It's time to think of some new goals. I wanted to be more eloquent, but it's late.
In no particular order, for Elena:
1. Carry a regular umbrella, with or without crutches. Elena has an umbrella hat, that she uses when she wants to walk in rain with crutches. She loves it--but it's not super convenient to get it on her head.
2. Elena will go up and down steps (that have a banister or handrail) with only one hand holding it, one hand free, without supervision, regularly alternating right and left feet, at a good pace. When she wants to go up/down steps quickly, she scoots down on her rear and crawls up. She and I have talked about this a lot. When she gets better at standing up to go up/down steps regularly, she can get her ears pierced!
3. Elena will take a group swim class and/or swim without floatation devices in the neighborhood pool.
4. Elena will get in the bath, wash herself and her hair, get out of the bathtub, dry herself off with a towel, and put on her own pajamas. She can do most of these things in part, but has never done them sequentially on her own.
5. Elena will play mini golf, with one or both hands, either with or without crutches.
6. Elena will make her own breakfast. We'll have to put something she can reach.
7. Elena will dress herself in time for school.
8. Elena will spend the night at a friend's house with NO meltdown.
9. Elena will point and flex her feet on demand.
10. Elena will do some of her own stretches herself before bed, instead of us moving her body to do all her stretches.
Crazy goals for E?
*1. E will twirl.
*2. E will walk a dog, without falling while holding the leash.
*3. E will bike up a hill.
*4. E will ride a wave in on a float.
*5. E will catch and throw a frisbee.
And goals for me:
1. Find a way to relax. I'm not sure how to do this.
2. Stay up after the kids go to bed. After such challenging days (especially when Elena is melting down, or not going to bed well) , I've literally been tapped out. I hope to make this time "me time", at least most nights.
3. Get E on the bike more often. Myself, too--I have mine on a trainer in the garage ready to go.
4. Do some rides/runs/multisports races around town. Some of them our whole family can do together.
5. Find an artistic outlet. I do science for a living, I juggle the family life, I'm a chronic multitasker. I need a right-brained activity that helps me unwind.
4 comments:
Excellent goals. I should do this for Emma. I mostly carry goals for her in my head. It's like I am afraid to verbalize them. We attain physcial milestones at such slow rate, I could never do this without feeling defeated. I think I may record smaller goals that seem realisticly attainable for Emma.
I am impressed with you guys. I think setting goals and having expectations is EXTREMELY important for all children.
I cannot wait to watch Elena achieve these this year.
Nice goals for Elena. Here are a few notes I can give you as a person who has CP.
1: It is almost impossible to hold an umbrella while holding 2 crutches. Either teach her to hold the umbrella with one crutch so she has one hand free(a friend of mine can do this but it takes awhile to learn) or have her do it without the crutches. Though honestly I would want an umbrella hat over the 2 options I mentioned any day. The Umbrella hat E has is way safer!
2: In terms of the steps, almost all people with CP have a fear of heights. That's why she holds on with both hands. The way to deal with this is to desensetise her body to high places and have her talk to her body saying "I am on safe solid ground. I won't fall" Talking to the body might seem nuts but I swear it works.
HI AMY
HAPPY NEW YEAR.. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE UMBERELLA POINT.. SONE WE ONLY HAVE TWO HANDS...
GOING DOWN THE STEPS I FIND REALLY HARD, AND I FEEL AS THOGUH I AM WEEK WITH THIS AND NEED SOMEONE TO GIVE ASSISTANCE..
ELENA DID AN EXCELLENT JOB GOING DOWN THE STEPS WITH HER CRUTCHES..
MY FRIEND TALKS TO HER BODY WHEN SHE GOES DOWN STAIRS SO SHE DOESN'T FALL AND SHE ALSO SWEARS IT WORKS
MELISSA
I saw the umbrella hat on your post and everyone I know wants one! PLEASE PLEASE TELL ME WHERE YOU GOT IT?!! PLEASE?!!!!!! I HAVE TO KNOW!!
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