KEEGAN 12 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

We have had the most wonderful day where Keegan's therapy has been with little spasm and maximum interaction where he has been trying to do what he is being asked.

The physiotherapist had him on the floormat doing trunk rolls and leg raises as well as shoulder stretches and deep pressure point release.  The ultimate at the moment is putting him on his stomach and getting and inverted stretch.  Now that there is no nose tube it seems that therapy is much easier to get him into the positions required.

The biokinetist placed calipers/backstraps onto both his legs and got him to stand upright and even forced him to take 20 steps. It is rather like watching a supported Frankenstein as we pull his legs through and get him to transfer weight onto his legs.  But WOW so great to see him upright and going places.....when will he do it by himself....no one can say ,but he has a lot of relearning to do. The whole purpose of the "walking" is to force Keegs brain to make the correct neural pathways again.

The Speech therapist today was able to get him to swallow some yoghurt, but again he is not doing it by himself, rather with stimulation and massaging his throat.  I was really hoping that he could have progressed more in the swallowing now that he has no naso-gastric tube but the skills are coming back. But he is more awake and really trying.

He is awake for long periods of time, and is listening to 94.7 where he is enjoying the music on the 80's today.

Gosh 12 days to Christmas and I am really hoping for the best present of all - to take him out of the home and have a family Christmas - even if it is for 4 hours.

After this quick note  to you all , thank you again for all your support and help and hope that your Christmas break is wonderful and warm with all the heartfelt gratitude from the Langleys.

Am  going to be back at Falcon on 8th January and am loving every minute that  I have with Keegs.

Take care

Sal