Wow....it's been quite some time since I last updated the blog. I received an email from a parent of an 18 mo old that was recently diagnosed with OP. He found our site and contacted me which made me realize, I need to post an update.

2009 was a good year for the Davis family. Kaleb has continued with physical therapy and while he spends the majority of his time in the chair, he is walking short distances while on forearm crutches. His pain level from the hip is doing much better. He did have a few breaks this year including 4 ribs but they didn't keep him down too much.

A positive note for other OP patients, my cousin (in her mid 30s and also suffers from the dominant form) underwent a complete hip replacement. So far, she is doing well. This is what we will need to do after Kaleb's growth plates harden. Unfortunately, the dr who performed her surgery will most likely be retired by the time Kaleb is ready but I pray that he documented, documented, documented :)

On a note so positive note, Kaleb has made friends on xbox that have now become his friends on Facebook. While preparing to ring in 2010, I was downloading a couple pics of Kaleb from facebook and was APPALLED when I started reading some comments. His 'friends' decided it would be funny to post pics of Kaleb and write 'cripple', 'cripple from Ohio', etc. They posted a pic of a slinky going down the steps with the saying "Some people have no purpose in life other than to laugh when they fall down the steps" and wrote Kaleb's name under it. Ouch. Double ouch. I have to remember, kids can be immature and mean. Can I say ouch again???

Concerning OP, I have been contacted by quite a few new families in 2009, which is so scary to me. There is a family that lives within 10 miles of me that their infant was diagnosed. How scary. I can remember when we couldn't find another soul (other than my family) that had this disease and now it seems like it's everywhere.

I'm still learning that each day is a learning experience and though I can't understand this disease and why our family suffers from it, I know we are all learning, growing and sharing.

Peace to you in 2010. I know it's a common saying but truly, live each day as it could be your last.

Lori