This posting is a copy of the note Chris' Aunt sent and asked if it could be posted.
So Here it is:
Mar 9 2010
Our weekend with Christopher…Rob & I went to Ponoka on Friday morning to spend the weekend with Chris. We didn’t arrive until late morning so we missed his pool session but hear it was a good one. We did arrive in time to witness him on the tilt table and going through a work out. I helped Kevin and the therapist assistant with his squats…it was amazing to witness. He was on the table at an angle and they let him slide down into a squat position and then Chris used his legs to push himself up into a stretched out position. I could not believe the strength he had and how he responded so readily to the verbal commands…it was awesome.
After his squats they gave him different tasks to do with verbal commands. When Rob and I were there before we had done a few things with Chris to get responses from him and he cooperated but it did take a bit of time for him to complete a request. Both Rob & I were amazed at how quickly he responded this time; it is such an improvement… I took some video of him on the table and will see if we can get it posted on the blog.
It was great to see Kevin work with Chris...he could do this for a profession and be better than a lot of trained therapists.
Kevin then put Chris on the bike to exercise his legs but I think he was worn out from the swim and squats because he did not work as hard as he normally does.
Kevin, Shelley, Kylan & Gwen left for home Friday evening and we went back to visit with Chris for the evening. He watched a bit of hockey (Rob brought the Junior games from last year – Can vs USA and Can vs Sweden). Chris was a bit tired but did show interest in the game when he was awake.
Saturday was a beautiful day…the sun was shining and when it warmed up a bit we took Chris outside for a walk in the sun. We spent a lazy day visiting, reading and snoozing (even me). Chris went for a rest around 3 and we went for a bite to eat. We came back later and put the game on for Chris – someone wanted to watch a movie in the main area so we watched the game in Chris’s room. We only had a short visit with Chris on Sunday morning as we had to head back to get ready for the workweek.
All in all it was a great visit and it was super to see 1st hand the improvements in Chris. Seeing them on the TV or videos is not the same overwhelming feeling as being there.
1 comment:
Thanks Helen for this update. It is great to hear how much Chris has progressed. I am sure Kevin sees small things all the time, but it really brings home how much he is progressing when those who haven't seen him for awhile can really take note. And I am sure there are things happening all the time (behind the scenes) with new pathways, etc in the brain that we have yet to see on the outside.
Kevin: I cannot find a word to describe all of yours and Chris`hard work, perseverance, and accomplishments. Amazing is close, but really I am in awe. Please say hi and pass on my encouragement to Chris. And know I continue to send both of you lots of love.
Janie
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