New Year, New Goals

Well, we have started a new year and there are a couple of goals we have for 2009...

1. Getting a brace that won't brake (might not be achievable)
2. Understanding the importance of doing the catheter on time and when told
3. Transitioning into not having to be told but knowing his own schedule and when it is time.


Maybe that is enough for now. He is only 9yrs old and we can't overwhelm him. I am looking into a few ways to help his constant Urinary Tract Infections and his extremely dry skin (eczema.)

1. This coming week starting back to school for the first time in 2009, he may have a bit of difficulty blending in as usual. His new brace (the one with Carbon fibers in it so that it doesn't break,) well umm... it broke. So now when he walks there is a definite difference in his gait. He doesn't have very good support in his ankle and that can mess up his knee, so when he puts his foot down his ankle turns which causes his knee to turn. I am calling the Brace Place on Monday and setting up an appointment, but it could be a few weeks before we get there and then another week or so before they have a new brace ready. UHG! FRUSTRATING! Maybe this time we can have them make two braces in case the first one brakes again.

2. As he matures, and we constantly repeat ourselves, I am hoping that this can be the year when Karston realizes how important it is do the catheter when he is supposed to. The threat of having more and more accidents might help with this. He told me recently that a friend of his has decided not to talk to him anymore and is telling all of her friends that he smells bad all the time. He has rediscovered his cologne and is using it frequently. I think that is because of this friend. We may have to tone down the amount he uses considering how much of enclosed space the bus will be.

3.Transitioning into him knowing when it is time to cath. will definitely come with maturity, but I think that we may be able to help a little too. We are looking into finding him a watch that will have an alarm on it set to go off every two hours for him. Not a loud alarm, just a beep. Then we can make it a game and see if he can cath. before anyone has to tell him. Maybe we can even set up some sort of reward system for this.

Overall, I think that 2009 will be a year of improvement for him and for all of us.