Mark continued with great progress again today. He did a field trip to Wal-Mart with the occupational therapist and the rec therapist. They had him choose a CD for the new fitness group that recreation has started for the guys and family members. He managed to propel his wheelchair for about half the trip and had no problem with the other tasks they gave him at the store.
His afternoon water therapy and PT went well too. He did the Erigo after pool and didn't really complain much about it. I think he actually sees the improvement that has occurred as all these various therapies are meshing and his legs are getting stronger and straighter. He now has a trapeze over his bed and he can pull himself up to a sitting position. He can get his clothes on now without much assistance and yesterday started doing stand and pivot transfers to his wheelchair from his bed and from the exercise mat. Hopefully, in the next few weeks he will have it down pat enough for them to teach him how to do it in and out of my car. That will make life on the weekend much more fun!
As you have probably noticed, Mark hasn't mentioned much on this blog. He does all his computer "chat" on Facebook. He is on that every day and I really need to get him to put his two cents in here. More to come from him . . . . I hope! In the meantime, you're all stuck with me!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
It's hard to believe June started today. Whew!! Time flies when you're having fun . . . and even when you aren't exactly!
Rich left this morning and we hated to see him go, but we had a wonderful week. He was amazed at the progress Mark has made in a little more than a month since his last visit. He now uses his small, sleek wheelchair and has been propelling himself better each day. He still doesn't get very far, very fast, but he can maneuver small areas and usually get himself out of trouble when he gets stuck. His pool therapy has been increased a day, since they have added Saturdays to the routine. He loved that idea and was ready and eager yesterday.
We had a quiet day today with church and a wonderful visit with two friends from St. Matthew's back home. It was great to see them and spend the morning visiting. The Rec Therapy department served a picnic lunch for everyone at the Fisher House patio, but we quickly moved inside when a thunderstorm rolled in. Unfortunately, the rain everyone was hoping for didn't exactly materialize more than a spritz. However, the house dining room was far cooler and better for the guys. Their brain injuries cause them not to regulate their temperatures as well as before and they are usually very warm anyway. It was fun just hanging around with some of the other patients. It is good to see those that can, sit and chat and include the ones who cannot. Today we saw one of the fellas in an emerging state try very hard to speak. I think it won't be long before that happens and it would be wonderful.