|
ENTERING 2000
Sam's progress in 2000 was really remarkable. As the year began, he transitioned from the "commando crawl" for getting around to a hands and knees crawl. We worked with him trying to build up his hips and legs to allow him to begin training to walk. Shriners Hospital in Tampa made an Ankle Foot Orthotic - a foot and leg brace, to help support his weaker right side - for him. We spent time holding him up and letting his legs go through the motions of walking. Eventually he was able to support more and more of his own weight. Still not strong enough, or balanced enough to walk, but well on his way. In June Sam finally made the first move to being vertical, while playing on a blanket in the front yard, he worked himself up to a kneeling position all by himself.
Sam working towards the vertical. Kneeling on his own!
Cory had received a play work bench for his birthday. It had a button that when pushed made a sound like a table saw. One evening I was giving Cory his dinner and I heard the "saw" noise coming from his room. Well Cory was with me and I didn't think the cats would be playing on the table. I went into Cory's room and found Sam playing on the work bench. He had climbed up all by himself and played there long enough for me to get my camera.
Sam climbed up by himself to play at Cory's workbench
Playing the symbals in music therapy
In October 2000 we started Sam in hippotherapy - riding horses. This therapy is designed to help with balance and building abdominal muscles. Sam was very good with the riding and enjoyed most of the experience (except for the helmet). But we discontinued the sessions by June of 2001 because two incidents of falling off the horse freightened Sam into not wanting to ride and with the onset of summer and the threat in our area of West Nile disease the prudent measure was to stop for a while. We have not as yet returned to the therapy. But for the time that Sam was riding, we did notice some enhancement in his balance and abdominal strength.
Sam going riding for hippotherapy
Exploring the new playhouse in the back yard with mom
Mobility was a big thing for 2000, Sam was exploring all over the house
The New Millennium - 2001
As 2001 started Sam had had only a couple of seizures since 1999 and we celebrated his 4th birthday focusing on working on mobility and motor skills. Any toys that make noises or music are popular with both boys, but Sam loves lights and sounds a lot.
Sam playing with new toys on his 4th birthday.
Sam at the park enjoying a sunny February afternoon. Cory and mom can be seen playing in the background
Sam continuing to work on standing!
Into 2002 - Keeping Watch
Towards the end of 2001 and the beginning of 2002 Sam started to break through his seizure medication
Dr. Maria left Shands for a job in St. Louis and we were essentially without a neurologist. Dr. Carney at Shands
agreed to keep Sam on as a patient at Shands. He met Sam for the first time in March and recommended that we
take him off the Tegretol and put him on Topamax. As of August 2002 that change has kept Sam seizure free.
To continue story CLICK HERE
Back to RealSpace Models CLICK HERE
|
