Update #69

In PT, the therapist had Ryan practice left foot placement and standing. He was able to stand (while holding on to the parallel bars) for over minute. Then the therapist had him walk a bit with this funky-looking half-walker. After a few steps, they switched him to a cane with four legs at the bottom. After another few steps, they just decided to forego the walking apparatuses.

A therapist walked on either side of Ryan. They both said they weren’t doing too much to help him walk. He did a lap around the unit. I was impressed with how well he was doing. He is getting much better at placing his steps.

In OT, Ryan worked on some shoulder exercises. They also brought out a electric stimulus brace for Ryan’s left hand. The spasticity in his left hand is preventing him from using it functionally. The brace will stimulate the muscles that open his hand. Once his hand is more relaxed, the therapists can start doing exercises with his left hand.

In speech therapy today, Ryan repeated the three things that the therapist had asked him to remember on Friday. I really feel like his memory is getting better. She also worked on more pronunciation of “st” sound clusters.

The therapist gave Ryan a list of sentences with “st” clusters in them. Ryan sounded pretty forced when he was reading the sentences, so the therapist gave Ryan this inspiratory (breathing in) device to exercise Ryan’s lungs.

In RT, Ryan and I, a two of the therapists and another patient played Clue. I can tell that game is good at helping with memory, logic and reasoning skills.

KT has decided to work in their own session with Ryan in the afternoon. Today, the session was close to an hour and a half. Ryan did some serious working out. He did leg press, shoulder press, and some pull downs with a “v” shaped handle.