Thursday, July 23, 2009

Physical Therapy...And The Wii

Wii fit Pictures, Images and Photos
Last Friday we had our final appointment with Reid's physical therapist...what a milestone! Truly...what a milestone, when I think back to my sweet newborn baby who was so floppy and had very little muscle tone. He hated tummy time, didn't sit until close to 10 months old or attempt scooting on his tummy until just before his first birthday, didn't stand until he was 19 months old or attempt steps until 21 months...but now...now my baby is steadily walking (in a very determined way I might ad with both his little arms just a swinging fiercely), running, climbing stairs upright (without using his hands or rails!!!), kicks a ball with both feet (one at a time of course :) )...and is attempting to jump (he tries so hard but still only gets one foot up at a time, but it sure gets points for cuteness...and many giggles from Luke!!) 

We could not be more excited for Reid's gross motor growth...or more grateful for all the support we received from Donna, his physical therapist. Donna started with him just before his first birthday when he was only beginning to combat crawl. She was so fantastic with him and pointed out things that we did not even see or know to look for. She pointed out that he was weaker on his left side and therefore only wanted to put weight on the right side. He threw with his left hand and tended to grab toys with his left... we thought that that had meant he was just showing a dominance for his left side (his dad is a lefty) but Donna pointed out that actually it was more a muscular issue in that when he reached or threw with his left all the weight bearing was actually on the right, so we worked on balancing that out and helped him to utilize both sides of his body. Donna helped Reid move from combat crawling to crawling on his knees, to standing up on his own in the middle of the room, then on to walking...he actually took his first steps for Donna...and I wasn't even there for it, Daddy was there in place for that appointment (sigh). In the last few months we actually added Wii Fit into our therapy equation. We started out first just using the step board to help him start working on going up and down a small step...but then we graduated him on to all the activities.  He was and is so motivated by the Wii Fit, he runs in place, he bends his knees and shifts his weight from right to left, he moves his hips back and forth for the hula hoop game, and he even bends down and holds his arms up in the air for the ski jump and tries to jump on cue (he is not actually completing the activities as Luke would but Reid is content with just seeing the activity on the screen and moves appropriately for each new activity). I have to say I recommend the Wii Fit for anyone but it is especially great for helping our little ones gain strength and use all their muscles.

Donna...thank you for all you did to help our Reid! We are so thrilled that he is the first child you have worked with to be released so early who has Down syndrome...not because of budget cuts, but because he has met his goals, we attribute that to you! We will miss you but know that you will now have time to help another little one walk, run, and ultimately soar!
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11 comments:

The Sanchez Family said...

YEAH!!! I love this! It gives me so much hope for Joaquin. We have the Wii and the Wii Fit game. I can't wait for it to be "therapeutic" for Joaquin.
Good job Reid!!

Heather said...

Oh little Reid,aren't you just something?So proud of you.What a simply perfect example you are of all that is possible.All the wondrous things that can happen when a child is surrounded my love and encouragement and opportunity.I can't wait for a playdate so I can see all those fancy Wii moves!

Denise said...

Hey there...this is such an off the wall comment but I was just reading ALL of Presley Giles' blog from way back when she was still in the hospital and for some reason I clicked on a particular set of comments. You had written about a friend of yours who lives in McKinney, TX with a daughter who was born with duodenal atresia. I actually lived in Mckinney a coule of years ago. Just thought it is such a small world and thought I would share that with you. Hope all is well. Little Reid is just so stinkin cute!!!

The Lehnick Family said...

What a milestone! No more PT, such a big boy...I'm sure it is bittersweet as you will miss those visits with Donna...I already feel so close to our PT and I will miss her as well when we no longer need to go... Way to go Reid!! Looks like we will have to invest in the Wii...my parents have one, we have all the other playstations, x-box, just haven't caved in to get a Wii?
I wanted to comment also on the sweet post about Reid and Elijah...what a sweet little story and meeting of a new friend.

Kele said...

WTG Reid! Already a graduation in your young life!! Your mommy is right, you will soar, and I am so tickled to be friends with your mommy so I can watch it happen!!
Love to you guys!!

Cheri said...

Actually Kele I will have to post pictures in my next post of Reid's first true blue graduation with an actually cap and gown when he was just 1...he had graduated from a 0-12 month early intervention program....the pictures are just too much of these little ones in their hats!!

Heidi said...

Way to go Reid!! Thanks for mentioning the Wii Fit - I will have to keep that in mind for later when Joel could use it!

Mel said...

What a great idea- will have to keep that in mind for the future for Luke. And what a star you are Reid!

Lisa said...

What a rock star. Way to go Reid!

Kisses For Noah said...

Go, Reid, Go!!! He is so awesome, Cheri! Thanks for sharing this milestone with us :)

Nan P. said...

What I like about your post Cheri, apart from this brilliant idea of using the Wii Fit to help Reid, is your description of his gross motor skills progress. I do not worry about Cathal, nor do I compare him with other children. I know it's pointless and that he will do all these things in his own time, when he is ready. Yet it is nice to know that he WILL do them. Eventually. No child is the same, and it is more and more evident to me that this is especially true of children with DS. And they all get to where they need to be.