Sunday, September 25, 2011

Home from a long day at the CP Clinic

We travelled to Sydney for our yearly check up at the CP Clinic recently. Missy's hip x-rays we good and there has been no real change in them for the last three years, which is great. We caught up with the Physio, OT, Physchologist and Rehab Doctor all in one long day 9.30-4.30 in appointments and then it took 4.5 hours to drive home. As we have most projects under control or in action locally, the allied therapists just check up with us and take video of Kirrily's progress, which her walking seems more controlled and her writing at school is really improving. Writing and drawing is an area that Missy is very passionate about, she can spend hours practicing and over the years she has never given up on achieving the skill of writing. The Doctor has requested some blood tests and we asked what else we can do to assist Missy's physical development besides our ABR Therapy . We discussed Stem cell Therapy and Deep Brain Stimulation and have a referral to another group of movement disorder specialists.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

It's all happening

Well we have lots of projects on the go at the moment.
Last week we had the first fitting of Missy's new powerhcair, it looks great and hopefully will be worth the wait. It needed a bit more customisation so it had to go back with the supplier, but it will be back next week to stay. Just in the time actually as Missy old powerchair decided it had enough and the controller packed it in, thankfully I have been able to borrow a controller for a short period to hopefully get us through.

Soon we attend a CP Clinic in Sydney for our yearly check ups and X-Rays.

Missy has been doing swim school for two weeks now and is having a great time.

Missy's school excursion is approaching fast and her teacher and myself recently travelled to the camp venue to check out accessibility and plan for activities that everyone can enjoy. So with grass skiing and canoeing and sleeping in a room with another 8 girls, there is sure to be plenty of fun had.

I continue to struggle to find time to do ABR and keep upto date with Missy technology needs. Missy recently got an I-Pad which has been lots of fun for Missy and H-HO. We are hoping it will be a great reading tool, rather then Missy having difficultly turning the pages. There is so much more we can do with the I-Pad, once I get my head around it.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

A dog for Missy

Back in June we filled in an application for Missy to get a Pets as Therapy Dog from the Guide Dogs NSW.
Last week we had the interview at our house with a representative from the Guide Dogs NSW where we talked over the most suitable dog for Missy. So now Missy is official on the waiting list for a Labrador or Labrador/Retriever which could still take up to 12 months. We decided to go with a bigger dog that Missy could independently pat from her wheelchair and it would be easier to see while she drives around the house and outdoors. It will be lovely to see Missy have a pet that she can interact with independently.
It is a wonderful program the Guide Dogs NSW offer to people who can benefit from a real companion pet that is matched/trained to their need. Guide Dogs that don't quite suit the life of a guide dog are offered in the Pets as Therapy program where they can still offer so much companionship.
So we are very excited to be given the approval and now wait patiently for a dog to be matched to us.