Day 44: First therapy appointment at Kaiser

Today's appointment at Kaiser ended up being with an occupational therapist, not a physical therapist. Analise will also see the physical therapist at Kaiser once her leg casts are removed.   


The Occupational Therapist will be working on Analise's range of motion and fine motor skills of her hands and arms.  This OT said that she treated a boy with Arthrogryposis from the time he was a baby until he was about 5 years old.  According to her, that boy has since graduated from college and is a very bright young man.  The OT is also is a lactation consultant, so she was able to provide some advice about feeding, burping, and bottles.  She recommended Dr. Brown's bottles, which help with colic and gas.  


Today's appointment was for an evaluation only and measurements were taken of Analise's arms and hands passive range of motion.  The report from today's evaluation will be available at the next appointment.  


The OT did not allow video taping during the session, stating that she would have to obtain authorization from her supervisor, and that she thought it was Kaiser's policy to not allow taping of any of the therapy sessions.   


The therapist recommended continuing with the exercises that Erik and Dawn have been doing, and demonstrated some exercises for Analise's neck.  Analise likes to extend her head back, probably because of her reflux, but she sometimes also likes to sleep with her head in that position.  The OT said she will provide more exercise recommendations for her arms, hands, and neck at the next appointment.  


Analise will have therapy appointments once a week with Kaiser.  The OT said that Erik and Dawn must have been doing a great job with their daily exercises, because of the gains that Analise has had in her joint movements.  


Watching Dawn interact with Analise is a beautiful thing.  She is so loving, patient, and gentle with her.  When the OT was giving suggestions on how to burp Analise, she realized that Dawn has tried most of the methods that are recommended with reflux and burping and what Dawn is doing is what works best with Analise.  Even with a simple thing as giving the pacifier to Analise when she is crying, Dawn has a technique where she caresses Analise's chin and face while gently placing the pacifier in her mouth, that immediately calms Analise down!!  We are so blessed to have such an amazing Mommy for our Sweet Analise!!  


Don't forget tomorrow's event at Chick-fil-A, from 3pm-8pm, see you there!!

Day 44-See you tomorrow!!