Progress

Mark Henry is amazing we all know this. However his progress since the see surgery last July is nothing short of a miracle. We had his 6 month post op in January at Mayo and his team of doctors could hardly believe their eyes when they saw him walking independently and so well. They didn't think he'd be doing that until 1 year post op. He is very determined. His PT still has him using crutches at school but thinks he won't need them by fall! He is a man on the go. We have been re-training his arms to stay down when he walks instead of up in high guard mode. This has resulted in a bit of a diva strut! With hands on the hips. See video. He is a star. He also has done great at school lately; longer attention span, better fine motor skills, cutting with adapted scissors and tracing letters with markers. We are busy working on his transition from pre K to full day kindergarten in the fall. He will have many new teachers and be in a bigger school but I think he's ready. He loves school especially riding the bus. This summer will be busy, besides the arrival of his new baby sister in June which we are all very excited about! We read books nightly about new baby arriving and him being a big brother. Not sure he will truly understand until she arrives...but when I ask where his sister is he points to my belly! We are planning on him riding horse again July and August and hope Pt will be back to regular 2 days a week cut back from the intensive schedule we have been doing of 5,4,3 days a week at the moment. He is also making progress in speech and OT which he will likely continue 1 day a week over the summer. We hope to have some caregiver/ PCA help. Both our current staff are moving on. One is graduating and the other took another job and is only available part time. We hope to hire a woman who works at the school district as a para and seems well qualified. She could start soon and help on weekends and the. Once school is out work full time for the summer so fingers crossed that happens. I am looking forward to warmer weather and being able to enjoy it this summer with the kids. Getting to the parks and watching MH ride at the horse ranch. Happy Spring!