Tuesday & Wednesday

Sorry I didn't give an update last night -- we had a plumbing issue in the house that took all of my energy. Of all the nights not to give an update, last night shouldn't have been the one to skip. Gracie had an incredibly awesome OT appointment. She had so many successes. Absolutely everything she was asked to do, she did. Shapes were put in a shape sorter, with a little help on the direction, she excelled at targeted release, putting ball after ball through the pipe hole to the point she looked like she was getting bored because it was too easy. She helped take off her shirt, she danced and did the actions to "I'm a little teapot" with a little help. She washed her own hands with the appropriate rubbing action, she played basketball and would yell "go, go" everytime she was about to put the ball in the hoop. She walked up the steps to the slide, she pulled herself along on a scooter. We talked with both the OT and PT and they both feel that Gracie's appointments can be reduced to one a month with each of them. Both were so impressed with how far she has come and how her verbal skills are starting to take off. She was in a great mood yesterday too and hugs for all her friends at the desk area. Reducing her OT & PT comes at the right time as we have another speech consult coming up and I'm pretty sure they will be ready to add speech therapy to her therapy needs.

We headed to the prosthetic lab first thing this morning as Gracie's braces were causing too much redness. She never fusses about things like that because she can't feel things like you and I, so we have to be very good about checking her feet daily. They were able to heat and stretch her orthotics and put some thin padding in. They are stretched as far as they can go. If she has any more problems we'll have to get new ones. Didn't we just go through this?

Gracie was a little more tired and irritable tonight, yet she is still doing so much better in the evenings than even a month or two ago.

So on this evening before Thanksgiving we have so much to be thankful for. We are thankful to God for blessing us with this precious little girl and allowing us to raise her, teach her, and love her. We are thankful for you and all the prayers, good wishes, and support we receive. We are thankful for the teachers, therapists, doctors, nurses, clinical assistants, desk staff, and others who provide such great care to little Miss Grace. She has come as far as she has because we are surrounded by a village of people who care and are dedicated to Gracie and others like her. Just one year ago we were in a battle with intractable seizures that threatened Gracie's health, development, and well being. Just one year later we are seizure free. We are blessed.

May each of you be blessed with the love and support of those around you.

Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie