Darby's World

Darby Reese

Hi My Name Is Darby

Kindergarten has been fun- Darby plays with the IPAD, swims and has recently starting working with a black light. She continues to play with the light box. She is a happy little girl when healthy and continues to be an easy-going gentle spirit. We are in the process of ordering her a fancy new bed called the SLEEP SAFE BED. Here is the link: http://www.sleepsafebed.com/ We are hoping this will help with her positioning while sleeping and for managing her airway with all that saliva. It is a pricey investment but well worth it! Thanks for checking in!

This is a blog written by my family so you can see the latest and greatest updates on my 'quirky' I try to go to the pool every week so I am a busy girl! If you want to head back to my website, click on the link below
http://www.members.shaw.ca/tjaques

Kindergarten 2012

Spring 2012

Spring is a favorite season in our household because it means that all the nasty bugs that get into Darby's lungs are usually long gone. This winter was our worst yet. We spent a whole week in the hospital in February with pneumonia again. It was a really difficult time for the family and in a lot of ways, we are still coping with the aftermath- Darby continues to have a wet cough some days. Other than that, she is in good spirits. She had surgery for ear tubes again in December (right before New Years Eve!) and that went well. We have since been told that one of the tubes has moved out of the right spot and so another surgery is required. We will wait a bit until we can coordinate with another surgery. Darby recently went to see her dentist on an annual visit and things don't look good in the mouth- lots of cavities. This isn't much of a surprise for us since we feed her non-stop some days and sometimes she snoozes in between and she doesn't really swallow her smoothies or sugar filled formula. She also has lot of drool and lots of saliva to contend with! This mess will result in a 90 minute surgery sometime in late fall or early winter. Yikes! From an equipment standpoint, Darby has now transitioned into a Zippie Iris Tilt wheelchair. Here is one link: http://www.quickie-wheelchairs.com/category/Pediatric-Wheelchairs/549. She uses that at Kindergarten and an Otto Bock Hi/Lo Spider base for circle time and group work. Here is that link: http://tadpoleadaptive.com/seating-systems/hi-low/otto-bock-kimba-spider-hi-lo-base.html

The Lift:

Big Brother showing off the buttons

The outside major renovations

The Art Work Inside the Lift:

Summer 2011

2011 has been our healthiest year yet. We have had many adventures including up to Big White ski hill and out on Okanagan Lake boating. Medically Darby has had tubes put in her ears again and continues to grow at a healthy rate. She is smiling lots and making life fun right now.We had a residential lift system installed in the early part of 2011 and that has made life a million times easier as Darby is now approaching 40 pounds! She will start Kindergarten in September and be integrated into her big brother's "regular" school and we are excited about this next phase. We feel grateful for no hospital overnights due to respiratory issues and hope that the "ugly stuff" is behind us. Thanks for checking in on us !!!

Boating in Okanagan Lake - Love the wind in my hair

Swimming with my Daddy- It really is tough being me

Horseback riding with the big kids

Me & the horse getting to know each other

Me and Mom celebrating her birthday - Girls Rock

Graduated from pre-school

Checking out Big White with my family

Video

Giving in Action

"Giving in Action" helped my mom and dad to purchase this super van. They assisted with a financial donation towards the van. Eventually when I get too big for my car seat, I will be using a wheel chair and that is when we have to have a lift installed and they are pretty expensive. So THANKS A LOT to "Giving in Action out of Vancouver" for making my life just a little better.

Canuck Place

I really look forward to going to 'Canuck Place', the people are so nice to me. My mom and dad took Grayson to Disneyland in February 2010 and I got to stay here while they were gone. I got to sit in a big bean bag chair and it was so cool. Everyone gave me the best care one could ask for. My parents called every night to check with the staff to see how I was doing. One time this lady came in and took a bunch of pictures of me, I guess she thought I was kinda cute. I think one can stay here up to 21 days per year which is okay with me.

Sunny Hill Health Center

There are hard working people who build, repair, and adjust some of the seating equipment that I require. About every four months there has to be something adjusted because I am growing so fast. I am so grateful for Elaine and the SunnyHill Outreach team!!

G0-G0-Babyz

This product has allowed my mom or dad to take me in my car seat to medical appointments that are out of town.It is absolutely brilliant!!! Check them out @ www.gogobabyz.com

Darby and Grayson

We call this "The Lego Game". It teaches Darby Cause and Effect

Sidewinder Conversions

A special "Thank You" to Sidewinder Conversions out of Chilliwack British Columbia for their work in converting our van to wheel chair accessibility. Their staff was straightforward and exceptional to deal with. You can check out their website @ http://www.sidewinderconversions.com/

Cops For Kids

We would like to give a sincere thanks to Cops For Kids, an organization run by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). This foundation is devoted to helping little hearts in the community. Their generous donation towards Darby's van conversion was gratefully appreciated. Please check them out @ www.copsforkids.org/

Stampede Breakfast

My Mommy and Daddy together with Grampy, Grammy and Grayson hosted a family tradition "Stampede Breakfast". Friends and neighbors were treated to coffee, juice, pancakes, hash browns, bacon, sausage and fruit salad. Even Grampy whipped up some of his famous "Beer Pancakes" but just for the adults. The kids enjoyed games like "Pancake Toss", "Cowboy Hat Stomping" all to the beat of good old country music. I was quite a hit with the crowd with my western hat and duds.