Mother of Invention: Beach Walker

Okay, so here it is! Well, it's not technically ready yet. But here is the "prototype" of E's beach walker!



What I wanted was a walker-type contraption that Elena might be able to push on sand. MIGHT. Sand is THE MOST DIFFICULT solid surface to navigate, so this little experiment might very well end up in a big pile of FAIL.

Ideally I wanted a wheel like the Wheeleez wheel; but those run $40 dollars apiece, for the smallest size, not counting the axle or other fixtures. And since we only visit the beach for a few days of the year, I can't spend a lot of money. I consulted one engineer, two specialists who deal with special needs rehab equipment/beach wheelchairs, our orthotist, my dad, and called or visited every store in town, and several online, that sold wheels. I considered wheels, skis, runners, balls, and plates; I needed something that would maneuver in sand (wheel or something that would glide) and be wide enough not to sink, and ideally be able to turn or be dragged to change direction. And be lightweight enough so a ~30lb girl could push/turn it.

This wheel might be too thin...but it's the best I could find for the price. It's a $20 wheelbarrow wheel (4" wide, 16" high--it's also heavy, but it has inner ball bearings for a smooth roll). The frame is made of 1 1/2" PVC pipe; total cost of the pipe and fittings were ~20 dollars. The axle was $8, I think.

Our orthotist helped me with the design and measurements, and cut the pieces. The PVC cement and primer together was another $8.

I am still considering sliders--large plastic bowls, actually, for the rear of the walker. Or maybe a different type of "runner". I'm also going to add a hook or two on the top of the frame (I haven't decided exactly where yet) so E can hang her sand pail.

Vids trying this contraption in action should be posted before Saturday--that's when we leave for the Beach! Hopefully, we'll find a place to watch the US-Ghana game on the way down (as if the girls will let us sit there for 2 hours...one can dream, n'est-ce pas?)!

First Day of 4yr Pre-K

Well...I have to admit, I was pretty apprehensive about E moving to a new school this year. Last year she was in the Bright Stars program at another school--it was AMAZING--I cannot say enough fantastic things about the program and the teachers there!

Not all elementary schools offer a pre-K program, which was true for our home district until this fall. This is the first time Stony Point is offering a pre-K program. I was nervous, b/c that means this year the school will be "working out the kinks"--and E was coming from a school that already seems to know what really works. Still, I wanted to look at the positives--E will be going to this school for several years to come, and it would be to her advantage to know her way around and to meet some friends that she'll see from year to year.

Prior to leaving for our beach vacation, we met privately with the principal, her teacher, and the special ed teacher next door (Elena is not in the SpEd class, but she will most likely be using their bathroom most of the time). They were all very nice. I shared some concerns regarding mobility around the school, naptime (she does not do well in a cot), toileting, and seating. They were very receptive. She uses a posterior walker for long distances (from the bus to the classroom, from the classroom to the playground), her crutches for shorter distances (to the bathroom, as needed), and encouraged to walk independently (in the classroom, as desired).

Between myself, the school administration, and the Special Education Bus Driver, we worked out a transportation schedule. Elena has to ride the SpEd bus--regardless of disability--due to her weight, as she must be in a carseat. I imagine she will ride the SpEd bus until she can 1) get on/off the bus independently (those steps are huge!) and 2) can carry her backpack. Jason and I had been talking up the bus ride for a couple of days, and E seemed very excited about school.

Waiting for the bus




NOBODY CRIED! We have received great reports from E this week, including rest time (last year she screamed so horribly at rest time she had to change to half-days). So far, I only have a few concerns, and they are minor, and mostly related to outside play (they are waiting for equipment to arrive, so there isn't much for her to do outside independently) (our in-school PT took care of my concerns in the classroom). I'm trying to be patient and let everyone learn how to best include E in all activities before I become an overbearing parent. :)

Overall we are happy--E likes school, she tells us (at least a little) about her day, and we get good reports.

Trying to Kick the Walker

We've been instructed that we need to get rid of E's walker(s). She gets around well with them, but she is never in a good position--she leans into them too much, and she constantly runs with the walker--and then she's on her toes, her heels pop out of her braces, etc. etc. I know she just wants to be able to go FAST and be independent.

Maybe I would let her use her walker more often if she wasn't growing so fast--her heels are getting harder to keep in her braces. We do the stander twice a day (most days), but we can't get a break b/c of her growth spurt. Girl needs to SLOW DOWN!

Anyway, so we're trying to switch the walker out for her loftstrand crutches. E does NOT LIKE THEM. I don't know what it is...she just collapses into a whiny wimpy mess when we take them out. Her knees REALLY cave in, her confidence goes down the drain, and poutyness gets worse. Still, we're going to give it our best effort.



We shot video of her walking down the hallway, but uploading is taking forever...check back for the video feed.

Weekend at CMOR

We spent Saturday at the Children's Museum of Richmond. We love this place, but it was a gamble b/c it was our first day where we expected Elena to be playing hard without a nap (unless she took on in the car--which she didn't, of course).

We were at the museum for over 2 hours, well past Elena's naptime, and in a word, she was...AWESOME. Using her walker, climbing (assisted), going up/down stairs (assisted), standing, sitting while playing, etc. Here are some favorite pictures:


Playing Doctor in the CMOR ambulance





Going to the CMOR bank



Dinosaur Area





A little too early for bumpy slides...not too happy after that one (back still tender)


So, aside from crying the whole way home....a perfect day!

Walker

Elena was introduced to a forward walker when she was XX months old. She had been standing up and cruising a little using furniture. Her balance was nonexistent, and when she fell, it was like a tree—forward, sideways, backwards. She also did not know how to bend her legs to absorb a fall or to come down slowly. At first, she did not like the walker at all, but it didn’t take long for her to figure out how to push it. She fell a lot, which was rough, since she’d get tangled in the metal. Turns were very difficult, so we started on short flat distances, which mainly meant we’d bring her to the hospital when I’d work on the weekend and she’d walk part of the hallway. After XX months of use, Elena became pretty adept at using her walker on a flat surface. She still could not do any sort of terrain (grass, gravel) or any kind of incline/decline. Our current issue with her walker is she doesn’t like to walk with it—she tends to break into a run. This might seem good, or funny, but given the fact that she always wants to be on her toes, running with a walker is counterproductive—she leans into it for balance while she runs on her toes. For easy (smooth, flat) terrain, we now use her dolly stroller, as she can’t run with it (she’ll fall on her face if she does).