The following video shows what Gracie was working on in OT & PT at the end of May and early June. She's been using a Reverse Kaye Walker with additional support at her hips (from her therapists, Laural and Erika) and has been using a super fun car to wheel around the unit. The car is good strength building and practice for the wheelchair we are working on getting her. She has outgrown the KidKart and she needs something that will give her more independence. While the ultimate goal is walking, the fact is that it will take a long time for her to build her endurance for continuous walking.
This is a little footage of what I was so excited to post a few weeks ago...
The first time she used the car, I cried... the expression of joy on her face was unforgettable. So joyful... so free...
Since that footage was taken, Gracie's PT and OT came to our house for a home visit. This gave us a chance to show them what kinds of things she does with us (and on her own) at home. She's had a gait trainer for years, but has never been very fond of it for many reasons. She loves her bar... and will cruise it for an hour. She can get her little body into all kinds of "Gracie Yoga" positions, she stands at the couch, she gets up and down the little slide on the play structure, she shimmies herself up furniture, she rides her little "Red Roddy Pony"... and so much more. Showing them the things she does in her own environment gave them a better picture of her safety awareness and balance... and so the next time we went into clinic, they pushed her even more.
And this video is what I am even more excited to post... it was taken last Thursday (the 18th) at therapy. I took fifteen straight minutes of this glorious display of strength, budding independence and relentless determination!
Then on the 25th, while much of the world was reeling from the day's news, I was witnessing my daughter's impressive display of endurance - - nearly 45 straight minutes of standing and walking with the walker!
Unbelievable
what can happen in a few short weeks.
Since that footage was taken, Gracie's PT and OT came to our house for a home visit. This gave us a chance to show them what kinds of things she does with us (and on her own) at home. She's had a gait trainer for years, but has never been very fond of it for many reasons. She loves her bar... and will cruise it for an hour. She can get her little body into all kinds of "Gracie Yoga" positions, she stands at the couch, she gets up and down the little slide on the play structure, she shimmies herself up furniture, she rides her little "Red Roddy Pony"... and so much more. Showing them the things she does in her own environment gave them a better picture of her safety awareness and balance... and so the next time we went into clinic, they pushed her even more.
And this video is what I am even more excited to post... it was taken last Thursday (the 18th) at therapy. I took fifteen straight minutes of this glorious display of strength, budding independence and relentless determination!
Then on the 25th, while much of the world was reeling from the day's news, I was witnessing my daughter's impressive display of endurance - - nearly 45 straight minutes of standing and walking with the walker!
Unbelievable
15 comments:
PRICELESS!! Exactly right! Oh my gosh I have tears upon tears in my eyes. So sweet and so neat and then you had to throw that awesome song into the second video. That is such a great song and fit with the video so well! Makes me want to meet Gracie and her family even more than I already do and hopefully someday I will be able to do that! Great, no Awesome, job Gracie!
Kim
p.s. still looking for a pic of Gracie in her birthday clothes ... did they fit?
She is AMAZING and so INSPIRING! Keep on Gracie Girl!
So, I watched these videos early this morning while Viv was still sleeping. I have to say - I don't think I've had such an amazing and inspiring start to my day in a while. Then Viv and I rushed off to meet friends for an early morning walk in the hills - and in spite of the heat and the steep hills, my body happily climbed - fueled by inspiration from your Gracie Girl, Kristi. Thank you for this absolutely joyful peek into Gracie's climb - I can't wait to see what's next - it's going to be incredible.
PS The little side-to-side head nod at the end of the walking video was such a Viv move. Cuteness!
Oh, Kristi, I loved these videos! What amazing progress Gracie has made in just a few short weeks! She is doing so well in her walker. Katie had that same type of walker, even the hip support pads that Gracie started with, so it reminded me so much of watching Katie go through that whole process. Isn't it amazing, the challenges our kids manage to overcome and the determination they have to do it? Big hugs to you, Sweet Gracie--keep climbing!
simply amazing. so so happy to see gracie doing so well!
makes my heart filled with joy as well.
love
victoria
Can I just say I am SO glad I did not do my makeup or anything yet, I have tears falling down my face like a waterfall. That was beautiful!! I also LOVE that song I have it ready to go for an Eva video I just have not done it yet...LOL!
Gracie girl you remind me so much of Eva and I am so so SO PROUD of you. You are amazing, keep climbing!!
Hugs,
Crystal and Eva
Oh my goodness. Gracie, you are amazing! I am so impressed. You are an inspiration to us!
Hi Kristi,
I am so excited for you! A little jealous that I can't be a part of it, but so proud of Gracie and all the hard work she is doing! Is that a tumble form chair flipped around that they are using for the car she is wheeling around. That thing is awesome, I'd love to find out more about it so we can get it in our clinic! Keep up the good work Gracie... you are such a strong girl :)
GO GRACIE GO!!!!
Oh my gosh, I'm crying ...look at your baby ...walking! Oh, Krispy. What an incredible, determined daughter you have ..who takes exactly after her Mama. I love you Swann girls so much ...that car rocks, too. Preston would dig that, huh? :) SO proud of you, Gracie. Can't wait to see what you do next, little girl. xoxo Auntie Becky
Okay, I am sitting here at my desk totally crying--how amazing Kristi! I can't even imagine what you must have felt watching her walk and "drive" like that! I am utterly amazed at how she has progressed! You are a fantastic mother and she is an incredible little girl with more determination than anyone else I know. I only wish I could transfer just a fraction of her determination to the teenagers in my home!
Hi Gracie! you are such a sweetie!
Hi Kristi, please feel free to link to Cheyenne's blog & I'd love to link to yours too if that's okay... you can email me at colibri.az@gmail.com
Looking forward to blogging w/ you...
-Lori
holy cow! that was absolutely amazing! wow! wow! wow!
congratulations to all of you!
with great pride,
amy and max
Oh, Kristi. Oh, Kristi!
Nothing like a video like that to put some real joy in my heart.
Go, Gracie, Go!!I was blown away watching this. She is getting so strong. Watching her walk....I cried the whole time. I just wanted to reach out and hug her. Instead, I'll ask that you do that for me, Kristi, and follow it with a big kiss.
Utterly amazing (why's it taken me so long to see this, I'm sorry I just don't know)... but that aside.. it's utterly beautiful. Her gorgeous independence. I see a girl reborn. It's true: it completely brings tears to my eyes to watch. Congratulations to you all on such a gorgeously wonderful milestone that opens up so much for her future.
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