Put her on the ground and she struggles to lift her head. Put her on a ball and she does it with ease. Vera has a great session with her physio teacher in school yesterday. Mommy and grandma learnt a lot too:1) We must pick Vera up by turning her to her right side first. This will prevent her head from constantly arching backwards;
2) Let Vera sit on one lap with feet touching the ground, to get her used to the idea of feet on the floor;
3) Let Vera practise head-raising on a firm gym mat, instead of the bed which is too soft;
4) How to help her get from lying down to sitting position;
5) Pelvic raise - Lifting her hips off the ground6) How to use the exercise ball - rolling her back and forth slowly, facing downwards and upwards;
7) Stretching - not to force the stretch when she resists, but wait a while, then continue when she relaxes
I love it that Vera has such a gentle, dedicated and effective physiotherapist at school. This is far from the crying sessions at the hospital rehab. They'd force the stretch and basically made Vera very unhappy.
At Rainbow Centre, Vera will get help from an Occupational Therapist (improve her seating) and Speech Therapist (improve her feeding) as well. I'm so thankful we managed to get her into the programme without too much of a wait. It's a great environment for her to be in, to experience new sights, new sounds and new people. And now I can be there with her!
4 comments:
Great job Vera! Keep it up! \o/
May, if you want an exercise ball, try ToysRUs. I got one many years ago and it's still working fine. Actual rehab balls are very expensive.
If had exercise mat customized for Jonathan and they are firm. Let me know if you want one made. I'll check my files for the company. Alternatively, you can buy the korean-made mats from Tiny Toons. Those are great but not as thick as the gymn mattress.
Jonathan had a great PT named May too in Rainbow centre.
You're doing excellent May!
I agree with the above post, you are doing an incredible job with Vera and also letting us know some things we didn't know or have forgotten. I love to see what you are doing through pictures and then we don't feel so far away. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with needing to make a post so I appreciate you taking the time to share Vera's life will us here in blogland!
Now you don't have to sigh "Wish I could be there...".
The special moments I had with Isabelle when we were together in Australia years ago for her surgery still warm my heart and keep us bonded today.
Well done May!
Yes it's been tiring but very rewarding to go to school with her. Next up: Swimming in the school's heated pool! This place is even more 'luxurious' than a kindergarten!
Serene, you're right teacher May at Rainbow Centre is very good. Vera is very lucky to have her.
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