The Things She Will Do for Pixar...

Admittedly, I am a very well trained parent when it comes to high dollar items with Emma... and she knows it! No matter if she is walking in her gait trainer, riding Pooh Bear, or drinking milk from her cup, Mommy will work for the big ticket items. She has learned that Mommy has all the Pixar short films on her phone and can walk next to Pooh Bear during hippotherapy, holding the phone so she can watch them. So today, she did what any other child who has a well trained parent, who is misbehaving, would do to get her parent back under control. She laid down on Pooh Bear every time we started to walk at the beginning of her ride. Her message was clear - it was time for Mommy to pay up.

I took her cue and pulled my phone out and started "For the Birds," which is one of her favorites. Finally, I got it right and she was finally ready to sit up like a big girl for her ride! Once that one ended, I did as I was supposed to, and pulled up the next one I could find as quickly as possible so as not to let her go too long without entertainment. The next one was "Knick Knack" which isn't one of her favorites, but she obliged since I was putting in the effort she had asked for. The next short film was "Lifted" and that one seemed to loose her interest as it was hard to see the dark screen in the sunshine. Since I was still going in alphabetical order, the next one was "Luxo Jr." and that one got her refocused because she loves the ball the little lamp plays with. Next came another favorite - "Partly Cloudy."

Once I started that film, I realized we had walked all the trails so much that I was starting to loose track of how far we had gone. I knew we were currently on her best ride to date, and that we had completely obliterated her previous record, but wasn't sure by how much as I didn't know the exact length of all of the movies. As the movie came to an end, Emma decided she was ready for a break and laid down. I looked back through at the movies we had played and added up the times and realized we were close to twenty minutes.

After she was ready to sit back up, we tried something new. We moved Emma's hands forward to a 2 point position and she willingly stayed there, holding up some of her weight through her arms! After that, we tried to get her to twist to reach around and touch Pooh Bear's rear. She again obliged, turning and touching him with both hands! Then we tried something even more difficult. We tried to get her to touch her hand to her opposite toes without laying down on Pooh Bear. She was close to touching her right hand to her left toes, but she DID touch her left hand to her right toes - without resting her head!!! At this point, we had only a couple minutes left for this therapy session, so we rode back and ended on a high note.

Yes, she is TOUCHING Pooh Bear - AND SMILING!

After we finished, I added up the times to get the final number - 20:06!!! I couldn't believe it - she more than DOUBLED her previous record! I had a little bit of a hard time not crying because I was so proud of her for working so hard, but I managed to keep it together. As soon as we were finished, I picked her up off of Pooh Bear and gave her the biggest hug. I am still on cloud nine hours afterwards and haven't stopped smiling. Once I got back to work, I had to share with everyone how well she did. And because I'm still so excited, I had to post this and share her accomplishments with her Hydro Family and Friends as well. Now to go post it up on a big billboard on the side of the freeway so I get to see it on my way to and from work every day! Good thing I have a coupon for paint...

Back in the Saddle Again!

Today, Emma started hippotherapy again at SpiritHorse. I was excited to see how well she would do given how much stronger she has been getting over the last few months. When we ended last session, her record was around 80 steps before getting tired and laying down. I was hopeful that she would do at least that well despite the months between rides. But when we arrived, her instructor brought out a different horse. Emma would have a new horse to get used to and become friends with. Her new horse is named Pooh Bear and is a 23 year old retired show pony with a gentle, loving nature who is willing to do anything asked of him.

After introductions were made and Pooh Bear was saddled and ready to go, Emma got back in the saddle again... but this time, she was sitting up with a confidence that seemed much stronger than previous times. She grabbed on with both hands and we were off! I started counting steps in anticipation of crossing her previous record, but I had no idea how far I would be counting! Sixty... Seventy... Eighty... A NEW RECORD... One hundred... Two hundred... THREE hundred... FOUR HUNDRED! She finally took her first break after completing 428 steps!!! It was at that point that I realized that she had graduated from counting steps to keeping time. 

G--O

LET'S GO!!!

After a short break, Emma regrouped and we headed off again. Only this time, I was armed with a stop watch. I figured she was getting pretty tired, but she was able to make her second stint just as impressive at four minutes and three seconds! She has truly come a long way and I couldn't be more proud!!!

Hippotherapy with Peter Pan

This morning, Emma made me so proud with how well she did at hippotherapy. She completed her second ride on Peter Pan where she didn't try to get off the majority of the time. She first began hippotherapy at the end of the Spring this year and went three times before SpiritHorse shut down for the summer. Therapy started back up last month and she has gone four times, including today, so far this fall.

Last week, her therapist decided to try to use weights on her ankles to keep her from focusing on trying to pull her legs out of the stirrups - it was a success! For the first time, Emma didn't try to pull her legs up the majority of the therapy session and she spoke for the first time ever while riding. By the end of that ride, she was singing songs and talking like her normal self.

Today we worked with a new therapist as the one we normally work with had to go home due to a cold. The new therapist decided to focus more on short distance unassisted rides (only a few steps) until Emma decided she was tired. At each point, we would stop and take breaks. Emma held on to the handle of her English saddle for the first time this session and was the most engaged she has been since we started hippotherapy! We ended the session after she completed her record setting walk of twenty-one steps before she decided to lay down on Peter Pan's back for a break. I was SO proud of her!!! She was talking during therapy again and did such a great job sitting up so well.

Left to Right: Mom, Emma Lee, and Miss Jill

I am excited because I am starting to see more of her normal happy personality when she is sitting on Peter Pan and less of her uncertainty. Her tolerance to new things is still so impressive to me and it motivates me to push her to do more when I see that combined with her positive attitude. For the first time, I felt she might start enjoying her weekly rides. Perhaps Emma will even see them less as therapy and more as play time with a really big furry friend.

SpiritHorse Theraputic Center

Emma had her first experience with hippotherapy yesterday morning at SpiritHorse Therapeutic Center. I had been looking forward to it ever since she was placed on their waiting list at the end of February earlier this year. I knew the therapy would be beneficial to her with regards to improving her balance, coordination, and understanding of movement. I also hoped it would feed her ever growing curiosity, and it seemed to do that and so much more. In her first hour of therapy, she had many first time experiences. First, we learned about the horse she would be riding. His name was Peter Pan, and he was a twenty-four year old Welsh pony gelding who loved showing affection by licking like a really big puppy.

Peter Pan

After introductions were complete, it was time to start getting both Emma and Peter Pan ready for their adventure. Emma got to wear a helmet again! But this one was a pink English riding helmet with a horse on it. Peter Pan had to be brushed and fitted with a purple blanket with elephants on it, an extra small saddle, and his bridle. He also got to wear a special handle on the saddle with buttons on it that say "GO!" and "Stop" for Emma to learn how to use. This way she would learn how to control what Peter Pan did on their rides. Emma was reluctant to help get him ready this first time, so she supervised. Once everyone was ready, it was time to begin the adventure!

Ready, set, GO!

Emma did such a great job! She completed one and a half laps before she was tired and ready to end the adventure. On those laps, she saw some beautiful scenery filled with all kinds of surprises. There were other kids riding their horses, bunnies playing tag, dogs running around, a pig that was bigger than her, fish swimming in a water bucket, and birds flying around singing about what a wonderful day it was. With so much to look at and listen to, it was hard at times for Emma to remain focused on staying on Peter Pan as he walked her around it all. At the end of their adventure, Emma dismounted ready to be held and relax. But there was still one thing left for her to do before we could leave - she had to thank Peter Pan for such a nice ride. For a reward, Peter Pan loves sugar cubes. He graciously gobbled them down, although Emma seemed a bit unsure of his table manners.

Peter Pan enjoying his sugar cube reward.

I'm looking forward to watching Emma progress as she becomes more comfortable at the SpiritHorse ranch with all her new friends. She will gain more strength in her neck with the added weight of her riding helmet as well as her core from balancing during her ride. She will also be improving her endurance as we build up to longer adventures in the coming weeks. But most importantly, she will improve her balance and coordination as she works to be more independent during her therapy rides. All of these things will get us one "step" closer to her first steps!

Bilateral AFOs

On February 5th, Emma was almost standing under her own power during physical therapy (PT). Because of her progress, her therapist recommended Bilateral Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFOs) to help her with the pronation (diagram below) she experiences when she tries to bear weight on her feet. So when we went to her pediatrician appointment on her birthday two days later, I discussed the braces with her doctor. She agreed with Emma's PT, and wrote a prescription for them.



We went to Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics in Plano for her assessment on February 11th. The technician that did the initial appointment was impressed by the strength Emma displayed in her legs, but agreed that her ankles were weak and the braces would help. They would provide her with much needed support, allowing her ankles to develop strength while keeping her feet in place. He took all of her measurements, which was a fun ordeal as she is not a fan of being still while anyone is holding any of her extremities. I was impressed how the technician was able to get them so quickly given how much Emma was wiggling. They gave us a two week approximation for the custom braces to be in, so we left eager to return.

In addition to getting Emma the AFOs she needs, I have also been working with Emma's therapists and pediatrician to get her on the waiting list for SpiritHorse Therapeutic Center in Corinth. I mailed in her completed application on February 13th and hope that she will get in soon. They have a long waiting list, but their services are worth the wait. The therapeutic horseback riding they provide to around 450 children and adults is at no cost to their families. There are sixty-four children that have spoken their first words, forty-eight have taken their first steps, and even thirty-eight who sat up for the first time at this center with the help of the therapy they provide. My hope is that Emma will make the "first step" number increase by one more.

I received a call from Hanger on February 19th stating the braces were in so we scheduled an appointment for her fitting on the 21st. It went well and Emma left wearing her new AFOs (or "boots" as we're calling them) and some slipper shoes we found at Target that her PT recommended. It was great to have them for her PT on the 22nd to see what her therapist thought and to talk with her about how to move forward working with Emma as she progresses with her new "boots." It was extremely beneficial since her PT will be moving at the end of February and Emma won't be getting therapy from her any longer.

Emma's left boot viewed from the inside. The plastic has the "comic strip" design on it.

Emma has adjusted well to her new "boots" and seems to be getting used to them fairly quickly. I'm always impressed and amazed at how tolerant she is of things. For a child that seemed so adverse to textures (and still is reluctant to touch new things as times), she is really becoming one curious little girl. I can't wait to see her exploring places on her own!