Big Month

We have had a bit of a down time in terms of appointments for X-Man, but this month looks to be crazy. He started therapeutic horsemanship yesterday and will go each Monday. He did wonderful in his first 45 minute session. They put him in multiple positions on the horse, including side saddle and facing backwards. I thought it was probably good that he couldn't process the fact that riding backwards is a little strange. He just went with the flow and kept looking around trying to figure everything out. It was one of those moments where I would have paid to be able to know what was going on in his brain. He was pretty tired afterwards which helps to show how much of a core workout this is for this little guy. The stable is located 45 minutes away and this is the first therapy that our insurance has refused to pay for so it is a bit of a committment, but I have read wonderful things about it. This is a news story about a local study done on the benefits of horse therapy for children with Cerebral Palsy.

We also have an IEP meeting for X-Man on Friday. His teachers and therapists will go over his progress from the past year and set goals for next year. He will most likely be shifting to a more mainstream classroom with assistance next year so we are a bit anxious to hear what they propose. We have been spoiled rotten this year with a classroom ratio that had more teachers and therapists than children.

On Monday, we go to the Cerebral Palsy Clinic for his twice annual appointment that usually lasts the entire morning. He will have another hip xray performed as we have some concerns about his right hip. We will also be discussing some options for treating his tight heel cords. We would appreciate prayer for our wisdom at his IEP and at this CP clinic appointment.

On March 16th, X-Man will be going in to the hospital for a 1 - 3 day video EEG. This is a necessary test to rule out the possiblity of seizures, but we are not looking forward to keeping him confined in one small hospital room with a video camera taping our every move for 3 days. I've never had any interest in being on a reality tv show and this feels a bit like that.

On March 22, our little guy will turn 4. While birthdays are usually happy times, I tend to get a bit discouraged as we reach a new age with so little progress. I know he is making progress, but it is at a snail's pace and difficult to see at times.

I am a bit overwhelmed at the onset of this month...isn't that obvious in this post? However, as way of encouragement, X-Man has been downright silly the past couple days with lots of giggling, tickling, attempts to say tickle and requests for nose kisses.