Thursday, September 29, 2011

Encouragement

Yesterday I was encouraged! We have been wondering if Katie's vision is impeding her walking. Yesterday a O&M (Orientation and Mobility) therapist came to our house for Katie's vision therapy and she had many encouraging thoughts! Her job is to help blind or visually impaired children navigate their homes, environment, and world. She came to meet and observe Katie and she was very impressed!! Her opinion was that Katie is meeting a need through scooting~ a vestibular or sensory need. She thinks that her vision is not the reason that she is not walking. We know her vision is MUCH improved, but I didn't really know how to gage her depth perception. The O&M therapist watched Katie scoot, climb, and cruise, she played with her handing her toys and having Katie hand them to her! Through this time her opinion is that her depth perception is just fine. She is able to put pegs accurately in holes, hand toys directly to her hand (not over estimating or underestimating distance of her hand), and Katie didn't hesitate at transitions in flooring. She thinks she is just satisfying a need by scooting, so we can work with her OT to find other ways to satisfy it or she will just mature to walking or both. But encouraging news!!! Now we just have to wait!!! :-) Thank you for your prayers!! Keep them coming!!! Praise God for ALL He has done!!! Thank you!!!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Update on Katie's Eyes

Katie had a good report from the ophthalmologist. He examined her eyes, dilated them and found no swelling or pressure on nerves, no change in the visual aspects. He repeated she doesn't need glasses and that her vision is much improved and her visual response is great!!
He can't be 100% confident that there is no increased pressure in the brain, but he says her eyes do not seem to be a sign of hydrocephalus. Keep praying, but for now everything looks good!!! Thank God!!!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Katie's Eyes

I am writing an update to thank you for all your prayers for Katie's vision!!! At the beginning of summer her vision was rated at a 3 month old level. She could barely see 20-30 feet away. Yesterday we were at Disneyland and she spotted and followed some ducks flying overhead, 50-75 feet up!! I am confident that she can see me up to 50 feet away at home as well. So, praise God for the continued healing!!!
Yet, I am also writing to ask for more prayers!! My initial thought was to wait to report on this prayer request, but I am working on being honest and upfront about my struggles. So, please read and pray...
Katie's eyes have been gazing to the far left. They go in unison and just randomly go off to the left, no one therapist had seemed concerned. It is not a seizure, but I messaged the optometrist even though we have an appointment Oct 14. He got back to me right away and we have an appointment tomorrow. He is concerned about pressure on the nerves or pressure on the brain. So, please pray that it is nothing, just the brain rewiring or reconnecting. I will not let my thoughts wander to what increased pressure means until it is confirmed. So, please pray for the eye turn to be nothing, but please just pray!! I am glad her appointment is tomorrow at 9:45am, it will take at least an hour as he dialates her eyes to examine her nerves. I will update you as soon as I can!! PRAY!!!!! PLEASE PRAY!!!!!!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Katie's Accomplishments

Katie is still working on walking, but I wanted to share the many cute things she does well!! Katie has been complimented by many on her posture! Often children with visual impairments have a certain posture, but Katie has great upright posture!! Katie often uses two hands to play!!! She definitely favors her right, but often uses both hands very well together!! Katie loves putting on necklaces and loves her beautiful bracelets!! She loves to dress herself- she will put her shirt on her head and will put her right foot into pants successfully!! Pray that she remembers her left leg and foot more. Katie also loves shoes!!!! She will find everyone and anyones shoes and put them on!!!! She has asked her therapists to take off their shoes, so she can wear them. Katie can communicate very well, she does not have a large vocabulary, but she is a great communicator!! In the last week Katie is starting to focus more on her vocabulary~ She is working on up, hot, eat, cup and today's word was bus. She is taking special care to pronunciation, it is quite humorous!! Katie is a cute, lovely, sweet, spunky, adorable little girl!! The Lord has blessed us and shines through her!! Praise the Lord for our little miracle!! I give thanks everyday!!!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Getting Ready to Walk

Katie is getting ready to walk. She is strong and is standing more, cruising more and taking a few steps here and there. She will stand up in the middle of the room and take 2-4 steps, but it is random and ONLY when she wants to. Of course, she won't take steps once I get out the camera! Katie doesn't stop moving. She is scooting, froggy hopping, climbing, cruising, swinging or sliding all day long. She loves to copy her big brothers and tries to keep up with the kids. She loves to go outside whenever there is an open door! She is getting stronger every day! Katie can climb up her little slide and slide down by herself over and over again. Today she mastered climbing into the big swing set clubhouse. She is improving in fine motor with big beads and peg boards. She loves to color!! Katie's vocab is expanding daily. She really can communicate quite well. She is excited when you understand her. She is VERY, VERY opinionated!!!! Katie loves to bounce, dance and act silly. She is amazing!!!! When she is screaming because she is not getting her way, I have to give thanks that she cares and knows and is aware. I thank God that she has made such great progress!!! She has come a long way since last year this time!!!
We can pray that Katie's vision is improving greatly daily, pray for her depth perception, nystagmus, and that her vision is not impeding her not walking. Pray for her reflexes, for her safety, she will need to catch herself if she falls while walking, but her reflexes are slow and her left arm is really slow sometimes. Katie needs to continue to strengthen her hip muscles and improve her balance. Pray for Katie's appointment with on September 23 with orthopedic. Pray for Katie's Optomolgist appointment on October 14. Gives thanks!!!!! Thank YOU for all your prayers!!!