Physical Therapy - Resumed

I am very happy to report that physical therapy started up last Friday - after a lapse of two and a half months. Happy not because I think she is needing this so much but happy that she has resources, again at no cost to us until her birthday in January, to help get her to where she needs to be. And I still hear Trish's voice in the back of my head during our final PT session when she told me that Raquel is just a little behind, and that it was pretty amazing considering she started walking so late.

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend her first or second sessions with her replacement therapist, Jan. They both took place at Kit Carson Park and Mike said they went very well. Since Jan was not able to evaluate Raquel at our initial meeting, she brought a couple things to try out at the first session - such as this pack/vest thing.

For some kids, it gives them a sense of security when they are outside their own elements. According to Mike, Raquel didn't particularly care for it and Jan only tried it out for a short time.

What I did like seeing, atleast from the pictures, was that Jan seems to be doing therapy pretty consistently with how Trish did it - part of the sessions with shoes on and then part of it with them off to allow Raquel to feel different textures on her feet.

And I've noticed a HUGE change in her walking at the mall. Here she is keeping up with Daddy while he looks for the tile Gabby painted when the lounge was built several years ago. She is getting more confident as the day's progress.

Therapy wise, it has been an interesting week. Raquel was the most vocal I've ever heard her all last weekend through Tuesday. Wednesday not so much, Thursday not a peep, and then today, started back up a bit. I've been thinking about what could cause such a fluctuation and talked to Cari and Janine about it yesterday and then Cari today. Yesterday, we thought it could be inconsistencies with the ball bounces & deep joint compressions. Today, we think diet may be playing a key role in this as well. Earlier this week, we ran out of one of Raquel's snacks and Mike gave her some Cheerios, which she absolutely loved. Unfortunately, Cheerios is not on her gfcf diet. And neither is the string cheese I gave her as well. So, no more slacking. This weekend, I am going to reorganize our pantry, refrigerator and freezer. Raquel will now have her own separate shelf in each, just to make things easier for all of us. I should have done this a long time ago.

Speech should be interesting Monday afternoon, since Mary will continue to come empty handed for her sessions. Hopefully Raquel won't be holding a grudge.