Run Forrest Run

Actually, “Run Caila Run” is more fitting. 

Few words need to be said for this post. Check out this video.

This video is from a little over a week ago. A new goal for Caila was to get her running (or rather jogging). Caila assured me she could not run and refused to attempt running for the longest time. After much encouragement and me being a little pushy, she allowed me to slowly increase the speed on the treadmill. The first day we attempted running she reached 4.4mph, but the second day, she reached 5.0mph. She ran at 5.0mph for about 45 seconds before pressing the “stop” button. 45 seconds may not seem long to some; however that 45 seconds seemed to occur in slow motion as Caila’s entire journey flooded through my mind. No words can be put together to encompass the emotions that not only myself felt, but also Caila in that moment. She may never verbally admit it, but you could see the pure joy that came across her face as she stepped off the treadmill. It was a beautiful God given moment. 

When Your Two Worlds Collide

This is way overdue, of course, that is how I roll with these blog posts…eventually I will post all updates, eventually.

In August, Caila and I ventured back to Philadelphia for her yearly check-up. This trip was different in so many ways. As oppose to previous trips, Caila was scheduled to be at Shriner’s for only a week. Two weeks is more appealing as we are traveling from Haiti; however it is amazing that she continually makes progress and requires fewer doctors’ appointments and less therapy. She is truly a miracle. 

So originally we were scheduled to leave Haiti on a Sunday morning and return that following Saturday. BUT American Airlines changed our flight times due to Haiti deciding not to observe daylight savings time leaving us with only a 50-minute layover. Fifty minutes definitely would not provide time for Caila and I to transfer planes. This conflict turned out to be a huge blessing in so many ways. American Airlines awarded us a full refund and in turn we extended our time in the states. After our planned week to Philadelphia, we decided to fly to St. Louis and then travel to Cape Girardeau. And this is where my two worlds collided….

I’ll begin with our trip to Philadelphia. Travels were a breeze this time around. We traveled with no personal wheelchair, no orthotics, and no assistive devices. Caila did use an airport wheelchair to Philadelphia, which was beneficial as the lines in Haiti were insanely long and the Miami airport is simply just huge. But not having all the extra equipment made us both manage travels with ease. We arrived in Philly and headed to the hospital. There were no rooms available at the Ronald McDonald House so we ended up staying at the hospital in the parent rooms they have available. Although we both love staying at the Ronald McDonald House, we were both okay with staying at the hospital as it allowed us to have a more relaxed scheduled and we were able to return to our room in between appointments….although Caila tended to choose basketball, air hockey, and pool over any relaxation. It had been a year since we had been at Shriner’s; however EVERYONE remembered us. Caila is quite the celebrity around there and I think she was a little shocked that everyone remembered her name. It was heartwarming to witness the love everyone at Shriner’s has for her.

Caila had a few doctor’s appointments and received daily therapy. She received nothing but good reports from her doctors AND she absolutely loved seeing her PT again. They have a pretty amazing bond and they picked up right where they left off. The week went smoothly and Caila and I enjoyed being back and seeing everyone again. Caila is so extremely blessed by the ENTIRE staff at Shriners and they are all like family. Actually, all of us at Respire are extremely blessed by this amazing hospital and even more amazing staff. Caila was cleared for continuing with yearly check-ups and to continue to do what she is doing. The goal for next year is to have her running before August (look for another blog SOON regarding this….). The week went by fast and we soon found ourselves saying, “see you next year” to everyone and heading on our way to St. Louis.

Travels to St. Louis were easy as it was a direct flight. We landed and went on our way to Cape Girardeau. This trip to Cape was meaningful in so many ways. Most importantly, Caila had lived in Cape with the amazing Brown family for 2 months after her surgery in 2014. They cared for her like she was their own and she adores them and has nothing both love them. Caila returned to Haiti in December of 2014 and the Brown family had not seen her in person since then. This means, they had not seen her stand or walk in person yet. I was so excited to see Caila reunited with them and oh how my heartstrings were tugged when they we able to see her walk. I cannot imagine what emotions were occurring in all parties involved. The Brown family was a HUGE asset to Caila’s recovery and seeing them all together was something special. They will all have a very special place in Caila’s heart forever….I have no doubt in that.

Having Caila with me in Cape is when my two worlds really collided. Cape became a huge part of my life after living there for 6 years prior to moving to Haiti and Haiti is obviously a huge part of my life. But it always seems that I have two worlds that I live in…my US world and my Haiti world…and these two worlds do not collide often. But they did collide when Caila was with me in Cape. It was surreal. She met so many people that I love dearly (and I met people she knew that I didn’t know…which is crazy in itself). She visited the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center, which was where I worked for 6 years and will always have a place in my heart. She even met my parents. It was simply just a crazy experience. I never imagined my worlds would collide (it really is a strange thing…feeling like you live in two worlds), but it was so awesome.

The trip to Cape was amazing and I saw Caila in a new light. She was out of her shell the entire week – which if you know Caila, then you know this does not happen often. Caila tried new things – zip line, ball pit, and even JUMPING OFF A DIVING BOARD. She smiled and laughed and enjoyed her time. Although, she did complain about being too hot….I kindly reminded her she lived in Haiti WITHOUT air conditioning!!

The two-week trip was amazing on all levels. I could not help but to just stop and be in awe of this child, this teenager, that has endured so much and come so far. I was so extremely blessed by traveling to Cape with her and having her meet so many special people in my life and me meeting those special to her. It is a memory that will forever be with me.  (and I have to add, that she did not use a wheelchair on our return trip to Haiti!!!!!!!).

A special shout out and a huge thank you to Molly and Justin Brown and their children; Nancy and Jim Bishop, and ALL of the staff at Shriner’s Hospital. Caila would not be where she is without all of your support, guidance, and intervention…not to mention your unconditional love and care.