Helper of the day

   Yesterday Amaya was helper of the day of school. Besides helping to pass out papers, helping during calendar and being first in line she also got to bring in something to share. Amaya has been so excited to share her fixator with her friends. Even though they saw it everyday while it was in her leg she wanted to show them what it was like out of her leg. She also brought in the tools that came with it to turn it and move the bars. She said they liked it and thought it was cool.
   Before I left to pick up Amaya for therapy I called (again) to try to schedule her appointment with the wound center. I was able to make her an appointment for next Tuesday. Her bedsore on her heel is still there. Its like a blister and sensitive to the touch, so hopefully they'll be able to help heal it quickly.
    When I got to Amaya's school she was in another classroom for a lesson. When we walked to her classroom to get her belongings I noticed that she didn't have her walker. I asked where it was and her teacher said that during the day Amaya  has been walking without it. Its great to hear that she's walking without it on her own. Her teacher said that she notices that as the day progresses Amaya gets tired and her walk changes (she drags her left leg, and turn her foot inward).

Amaya's outfit laid out the night before. She had her fixator right next to it so she wouldn't forget it.

When I went to put her lunch pail in her back pack it was very heavy! I opened it up to find her fixator. It adds like six pounds! 

Remember the CHOC Walk in the Park we participated in the October? Amaya received a letter from them thanking her for her help and efforts. She helped them raise nearly two million dollars. Since she raised over $150 on her own she earned a commemorative pin!

Here she is with her pin. She's attached it to her CHOC walk lanyard. 

Melissa had Amaya start in the adult gym at a table. She had her lift her hips.

Then she added to it by having Amaya lift her right leg off the table while keeping her hips high. It was hard and Amaya's hip would dip down when she lifted her hip. By the third one she was able to hold her leg up  and steady herself. 

Here's a side view of it.

And here's one from her feet where you can see just how much she was above the table. She worked hard and was able to do it. I told her she should do yoga, because it all seems to come so naturally to her. Melissa agreed saying that Amaya is so flexible. 

Then Melissa had her lay on her tummy and lift her body up off the table. After she did it Melissa told me that she noticed, for the first time, a lack of muscle in Amaya's butt. She said that she usually has her working on her back or standing so she hasn't noticed it. She had her lay down on her stomach to show me. Her right cheek is round, but her left one is flat. Melissa said that it looks like her muscle suffered some atrophy because of the fixator and lack of use. Melissa said that this muscle helps with walking. Melissa said its important to build up the muscle and strength in it. 

Then she did leg presses.

Melissa tied a roll to the back of the bike to give Amaya a bit of a challenge. Half way down the hall Amaya said it was easy so we had Lidie sit on the back (she weighs 41 lbs.) to add to the challenge. Amaya did great and Lidie had fun!

Back in the kids gym Melissa had Amaya push her left leg back. It was to easy so then Melissa had Amaya push against her hand then use the yellow band. She had her try to kick her left leg back like a donkey. 

      Then she had her stand on her left leg, then lift her right foot, tap the two cones then step down. After she did that she could throw a ball at Savannah Rose.  You can see her start to fall to the left after the second one. That shows you just how much we need to strengthen her left hip and butt muscles.

      Next Melissa had her lay on a table to do her knee bend. Melissa asked her to do what she could. Amaya got up to 90 degrees instantly. Melissa had her hold it, then when it would ease up, scoot down more to get a bigger bend. She climbed from 90, to 95, then 98, 102, 105, 107, then 108! That's her highest number (while only using her muscles instead of gravity to help her)! She's been at 104 for a week now. Melissa said that when we do her therapy homework at home to do this as well. 

    As we drove off we passed the Children's hospital. We all yelled out, "bye children's hospital!" We do that everyday as we pass on our way to therapy and on our way home. We send a hello to the kinds who are in there now. But this time Amaya also added, "Thank you for helping me! I miss you!" I thought that was sweet.