NOVA weekend

This weekend we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We went to the Smithsonian and the American History Museum. E's favorite part was the "bugs" (insect zoo).

On the way there, she walked through the bones exhibit--not too bad! She has been doing very well walking 10+ feet while having to navigate around people (including stop/start, 90 degree turns, without falling or holding on to strangers).



BUG PIC



Even though it was late, she did a lot of walking and playing around the interactive children's section of the American History museum, including navigating a room of playing kids and not falling! (No vids or pics though.)

The next day, we took E to a playground. She loves a challenge. Steps are not her favorite, though...



She played with some boys on their "Pirate Ship"--she was the captain!



Abandon ship! I want to take this same pic in another year or two...maybe E can climb out of there like those two boys. Right now it's just a dream...a cute, bittersweet picture.



Up the "Castle Ramp"--it's a ramp with little wooden planks (not steps, more like a texturized ramp).



My FAVORITE!! E walks on PEBBLES! This was the 4th time. The first two were better (10+ steps, no falling) but I did get this one on video.



There were also other great opportunities--web ladder, suspended balance beam, rope bridge--but I was on assisting duty so I don't have footage. Overall though, E does well with heavy assistance on a playground like this. It's very challenging for her, and she has a great time!

PT recap: "Airplane" Knees, and "Graduation"

Emily worked on external knee rotation in several different positions. First, half-kneel, with the emphasis on rotating the right knee outwards.



Afterwards, when asked to stand up, knee stayed out MUCH BETTER!



Then the Superknee drill, making sure to alternate leg extention (otherwise, she'd always choose the left).

This was our last post-op physical therapy session with Emily. She is a really fantastic therapist. Our plan was to double up with Emily and our regular PT (Theresa) until we came to a post-SDR "endpoint". INSERT GOAL LIST HERE. We'll continue with the same frequency of PT/week, but as of July we'll stay in our base location. Emily brought in a cake for E to decorate, she called it her "graduation cake". E had to find the icing decorating tips by doing squats. We have a long way to go with standing up from squatting, as can be seen here.



Walking while holding a cake, though--impressive!

VID COMPOSITE CAKEWALK

Extreme Terrain: Grass

It was such a gorgeous summer day yesterday (Father's day)! E and Viv got to play outside. I wish E could be outside more, but it is so draining to supervise her on such tough terrain (grass, uneven surfaces, steps, etc). We are trying to get her to be as independent as possible...cue loftstrands!



Not too bad! Note the weight-bearing preference on the left. Still, at least she's getting it.

E and Viv enjoyed some great swingtime!

Dance Class: Sashay!

E is in a community dance class. Before enrolling her in the class, I made sure the administration and the teacher knew E was different. SW is her "shadow", to help E move around the best she can. The other kids in the class are between 3 and 5 years of age. It's nice to see that E's attention span is just like the other students, even though her motor skills are not.

I'm sure it's a little intimidating for the teacher, having a special needs kid in the class...but E enjoys it, and she tries to involve E as best she can. The other kids/parents have asked about Elena, and I try my best to field the questions as they come.

Here is E, SW, and the teacher doing their dance move.



And Mommy and E doing some big steps during a Dance Break (where the kids get some "freestyle time", which they are DYING to do, since most of them are wearing little tutus and just want to twirl and jump in front of the mirror). I get off work to arrive just before the class gets out. Note E makes a nice big step with the left, but not with the right. We're trying, though!

New Vids: PT--Balance Board, and Indoor Soccer at home

At PT last week, E worked on walking while trying to really bear weight on her right leg (she prefers the left). Her weight-bearing on the left is more evident as she uses her loftstrands more often.

Here is E using the balance board at PT. This is a smaller board than the one used with Emily, so it is harder for her.



E's AFOs got some tweaks at the orthotist this week (or was it last week? I forget). DETAIL THIS LATER. Basically the orthotist is allowing her right brace to "point" down a little. She has a small heel lift inside the shoe. So while her foot points just a little, it's still "flat" in the brace. Almost like a regular person wearing high heels--your foot points, but it's still flat in the shoe, and your leg is straight while you walk.

Here is E working on her Super Soccer Kick. Look Mom, no hands!

PT recap: Squeak shoes for heel strike

At PT last week, Emily tried using some sort of squeaky shoe, where when pressure is on the heel, they make sound. I have heard of these for "soccer training"--called Kickspots, but I believe these noisemakers are actually in the shoe. Kickspots can be strapped outside footwear, but I think they might be a little big for her right now. I'm inspired by the squeaking though...maybe I can find some sort of sticker that makes noise or something.

Anyway, here's a shot of the shoe--when E is holding on to something, she can put her feet pretty flat. When she walks, though, keeping her heels down (sans braces) is a labored effort.



Here is E trying to make them squeak--she eventually does it, with both feet!





Walking