Benjamin's visit to Shriners Hospital...

Last week, Joel, Joel B., Benjamin and I headed out to Shriner's Hospital for Children. I'm not sure why, but I was very emotional planning this trip. Something about the fact that we would soon find out future options for Benjamin and how important that would be for him the rest of his life, gripped my heart.

Not that we were ever worried about Benjamin. The kid is absolutely amazing, and there is nothing he cannot do. I'm just sure he will be the first Asian American President (although at the moment, the law is that you have to be born in America to be president...but we know Benjamin will change that law...grin).

We had planned to take Benjamin to Shriners as soon as we got home last year from China, but he has been doing so well...that we felt like it wasn't necessary. The child amazes us...accomplishing... everything. We still felt like we needed that first initial visit...and an opportunity to talk about his future options. We were sooooo impressed. The facility was beautiful. The staff was amazing. Professional. Experienced. Incredible doctors. And it's still hard to comprehend that this beautiful Shriners Hospital for Children...all of their hospitals for children...are FREE. Totally free. No fees. No insurance. They didn't even ask what Joel does for a living. Didn't matter.

What touched me the most were all the children in the waiting room that day. We were blessed to meet some great parents and kids. So many children's lives were being changed in front of our eyes. Many children had prosthesis, braces, club feet...casts on both legs...and other issues that I wasn't familiar with. I think a couple of years ago, this would have been a very hard day to see so much pain. Or that is how I would have viewed it possibly. How blessed we are. Instead, I was humbled seeing these little ones...smiling...laughing...living life normally...and most of all, being loved by their parents.

Benjamin had a great time spinning in the chairs, waiting for the doctor. First, we were visited by the Physicians Assistant. She was so sweet to him...but he didn't care for her touching his little hand. He had many tears and expressed to us that, "she mean" as he pointed to her.

Xrays showed us what we already knew that Benjamin has a wrist in his left arm/hand...and a small hand. The doctor was very excited for Benjamin. Having a wrist means he can do everything much easier than if he didn't have a wrist. The left wrist is the same size as the right wrist... so that was good news as well.

This was Mr. Shriner Skeleton...waiting in the xray dept. Just couldn't resist.

Before we brought Benjamin home, we had read so many different theories about limb differences like Benjamin's. We had heard that it's very important to get a prosthesis as soon as possible. And we had also heard that Benjamin probably won't want a prosthetic hand.

Shriners will cover all medical care for Benjamin free of charge until he is 18 years old. The doctor said that Benjamin can have a prosthetic hand if he wants one...and they suggest getting one when he requests it. He wants Benjamin to use the feelings in his hand...and that a prosthetic hand doesn't have feeling. He said normally children ask for one when they start school...but most request one as a teenager...when appearance is more important. I can't ever imagine Benjamin caring about that. He has so much confidence already, but it is an incredible option.

We have already scheduled another appointment for next year, and then we will discuss more with the prosthetic department. We were able to ask questions this visit about weight lifting and options for sports. It's interesting to know that each sport has a different prosthesis...if wanted. I have the feeling Benjamin will prefer to use what God gave him and won't feel like he needs anything more.

We were so blessed to have that time with the staff at Shriners and helping us care for our little guy. It was a great experience, and we learned so much.