last day

Well we are almost done here in Sikeston. I have to say this has been one of the more stressful intensives we've done due to the fact that we were "starting over" with Christian's body as far as standing and walking and I have a 1 year old and 14 wks pregnant...needless to say that adds a little more to the plate. I would also say this has been one of the more umm rewarding (i guess that's the word) visits. I saw Christian go from the first week of barely standing to this last week of totally pushing up and standing and walking. He and Brandy have worked so hard. I am very proud of him! He still has a ways to go but at least now I'm not worried that he may never get it figured out.

I don't know what I would do without the opportunity to come here and have Christian participate in this intense physical therapy. It makes a world of difference. The pt is able to get a real look at him over the 3 hours a day/3 week session. It also gives her time to see what needs to be worked on and try out different equipment, braces, and techniques to get him doing what he needs to do. I am glad that we got the baclofin pump and are on our way back to better walking.

VIDEOS -these are from these last couple of days work.

THANK YOU- to my mom,dad, granny for all of your help with Bryant, laundry, meals, your house and much more!!!! To everyone who participated in the Dodging to make a Difference Tournament! This fundraiser makes it possible for us to come to this!! My husband who has to miss us for 3 weeks except for visits on the weekends! All who have been praying for Christians' health and progress!!

Week 3 of intense pt feb 2012

Sorry I haven't done a good job keeping up this time around. Week 2 christian had a good progress day every other day. I didn't feel like I had anything new to say. I think it was thursday that he had a great walking day. We figured out a great set up for his arms. The problem is his left arm is usually strapped down since he doesn't hold on. Lefty not a problem. Now right arm is tricky-he doesn't want it strapped down but won't hold on to his handle the whole time. When he does he looks great and stands up straight. AFter awhile he wants to bite it or just wonder around with it:) Anyways we figured it out.

So this weekend (last weekend here) christian did some great sit to stands at home. I feel like he's really gotten stronger and put the pieces together. Far from perfect but using his butt muscles more and just not squeezing his legs together as much to stand. I will try to get video on here.

The picture of C laying down with what looks like a palm pilot and then a round device on his stomach--is---how they adjust hip baclofin pump. The round thing on his stomach is magnetic i think? it is just on top of where his pump is on the inside of him. Then the handheld device tells the doctor it is connected and reads what dosage he's at and the doctor can then adjust up or down...pretty cool. Also the videos are from the week after he had the pump put in. I'm just getting these on here.

intense pt Feb 2012

Starting over is never fun:) I say that to say this--so Christian had his baclofen pump installed Jan 4Th and we are now here in Sikeston to do his intense physical therapy program. This worked out perfectly as far as timeline with getting the pump. He was able to have enough time to heal and then come here to get him familiar with using his "new" body. I say "new" because as I've explained before he was used to using his body one way to function (walk, sit, stand..) and now he has to learn a different way. I would say more correct way to do those things.

Today was day 7 of therapy. The first week was well let's just be honest...for me it was a struggle to watch Christian not be able to do things like stand and walk as well as he used to. And again this is because he's working with a different body not because of his therapist or anything like that. Actually I feel like her job is harder because now she is having to rethink how to teach Christian to use his new body. This means finding new motivators, new techniques. I have to admit the first week was kind of a bummer for me considering I'm use to seeing him differently. I guess what I mean is he didn't have to struggle so much. Basically Christian has no strength in his butt muscles so when he stands he just sticks his butt out and doesn't use them to straighten himself up. I think it's important to say that everyday of therapy or things we do are not always great. It's easy to put the highlights on here and leave out the low lights but that's not realistic. Sometimes raising a child with special needs is frustrating, sad, and hardwork. That's just the reality of it.

On day 3 we saw better standing...meaning standing up straighter and pushing up more on his own. Day 4,5 was even better as far as standing and pushing the weights with his legs. Day 5 he did a little walking. Today day 7 we did mostly all walking. I was so excited for him!! He used his pacer walker. I don't have video because I was helping. sorry. I have video of some other things that he did. He is mostly working on strengthening his legs and butt, standing, and walking.

THANK YOU-to all of those who contributed to getting Christian here to this therapy program. We appreciate it more than you'll ever know.

Robyn