Thank you - you fabulous people, you!!

My apologies for the delay in posting this. Things have been crazy and I had a little 'technical difficulty'. Those of you who know me, aren't surprised. This is a quick update on the fundraiser.

HOLY COW!!! Our original goal for Gavin was $1700, in order to receive the $5,280 grant. As of today, you have donated over $5200 to Gavin and Miles for Special Smiles. We have been so overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of so many. Any money over our original goal amount goes into the Miles for Special Smiles general fund. A kind of 'paying it forward' to other kids like Gavin.

This process has been so humbling. First, in needing to ask for money and then, oddly enough, even more humbling in the receiving. Brad & I have spent this past week in stunned disbelief as we witness countless acts of thoughtfulness and genersosity. Knowing that so many need so much in these tough times, we're just overwhelmed by the idea that you all chose to share with Gavin. Wow! (insert emotional tears here)

May God bless you and yours,
Gavin's Mama

Surgical History

Gavin had extensive hip surgery (Right hip) in June '08. At that time his hip was 50% dislocated and mishapen. The surgeon cut his femur in half and repositioned it straighter using metal plates and pins. She also did a bone graph using both his bone and cadaver bone to create a deeper hip socket. And finally she cut his inner tendon, a process called a 'tendon release'. Gavin then spent the summer in a body cast- still smiling as always. The goal of this surgery was to straighten his leg and prevent it from crossing over to his left leg, enabling him to stand without pain. The concern was a complete dislocation which causes a great deal of pain, is difficult to correct and often becomes a recurring issue after the first time. X-rays taken 6 months post surgery looked hopeful regarding the success of the surgery.

The Details for the Fundraiser

Thank you for your interest in helping out Gavin. I know this can be a little confusing because the money is for Gavin to have ABM Therapy through BRAINS. The grant is through Miles for Special Smiles who is partnering with Aquinas College for their AQ Run through (5K & 2 MIle walk) to raise money for Kids Food Basket. In other words, anything you do to help, will help Gavin and others.

If you decide to walk or run the AQ Run Through, there is a $20 registration fee. (the sign up form and details can be easily accessed at http://www.milesforspecialsmiles.com/.) This fee goes toward Kids Food Basket and does not support Gavin, but still a good cause. If you decide to walk/ run, any pledges/donations you collect for walking/ running directly support Gavin's $1,700 goal. Checks can be made out to Miles for Special Smiles as long as Gavin's name is listed in the check memo line. Otherwise the money may be inadvertantly posted to their 'General Account'.

We will be collecting all of the checks and cash and turning it into Miles at one time. If someone would like to send checks directly to Miles on Gavin's behalf, that's fine and their address is on their website. Pledges/ donations can also be made with credit card at www.snapregistration.com/110058 Any money raised over the $1,700 will go toward Miles for Special Smiles General Fund to help more families.

Thank you again for your willingness to support Gavin. This therapy has been nothing short of miraculous for Gavin and we're so blessed to have this opportunity to afford another year. It's amazing the sacrifices we'll make for our children. Thank you.

Welcome to Gavin's site

Thank you for your patience while our site is under construction. Gavin is a loveable little boy with special needs, who is unable to walk. He’s had extensive hip surgery and is scheduled for more. The cost of the physical therapy he desperately needs is not covered by insurance. Recently, Gavin was awarded a grant through Miles for Special Smiles to assist with these costs. However, this is a match grant requiring his family to raise $1,700 before September 25th, in order to receive the money. October 3rd, Gavin’s family will be taking part in the 2 mile walk/5K run on the campus of Aquinas College and collecting pledges/donations.

You can help Gavin by:
· Donating directly to Gavin’s fund (Checks can be made out to Miles for Special Smiles, please be sure to include Gavin's name in the check memo.)
· Taking part in the 2 mile walk or 5K run and collecting pledges on Gavin’s behalf.
· Not walk, but collect pledges on Gavin’s behalf

Please feel free to contact us at bradkarat@yahoo.com with any questions.
Pledges can be made on line by credit card at www.snapregistration.com/110058.
Follow Gavin’s story at www.3tboys.blogspot.com
Learn more about Miles for Special Smiles at www.milesforspecialsmiles.com

Well, where to begin. Gavin has been doing very well, aside from all of the boys being sick with ear infections. Two weeks ao we saved up for Gavin to have 5 therapy sessions in one week. 2 in GR and 3 in Lansing and these went very well. He's in a great mood and sooooo bendy. We were so excited to see all of his new tricks. Like standing with a little help and taking a few steps to sit down in a chair. Then we started him on Amoxicillin for an ear infection and eights days later....drama.

After 10 months seizure free- the last one was with his hip surgery last summer- Gavin had 12 seizures on Monday. Boy does that suck up a week with lab work, EEG's and Neurology appointments. The great news, we discontinued the antibiotic and upped his seizure med and he only had two more small issues on Tuesday. We're praying it was just the antibiotic that kicked something off, but no one seems to know anything. I REALLY miss our old Neuro who abandoned us and moved to Indiana. Bitter? No thanks, I have some. ;)

The bad news is having the old horror worst case scenario replayed for us. IF Gavin begins having seizures, there is an incredible chance that the kind he'll have will be the 'destroy his brain and leave him veggie-like' kind. What a devastating thought. But we keep reminding ourselves and the docs, that he's 1 in 25 million and not suppose to be where he is now.

Chase and Parker are doing well and VERY excited about Saturdays Easter Egg Hunt. I'll try to attach the picture of Gavin taken after the boys colored him with bathtub crayons.

Swimming with Penguins

A quick story of my boys. Gavin turned 4 in December and knows most of his colors. He'll pretend he doesn't, but he does. Example- we were playing with a colorful keyboard music toy. I asked him to point to colors- no problem. After a while I said,' Where's the blue key?' and he pushed the red key with a 'look' on his face. So, being his Mama, I said, 'That's right, that's the blue key.' He looked at his finger and scrunched his face at me and then moved his finger to the blue key. I laughed and said, "I got you!!!" He got so mad he pushed the toy away and started scooting away from me. I scooped him up and tickled him and he finally melted into a belly laugh. But that's his personality. He likes to 'trick' people i.e. his teachers/ therapists into thinking he can't do anything. Ugh, I get so frustatred! Doesn't he know how much further he'll go in life if he TRIED to do things???? Please understand for him to know colors is one more thing he is not suppose to be smart enough to learn- EVER!! Again, 1 in 26 Million. His biggets problem is that he's TOO smart and knows how to work that charm and dimple.

Chase is now 3 and talks non-stop. Not bad considering he had NO words on his 2nd birthday. He loves trucks and tractors and how they work and what they do. We're all learning about the farm equipment that goes up and down our road. Yep, we really live in the country. When Chase is really excited and talking- he sounds like Yoda from Star Wars. It's hilarious! Especially since he's never seen any of the movies!

Parker will be 2 in June and has no fear!! We went to the zoo and the boys were so perfect, until.... we saw the penguins. Parker was in my arms watching the penguins and began climbing up my body very quickly until he was sitting on my shoulder and grasping the top of the penguins glass wall. As I'm trying to get his wiggling body down and telling him that what he's doing is unsafe- I could drop him, he begins to try to pull himself up the glass wall. It took me a minute to figure out that, 'Idoin, Idoin, Idoin' was actually 'I go in! I go in!' When I confirmed that he wanted to go in with the penguins, he settled down completely, looked me in the eye and said, 'jess' (yes) with the relief of one finally able to complete a life's mission. This leads me to the not so perfect behavior part of our day at the zoo. Including a happily entertained audience of young, childless couples. Explaining to my 20 month old son that he may NOT swim with the penguins set him off!! He didn't care that they had not invited him, that the water was cold or that it was dirty. I can assure you, his mother cared about these things, very, very much . Oi! It's difficult to describe the ferver with which he attacked that glass wall and struggled to reach his dream, only to be crushed by a squeamish mother. Did I mention he has no fear? ;)

Gavin's Anniversary Update

The mark of our Holiday Season is a little different from most. We begin giving thanks and reflecting on miracles on Novemebr 10th, Gavin's surgery anniversary date. That moment stands firmly in our minds as our beginning. It marks the birth of Chase and Gavin's second chance at life. As we reflect on the last three years, we're amazed that we've survived. Literally amazed that we are alive and still committed to each other and not just 'committed'. (wink)

Gavin continues to progress beyond all medical expectations. He's still not walking, but continues to scoot around the house and gain strength and coordination after his hip surgery. We just went to see the surgeon who said Gavin's right hip is healing very, very well. Lots of new bone growth, looks great! However, his left hip is now showing signs of becoming mishapen and easily dislocated. Yep, the left hip was perfect last June. The surgeon said it's not impossible to see this kind of change, but she's never heard of it before. Then she smiled, winked and said, "he's Gavin". If something weird can happen, it happens to him.

Gavin says only a few words, but understands everything!! Even though we say that, Brad & I are continually amazed at how true it is. He really understands everything we say. Even when we try to be sneaky, spell things and use code. If we talk about taking a walk, Gavin will start acting up and want to go THAT very minute. Even with code, he understands. Today when he was scooting I asked him to reach more forward (I'll spare you the technical explanantion.) and he responded by smiling straight at me and then flopping himself forward so his hand touched his toes and his head touched his knees. After two or three (flops) he looked at me, laughed his new 'Yuk, Yuk laugh', and began scooting with his hand as far behind him as he could have it and still move forward. The title of 'Smart Alec' has never been more appropriately used! I think he would spend most of his time grounded if he could actually say what he thinks.

I'll update on Chase, the Silly Pickle and Parker the little talker ina ouple of days. For now I'm going to try to post a few pictures.

Love,
The Tiehtofs