A New Beginning - June
June
June 26, 2004
Hello all!
Greg was back to therapy last Thursday. He had his evaluation. He has had some
normal feeling come back down his hands. He can now distinguish temperature.
Before normal feeling stopped right below his elbow. The therapist said that
sometimes it takes years for that to come back. Praise God.
He has lost strength in his torso and arms..expected since he hasn't really been
to therapy in quite a few months.
His goals in Occupational therapy are to improve his writing. (he has been
writing and signing more in the last few weeks )and to throw a ball like a guy
(all you ball-playing girls out there take no offense).
In Physical therapy his goals are to increase strength and to be able to
maintain his balance in a standing position using the braces and walker (see
picture on website). Also, he will begin to use the auto-ambulator. It allows
the patient to be supported in an upright position by a sling. Mechanical arms
then grab the legs and simulate a normal gait. Pray that this device is useful
for Greg (it isn't for everyone).
In hand therapy he was once again timed putting the little pegs in the holes and
taking them out again. He did it in less than a minute with the right hand and
about a minute and a half with the left. Jan thought that he was raising his
right wrist just about as far as it can go. He can now raise his left wrist
above neutral. He continues to be able to wiggle his left index finger a
little. Jan is also picking up additional traces of movement (in the muscles)
in the left thumb. She said they are similar to what she could pick up in the
index finger before he could move it. Greg's fingers are more turned in than
they were before. This is due to the muscles not being stretched. There is no
joint problem. The decision was made not to stretch out the fingers so that
it's easier for Greg to pick up a cup or glass. He kind of slides his hand
around it and then supports the bottom with his other hand.
He said that he liked going to Harmarville because everything is accessible,
there are others in similar or more difficult circumstances and the staff
understands the issues he faces. You'd be surprised how regular hospitals are
not prepared to deal with patients with spinal cord injuries.
So, that's where we are so far. I hope to be able to go to therapy with him at
least once a week while I'm off for the summer, so you'll get more updates.
Please continue to pray for the whole family.
Blessings,
Connie
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