Cleveland Medical Trips

Philippians 4:13

English Standard Version (ESV)


13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.


Boy, isn't that verse so true. When people tell you that you are so strong and you know you and how weak you are on your own...yea...that is when you know that it is because of God.

With summer for us comes catch up time on any appointments that we can not really do during the school year. For Alex, his pediatrician is near to us but he has two other doctors that he has to see atleast once a year and those docs are in Cleveland. Why go clear to Cleveland? The doctors in Cleveland handle Alex and his tricky injuries better so we take a bit more of a hike to see them. Cleveland is about a three-hour straight drive from our house, but we can not drive straight through. we have to stop and stretch and tilt Alex in his chair to change the pressure on his bottom to prevent sores.

I would love to be able to schedule the two appointments back-to-back but the doctor's schedules do not allow for that so we end up take two trips. Alex is not able to tolerate the trip and the appointment in one day so we break it up. We go up the day before, spend the night in a hotel, go to the appointment the next day, stay in a hotel again, and come home on the third day. It is not a pleasure trip but we have figured out to have some kind of fun when we do them:)

I used to do the trips by myself with Alex. It was pretty stressful and more boring for Alex. He rides clear in the back of our 15-passenger van. His chair sits really high so he can not see out of the windows. The van is loud so we can not listen to music plus it is very difficult to hear Alex if he needs something. He can also have a spasm and need adjusted which means I have to pull over and adjust him. Last year, Grace and Aaron each took a turn going on a trip and they not only did great helping, but they could not wait to go this year! Ryan wants to go so badly, but he needs to wait just about one more year. I can not take more than one child at a time because, as you will see in one of the videos, when Alex stays in a hotel, a lot goes with him!

SO this year, Grace went on the first trip, and Aaron on the second. They are such a huge help to me, it is great for Alex to not be alone, and the kids enjoy it. Aaron said that Alex and I have learned how to make something boring fun! That is actually a total compliment for we do not do anything that exciting but we do make the most out of what we do do. We get to visit our friend Scott, spend time together, spend time in a hotel, and basically just take a break from the norm.

My kids have got to watch me as I have learned how to(and still try to)figure out how to do many things, and taking Alex on trips is one of them. They have seen me struggle, they have seen me laugh, cry, get upset, and mainly, they have watched me keep going and figure it out:) They hear me talk to God asking for help, watch me stumble around a bit(sometimes more) and then do a little dance when we reach some triumph. The newest triumph is finding a new spot where I can set up Alex's massage table in privacy if needed(the Go-Oasis is are new find for that!!!)

When you face a challenge in life, try not to get discouraged.  Trust me...I am speaking that from someone who has experienced it for herself! Sometimes it is enduring through the greatest of struggles that the richest of lessons are learned...and the complete awarenss of our dependence on God.

Ok, here are the videos.....enjoy....

 Picture video from the first trip that Grace went on with Alex and I....




Video clips....



Second trip to Cleveland with Alex and Aaron....



And just for fun...