We got some bad news last week. Maria’s music therapist is giving up her west side clients. She’s one of our favorite therapists and has brought out tremendous things in Maria, but it’s a 50 mile drive one way for her. Unfortunately, lack of west side services is an ongoing problem in Phoenix for everything from therapists to good restaurants. We don’t know of any available ones at this one but we know of two organizations that are looking. Hey therapists – there are tons of available clients on the west side of Phoenix so if you need a job, come out here!
Maria got back to hippotherapy after a 3-week holiday break and didn’t do well. She wouldn’t sit up and fought the PT every step of the way. Part of it was a game for her and part of it was that she was tired. However later in the day she did great for the speech therapist. The most exciting thing was that she was doing a very clear “more” sign. Until now we’ve been taking any random movement that brings her hands together as the sign for more, but this was a clear and deliberate back and forth motion. She did it over and over as the therapist would stop massaging her cheeks. Later in the day I was doing something with her, I can’t remember what, and she was doing it with me as well. It’s a signal that she might be figuring out this communication thing.
This illustrates how she’s lost interest in the PT side of things lately. She doesn’t want to walk anymore and isn’t as interested in standing, though she still does that some. We know that’s part of the process as she emphasizes different areas at different times but it’s frustrating.
Manolis is feeling better, although he got a spontaneous nose bleed as he was putting Maria in the car the other day. He got a couple drops on her and was upset about that. They called the doctor’s office and he never bothered calling them back. Very annoying. Other than that everything is going fine.