About Us (Lynn’s Story)
Our names are Elisabeth and Patrick, and we live in Georgia. We have one child, a daughter named Lynn, who was born in 2007 and has been the greatest joy in our lives. When Lynn was about 6 months, the pediatrician noticed some of Lynn’s gross motor skills seemed delayed, and the pediatrician said “hypotonia” could be as a possible cause. We immediately began researching hypotonia, and over the next 6 months, we saw Lynn lag further behind the “normal” child developmental timetables.
At her 12 month check-up, Lynn was still not crawling, so the pediatrician referred us to a pediatric neurologist to rule out certain brain-related muscle disorders. The pediatrician also suggested that Lynn start physical therapy to help her develop the strength, balance, coordination and confidence needed to walk.
We were surprised, concerned, and a little defensive at the suggestion that our baby was delayed in her development. We were asking ourselves, “Is there something wrong with our baby?” while we tried to assure ourselves and others “There is nothing wrong with our baby.”
There were many steps on the road to helping Lynn walk. We visited often with our pediatrician, and Lynn saw a range of specialists to try to determine the cause of Lynn’s hypotonia. We met with several people from Georgia’s Early Intervention Program, Babies Can’t Wait, which helps coordinate and provide funding for services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. They examined Lynn and arranged for a physical therapist to visit our house on a weekly basis to work and play with Lynn. We visited Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for various blood tests and an MRI of Lynn’s brain and spine. We never found a specific cause for Lynn’s hypotonia, but fortunately, all the doctors and tests were able to rule out many worst case scenarios. We met with an orthotist who took casts of Lynn’s lower legs and feet to make dynamic ankle and foot orthotics (DAFOs). With the help of the DAFOs and a walker, Lynn was able to start taking steps without our assistance, and this was a tremendous boost for Lynn’s confidence. Family and friends were there to support us and Lynn throughout the process.
Lynn was 19 months when she started taking her first baby steps. By 21 months, Lynn could stand and balance on her own, and she could take up to a dozen steps. Lynn’s progress was refreshing and exciting, but it was still important for her to continue physical therapy and see various doctors and specialists to make sure her progress continued. Although she was still a little behind her peers, at least we knew she was making progress and standing on her own two feet.
Special Note to Parents: The information on this site is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical, healthcare or diagnostic advice. Check with your pediatrician or physical therapist to assess your baby’s particular needs and to determine the appropriateness of any physical activity or exercise regimen.
