Fri. Sept. 7th

Christopher continues to work hard during his therapy sessions, speech, occupational and physical, each specialty concentrating on specific areas affected by the trauma.

During speech therapy they continue to focus on his ability to respond to questions. Whether a nod of the head or blinking of the eyes, they want consistency in delivering appropriate responses. Christopher has been able to respond with more regularity to direct questions by blinking his eyes. Cindy, his speech therapist, continues to focus on his swallowing, chewing and his ability to take food by mouth. He is not quite ready for food yet, he is taking ice and chewing it. We hope to try some pudding next week.

Stephanie, his occupational therapist, concentrates on his upper body and his ability to do basic daily self care, such as eating, dressing and grooming. At the moment, working on the spasticity in his arms, neck and shoulders. The muscles in each area continue to tense uncontrollably, causing contractures (where the muscles and tendons shorten not allowing the muscles to stretch) he continues to wear splints at night on both lower legs and his right arm. They will cast his left arm Monday to start the process of straightening it.

Stephanie also has managed to get Christopher’s head and neck almost back to where it should be, he continues to move beyond midline with his eye gaze, but has been slow to turn his head to the left. We are seeing improvement in this with each day’s therapy.

Meagan, is Christopher’s physical therapist, she will administer to his lower body. Seeing to his ability to stand, maintain balance and walk or transport himself with other available means, if needed. His ability to move his legs appropriately continues to give us hope he will be able to walk, his peddling of the stationary bike was a wonderful thing to see. Meagan continues to push getting Christopher to a standing position on the tilt table. He seems to tolerate this without difficulty, so they will steadily move towards assisted weight bearing positions, with him in a harness our sling, suspended from the ceiling to enable him to practice walking.

We continue to ask for your prayers too strengthen his body as he fights, prayers to heal his brain to comprehend the struggle ahead of him and prayers too maintain his spirit, to continue the fight.