Paul's Update - 07/09/07

Dear Friends:

Monday was a very busy day for Paul. We got up early and got dress. After breakfast we headed out to Fair Oaks hospital for a 9:30 appointment with the Occupational therapist. Since Amy is still on vacation we saw Connie today. She was very good and started out with Paul standing at the bathroom sink. She had him turn on the water and wash his hands. It took a little doing to get him started but he eventually did wash his hands. This is to practice standing and balancing as well as doing a "self-care" activity. After he finished we had him walk to the desk and attempt to work on some small motor skills. He started out slow but she got his attention with the peg board. He likes putting pegs in the foam board and he lines them all up in a neat row!! She tried several small motor skills with him which he was not really interested in but when she took out the nuts and bolts ... he suddenly had an interest in doing that!! Imagine that ... a mechanic that likes nuts and bolts!! LOL He worked on screwing the nuts on the bolts and then unscrewing them. Then with some encouragement he counted the locking rings that were on the table. He was able to get to about 18 before he gave up trying. Then she wanted to see if he could write on a page ... trace a picture. There was a square, a circle and the word "dad" on the page. She put the marker in his left hand (he's actually right handed but that hand is weak still) and he was able to trace the word "dad" with Connie's help. Then she had him start to trace the square. She helped him with the first line but then he started to do it by himself so she let him finish it. I was amazed since we have not been able to get him to do that at home. After they finished she had him put away the nuts and bolts and they worked on getting up from a chair. She wants him to start practicing standing by himself by putting his hands behind himself and pushing himself up. Since Dad helps him a lot he doesn't really get up by himself and doesn't practice proper standing skills. Once we were done (after a GREAT session) we headed downstairs and went to get coffee before we left. On the way home Dad decided to take Paul to the gym and see if they could get into the pool. I told Dora she needed to get out her bathing suit!! LOL She laughed hysterically!! Fortunately ... she doesn't really need to get into the pool ... but it was nice to see her laugh!! Once we got home Dad took him in the house to go to the bathroom and got ready to head back out to the Gym. They started out by pushing the wheelchair down the ramp and into the pool. Paul didn't move much but he enjoyed the pool. Then Dad put him in the hot tub. Paul really enjoyed that!! So did Dad!! He had a little trouble getting out of the hot tub but at least he was able to do that! Next time they will try to put on a life vest and stand him up in the regular pool. Tonight Paul got a phone call from Bobby. Paul enjoys talking to his brother on the phone. They had a nice conversation. Aside from mostly "yes" and "no" from Paul it seems like almost a normal conversation. Paul really pays attention and understands everything that Bobby says!! Dinner was stew tonight but Paul wasn't interested in that. He never really liked stew and he ended up having Chef Boyardee Ravioli. We went out to sit on the swing after the sun went down. It was still really hot out there (about 97 degrees) so we didn't stay out very long. We watched TV until bedtime. Tuesday Dad plans to go back to the gym to do exercise on the equipment ... it's good for both Dad & Paul!! :-)

Have a great day! Lynne & Carl