Remember when I wrote my New Year's Goals? Well, apparently, that wasn't aggressive enough. I am "gettin' served", as E liked to say. She's all over the place--I even "caught" her walking from the bathroom at Daisy Scouts CARRYING both of her crutches in ONE HAND as she walked with huge steps into the meeting room--because she "didn't feel like wearing them".
It helps that I made the 2011 goals, b/c now I've been trying them to see where we are. Well...she can carry heavy ceramic plates (no food on them yet) now and keep them upright. She can lift her foot entirely out of the bathtub (while I hold her other hand-I've never tried that before). She goes up the indoor steps with me close, but has only needed me to catch her twice. She moved backwards AND sideways without falling over the weekend.
So, given that we're only a few weeks into January, I think my 2011 goals aren't thinking BIG enough. Or independent enough. So, I'm just going to run with this, and THINK BIG. Allow myself to think dangerously.
So, here are some additional goals for 2011:
*1. E will walk TO and FROM the bus by herself on a school day. The steps outside our house are unevenly spaced, and have no handrail. She can do these with crutches or without. This means going from outside the door, down the steps, across the driveway, and INTO the bus without help (and reverse, coming home). Currently we carry her--mostly b/c we are running late, but also b/c we have doubts regarding her safety/ability to do all the steps--and in a timely manner, especially those on the bus b/c they are so large.
*2. Elena will RUN. And be able to STOP, without a handhold, and without crutches. I don't care what it looks like.
*3. Elena will pivot on one foot (or two feet, simultaneously). Either (or both) sides. Currently she switches directions/turns by veering in a circle.
*4. E will try a jump shot--with a ball, and land without falling down.
*5. E will attend a dance class without a facilitator. While wearing her shoes and braces, she'll keep up (mostly, anyway) with the class. If she falls, she'll get up and keep going.
Ridiculously dangerous thinking? E WILL JUMP ROPE. E WILL CATCH A FRISBEE. E WILL WALK A DOG--THAT PULLS THE LEASH. E WILL TAKE A SHOWER--STANDING. E WILL HIT A PITCHED (NOT TEE'D) BALL WITH A BAT, AND ROUND THE BASES. E WILL ROLLER (OR ICE) SKATE.
Crazy, I know...but who knows, "Danger" might be her middle name this year...
Sunday, January 16, 2011
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7 comments:
Get some ACE Bandages, an ice pack and some BooBoo buddies and you guys will be all set for the average kids' injuries. Hee-hee! Can you see yourself now? "Well get up, then E, we haven't got all night." Our PT has this goal of golf for Hannah. He tells me, some little girl with hemiplegia will play golf, why not Hannah? Why not? Because Mama don't like golf? Hmmm. Won't it be fun for your family to hit the ER for a totally run of the mill ball smacked into the kid kind of a check up? You guys are gonna go wild!!
Go for it E!
I told someone some time ago, "If I didn't do something every time I made someone nervous I might as well stay home."
Danger is relative.
GO ELena! Awesome to hear that you could add additional goal. Hey, if you're going go, go big. I always dream big! It makes life exciting. I personally cannot imagine Elena not doing those things you listed. She is a go-getter, for sure! What an inspiration.
You know... I'm not surprised. From the first time I met Elena at ATC, walking with her walker complete with the pink bow, I saw her desire and determination that radiated from her. She was only 3. Today, this 5 year old is showing us more of her awesomeness every day and she will tackle 2011 with force. E is our inspiration and we are behind you all the way!
Yea for E! And for Mom. She will do all those things! Man, she reminds me so much of my daughter, I know what her body is going to do before she does it when I watch the videos! I want to send you some videos of my daughter walking, etc... email me cmsuttles4@hotmail.com, so thatI will remember! We are adopting another little girl with mild CP, she is 2 going on 3 in June, I am so excited to get her going on therapy, etc... Anastasia did not start till she was 7!
I love the Dad with CP in Daisies story! The first time we took our daughter to the pool, there was a Mom there with CP. I spoke with her, it was awesome, and such an encouragement!
No need to leave wishes for the New Year here! Outstanding!
Barbara
Ms. Anastasia Suttles, unless she desires to be treated as a spastic quadriplegic, should be in life skills. So am I. - Ms. HK Kim (I repent for nearly pressing the button to email you...I repent for the cmsuttles4@hotmail.com toying with you poor Ms. Cara Suttles and Mr. Gary Suttles, yet oh well. Saint. - Ms. HK Kim!
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