United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone.
I tried to post a reply yesterday, but it appears to have gotten lost in cyberspace. I thank you all for your kind responses. I was at a low moment and it helped to hear the reassurances. I know that I am trying to do all that is possible, but I feel like I should be doing more! Other than the stretching and massage (which seems to cause her pain) I think the problem is her age. At 19 months old, she wants to move around toy to toy instead of finishing with one game or activity before we go to another one. She is testing the limits - and we are trying very hard not to give in. It just makes it so stressful!
We are trying Kinesio taping now, and possibly e-stim if certain muscles don't start firing on their own. I just felt so tired the other day, and it helped to know that I have support.
Thanks so much!
Eve

Amen Julia! Wish there was a way to send a toast of Budweiser through the internet to you and Eve!

Eve - we try two things to get Maia to stick to a task.. they work pretty good...

one thing is using the timer - Maia gets to decide how long she will play this particular game (I guess because she's older though)...so she sets the timer...and she HAS to play the game until the beeper goes off

the next thing we do is a behavior modification system - where we use a chart and give her stars.... there is something she's working for (a particular toy) and I have decided in advance how many stars she needs to acumulate to get this toy. She has the capabilitiy of getting 5 stars at each therapy session - one for each task. Works like a charm.

The other thing - for a younger one is stickers after a session or getting to choose a toy from a treasure box (which you can just buy yourself if they don't already have these items)... they are just tiny penny trinkets that kids just LOVE to get.

I'll scan my memories later on and see if I can remember those times when Maia didn't want to do therapy and see what we came up with....

big hugs,
francine

Just remember that we are all here for you!
You are in our thoughts and prayers!
agteacher@keepandbeararms.com