Practice Reading

We have been telling Mom all the wonderful comments you have been leaving her on the blog. So Leslie(Randy's girlfriend) took them all and printed them out with a binding in large print to that mom could read them herself.

She still has a little trouble with reading, because she forgets to go all the way to the left sometimes and then things do't make since. So to help with that Leslie put a green line down the left so she could know she made it all the way to the left.

So when she has some free time we try to pull this out and let her read a little bit more herself. this is great practice for her and also so nice to read for herself all the wonderful things you are saying.

As more comments come in we will add more pages to her book.

Walking Video

Okay, so I'm not very tech savvy-- this is the second time I have tried to get a video to post,and I took the video the wrong way again so you have to turn your head sideways!! Sorry!!

It's hard to watch, but so neat to see the progress she is making. I will try to get a video the right direction when I go again on Friday!

Walking Progress

Mom wears a brace on her left foot when walking. The brace is used to help support her ankle, and to keep the foot in the right position for walking. She is being fitted for her very own this week, and soon won't have to wear the lovely one the center provides. So she can then wear her own shoe too. The shoe she wears on her left foot when walking now is the centers and is a little to big. (Plus is doesn't match her shoe which she likes to point out.)

Here she is with Jami one of her awesome therapists taking a few steps. She is doing a great job!

If you look at the picture below you will see on the left of the picture on the floor is the tray form her chair. That is where she started walking. This was at the end when she is getting the brace off and heer own shoe back on. These sessions really tired her out, but look how nice and tall she is sitting up in her chair.

Goals

Another set of goals. You have come a long way Mom, keep it up.

Yesterday we received a new discharge date of February 17th. She is doing such a good job and making such nice progress that they have extended her stay a week. Our hope is that this will help her be that much stronger and more independent when she comes home. At first mom wasn't too sure about it,she is starting to get anxious to get home. After thinking about it she agreed that she still has so much to learn that staying another week is best. She has such a great attitude about it all. It amazes me every day.

This week has also been busy for the family. Everyone in Sacramento(Dad, Sherrie, Randy, Karon-moms sister) along with a few close friends have been down in Vallejo doing Family Training. This involves learning how to give her shots, how to help her dress, and most importantly how to safely do a transfer. I am amazed at how awesome my family is. Everyone is stepping up and doing a great job. Plus we have incredible friends that are willing to learn so they can help out too.

We are still busy trying to gather all the needed equipment for the house so that in about a week or so she can get a "pass" to go home for a day to try things out. This will help us as a family know what we still need to get, after "trying" real life at home for a day. It will also help the therapist to know where they need to focus the last week at the center to be ready to go home for real.

Here is another picture from last week while I was there visiting. We took mom's lunch and all went down to the cafeteria to eat.

Just wanted to again say a HUGE THANK YOU, for all the love, support, prayers, meals, help and thoughts we have received. Not a day goes by that we don't have a comment here on the blog or a card in the mail to read to mom. It not only buoys her up , but us too. So Thanks!!

A Typical Day

8:00am- Breakfast

9:00am- Dressing training with Occupational therapist- Learning to dress herself

10:30am- Speech Therapy- with Denise, as we said before, she doesn't have a problem with speech. They are working on recognizing left, reasoning skills, spacial relations and other skills. They do things like playing dominoes, cards, and sorting.

11:00am- Break- this is usually spent out on the terrace getting a few minutes of fresh air, the sun has been shining there everyday!!

11:30am- Occupational Therapy- with Gail- This is where they work on Activities of Daily Living. On Saturday she made a sandwich. They do a lot of problem solving here.

12:00- 1:30pm- LUNCH

1:30pm - Physical therapy with Kaitlyn- here they work on balance and strengthening muscles

2:00pm- G.A.I.T with Aaron I don't remember what is stands for, but this is her walking class. Aaron has her up every day and helps her to take a few steps at a time.

2:30pm- Speech Therapy again with Denise

3:00pm Physical therapy with Jami- more strength and balance training

3:30-4:40pm- BREAK- this is much needed as all her classes since lunch but one are very physical and tiring.

4:30pm- Transfer/Self Care Class- this class is spent working on learning to Transfer. This would be from her wheelchair to a bed, a chair, etc. with the goal being to do it independently eventually.

5:00pm- DINNER

Just realized that we never posted the new goals that mom got last Wednesday!!