"Look at Me!"

Last week I wrote an entry about Cayman's therapy and all that she is learning. As well as what she has regressed in - walking.

The subject of her resistance to walking with her walker swirls in my mind. There is a balance between firm and gentle with my Cayman that feels fluid most days to me. Can she understand? Will she learn our support is unconditional while we push her to do the things she does not want to do, such as learning to walk? Or is this the time to be more gentle because pushing will create a total turn off in her desire to learn? Does her resistance mean she's not ready for it yet? Or is her reluctancy a sign that she needs the push that will ultimately lead to her confidence?

There will be steps forward and there will be steps taken back (no pun intended). It's a natural occurrence of life. It's important to know that the ebb and flow can’t happen when you’re standing still though. Like riding a bicycle, you can’t learn how to balance by reading a book about it or waiting until you are sure you can do it perfectly before you try.

And so I push Cayman to try the things that she is strong enough for and during it I continue to learn balance between firm and gentle. Balance between pushing and pulling back. To one day "hear" those beautiful words "Mom, look at what I can do!". I have heard it before on my Cayman's face. The glow of her smile, the sparkle in her eyes and my heart feels every beat of her unspoken voice, "Mom, look at me. Look at what I can do!"

I "heard" it when she reached out and grabbed a toy all by herself when she was 4 1/2 months old.

I "heard" it when she held her head up for the first time at 5 1/2 months of age.

I "heard it when she learned to sit all by herself at 18 months.

I "heard" it in her clapping the other day when she fit the puzzle pieces together correctly.

And I "heard" it again yesterday when I pushed through her resistance (a hard thing for me) and watched her regain her confidence to walk with her walker. :) *insert a proud smile*

"Mom, look at what I can do!", I "heard" her say through the laughter in her voice and the sparkle in her eyes.

And for that I push.

This post is getting a bit wordy this morning for all that I am basically trying to say is:

Look at her! Look at what she did yesterday!!

(background noise provider by Mike, Dan, and Lindsay - my team of men building my new massage office for me) :)

Amazing Steps

Remember me saying that not only has Cayman bounced back, she's also making amazing strides?

You don't have to take my word for it though.

Have a look...

Giving Walking a Try

We interrupt this week's blog theme: "Silver Linings" to Bring You this Special Report...

Cayman took her first steps today!!!



Oh what an exciting day it has been!!

posted at 4:19 p.m.

Rifton Gait Tranier

At her physical therapy sessions, Cayman has been getting familiar with this mobility device called the Rifton Gait Trainer.

While at first it looks a bit monstrous, it's actually quite amazing and I think Cayman looks so cool in it, like a big girl ready to discover her independence. It has been fun watching her experience an upright standing position.

She hasn't gained the understanding yet of how to push with her feet to propel it forward but already in the second week she appeared more calm and comfortable within its embracing harness. Progress is always in steps and already showing ease with such a new apparatus is a great accomplishment for Cayman from her usual reluctant, untrusting ways.

I think Cayman's most favorite part about the Gait Trainer is when she discovered it puts her in a better position and angle for grabbing Miss Jodi's hair. She has a terrible love for touching hair and I do believe I say the word "No" about 5,000 times a day, trying to break her habit of it because rarely is she gentle about it.

I have no idea why the sound is completely messed up but here is a little cell phone video snippet of Cayman taking the gait trainer for a spin.