Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
ROJO on YouTube!
Roa on the Tube! Here is a brief description of what Pati does and what ABM is all about. Roa is in the beginning for a short clip.
We are planning on 5 more days of intensive sessions, at the beginning of August, and are raising funds to cover the cost. Please consider donating to Roa's continued progress. THANK YOU!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Ready, Get Set, S L O W....
So, the Thayer's life has slowed down a bit.
Somewhat.
We had a Fourth of July mini-vacation to Bryan's Aunt and Uncle's in Grand Rapids. We've taken a minor break from Conductive Ed. We've slowed down Roa's Gait training, Stander time, etc.
We are taking a summer b r e a t h.... time spent swimming, swinging, in the sandbox, relaxing in the shade.
It is new. For us all.
It is still busy for mom. Chasing Curious Gunnar and setting up a learning/experimental play course for Roa.
The King does not sit for long without entertainment. But that is why we are doing this. Roa MUST learn some slow down time.
There is a time to wait.
A time to entertain thy self.
A time to listen to your own body.
A time to practice skills you know.
A time to experiment with skills you will acquire.
A time to just be.
We set him up to self motivate. iPad over here. Rescue Hero by your hand. Balloons all around. We observe. We sit back. We wait.... as patiently as a Type-A mom can for the little earthquakes to happen.
And you know what?
They happen.
Little things like Roa moving across the floor on his back.. inch by inch. Roa pivoting his body on the floor in a full 360 circle. Roa sticking his tongue far out of his mouth which had lead to a whole NEW string of babbles. Roa bending and twisting in his trunk to view something at his side. Roa sitting tall in his wheelchair without support vest. Roa pointing at every sprinkler we encounter on our nightly walks. Roa kneeling with support, but pulling himself up to tall kneeling by the couch.
I treat Anat's book like my Travel Guide to the Land of SLOW. I read. I swallow down the guilt of the pushing, pulling, no pain no gain attitude. I accept Roa for where he is in the present moment. I tune into where he might need to go next. And then I jump in to help that lightbulb flicker.
And there is a flicker. Not a full on lightbulb bright and strong. But a flicker.
And that is just fine and meant to be celebrated.
I was recently brought a bit down by Roa's 4th birthday. Four years already? And so far to go? I didn't even blog about it because I knew not what to say.
But today I say I am sorry, Rojo!
You see, we special moms and dads tend to dwell on the CAN NOTS.
It is hard not to when the Land of Perfect points, whispers, stares.
When the Typicals point out the developmental charts that say where he SHOULD BE and question how we can quickly catch him up.
I fall into this trap. Feel the sadness and shame.
But not today. Armed with my Travel Guide to the Land of SLOW, I will celebrate where Roa IS and how FAR he has come.
Somewhat.
We had a Fourth of July mini-vacation to Bryan's Aunt and Uncle's in Grand Rapids. We've taken a minor break from Conductive Ed. We've slowed down Roa's Gait training, Stander time, etc.
We are taking a summer b r e a t h.... time spent swimming, swinging, in the sandbox, relaxing in the shade.
It is new. For us all.
It is still busy for mom. Chasing Curious Gunnar and setting up a learning/experimental play course for Roa.
The King does not sit for long without entertainment. But that is why we are doing this. Roa MUST learn some slow down time.
There is a time to wait.
A time to entertain thy self.
A time to listen to your own body.
A time to practice skills you know.
A time to experiment with skills you will acquire.
A time to just be.
We set him up to self motivate. iPad over here. Rescue Hero by your hand. Balloons all around. We observe. We sit back. We wait.... as patiently as a Type-A mom can for the little earthquakes to happen.
And you know what?
They happen.
Little things like Roa moving across the floor on his back.. inch by inch. Roa pivoting his body on the floor in a full 360 circle. Roa sticking his tongue far out of his mouth which had lead to a whole NEW string of babbles. Roa bending and twisting in his trunk to view something at his side. Roa sitting tall in his wheelchair without support vest. Roa pointing at every sprinkler we encounter on our nightly walks. Roa kneeling with support, but pulling himself up to tall kneeling by the couch.
I treat Anat's book like my Travel Guide to the Land of SLOW. I read. I swallow down the guilt of the pushing, pulling, no pain no gain attitude. I accept Roa for where he is in the present moment. I tune into where he might need to go next. And then I jump in to help that lightbulb flicker.
And there is a flicker. Not a full on lightbulb bright and strong. But a flicker.
And that is just fine and meant to be celebrated.
I was recently brought a bit down by Roa's 4th birthday. Four years already? And so far to go? I didn't even blog about it because I knew not what to say.
But today I say I am sorry, Rojo!
You see, we special moms and dads tend to dwell on the CAN NOTS.
It is hard not to when the Land of Perfect points, whispers, stares.
When the Typicals point out the developmental charts that say where he SHOULD BE and question how we can quickly catch him up.
I fall into this trap. Feel the sadness and shame.
But not today. Armed with my Travel Guide to the Land of SLOW, I will celebrate where Roa IS and how FAR he has come.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Award
I have an exciting announcement! After nominating Ors, Roa's Conductor, for Danielle's Foundation's Therapist of the Year award, he was chosen as this year's recipient!
Along with the endorsement from the foundation, the Plus Center is awarded $3,000 to benefit it's program. Because I wrote the essay telling of the progress Roa has made with this form of therapy, that our insurance does not cover, we are awarded $2,000 towards Conductive Education!
HOORAY! God is Good! Thank you, Danielle's Foundation! One more positive step forward in CP Land!
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