Kaedyn’s Court

 Well, today was chaos… the good kind. The kind where you're sprinting between appointments like a travelling circus act, but somehow it all works out. And by the end of it, your heart is full, your kid thinks he’s a rockstar (he is), and you’re somehow still functioning despite running on absolutely no caffeine.

But let me backtrack. Because before we talk about the magic of today’s new OT session, there’s a shadow that deserves its own spotlight first...

On the way to Little Bodies, Kaedyn asked me a question about his old beloved OT.
“Mum, why do you like Julian so much?”

How do you explain a person who didn’t just do their job?
They changed your life?

Julian wasn’t just Kaedyn’s OT.
He was part of our family.
He still is! We all hold so much love for him, his wife, and his kids; they are every shade of warmth and brilliance.

He showed up. Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, practically.
Kind. Grounded. Generous with his time, his memory, his spirit.
He possessed a calm brilliance that made it feel like no mountain was too high...and trust me, in this world of therapies, equipment trials, and funding chaos, that is a rare kind of magic to wield. Maybe that's why I started calling him our Unicorn ahaha!

But he taught me things that made me a better parent.

He made Kaedyn feel strong, seen, and capable. And he never had me chasing him for quotes or emails or follow-ups. In the short time we had Juls, under 2yrs. He dove headfirst into equipment while maintaining a balance of hands-on therapy. Approval after approval, and not just anything, pool hoist, commode, wheelchair, bed, stroller (there's a better word but I'm zonked!), and I'm sure there was more! He was always ten steps ahead of me on everything.

Which, for anyone who knows me, is borderline impossible. I don’t drop the ball when it comes to Kaedyn. I run a tight ship. I am the ship!
But Julian, he added more than he took.

And in a world like this, where the people who care for our children carry our hearts, our vulnerability, and our deepest hopes in their hands every single day, that means something.

We’ve had three OTs since Julian...
And that’s not to say we don’t have room for someone else to come along and be fantastic in their own right—we absolutely do. I want that. I need that. Kaedyn deserves that.

But Julian will always be one of the unforgettable ones.
A golden thread in the fabric of our story...our UNICORN!

So yes, when we pulled into the carpark for our first session with a brand-new OT, I was nervous...Kaedyn could tell.

Because no matter how open-hearted you are, it’s hard not to compare. Hard not to wonder if this new person will get him, get us, get what we’ve already been through, what we will inevitably endure together.

But then… we met Sam.

And oh my heart, what a delight.
Sweet, bright, calm but confident, she didn’t try to fill anyone’s shoes. She just met Kaedyn where he was. And he ran the session like a tiny dictator: “No, Sam, we do kitchen first.” She followed his lead like a pro. I was merely there to witness the rise of this new dynamic duo.

There was play. There was a connection. There were so many options to explore. And I could feel that flicker of “okay… this could be something.” Not a replacement. Not a comparison. Just… something new. Something golden!

After that, it was off to physio with Ben, and considering Kaedyn also had Kal yesterday, I was bracing for a collapse or a dramatic flop. But nope, we didn't get an entire flop. The kid held it together like a champ. Still strong. Still slightly sassy. Just the way we like it. And he even delivered twins, SLAY!!

Next stop: children’s hospital, annual check-up edition. But before heading in, we made a pit stop at Starlight to drop off some copies of Music, Magic & Courage. Kaedyn posed with the Captains like he was launching a world tour. We promised we’d come back after the appointment and when we did? THEY. WERE. READY.

Guitars out. Smiles wide. And Kaedyn? Absolutely in his element. And silently I was too...How do you think he became a Swiftie!?

It was pure joy. The kind of joy you don’t choreograph, it just happened. And it was infectious throughout the floor. He lit up the room.

But the day wasn’t done. Of course it wasn't...

We came home to two fresh book deliveries...50 copies of Blood of the Titan and another 50 of MMC. So naturally, the office transformed into Kaedyn’s personal publishing empire. He signed like a pro, and helped me pack orders.

Now, behind all this sparkly, musical, therapy-filled day… lies me. A mother running on 3 hours of sleep and pure willpower.

Why?
Because my golden hour for writing is 10pm to 2am, and I can’t change it. I don’t even try anymore. The words arrive. The characters won’t shut up. The muse climbs through the window at midnight and holds a knife to my throat. "This book gets finished this year, you're not sitting on it another 6yrs!" Ughhhh!!!!

So yes. I was up again at 6am. No coffee, maybe I should start?.