Crawling and why I do it

There's a cross post from Facebook 

I have an interest(I have an understanding of neuroplastic theory and think its an appropriate to use in this situation) in learning to bunnyhop crawl to assist in weightbearing through my arms which is needed for swing thru crutching(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WENkQOAKbs).

Here are some links of what  I use and why:

http://www.dme.co.nz/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=321 (I use this at the moment not posisted at my knees when I'm crawling but at the top of shins)

http://hb3.seikyou.ne.jp/home/t-matsu2/E.p1.ch2.4.html(An interesting artcle on CP crawling)

PT goals set

PT went well yesterday

Arrived in a "this is never going to end" mood and left feeling brighter

Hes spoken to a co-worker who has worked alot in CP.Now he has calmed down about splints
 

Then we set some goals:

 

• Full fuction(can you break that down)
• SO

• Shoe tying(was most complex movement I could think of at the time)
• Two handed(I touch type using the FGHJ home-row at the moment 17 wpm) touch typing

• 

  

  Full credit for the image goes

  Swing thru crutch gait as opposite to sitting in a chair

                       HOMEWORK(oh JOY!!! I hate PT homework)

 

•  Type using my Botox straighten index finger for Backspace,Enter,Shift,Space
• Going to UCOL Disability Services if they have one of these:

                                                    Full credit belongs here

 

 
 

 



 

Full credit for this image

                      Plan for next week:

• Build a typing splint for my index finger
• Work on pre crawling skills as part of the journey to Swing thru(see Crawling post for more info)

My powerchair equals functional indepentance

Broken powerchair cant stop me

Early Saturday morning my powerchair charger went 

 http://www.123rf.com/photo_14973332_cartoon--boom-comic-book-explosion.html

On Sunday I needed to go to the mall and it was a reality check re how much rehab I still have to do

I have got used to hi-lo seating and am now not really keen on non hi-lo seating/standing chairs so yea

Views on tendon lengthing and rhiztomy

Here are my views(and why) take them with a grain of salt

Without Selective Cerival Rhiztomy: A waste of time that must be repeated along with the recovery process every 5 years(no WAY and no thanks)

 

 

With successful Selective Cerival Rhiztomy: A must have.They compliment each other very well and are normally recommended by the Rhiztomy surgeon. 

 

                              What is Rhiztomy?

 

Here is a good doc on what Rhiztomy for the legs(same surgery process for the arms I believe, I maybe wrong) is:

 

 

What is tendon lengthing?

 

Surgeries to lengthen the Achilles tendon include percutaneous tendon lengthening, Z-plasty lengthening and Gastrocnemius recession. In percutaneous lengthening, the surgeon cuts the tendon in several spots until it tears into a longer configuration. Z-plasty lengthening allows the surgeon to stretch the tendon by first making a Z-shaped cut in it. A Gastocnemius recession, which simply loosens the the muscle fibers attached to the tendon, may suffice for milder cases.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/about_5701950_achilles-tendon-lengthening-procedures.html#ixzz2a89I1zC6

 

Here is a good artcle about the varieties types of lengthening and risks and the like

 

I REFUSE to have my Achilles done as I think over use of nueroplasticity(reason why I don't walk by CHOICE) leads to retardation(its a medical term, used in a medical context 

get over R-word haters)

 

 

 

1st PT session after Botox this time

Here are the highlights

• Arm ramdomly going into supnation is a good thing
• DMOs look to good to true.Can't say I disagree with him-Side note the seating OT wants to re measure me for it in the next clinic waiting for an appointment card
• Will write a letter to my GP stating HE is WANTING the splints(indivdual finger,wrist brace, and elbow brace)
• Agreed with my view that surgery is the only real way to deal with tendon shortness/swan necking of the fingers
• Didn't know if inpatient CIMT is still being at the local hospital nureo rehab ward(I'm wanting to do a full month program up there in janurany when I don't have classes)

Amazing gym session

party time cartoon
full credit for the image

My arm stayed supnated how it was meant the whole session with a support worker supporting the arm at the eithier the elbow or shoulder the whole time and also keeping those pesky fingers closed round equipment as well


 

Sign langage has part of my rehab program

I have started NZSL classes thou CCS(a community based disability support agency) to asst with my rehab and learn another language



It seems to be working

Here's some blogs about signing after ped brain damage

http://cpcare.org/kids-with-cerebral-palsy-can-learn-how-to-use-asl/

The blog that inspired me
"We probably would not have guessed that through her will to communicate, Lucy would develop fine motor skills that professionals deemed impossible for a child with cerebral palsy. - See more at: http://www.rachelcoleman.com/lucys-story/#sthash.z6JFRB5O.dpuf

and

She uses a manual wheelchair and a power chair. She still signs beautifully and speaks clearly as well. Leah was the inspiration for “Signing Time!” and Lucy opened my eyes, showing me that sign language is indeed for EVERY child of EVERY ability. - See more at: http://www.rachelcoleman.com/lucys-story/#sthash.z6JFRB5O.dpuf


Heres a class just for CP families


I love Voice Thru Your Hands

They are organization set up because the founder's has Down Syndrome and is also Deaf.So they really D/deaf with additional needs or hearing with a speech impairment so needs to be able say "Wheres the ball?

 

Sign                                               cool

 

In NZSL there are no connecting words that's one the things make it a language and not a way disabled communicate because they can't speak

My rehab wheelchair at the moment

My rehab chair is a

One arm drive manual chair 

( I have nothing to do with the making of this video)

I dont have a Tilite chair I have Melrose stallion(http://www.melrosechairs.co.nz/custommade/stallion.html) aka heavy hospital crap

Here are the rehab parts of the chair:

I use this wheelchair in the evenings as part of my home therapy program.My main day chair is a Invacare TDX SP(http://www.invacare.co.nz/index.cfm/1,134,710,33,html/TDX-SP) with evelating seating which Grandad paid as we can only have one seating funded through the health system in NZ

Downsides of the armrest  is the Otto Bock clamps break alot but health system do replace them

Botox

Went ok minus the "PT too expensive" meltdown at the beginning

Sadly I have been sick and had to miss  both the gym and PT on tuesday. I have appointments booked for next week.

My nuero gave me the whole rhiztomy(http://www.ehow.com/about_5486053_cervical-rhizotomy.html)" is radical surgery speech
yea I know that
but at least he acting like he knows what it is now

Outcomes so far are(will edit with more):

I can use my index finger to press function keys on the qwerty keyboard

Sorry

Its been ages

Here a quick recap

• My support worker at the gym left and wasnt replaced for over a month and now has been
• Got my sh@t together re a private and have been going for a couple of weeks
• Started using my rehab chair every night and my new PT is impressed with the results
• Seating clinic went well was measured for a http://www.dmorthotics.com/products/dmo/dynamic-movement-gloves.php at the clinic which was odd
• PT has written a letter to botox Dr re botox and will have  it next week and update then