Something amazing happened in the Senior household today.
Parents of 'normal' 18 month old children probably wouldn't find it that amazing, but for us it meant the world. Stanley managed to move from lying on his front, up onto all fours, and back into a kneeling position, all on his own. He straightened his back up, and even lifted both of his hands off the floor for what seemed like minutes, but what was probably less than a second.
Even if he doesn't manage to do this again for months, this has given Leela and me a major boost of hope which should keep us going for a long time. It's so much more significant than it might seem to anyone else looking in. It means that firstly, Stanley has the desire to sit up by himself. And secondly, that he can actually do it. He has the strength now to hold his upper body straight with no support. Although it really was just for a fleeting moment, it just shows us that he's got it in him, and with that we can help him do whatever he wants to do.
I just can't imagine how it's going to feel when we see Stanley's face as he takes his first steps (which he WILL do)....
The last month or so has brought with it a fair amount of positivity, in amongst the heart operations and all that malarkey.
A while ago, a speech and language therapist (SALT) came to visit, to look for any particular concerns which may affect Stanley's ability to speak. The majority of people with cerebral palsy are affected in some way in that area, so it's something we've been keen to look at for some time. He is behind where he should be with his speech, but he's got so much else to deal with, it's not surprising. Anyway, the SALT lady could not see any major worry points after observing Stanley for a while, including watching him eat. So that's a good sign - but something we just need to keep working on.
Both Willow and Stanley also had a sight test at the hospital recently. This was an additional one to what they'd normally have, being born prematurely and being exposed to the risk of ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity). Anyway, they both passed that test with flying colours. Given that my eyesight is officially rubbish (or it was until I had my eyes lasered), we'd expect at least one of them to inherit some of that - but so far, so good.
At the end of May, we went back to Brainwave, for a check-up on Stanley's physical development and to get a new physiotherapy plan. Again, we came out of it feeling positive. The physios said that they thought Stanley had improved quite a bit since the last visit. They also gave us more of an indication as to the long-term prognosis. The feeling is that he will most likely be able to live an independent life; albeit probably mostly confined to a wheelchair of some sort. But even if he is in a wheelchair, to be able to live independently without having to rely on his parents or others for the rest of his life, is a major bonus compared to what so easily could have been.
Another good thing about Brainwave, is the Indian restaurant (The Spice Gallery) just down the road in North Petherton. They have not paid me to endorse their establishment here - but if you're ever in the Bridgwater area and are stuck for curry, check it out.
Although a lot of focus is on Stanley, Willow still gets an equal amount of attention. She is still thriving in everything she does, and is apparently indestructible. She has no fear whatsoever, and will launch herself into any situation that comes her way. She's basically a mini-Leela, and I adore her as much as I do her mother. Show her a dancefloor, and she will make it her own. In fact, Stanley is quite a mover as well, in his own special way. They seem to have amazing taste in music too. Funny, that.
Right, all that talk of Indian cuisine is getting me hungry again. I wonder if the Spice Gallery delivers within a 74 mile radius....
Parents of 'normal' 18 month old children probably wouldn't find it that amazing, but for us it meant the world. Stanley managed to move from lying on his front, up onto all fours, and back into a kneeling position, all on his own. He straightened his back up, and even lifted both of his hands off the floor for what seemed like minutes, but what was probably less than a second.
Even if he doesn't manage to do this again for months, this has given Leela and me a major boost of hope which should keep us going for a long time. It's so much more significant than it might seem to anyone else looking in. It means that firstly, Stanley has the desire to sit up by himself. And secondly, that he can actually do it. He has the strength now to hold his upper body straight with no support. Although it really was just for a fleeting moment, it just shows us that he's got it in him, and with that we can help him do whatever he wants to do.
I just can't imagine how it's going to feel when we see Stanley's face as he takes his first steps (which he WILL do)....
The last month or so has brought with it a fair amount of positivity, in amongst the heart operations and all that malarkey.
A while ago, a speech and language therapist (SALT) came to visit, to look for any particular concerns which may affect Stanley's ability to speak. The majority of people with cerebral palsy are affected in some way in that area, so it's something we've been keen to look at for some time. He is behind where he should be with his speech, but he's got so much else to deal with, it's not surprising. Anyway, the SALT lady could not see any major worry points after observing Stanley for a while, including watching him eat. So that's a good sign - but something we just need to keep working on.
Both Willow and Stanley also had a sight test at the hospital recently. This was an additional one to what they'd normally have, being born prematurely and being exposed to the risk of ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity). Anyway, they both passed that test with flying colours. Given that my eyesight is officially rubbish (or it was until I had my eyes lasered), we'd expect at least one of them to inherit some of that - but so far, so good.
At the end of May, we went back to Brainwave, for a check-up on Stanley's physical development and to get a new physiotherapy plan. Again, we came out of it feeling positive. The physios said that they thought Stanley had improved quite a bit since the last visit. They also gave us more of an indication as to the long-term prognosis. The feeling is that he will most likely be able to live an independent life; albeit probably mostly confined to a wheelchair of some sort. But even if he is in a wheelchair, to be able to live independently without having to rely on his parents or others for the rest of his life, is a major bonus compared to what so easily could have been.
Another good thing about Brainwave, is the Indian restaurant (The Spice Gallery) just down the road in North Petherton. They have not paid me to endorse their establishment here - but if you're ever in the Bridgwater area and are stuck for curry, check it out.
Although a lot of focus is on Stanley, Willow still gets an equal amount of attention. She is still thriving in everything she does, and is apparently indestructible. She has no fear whatsoever, and will launch herself into any situation that comes her way. She's basically a mini-Leela, and I adore her as much as I do her mother. Show her a dancefloor, and she will make it her own. In fact, Stanley is quite a mover as well, in his own special way. They seem to have amazing taste in music too. Funny, that.
Right, all that talk of Indian cuisine is getting me hungry again. I wonder if the Spice Gallery delivers within a 74 mile radius....
