3 years

Hello out there!

I don't know if anyone still looks at this blog but since Shawna is still unable to post for herself, I thought I would update her progress so far. Progress is very slow but there still is progress. We've been tweaking the meds and still working with new ones to improve initiation and response. The most exciting progress has been in the area of walking. This summer Shawna started walking with her right leg in her Grandparents pool. It was an amazing development. Rapidly through the summer Shawna progressed to taking 100 steps with her right leg only in chest deep water. By the end of the summer we were concerned this treatment would have to stop because there are no pools with 90 degree water that are chest deep. We tried to have her walk in the shallows and lo and behold she could still do it!. Off to the Valley Park warm recreational pool for the next sessions of pool therapy twice a week. From September to December Shawna improved dramatically. She not only increased the distance she could walk being supported, but also started to use her left leg, bending it at the knee and dragging the foot to neutral position. We stopped when it became too cold to transfer from the pool to the frigid temperature outside. By this time Shawna had managed to walk 16 lengths of the pool using both legs......approx 1000 ft! Simply amazing, praise God! She now continues to "walk" on the hardwood at home which is considerably tougher to do but still manages 6 trips from our living area into the kitchen with assistance approx 30 ft each trip.
Other areas of improvement are her ability to assist in getting out of, and into bed, sitting stationary, and standing for long periods of time in a standing machine. Her ability to swallow has progressed to 20 x 1.5 mls and sometimes if the timing is right 2 teaspoons of yogurt at supper in 1/8 teaspoon increments.
Oral communication is still an issue. Shawna has been vocalizing a lot but not consistent on a "need to basis". Most of the vocalization comes from excitement and spotanaity. Communication has been very consistent with long blinks for yes and two short for no. Her friends have been able to harness this communication style and have taken her out for many trips and visits to their homes, shopping and weddings etc with fantastic results. The engagement and stimulation she recieves from these outings ususally result in her being very revved up and unable to sleep. She wakes up laughing and very excited. Shawna's ability to follow conversations has also improved. Her laughter at funny parts of the conversation tends to improve the aura and bring it to a higher plateau where everybody is now laughing and clowning around.
Shawna with Grandma Bethlehem's tutelage has been doing a fantastic amount of hand-over and independant painting lately which involves her choice of colour and textured brushes. Hopefully this can help her to develop more finite control and point/touch abilities as she continues to complete pieces for an art showing scheduled for 2012(more news to follow when this comes closer).
I have been the recipient of some fantastic two armed standing hugs lately and she does not want to let go. Her left arm is starting to get more movement as is the left leg. Shawna can easily grab something that is put before her and has been scratching her chin and head lately.
Neurologically there will be some more work coming up in the near future at the General in the ABI clinic, but first we are taking her for a trip to Florida, breaking up the winter doledrums.
We continue to walk on the paths chosen for us and are thankfull for the continued support we recieve from our brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ. We rely totally on God's faithfull promises which always guide our path. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Al, Deb, Shawna Bethlehem and family