Thanks for being a part of my birthday party friends.

Lastly, I am so blessed to have a very big supportive family. I have brothers and sisters, the Fruck family, the Wazny family, gramps, aunts, uncles and cousins. We try to get together often. We teach our children how important family is. I wanted to be sure to include you all in this milestone of me turning 40. I am always loved and supported in my family. I am one lucky girl.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes, Have fun at my party. Laugh, Eat and Love I am really going to enjoy this day. I hope I have another good 40 years!!

Love Kate

Saturday, August 7, 2010

A Trip Back to Ability Camp

We heard some of the boys from Cassies class were back at Ability camp so we took off back to Picton Ontario to see some friends. Left is Chris working with Dre on the wall in the classroom. Cassie loved going back to camp. The bond remains strong with her friends she worked hard with at camp.

Cassie, Dre, Julia and Jessie in the halls or Ability camp

Cassie and her good friend Dre from Michigan. They stayed with us on their way to camp and on their last night before heading home.

Dre, Samuel, Jessie and Cassie all alittle bit older. I hope these friends can stay in touch. It is special for Cassie to have other friends with cerebral palsy. So great to see you boys again!!

Monday, April 19, 2010

AncasterNews.com: Opinions & Letters: Article: Battle of strong personalities hurt two organizations with good overall missions

Saturday, April 17, 2010

A Trip to the Fracture clinic and a new Purple Cast

We went to Mcmaster Fracture clinic and they removed Cassie's Cast. The foot has two pins and three incisions. They washed the foot and looked at the surgical incisions. The foot seems to be healing well. There is not alot of swelling and the incisions look intact. Cassie got to pick the color of the next cast. Dr. Burrows recasted her in with this bright purple!! We go again May 3, 2010.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Recovery and Visits from Friends

Cassie is so glad to be home. Julia is so glad to have Cassie home. Julia and Laura could hardly wait to see Cassie. Laura brought Cassie Get Well Balloons which we tied to the wheelchair. Laura says " Don't float away Cassie!".

Aunt Helen was first to arrive. She came with her sharp sewing scissors and we cut us some old pants to fit over the cast. Thanks Aunt Helen.

Cassie's friend Shelby and her older sister Kelsey arrived with two cool magazines about Justin Beiber and Miley Cyrus. Shelby kept Cassie amused for almost two hours. Thanks Shelby!! You are a terri

fic friend.

Cassie with her Dad and Dog after a warm shower which felt so good! Cassie is doing well hoping around with a walker and some supervision. I think the walker may strengthen up the weak left hand. Yes I am always thinking of ways to do more therapy.

We are welcoming some more company this weekend to keep Cassie entertained!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Day Two in the hospital

Cassie's physiotherapist and her student physiotherapist Kyra. Learning how to move without weight bearing on left foot in the physio gym at Mcmaster Children's hospital.

Day two in hospital. Cassie did great, woke every few hours for her pain meds, vital signs and a check of her foot. She easily fell back asleep in between after the exhaustion of the first day. Roommate number 2 was a 71/2 girl named Jamie who unfortunately fell at the playground and fractured her arm. The same orthopedic surgeon did surgery on Jamie's arm. Reminds me as a parent how quickly an accident can happen. Dr. Burrows visited Cassie twice. A nice surprise was Dr. Gorter visited Cassie as well. Thanks for the warm wishes Dr. Gorter. He says we will repeat the motion lab after the recovery. It will be fun to see the improvements in the foot position and walking abilities. Cassie did so well we were able to go home. Mom and her had already learned how to transfer before the physio even arrived. A huge amount of the day was spent by Chris looking to rent some pediatric equipment. Walker, wheelchair and some bathroom equipment. Cassie was not eligible for CCAC so we had to pay for the pieces. A tribute to how well she does but unfortunate as the pieces cost around $200. 00 for the month. Craig from Shoppers Home health hooked us up and rushed the delivery so we could be discharged home at 4:00pm. The first walker with a forearm support did not work for Cassie, the hospital had no crutches or walkers to try out while we were there. I think I will give feedback to the therapists that they should have some equipment available to try but 3C is not straight orthopedics and we had no equipment and there was too much clutter trying to get a commode to the washroom which was in the hall not in the child's room. Things went too well to let small things annoy us. Chris took the prescription for pain meds to Shoppers ahead of time and it was a good thing because they would not fill the script as it lacked some information. A few glitches, but they were rectified with perseverance. Craig from Shoppers picked up the one walker, switched it for another and we rented a commode as our bathroom is too small for a wheelchair and walker. It was amazing to get home so quick and Cassie is doing well.

A view of the nursing station from Cassie's bed. We ran into numerous other professionals that know Cassie Susan from the Infant Parent Program recognized me right away. She had not seen Cassie for eight years. A friend from work has a baby who has been admitted for six weeks and some friends from church who's beautiful daughter Hannah has a brain tumor. We have Hannah in our thoughts and prayers and her entire family. It is difficult to know why some children have to suffer and please pray for this beautiful child.