Here's some new vids of E at PT:
Obstacle Course: E needs to take small, controlled steps and then go uphill.
Obstacle Course: Down steps (going for step-through), and slalom.
Moving Backwards: Real progress here!
Walking on Mats/Stop: Controlled stepping over uneven surfaces and co-contraction to stop.
Even Hips: We're trying to get Elena to equalize her hip stance when standing or walking. Here she needs to lift up the hip/leg that isn't on the platform.
Stepping Backwards: Using a ball helps stabilize E, but also helps her realize to stand up tall while moving backwards (otherwise the ball is left behind).
Showing posts with label stairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stairs. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
The Summer of No Carrying
I have several Ambitious Summer plans...one of them is to stop carrying Elena. In all honesty, we do it often, in certain situations--steps and stairs being the most common ones. We live in a three story house, and the steps outside do not have a handrail.
During the school year, we have been in a rush, and Elena is NOT a morning person. We would have had to wake her up a minimum of 30 minutes early to attempt to have her do all her step/stair transitions herself. Quite simply, that was not a good option.
Well, since we don't have to rush to get to a bus anymore--now's the time. The Summer of No Carrying means when the people involve Jason or myself, Elena will NOT be carried AT ALL (ideally other caregivers will do the same, but I'm not going to insist on that). No matter how tired she is, no matter the weather, no matter the footwear--Elena will move her own feet to get from point A to point B. She can hold hands, use crutches, use rails, etc. but she must move her own feet (or scoot, or crawl, depending on the situation). I typically bank in an extra 30 minutes for "getting out of the house" time, if E is going to do all the transitions herself.
I sort of sprung this on her yesterday. We had talked about it before, but in the rush of kindergarten "graduation", she forgot that being a First Grader meant we instituted the No Carrying Act. Today (day after the last day of school) was our first day.
She went down the steps in the morning herself--scooted down on her bottom (which is fine) to play before the rest of us got downstairs. We went out for a morning activity, and she held one hand and used one crutch to go down the steps outside. When coming home, she opted to go through the basement as the steps have a handrail, and opted for the other hand held. We had a flash thunderstorm before Feldenkrais today, and again she opted to go through the basement, one hand held and then got to the car herself (flat concrete). One hand held and one crutch used as we crossed the street. Same thing on the way home. Going to bed, there was some whining about how she didn't like the No Carrying Situation (I have always carried her up the stairs to bed) but she didn't complain long, and we just went up for bedtime.
I noticed immediately that after just one day, her weight transfer going up the stairs has improved--she leans forward more and pushes more with her legs (rather than pulling herself up with her arms). Practice makes perfect, no?
It'll be a challenge for Elena, both mentally and physically to adjust to this. I LOVE IT. It is MUCH easier on me to hold her hand than to carry her--she's not necessarily heavy, but she is long and her tone makes it awkward to comfortably hold her weight when doing stairs.
During the school year, we have been in a rush, and Elena is NOT a morning person. We would have had to wake her up a minimum of 30 minutes early to attempt to have her do all her step/stair transitions herself. Quite simply, that was not a good option.
Well, since we don't have to rush to get to a bus anymore--now's the time. The Summer of No Carrying means when the people involve Jason or myself, Elena will NOT be carried AT ALL (ideally other caregivers will do the same, but I'm not going to insist on that). No matter how tired she is, no matter the weather, no matter the footwear--Elena will move her own feet to get from point A to point B. She can hold hands, use crutches, use rails, etc. but she must move her own feet (or scoot, or crawl, depending on the situation). I typically bank in an extra 30 minutes for "getting out of the house" time, if E is going to do all the transitions herself.
I sort of sprung this on her yesterday. We had talked about it before, but in the rush of kindergarten "graduation", she forgot that being a First Grader meant we instituted the No Carrying Act. Today (day after the last day of school) was our first day.
She went down the steps in the morning herself--scooted down on her bottom (which is fine) to play before the rest of us got downstairs. We went out for a morning activity, and she held one hand and used one crutch to go down the steps outside. When coming home, she opted to go through the basement as the steps have a handrail, and opted for the other hand held. We had a flash thunderstorm before Feldenkrais today, and again she opted to go through the basement, one hand held and then got to the car herself (flat concrete). One hand held and one crutch used as we crossed the street. Same thing on the way home. Going to bed, there was some whining about how she didn't like the No Carrying Situation (I have always carried her up the stairs to bed) but she didn't complain long, and we just went up for bedtime.
I noticed immediately that after just one day, her weight transfer going up the stairs has improved--she leans forward more and pushes more with her legs (rather than pulling herself up with her arms). Practice makes perfect, no?
It'll be a challenge for Elena, both mentally and physically to adjust to this. I LOVE IT. It is MUCH easier on me to hold her hand than to carry her--she's not necessarily heavy, but she is long and her tone makes it awkward to comfortably hold her weight when doing stairs.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Back to Where We Were...Only BETTER
We've been doing PT in her AFOs and shoes since her casts came off on December 10th. Normally, she wears her sneakers only for CME exercises at PT--but her ortho said she'd be too weak in the ankles/calves to do that sort of exercise.
Her AFOs do give her extra stability. She is better able to stay down in her AFOs since her lengthening procedure, and she isn't "teetering" on her toes as much. She can stay standing much better, and her emerging gait pattern (in AFOs and shoes, anyway) is either flat-footed or heel-toe, as opposed to toe-heel(ish) before surgery.
And here's a new one--she's been initiating step-ups (and step-downs) without a handhold. Weight transfer without hand support has been a difficult transition, but she HAS done a step up independently--once--on a 10cm step. So, it's coming, which is very exciting!
But here's another new one--our normal "frog pose"-to-stand, which we do every night at stretches. But NOW, it's slow, controlled, and she can DO IT INDEPENDENTLY, bare-footed!! Right now, she can stand up (and stay there) about 20% of the time bare-footed, and 80% of the time when wearing her shoes and braces. Awesome.
E is more independent and stable than ever. We have started encouraging her to walk barefoot when she can, around the house. She is very hesitant to take her hands off walls, and tends to prefer leaning on objects (furniture, tables) that are low to the ground so she is often bent over while barefoot and upright. We want her to "cruise" while standing up tall; right now the only way this really happens is if I am behind her, walking on my knees, holding her hips. We are a slow pair, and Elena is just getting the idea that when walking barefoot, her standing leg should be straight/tall while her moving leg bends. But, the good news (great news, actually) is that she looks pretty good while she does it. We're a long way from cruising tall or walking barefoot independently, but this is a great start.
Her AFOs do give her extra stability. She is better able to stay down in her AFOs since her lengthening procedure, and she isn't "teetering" on her toes as much. She can stay standing much better, and her emerging gait pattern (in AFOs and shoes, anyway) is either flat-footed or heel-toe, as opposed to toe-heel(ish) before surgery.
And here's a new one--she's been initiating step-ups (and step-downs) without a handhold. Weight transfer without hand support has been a difficult transition, but she HAS done a step up independently--once--on a 10cm step. So, it's coming, which is very exciting!
But here's another new one--our normal "frog pose"-to-stand, which we do every night at stretches. But NOW, it's slow, controlled, and she can DO IT INDEPENDENTLY, bare-footed!! Right now, she can stand up (and stay there) about 20% of the time bare-footed, and 80% of the time when wearing her shoes and braces. Awesome.
E is more independent and stable than ever. We have started encouraging her to walk barefoot when she can, around the house. She is very hesitant to take her hands off walls, and tends to prefer leaning on objects (furniture, tables) that are low to the ground so she is often bent over while barefoot and upright. We want her to "cruise" while standing up tall; right now the only way this really happens is if I am behind her, walking on my knees, holding her hips. We are a slow pair, and Elena is just getting the idea that when walking barefoot, her standing leg should be straight/tall while her moving leg bends. But, the good news (great news, actually) is that she looks pretty good while she does it. We're a long way from cruising tall or walking barefoot independently, but this is a great start.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Weekend at Mommy's Work
E came to work with me over the weekend. We did "some science" and did a whole lot of walking around, including steps to use the bathroom down one floor. E was incredible. It was hard to get video of E doing steps, b/c I was so nervous she would fall.
E can do steps pretty well, provided she holds the rail/banister with her right hand. If you change the grip, she has a lot more trouble.
Then we walked down the hallway to the coffee ladies; I told E to try to keep her hands "low" and walk "slowly".
Here's the big one! E's new thing is "running". She ran off and on while we were at work for about two hours!
I also introduced the game "Mother May I". She always asked if she could run from A to B. I let her sometimes, and others I changed her movement to jump, walk sideways, backwards, etc.
She worked so hard this weekend! On Sunday (the running posts) we started off the workday with E in her sneakers sans AFOs and her crutches, and she walked over 400 feet around the research wing. After an experiment, I put on her shoes and AFOs at her request and then shot the running, steps, and Mother May I videos. Her endurance is definitely improving--with enough motivation, I guess!
E can do steps pretty well, provided she holds the rail/banister with her right hand. If you change the grip, she has a lot more trouble.
Then we walked down the hallway to the coffee ladies; I told E to try to keep her hands "low" and walk "slowly".
Here's the big one! E's new thing is "running". She ran off and on while we were at work for about two hours!
I also introduced the game "Mother May I". She always asked if she could run from A to B. I let her sometimes, and others I changed her movement to jump, walk sideways, backwards, etc.
She worked so hard this weekend! On Sunday (the running posts) we started off the workday with E in her sneakers sans AFOs and her crutches, and she walked over 400 feet around the research wing. After an experiment, I put on her shoes and AFOs at her request and then shot the running, steps, and Mother May I videos. Her endurance is definitely improving--with enough motivation, I guess!
Monday, March 22, 2010
A Beautiful Weekend, So Many Ways
E has been ON FIRE these days--walking up a storm! We started the weekend with a Saturday trip to Crozet for a Fancy Nancy party at the library. E's friend A joined us!
E and A with their fancy Plume pencils
After that we went back to A's house for lunch and a playdate. A's mom and I got to chatting, when we both noticed the house was strangely quiet. All the kids were upstairs--we caught E more than halfway up the steps! That was a close one...E cannot (or, has not yet) been able to do the stairs at our house independently (while standing up and ascending, anyway--she can "crawl" up them). E had gone up the stairs at A's house all by herself, standing the whole way (at least, that's what she told me). The difference is 1) they have a wall banister, while we have vertical rails that E holds, and 2) the banister is on the right side, while ours is on the left. On one hand, I am really proud of Elena for being so independent. On the other, I am extremely thankful her stair adventure didn't end poorly.
After A's house, we went home to rest. We had dinner guests over, some friends from college who have a 20-month old son J. J and Viv had so much fun running around outside after dinner--and E even did some, too! She walked on our grass (which admittedly is a little tall right now) 18 steps! That's a new record! The three kids played all around the little swingset and got nice and tired. I think (and hope) E will continue to be more independent outside.
On Sunday, E and I went to yoga--she is really doing much better standing during class. She still needs support to stand, but I need to support her much less than I used to. I like yoga b/c it helps us to incorporate large, purposeful arm movements--we spend all our time on her legs, her upper body largely gets ignored. In general, E's arm movements are contracted--she doesn't usually extend them all the way up or out (she can, though).
After my soccer game, Jason met me at the park with the kids. E used the swing for a while, then went to the playset--she took 34 steps, on mulch, independently, and got there herself! I filmed it, but had to race over when she started to approach a fall hazard. Here's the clip anyway, to give you an idea of the terrain and how she looks while walking--sorry for the interruption!
Wowza!
After going to home to rest, we headed over to a special attraction--a free carousel, set up for a week on our local pedestrian mall. The kids loved it (especially Vivian).
E and A with their fancy Plume pencils
After that we went back to A's house for lunch and a playdate. A's mom and I got to chatting, when we both noticed the house was strangely quiet. All the kids were upstairs--we caught E more than halfway up the steps! That was a close one...E cannot (or, has not yet) been able to do the stairs at our house independently (while standing up and ascending, anyway--she can "crawl" up them). E had gone up the stairs at A's house all by herself, standing the whole way (at least, that's what she told me). The difference is 1) they have a wall banister, while we have vertical rails that E holds, and 2) the banister is on the right side, while ours is on the left. On one hand, I am really proud of Elena for being so independent. On the other, I am extremely thankful her stair adventure didn't end poorly.
After A's house, we went home to rest. We had dinner guests over, some friends from college who have a 20-month old son J. J and Viv had so much fun running around outside after dinner--and E even did some, too! She walked on our grass (which admittedly is a little tall right now) 18 steps! That's a new record! The three kids played all around the little swingset and got nice and tired. I think (and hope) E will continue to be more independent outside.
On Sunday, E and I went to yoga--she is really doing much better standing during class. She still needs support to stand, but I need to support her much less than I used to. I like yoga b/c it helps us to incorporate large, purposeful arm movements--we spend all our time on her legs, her upper body largely gets ignored. In general, E's arm movements are contracted--she doesn't usually extend them all the way up or out (she can, though).
After my soccer game, Jason met me at the park with the kids. E used the swing for a while, then went to the playset--she took 34 steps, on mulch, independently, and got there herself! I filmed it, but had to race over when she started to approach a fall hazard. Here's the clip anyway, to give you an idea of the terrain and how she looks while walking--sorry for the interruption!
Wowza!
After going to home to rest, we headed over to a special attraction--a free carousel, set up for a week on our local pedestrian mall. The kids loved it (especially Vivian).
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Home Highlight Reel: Walking/Stairs with Delicious
E was moving at a good clip here! Making the rounds before heading upstairs for bedtime:
And up the steps--meh. She's been better.
We've definitely noticed her movements are jerkier/hands are higher/attitude is poorer in the evening, since we've scrapped her midday nap. I expect her endurance to improve gradually. The tradeoff is an easy bedtime. SO WORTH IT.
And up the steps--meh. She's been better.
We've definitely noticed her movements are jerkier/hands are higher/attitude is poorer in the evening, since we've scrapped her midday nap. I expect her endurance to improve gradually. The tradeoff is an easy bedtime. SO WORTH IT.
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