It's hard to believe how fast it has gone.
It's been a physically draining time (for Dexter and us!) and an emotionally challenging, but incredibly rewarding period of our lives.
We have seen such changes in our little man - he is more talkative, he laughs more, he is so proud of himself, he is sleeping through the night and he is looking more. (He is using his eyes, and really 'looking' at things.)
And then of course, there are the physical differences.
His endurance and strength have improvement so much. He tries to initiate standing when you are holding him. It's now ok to let him go while he is sitting (just don't go too far!). He holds his head up for longer periods of time, when he is being helped with his crawling. His steps are getting easier.
He wants to be doing more, and he knows that he can...
He believes in himself.
This is such a big change, in a short time.
Leaving the Future Footprints Center today was hard for a number of reasons.
The conductors and therapists have welcomed us into their world, they have listened to our questions and concerns. They have shared ideas and made recommendations. They have reminded us that we are doing an ok job - with the knowledge and skills we have, but that we now know we can do so much more because of what we are taking away with us... what we have learned from the last 4 weeks.
The conductors have given us the energy boost we needed.
But it's hard also - life after therapy goes on.
As soon as we arrive home, we return to 'normal'.
Andrew goes back to working and being away from home for long hours, each day. He will be getting home when the kids are in bed.
Appointments have to be kept, and July is already filling up.
Feelings of guilt will arise over the next couple of weeks, as I try to continue with the work we have been doing here. As determined as I am to continue with the ideas we learned, these activities and exercises need to fit it in with preschool, therapy, doctor appointments and work.
It's going to be hard, but it's not impossible, and I know I will be able to do it. And more importantly, I know I have to do it - for Dexter.
He deserves nothing less.
As we dropped my sister at the airport today, Andrew and I discussed our time in Adelaide and whether it was worth it. Both of us responded 'yes'. Of course it was worth it.
Would we do it again? Yes!
If this Conductive Education therapy was closer to home, we would do it as often as we could. For now though, we have to hope we will be able to do it once a year.
Adelaide has been good to us. We have had family come and visit (and help us out more than they realise) and have had the chance to see friends we only get to see every couple of years. We have had a mini holiday, while doing a lot of work.
We have regrouped as a family.
Thank you Future Footprints!
Thank you Conductors, for your patience and enthusiasm, energy and care.
(We're proud to post a photo of some of the conductors (therapists) at Future Footprints. These amazing people pushed Dexter, and gave him the strength and determination to achieve all he has achieved this month.
We'll post some more photos soon.)
Lenice
It was my last day today... 4 weeks went very fast!
We had a sports day and my colour was green! We played basketball and volleyball, had a crawling race and finished with a walker race!
It was fun, and I laughed a lot.
But I was very tired at the end and fell asleep!
These are 2 of my conductor's - Eszter and Lotte, I loved my cuddles with them. Mum will post more photos when we get home, but for now, she has to pack the car for our long drive back!
My sister is always my biggest cheerleader!
Read about my first week there
Read about my second week there
And, my third week there
Read about my cerebral palsy classification
Who is Dexter?
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