Physical Therapy

A few posts down ("We're Going to the Zoo") you may have noticed Rose's new sneakers - the white and pink $26 dollar Nikes ones.

Rose got her new kicks because she has started physical therapy, and the shoes were recommended by her physical therapist, Michelle.

Why is Rose in physical therapy? Rose has something called low muscle tone (how her muscles are at rest), which basically means she is a very floppy, 'lucy-goosey' sorta kid. One of the results of this flexibility means her muscles have never been able or trained to function correctly, so Rose has spent all of her life developing 'compensations' (see: rolling to get everywhere from six months - one year). She almost never engages her abs (in any direction), has very wobbly legs, and when standing puts all her strength on her arms.

Our good friend (who is a pediatrician) noticed a couple key 'markers' of things Rose was doing in early January: the "W" sit, splits, hard time trying to crawl because her legs would sprawl out under her, and so forth. She told us what to tell our pediatrician, and we did so. At this point (third week in January), Rose had yet to pull herself up or crawl - both of which she began in the next few weeks.

She did qualify for 'First Steps,' a state-sponsored in-home physical therapy program. After working through questionnaires, meetings and evaluations, we began therapy with Rose two weeks ago. At this point it is for the next six months - Rose's low tone and flexibility will not, Lord willing, be a hindrance her whole life - the therapy is attempting to strengthen and work her muscles to the point where Rose is able to use them correctly, and from there the doctor and PT expect normal development.

So, it's just getting her there. Rose has to do exercises while sitting on an a big exercise ball. She does sit-ups, bounces, and is made to lean to the left and right (work out those obliques!). She also has to take a block from Daddy sitting in front of her, and turn around (while on the ball) to put it in the box held by Mommy.

She sits on an overturned underbed storage bin (a big plastic box) and needs to lean down sideways to grab a cookie or toy. She has to cruise all the way around the coffee table. She sits on the ground with her legs straight out, and sometimes curved in, stacking rings or working on a puzzle.

Sounds pretty simple right? Well, Rose is an easy kid - except for PT time. Michelle, her therapist, comes for one precious hour every week. Bobby and I need to do 15-20 minutes of assigned exercises with Rose every day between those visits. Right now we're working on teaching Rose to persevere, that therapy time means work, and that we mean that, really. So today - the little pass the block game between Mommy and Daddy on the ball? Complete and total melt-down. I had seen glimpses during Rose's last meeting with Michelle - she got angry real fast, and only worked if I left the room (she couldn't then try to crawl to me for sanctuary!). However, on our own it's pretty tough. Michelle has rightly said we can't stop an exercise if Rose gets mad - that just shows her melt-down = end of therapy. We just make the exercise a bit easier.

So please pray for us and Rose's progress. We're planning a couple longer Mom/Dad/Rose sessions, allowing time for the inevitable melt-down and long time it takes to get just a little done - hoping in time Rose will learn to do the exercises, that it's work, and it'll be done soon. We pray that she will continually develop, and her mad temper won't hinder that too badly. Michelle encourages us that Rose has great mind/body connection and a strong motivation to move - it's just getting her strong enough to do so!

Updates as they come...