Big Week

It's been a big week for Rosalie.

Ophthamology appointment - Rosalie does not need glasses and she shows no optic nerve damage, but her depth perception is not 100% as a result of surgery. It should get better over time (2-3 years), but it will probably never be 100%. Functionally, that is just fine. The opthamologist cited some Heisman Trophy winner who has poor depth perception, but has just adapted over time. He did say, however, that she cannot be a fighter pilot. Anyone see Little Miss Sunshine? Hope she doesn't throw the same fit that Wayne threw :)

Neuro-cognitive testing - Rosalie had to have a neuro-cognitive test, the "Bayley," as a pre-radiation baseline of measurement. It was actually lots of fun. She played with puzzles, peg boards, a teddy bear, a baby doll, a rubber ducky, and she had to point to lots of colorful pictures.

Therapies:

Physical Therapy - Rosalie is working on crawling, kneeling, and initiating a stand (while we hold her). Her hips look much stronger - they used to splay open automatically and now she can bring her knees together more easily.

Speech Therapy - We have finally met with Rosalie's speech therapist. For those of you who might have children with developmental delays you know that these services come through the state. They have the best services. But it has been hard to find someone who could come to the house so that Rosalie doesn't have to go into the germ-ridden clinics :)
She is excited to work with Rosalie on oral motor skills that will help her swallow more and speak more. Yeah!

Occupational Therapy - We also finally had Rosalie's occupation therapy evaluation. Again, this comes through the state and it has just been a slow intake process. Rosalie's fine motor skills display her general ataxia - which is basically a lack of coordination, a shakiness. But we have seen so much progress already that we feel confident that Rosalie will regain control of her fine motor function.

Play! - Rosalie gets to play all day, but we are so appreciative of our friend Debra who comes to play with Rosalie twice a week. Debra is a Montessorri school teacher, so she has loads of creative, developmentally appropriate ideas for Rosie.

Aunt Peggy has been here all week. We feel so well-rested because she has been taking the night shift with Susannah. We've also been well-fed and our girls have really enjoyed getting to know her better.

We hope everyone is enjoying the fall - and Happy Birthday, Auntie Ali!

Love,
The Reibels