Therapy Schrarapy

Every week our therapy sessions go a little like this...

They ask, "Is he pulling himself up in his crib yet?"

"Nope."

Then as sure as the sky is blue they ask, "Is he able to get up from laying down?"

"Nope."

"So basically nothing has changed."

I reply, "Yep."

So, every week we endure therapy. Most sessions, Parker and I both end up crying. He cries because he's just mad and I cry because I feel horrible for putting him through it. It's frustrating putting him through this weekly and not seeing results. It's not his therapist's fault, it's not our fault and it's not his fault. I feel confident in blaming Hydrocephalus on this one.

"Gosh darn it! It's FREEZING outside and it's Spring."

Blame it on Hydrocephalus.

"I spilled my tea on the clean rug (uh hum Casey)."

Blame it on Hydrocephalus.

You all have my permission to blame what-ever you want on Hydrocephalus. It's pretty easy.

Parker was forced to a hospital bed during a very crucial time in his development. Then between healing from other brain surgeries at home, he didn't get the tummy time he needed. I think I counted over 8 weeks he didn't get tummy time, or even any time to explore floor play. So, at the end of the day, it all caught up and his physical development isn't really going so well.

As a parent we so badly want to see our child succeed. Things that come naturally to toddlers, do not come naturally to Parker. It seems like so much of what other kids just "do" we struggle with. Its excruciating to see him struggle at such a young age. We pray it's not a precedence for the rest of his life. It's pretty hard watching him cry and get angry because his mind wants to do something and his body just...can't.

At one therapy session I was in tears to the poor therapist. Honestly, it's sometimes too much to handle and I lose it.

"I just picture him sitting on this spaceship blanket watching TV never walking or doing ANYTHING, with the support of his boppy pillow, forever."

She replies, "That's not going to happen. He will crawl. He will walk."

So, the million dollar question is WHY won't he do anything?!?

At this point, they have said that they don't believe he has Cerebral Palsy or anything else physically debilitating. It's just a matter of catching his body up to his age. I mean really, 18 months is the 'red flag' age for walking. We still have three months before everyone goes into full on freak-out mode.

It's just hard to be patient and it's nearly impossible not to worry because one more long-term hospital stay will do so much harm for him developmentally. Also, we know that there was a level of brain damage at birth. Is this what the damage looks like? Who knows. Needless to say, it's frustrating. When we were told he had brain damage we were always assuming it was going to be intellectual damage, not so much physical. You know what they say about assuming...

I've never wanted a toddler to roam my house and get into trouble like I do right now! It would certainly ease my mind. That being said, Mr. Parker is very brave in his walker. He roams the house like he owns the place. Casey caught him "running and gliding" through our kitchen.

"Run...Run...Pick Feet Up and GLIDE"

It's pretty funny to see him do it. I would compare it to adults running with shopping carts and jumping on for a ride. Please, do not even pretend like you've never been there done that. We all have so I know you know exactly what I'm talking about.

In Parker's most recent therapy session we had a visit with two therapists. This usually happens once a month and I can't get a wink of sleep the night before. This is where he is assessed and "rated". Well, for the first time EVER Parker rated just below the 30% developmental delay. We are never below the benchmark and it was seriously a cause for celebration. Basically, if you rate below the 30% delay, therapy isn't always necessary. In fact, the therapist told me had this been his first ever visit to Parker, he wouldn't recommend therapy at all.

Say Whaaat?!?

Of course knowing what we all know, we are continuing full force. Sigh.

I would be lying to you if I said we tend to focus more on what he "should" be doing rather than celebrating what he "is" doing. Which, I hate to admit, but in reflection, I realize it to be true.

So, let's take a moment to celebrate what this rock star has accomplished.

1. Sitting without the support of his Boppy.
2. Rolling (won't roll on shunt side, but we don't care, who would roll on that anyway... no one).
3. Pulling himself up on the couch (with bribery-mostly paper he can rip and be naughty...no shame in my game).
4. Walking with our assistance.
5. Rolling around like a bat out of hell in his walker.
6. Standing for a couple seconds unassisted.
7. Walking the couch. 

See, that's already over 5 things just off the top of my head. What am I complaining about?

He still has 6 days to learn how to walk for Easter Egg Hunts. :-)