It’s been very busy here at the Barton home lately.  Shortly after starting this blog we found out that Matthew needed major hip surgery.  I was a bit overwhelmed by the news because the x-rays from the prior visit with the orthopedic surgeon looked great.  On top of all the digestive tract problems, Matt also suffers from bilateral hip displaysia.  That means that both of his hips dislocate.  Because of their loose ligaments, kids with Down Syndrome are prone to it.  We found out when he was 4 and he wore a brace for 8 years hoping it would correct the problem without surgery.

The brace did work on the right but his left hip continued to dislocate.  So, at the end of December, Matt had his surgery.  Unfortunately he was back in the hospital 1 week later with an infection in his hip because of his weak immune system.  Now after 3 months in 3 different casts

and 2 months in a new brace, he is walking on his own without the help of the brace or walker!

Now if that weren’t enough, 3 months before the surgery, he began having major problems related to his Hirschsprung’s disease. In my next post, I will talk about what happened and share my green smoothie recipe that worked where Mira lax failed. Stay tuned!