So today Sam had a fabulous day of gait training. I was so impressed with her. She got up really early today (6 a.m.--usually gets up around 8) and so I was worried she would be too tired. She had a snack before she went, and I thought she would fall asleep eating. But, when we got there, she did amazing! Arlene, the amazing PT, took the first 10 minutes or so to put Sam in a "swing." The swing is like a piece of lycra fabric (very large!) that is looped and hangs from a single point in the ceiling. The nature of the material allowed sam to be "hugged" all over by it, giving her lots of sensory input. It also made it kind of dark inside there, and quiet too. Because it is stretchy, it also allowed her to be bounced up and down in it. So she went in every direction. She seemed to love it. Then we moved on to the room where she does her gait training.
Before she goes on the treadmill, Arlene usually takes some time to warm up sam on the mat and while Arlene was getting set up, I put sam down, and she sat there, all by herself, with no asisstance, for the longest she has ever sat (almost 1 minute!) It was really amazing how stable she was. She was able to sit up and hold her head high and even talk to the PTs in the room. It was so great.
Then she got on the treadmill and did such an amazing job. She took 100 steps independently, and did just a fantastic job holding her head up while walking and keeping it in midline, and doing it all at once. She worked really hard, and smiled the whole time. It was really a wonderful session.
So, Sam is getting a swing at home. I couldn't believe the effect it seemed to have on her stability. So when I got home I did some reading and found out that 15 minutes of swinging like that can affect the central nervous system for 8 hours. That is amazing. Here is a little blurb:
"Getting a swing that is hung from a single point will give them more effective and stronger, longer lasting vestibular input. Swinging on a swing is the ideal source of Vestibular input, and if done for 15 minutes on a swing can last up to 8 hours in the central nervous system, the other types of input only last 2 hours or so, so they must be done more often. I would highly recommend swinging for at least two 15 minute sessions a day one first thing in the a.m. and again in the afternoon, and before bed if sleeping well is a problem. This will help give the calming and organized vestibular input that is needed to help keep an individual responding to sensory input appropriately. May help to swing and rock gently before bedtime as well if sleeping is a problem. If swinging can be a calming choice throughout the day, then I would highly recommend it above anything else in the home & classroom. You can have a swing hung from the ceiling or from a "hammock swing stand" and let them swing themselves, just make sure it is slow, rhythmical, and not erratic. "
It was really cool.
And, just so I don't forget some day...Sam just loves "Eskimo Kisses" or as we call them, "Inuit kisses" It is really sweet. So, next time you see her, run noses!
OK, I finally get to turn off for the night. Good night fans and friends.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Transitioning...
So, this is the time when we are working on the transition of Sam from Early Intervention Services (ages 0-3) to Preschool! I know it is so weird to think about school already. Even though she is only 2, they feel that the accomodations that she will need are great enough that they want to be sure to get everything ready so that once she turns 3 she doesn't have to wait weeks for her services to kick in. Also, they want to give the school enough notice that they are getting someone with so many physical needs. It is really an emotional time for me, for us, really (well, not for sam!) as we talk about things like wheelchairs for going to school, etc. So, even though it isn't news or shocking, the reality of looking at catalogs not for that first-day-of-school dress, or the new little backpack that is so cute, but for wheelchairs, well, it is a little tough. And thinking of getting I know, and it probably won't be as bad as we think.
On more happy notes, she started a pre-pre-school playgroup that meets on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11:30. She went once and she LOVED it. It really made the idea of school a little easier to take, honestly. She played with the other kids, and got to be pretty involved in most activities, and boy did she surprise us with her abilities! She didn't stick anything (non-food)in her mouth, she stood and played for a long time, and she sat in a regular little kid chair for snack and craft time, with minimal support from us. They wanted to put her in a special chair, but we decided to try the regular one, and she did really great. IT was amazing. She "talked" non-stop for the whole 2 hours. She rode on a rocking spaceship, that I never thought she could do. She held on with BOTH hands (this is a feat--to get her to hold on with her right hand) and held herself up while dad rocked her. She loved it so much. It made us cry repeatedly to see how happy she was and how well she could do. Mom helped her slide down a slide, and that was pretty cool, too. It was a tiring 2 hours for 2 parents and a kid, and Sam slept for 3 hours afterward!
Then, at gait training on THurs, she did great. She took independent steps while keeping her head up and in midline. That was impressive. And then she said "I did it" and it made me want to cry. SHe was so proud. She has a "gait trainer" at home that she will start trying to use...that is the term for a walker with a little sling for her to "sit" on when she gets tired. So that will be interesting to see how that goes. I hope she likes it and it gives her a little more independence.
I am so proud of her, I can't even tell you. She is making such good progress with getting onto hands and knees, and she is also doing great with sitting and standing. She is so happy all the time, and she is such a loving little kid. She gives hugs and kisses, and wants to do it all.
So, while it is a little difficult to move to the next stage of her going out into the world, I am sure she will handle it in her usual style, and will teach her silly mom that she is sad and worried for no reason at all.
On more happy notes, she started a pre-pre-school playgroup that meets on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11:30. She went once and she LOVED it. It really made the idea of school a little easier to take, honestly. She played with the other kids, and got to be pretty involved in most activities, and boy did she surprise us with her abilities! She didn't stick anything (non-food)in her mouth, she stood and played for a long time, and she sat in a regular little kid chair for snack and craft time, with minimal support from us. They wanted to put her in a special chair, but we decided to try the regular one, and she did really great. IT was amazing. She "talked" non-stop for the whole 2 hours. She rode on a rocking spaceship, that I never thought she could do. She held on with BOTH hands (this is a feat--to get her to hold on with her right hand) and held herself up while dad rocked her. She loved it so much. It made us cry repeatedly to see how happy she was and how well she could do. Mom helped her slide down a slide, and that was pretty cool, too. It was a tiring 2 hours for 2 parents and a kid, and Sam slept for 3 hours afterward!
Then, at gait training on THurs, she did great. She took independent steps while keeping her head up and in midline. That was impressive. And then she said "I did it" and it made me want to cry. SHe was so proud. She has a "gait trainer" at home that she will start trying to use...that is the term for a walker with a little sling for her to "sit" on when she gets tired. So that will be interesting to see how that goes. I hope she likes it and it gives her a little more independence.
I am so proud of her, I can't even tell you. She is making such good progress with getting onto hands and knees, and she is also doing great with sitting and standing. She is so happy all the time, and she is such a loving little kid. She gives hugs and kisses, and wants to do it all.
So, while it is a little difficult to move to the next stage of her going out into the world, I am sure she will handle it in her usual style, and will teach her silly mom that she is sad and worried for no reason at all.
The Life and Times of Samantha
Hi all.
I am moving a little portion of the record-keeping to a blog separate from the CarePage. It has gotten to the point where things are getting more normal for us, and I would like to be able to share Sam's growth and accomplishments, but with more freedom to express things to a more intimate groups of family, friends, caregivers and supporters of Sam. So, we will see how it goes. The CarePage will still exist, but with fewer details, ones that I am more comfortable sharing with the general public. I will likely duplicate them here, so you don't really need to read both, but the CarePage is better with pictures, I think!
So, we will see how this goes. I will send this out and then add some updates.
Love,
Lisa
I am moving a little portion of the record-keeping to a blog separate from the CarePage. It has gotten to the point where things are getting more normal for us, and I would like to be able to share Sam's growth and accomplishments, but with more freedom to express things to a more intimate groups of family, friends, caregivers and supporters of Sam. So, we will see how it goes. The CarePage will still exist, but with fewer details, ones that I am more comfortable sharing with the general public. I will likely duplicate them here, so you don't really need to read both, but the CarePage is better with pictures, I think!
So, we will see how this goes. I will send this out and then add some updates.
Love,
Lisa
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