Thursday, March 31, 2011

Eden at EuroPeds!


Eden did two weeks of intensive physical therapy at EuroPeds in Pontiac, MI, at the end of February. The timing worked out nicely because we all had the last week of Feb off for winter break, so she only ended up missing 4 days of school. We were supposed to go 5 days a week, 4 hours a day for two weeks, but had to miss the very first day because of a snow storm that dumped 10 inches of snow on us.

It was a serious break from our usual routine because I had to wake Eden up at the crack of dawn to feed her and get her out the door in time for an hour drive, and we had to be there at 9am. It was a sneak peak of what life might be like next year when the girls are in school full-time and have to leave at 8am every day (YIKES!). But we did it, and I was pretty proud of myself for getting her there on time...for the most part.

Overall I was very impressed with the program and the therapist that Eden worked with. She pushed her to work really hard, while still keeping her motivated and (mostly) happy. And Eden did work hard. She was doing one legged squats with weights on her legs. It was intense. I am sure if I did half of what she did I wouldn't be able to move the next day, but she is tougher than most of us and really didn't seem sore or over-tired at all. She also ate GREAT....like I have never seen her eat before.

It seemed a lot like she was an athlete with a personal trainer for the time we were there, and she made some nice gains in her overall strength and stability. I think she enjoyed it and felt a sense of personal accomplishment when it was finished. We are already looking forward to going back, but probably not until the same time next year when insurance will cover it again. In the meantime, we will continue with our once a week private PT at home, along with therapeutic riding (we started a new program in March) once a week, and hippotherapy once a week. We are also planning to attend another 4-week conductive education camp this summer.

Should be plenty to keep us busy.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The day I went with you, watching her, I am sure could not have done what she did even in my younger years! After the first day of exercise I would not have been able to move to do day 2! She is my HERO!!!

Anonymous said...

I do hope everyone is all better soon!! I'm so thankful for your blog. Today is my former 22 week 3 day old's bday. I truly wouldn't have made it down this long road without your blog. It gave me hope when nothing else did.

Anonymous said...

one question.. how did you keep her processor on with all of the jumping?? we could use some suggestions.

Thanks.

Billie said...

Eden's glasses have flexible ear wraps that go behind her ears. We put a small rubber band around her processor, then use that to attach it to her glasses. Works like a charm. Before she got glasses we used to put the same rubber band around the processor, then used a barrette to clip it in her ponytail. Before that, we used to pin it to a headband. Without using these methods, it does not stay on her ear. At all. :-)

Tabetha said...

I just wanted to tell you that you are amazing parents. Your girls are very lucky to have you both. I had kind of stopped blogging and I am trying to get back into it. Yours was the first one I went to and had to go back a whole year to catch up. I had to stop at this one. I am actually thinking of flying to Euro-Peds this summer after seeing this. That you for inspiring me. I get so many idea for equiptment and therpies just by ready your blog. I want to THANK YOU. I learn more about things that are out from you than I do any doctors or therapist. Having my little boy with CP, epilepsy, and CI's is hard and then giving my older typical child attention too is always a challenge. Keep blogging. This momma is reading.

PS- I think the girls get prettier every years. Dream BIG.