Acquire: Week 4

Since Maddy is much older than the last time she came, Reggi wanted to make sure we spent plenty of time helping her figure out how to use "two hands" for anything she needs to do. So on Monday morning, the cast came off for good. I still have Maddy's three-year-old cast stored in my closet at home, I felt so sentimental about it. The stinky six-year-old cast....not so much. It went directly in the trash. Disgusting!


This week was more representative of what Maddy's normal life is like. They worked on the bike for a little while (though Alabama in July, in the sun = not fun to be outside exerting oneself!)


Making her bed at home is one of Maddy's jobs, so Reggi showed her how to make it a "two-hand" job.


They finished the day with a game of UNO. Left hand holds the cards, right hand draws...or vice versa. It doesn't matter as long as everything is a "two-hand" job.


It's so amazing to see Maddy playing games and having fun using both hands. This month has been so great for her own self-confidence.


On Monday night we gave Maddy a special present for all her hard work this month, her own digital camera. So first thing Tuesday morning, Reggi taught Maddy how taking photos can be a "two-hand" job.


This week, no longer having the cast to contend with, Reggi and Corey introduced yoga as part of Maddy's weight bearing exercises. Maddy and I will have to keep this up when we get home. All these planks are making her so strong!


They have been sprinkling games in throughout the day...


...but the big focus this week has been making sure all of Maddy's functional tasks become "two-hand" jobs. Like brushing teeth. Right hand holds the toothbrush, left hand squeezes the toothpaste.


And Maddy folded some laundry.


I'm totally going to cash in when we get home while still thinks this is fun!


Then we went outside to practice with the baseball bat and the tee. After Reggi left for the day, we practiced some more and Maddy even hit a ball that I pitched to her. All the strength training has really improved her aim!


Maddy's right-handed eating (which they still keep up during therapy) has come an amazingly long way since she started. She hasn't needed any assistance for a while now, so by Wednesday Reggi decided to move on to teaching Maddy how to cut her food with a knife and fork.


Before getting dressed they played a game... but Reggi had Maddy earn the pieces of the game by pulling them to her on a sheet.


Maddy is dressing completely independently now! This was one of our big goals!


On Tuesday, Maddy earned points throughout the day for every time she made a task a "two-hand" job without being prompted. The goal was 15 points (she earned 16!) which earned her a special (disgustingly messy) activity having something to do with quicksand. I didn't really understand it, but apparently it was fun.


Before the end of the day they worked on another goal, putting on swim goggles...success!


By Thursday, it felt like the goal meeting was coming fast and furious. After what seemed like millions of repetitions shoe-tying finally clicked!


As well as doing her own zipper.


After all that tedious dressing stuff, Maddy was so ready for some soccer. She did lots of kicking with right foot...


...and catching...


...and throwing overhead like she'll need to do when she plays soccer this fall.


And for the last activity of our last full day of therapy, Maddy chose the rockets (again...). It's a good way to get her to stomp with her right foot, and squatting down to pick up the rockets helps to strengthen her right knee.


Friday was our last day, and it was only a half day of therapy (the rest of the day was exit testing at the clinic.) Still, they managed to do a lot in just a few hours. Daily dressing and undressing will remain a big part of maintaining Maddy's strength, so they tweaked the way they want her to take off her socks to gain another opportunity to strengthen Maddy's grip.


And they squeezed in a little more yoga. When they say "down dog" Maddy knows just want to do.


After they dressed (and Maddy showed Bob her awesome shoe-tying and rocket stomping skills) Reggi and Corey packed up and we followed them back to the clinic. They tested all of the things that Maddy worked on all month, including some functional range of motion tasks.


However, I would have to admit the pudding-related tests seems to go over with the most enthusiasm!


Reggi saved some time at the end for one more special activity. Maddy iced some cookies. (She's really mastered the "pile of icing" technique, which is just the way she likes it!)


And then she decorated the cookies. Left hand put on some sprinkles, right hand put on some M&M's.


It was a nice way to finish out a very successful month. We are really going to miss Reggi and Corey, I wish we could bring them back to Boston with us!


I feel so lucky that we had a chance to do this program for a second time. Bob and I are so grateful to everyone who helped make this possible. Thank You!