A hectic week of progress

Wow! We are at the 7 week mark! It feels like a life time.

Mic has progressed so much, so quickly, myself and staff are amazed.

On Monday MJ wasn't able to colour in a picture, she was just barely able to keep the pen on the page and she kept colouring the same spot. By Thursday, MJ was able to colour half a picture. MJ was also assessed for her wheelchair and by Friday, OT had to phone the wheelchair service and have them change the order.

On Wednesday, MJ tried kneeling and sitting with her legs crossed, but her left knee is still quite swollen, so it pulls when stretched. She persists though and tries to get through it as best she can. I have to say that the cheating doesn't stop with thumb wars. If MJ can cheat in the physio session to achieve the goal, believe me, she gives it a go. The physio's don't let her get away with it all the time though.

MJ has also received the machine that can talk for her. She types : I love u, quite a bit. I tell her to tell me rather than type it out. She has hardly used the machine this weekend though. The nurses are also encouraging her to speak more rather than use the machine.

MJ is able to pull herself up to a sitting position which she couldn't do last week. She is also able to assist with transferring herself from the wheelchair to the bed. Her legs are not strong in the least, but at least she is able to pick them up and with loads of support she can take two steps. She is not yet able to stand, I might add, but at least she is trying.

She is also talking louder now. She seems to be scared when she hears her own voice, but when she is relaxed and laughs with friends, nurses and family, she forgets and becomes louder as she laughs.

MJ also had her first trip outside of the hospital on Saturday, with me (Mum) and Cortni. It was very cold and MJ did not enjoy the trip. I think she became aware of people staring and also of the fact that she couldn't see me as I was pushing her. That in itself must have frustrated her as I think she knew she should be walking. I don't think she liked the crowds and noise either.

I learned that the wheelchair is a lot heavier than I imagined, and I also became aware that I couldn't navigate the streets as if pushing a buggy/pram. I kept having to look where she could get off/on the pavement and how bumpy the pavements and streets are. I also became aware that some shop aisles are just not wide enough for a wheelchair, and dodging people is not as easy as if pushing a baby in a pushchair.

Today at the hospital, MJ was learning to push herself in the chair. Obviously her right hand is not quite strong enough, so she might not manage to get to the right place, and she doesn't have the strength to push herself too far, but the girl has guts and she tries.

Thanks again to the friends who have visited and for the gifts they have given to McAyla and Cortni. Thank you Mandy, Keith, Kim and Ash for your special gift, it is very much appreciated.

I have loads of photo's to post, but will do a catch up on those another day.