Macrocephaly Capillary Malformation

Please show your support of Makenna and friends by making your donation to the M-CM Network.
Macrocephaly-capillary malformation is a rare, genetic syndrome first identified by researchers in the late 1990s. Many medical providers are unfamiliar with M-CM and affected children and their families face more questions than answers regarding the course of this condition.
M-CM Network provides comprehensive medical information about M-CM to aid in diagnosis and treatment decisions. Our goal is to establish a disease registry to collect data about affected individuals so that we can greatly expand the scope of what is known about M-CM. You can donate to help us meet this goal.

Please donate by going to:
http://www.m-cm.net/donate

Top Ten Toys for Kids with Special Needs

Wedgits: 2 years +. This building toy promotes tactile exploration, encourages use of motor skills and stimulates vision.

* Wee Wedgits: 12 months +. Another popular building toy that is good for tactile exploration, motor skills and vision.

* Mega Bloks: 12 months +. For the same benefits noted in the above building toys, these toy blocks also come highly recommended.

* Playmobil: 4 years +. These pretend play toys come in different themes such as Egyptian, school, hospital, zoo, and more and encourage use of motor skills, stimulates imagination and encourages exploration of the environment.

* Bruder Roadmax Road Loader with Backhoe: 2 years +. This toy vehicle stimulates the imagination, introduces cause and effect, and promotes the use of motor skills.

* Enchanted Forest: 6 years +. This game builds concentration, vocabulary, memory, imagination, cooperation and self-esteem.

* Lauri Stack and Sort Boards: ages 2 - 5. These preschool toys teach colors, shapes, numbers and problem solving as well as advances mental development.

* Melissa & Doug Shape Sorters: 6 months - 3 years. This toy promotes fine motor skills and teaches shapes and colors. The sorter must be easy to open to eliminate frustration.

* Learning Resources Smart Snacks Trail Mix & Match: ages 2 - 6. This toy manipulates fine motor skills, introduces counting, patterning and matching through imaginative play.

* Twig by Fat Brain Toy Co.: 3 years +.This toy develops sensory awareness, cooperative and independent play, and artistic expression.

Makenna and the Great Pumpkins 2010 October

Makenna went to her first pumpkin patch this October at Stoney Creek Farms in Northern, IN. She was joined by her friend Nicholas and his parents Jason and Letha and Uncle Shane. The kids took a tour via a nice hay ride in the pumpkin patch and picked out their own pumpkins to decorate later. Makenna invited her Grandma Marsha over to watch "The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and to decorate her pumpkin. This year Makenna will be dressed as Dr. Makenna Clark- Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Riley Hospital For Children. Pictures of this costume soon to follow.

Ready to Shop

She would learn where the money was hidden for her many trips to Wal-Mart. She found mommys purse and was taking it to the door. She had to return because she forgot the car keys. She is contemplating on getting her own purse however she learned that should would have to spend her own money. After a long debate, she decided to just use my purse in the meantime....afterall it is a cheaper option than spending her own hard earned money.

M-CMTC Best Friends: America's Favorite Couple

Finally after a long wait, Jackson and Makenna have the first play date. July 1, 2010. The cutie pies had lunch at Red Robin.....Yummm and then played with toys at Makenna's house along with help from Mrs. Sharon. The couple has planned for a second date later this summer at the Indiana Dunes. They will continue emailing and talking over the phone to make future plans.

My New Wheels

After a long wait, Makenna finally got her new wheelchair. She is enjoying it so much and interacting more with her surroundings. Here are a few of her latest adventures in toddlerhood.

No More Shunt, No More Shunt

As of this May 2010 Makenna is shunt free. She had surgery at Riley Hospital for Children,..we call this one Lucky 13! At her last visit on June 13, 2010 her CT Scan still looked great. It appears that the third ventricularostomy procedure is working. She is smiling, laughing and saying the words, "uh uh" and huh". She is also moving around alot more and scooting around on the floor, getting into baskets, corners and under the sofa among other things. She is enjoying spending time with her teachers Ms. Sharon, Ms. Martha and Ms Lindi who come to our house during the week to help her learn new and exciting things.
Things are looking up and she is making progress everyday. She also got a new minivan and a new wheelchair this month too. Next week will start aqua therapy at the pool. We are excited about that and the many visits of friends and family to our house this summer.
God is Good! And always on time!