There's cheek, and there's attitude, and we're loving it.
While Katelyn emerged from her spica cast in August 2012, and started to walk again less than one month later, we're reminded everyday that our DDH journey is far from over.Physically, Katelyn, is perfect. She can run, has started to jump, and displays awesome flexibility and strength.
However, when she was two and half, alarm bells started to ring signalling that things were possibly not quite right.
As a girl, and the younger sibling to two big brothers, we had expected her speech development to be at last on par, or to overtake, that exhibited by Will and Harry at similar ages. But, at 2 and a half, and still not really talking, we began to worry that something was up with our lovely daughter. This was compounded by endless tears and tantrums (usually hers, but sometimes mine) as she attempted, and failed, to vocalise what she needed.
The rehabilitation process began about three months ago. It turns out that Katelyn is suffering from a mild speech delay - possibly (but, most likely, in my opinion) resulting from the trauma of her surgery at 20mo for late-diagnosed developmental hip dysplasia. My theory is that while in her cast for those three months, she missed some critical physical developmental milestones, which, in turn, impacted her development in terms of communication and language. There's no medical science or theory to back this up (at least that I'm aware of), but her therapist agrees with my hypothesis.
And so began, back in June, our journey to bring our little girl out of her shell. We're seeing the fabulous Sally, through Hunter-New England Health, and I'm beyond pleased to report that our strategy of positive reinforcement and repetition-repetition-repetition ("Yes, Katelyn, you're right, that is a CAR! It's a CAR- a shiny red CAR! Look at that CAR! It's fun to drive in that CAR!") is working a treat! I've also taken a family/lifestyle-driven career break, and I believe Katelyn is benefiting from the extra one-on-one time with Mummy and/or Daddy.
Our initial monthly appointments have been stretched out to visits every second month in recognition of the great progress our beautiful daughter in making. And now, as Katie has not long turned three, it's a joy to be able to engage in a real conversation with her - perhaps not such a big deal for parents of other kids her age - but it means the world to us. There's plenty of attitude, spirit, character and assurances that "Mummy, I KNOW!", but it's music to our ears and a source of warmth to our hearts.
