March 12, 2012

Bro. Dale had a really good day today.  They had him walk up a flight of stairs today with them behind him.  He picked his left leg up first and then he pulled his right leg up.  On the way down, he would step down with the bad leg first.  The therapists were just there to guide him.  Then they took him outside and allowed him to walk outside for a while.  They walked over towards the children's hospital and then sat down on a bench.  At one point, they put his arm around Mrs. Doug and he just pulled her close and gave her a kiss.  He was proud of himself and grinning really big!  She blushed a little too.  ;)

They did the e-stem on his right arm.  Then they had him move from the mat to the chair a few times.  He played a memory game with playing cards.  He was able to match them up and seemed to enjoy playing the game. 

His brace came in today, so tomorrow he will be able to use that with his walking.  They expect that once he gets that fitted brace on, he will really take off with his walking. 

His speech therapy is going well too.  She was using word pictures with him today.  She has the sign language for "I'm finished," or a drink.  Once they get home, they plan to have a board set up for communicating things such as a picture of a water glass, a sprite can or tea so that he can point to the picture and let her know what he wants.  So it will be a combination of sign language and pictures.  And then they are making up some signs of their own.  For instance, they had him laying on his side last night and he moved his hand down in a straight line down his body and she finally figured out that he wanted to lay on his back.  Basically charades!  :)  But she says she's getting better at it. As far as speaking, he is saying "yep" a lot now. 

Keep praying for increased physical strength for Bro. Dale and restoration of the use of his body.  And pray for on-going strength for Mrs. Doug too.  

"³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
   bind them around your neck,
   write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
   in the sight of God and man.
 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him,
   and he will make your paths straight.
 ⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
   fear the LORD and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
   and nourishment to your bones."  Proverbs 3:3-8