Still Here and Working Hard

October 2011 out front of The Philadelphia (Front & Erie) Ronald McDonald House.

Wow! I can't believe how long it has been since I blogged! Time just keeps flying by! Our family has had a busy Fall! The biggest piece of news that I have to share is our latest trip to Philadelphia.  In October we went to see Dr. Kozin for a quick checkup.  Jadon was in a rare good mood during our appointment with Dr. Kozin so the team got to see just how far he has come since his shoulder reduction/tendon transfer surgery in March.

Dr. Kozin was very, very happy to see how great he is doing.  So happy that we do not have to go back for a whole YEAR!!  I was so excited to hear him say that!  We have made 9 trips in 2 1/2 years so I felt a huge relief at getting a little break from all of the travel. 

We did discuss our concerns about Jadon's internal rotation not coming back since surgery.  There was some mention of a possible future surgery to get some of that back but we are hoping if we work hard in therapy over the next year we can get some of that back.  We have been focusing on that area a lot lately and have already begun to see improvements. 

In the picture below he is enjoying a ride on a swing in therapy and working on internal rotation as he hangs on with both hands.  He swings over and grabs a toy with lefty while he hangs on tight with Righty.  It is a great workout for Righty.  Our therapist is so great about coming up with new activities to keep Jadon engaged during therapy. 

The older Jadon gets, the more challenges we face.  We have been working on getting dressed.  With the hand weakness and the current difficulty with internal rotation it is very hard for Jadon to put on pants especially.  This is also going to make potty training a bit difficult.  I am sure we will all figure it out.  We always do.. 

I am currently cooking up a plan to make an apron with a felt front on it for Jadon to wear.  Ms. Karen gave me this idea during an activity in therapy.  The plan is to create this apron so that felt objects will stick to it like they stick to a felt board.  Then we put objects on the apron for Jadon to reach in and get with Righty to work on internal rotation.  Once he gets them off the apron he can create a scene on a felt board with them.  Hoping to get that done soon.  Will takes pics and post it when it is done!

In case I don't get back here before the holidays have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!