Redefining MommyhoodJourney of a mom whose son is overcoming hypotonia

I’ve been so happy the past couple weeks with everything new that Luke is doing. He is standing independently, taking steps, and getting into a standing position from the floor by himself! I have been really feeling like he is on the road to “normalcy” until today…

We had Mommy & Me class today and everything went well until around noon. We had just gotten done doing “Ring Around The Rosie” on the parachute, Luke was standing slightly behind me and all of the sudden, for no apparent reason, he fell over like a tree in the woods! Usually when he loses his balance while standing, he will bend his knees and fall with his hands down. Not this time. He fell flat backwards, onto the hard concrete floor that only has indoor/outdoor carpet covering it and smacked his head on the floor! Everyone heard him hit and gasped. It sounded like a bowling ball being dropped onto concrete. Luckily, it didn’t knock him out, but he was screaming and sobbing. He had a small, red spot on his head where he hit. The teacher gave us an ice pack, but he wanted nothing to do with it! She was more freaked out than I was and said that I shouldn’t let him fall asleep on the way home. I have to drive 30 minutes, so I knew he would probably fall asleep! She suggested that I take him to his pediatrician, since he is only down the street from school.

I took Luke into the doctor’s office. He checked him out and didn’t see any signs of concussion or other injury. He said as long as he didn’t go unconscious, he should be ok, but to keep a close eye on him for 24 hours. He has been his normal self today, maybe a little crankier. I’m sure his head is sore, so I gave him a little Tylenol when we got home.

I know that all kids get bumps and bruises and eventually hit their head on things, but not like this. I wouldn’t have been as worried about the overall picture if he had just fallen off of something, but he fell over for no reason. Luke still has some sort of issue with balance and depth perception. I don’t know if there is something being overlooked or if it’s just part of his developmental delays that will get better with time as he gets stronger and more coordinated.

I’m trying not to let today’s little setback get me down. Luke has been doing so well and has come so far in just the past few months:)