3.29.13 Possibilities

We had a special opportunity this week to have lessons with a therapist who traveled up from California, where the ABM therapy center is located. Since we weren't sure if we would be making it back down to the center before the baby comes, we were excited. The lessons were AMAZING! Our regular therapist was there video taping the lessons and learning more ideas for going forward with Aimee. The visiting therapist was an incredible resource. She had previously been a traditional physical therapist and is able to take benefit from both types of therapy in her recommendations.

Aimee responded immediately to the new positions and techniques. It was really fun to see her engaged. She was so excited between the lessons and "talking" a lot. A few new things we have seen her do during the week:
-Rocking pelvis front-to-back (she had started wiggling it side-to-side a few months ago)
-Wiggling her rib cage side-to-side
-Moving her head, left leg, and wiggling her hips all at the same time
-More handsy (grasping at hands, tubes, hair, really anything that touches her hands at all)
-Participating in rolling toward the right side during therapy by pulling her head forward
-Able to hold her knees closer to in line with her hips, rather than only holding them out
-Improved ability to move her right leg and plant her right foot
-Also, fun loving girl, laughing every time they show her how to move her pelvis

The most exciting thing that happened during the sessions (to me) was watching her participate in the sitting up process. She looked so cute and it was so heart melting to see how much she wanted to participate that I really hoped to get a video so that I could show you. Unfortunately, by the time I thought to get out my camera, Aimee was really tired. I will get a clip from our therapist who was videoing the whole thing and post it as soon as I can. I think you will really enjoy seeing how the therapy works. It's really stunning.

The visiting therapist was most immediately concerned with helping Aimee straighten out her spine. She is always contracted towards the left with her right side extended. This has caused, among other things, worsening of her scoliosis, difficulty in turning her head toward the right and in orienting herself to things happening to her right, her jaw to pull toward the left, and changes in the shape of her face and skull. The great news is that this therapist has successfully helped kids improve in this area.

She also really encouraged us by saying she can see Aimee learning to push with her feet. Aimee has always loved to kick and with her lessons she may be able to learn to first push herself away from a wall and eventually to move across the floor on her back by pushing with her feet. Exciting possibilities for Aimee to have an independent movement. She LOVES to move.

This morning we got an email from the center down in California letting us know that there are lessons available for Aimee starting one month from today with the founder of this therapy method. We will be praying about it this weekend. We don't have the funds to go and it is only 6 weeks before the baby is due to arrive. On the other hand, we know God can provide the money and it may be easier to travel when the baby is still en route than it will be for the first several months after he comes. Please pray for us to have wisdom.