Physical Therapy Update

Kendal just recently had her 6-month evaluation for physical therapy. Everything went really well as expected and she is continuing to progress in her gross motor skills. She has a 33% delay, which is the same percentage delay she had 6-months ago. This does not mean that she is not improving. She is improving at the same rate she is aging, so we are really pleased with all her progress.

Kendal thoroughly enjoys physical therapy because Amber always makes it totally fun and incorporates whatever Kendal wants to do with whatever movements Amber is trying to get out of her. The above clip is a little more ridged simply because she is trying to see the extent of Kendal's skills for evaluation purposes.

I spoke with Amber concerning the delay and explained that our focus was Kendal's functionality in everyday life. Some of the skills that she is being evaluated for are not so important to me (standing on one foot for 3 seconds, kicking a ball 7 feet, throwing underhand, etc.) because I feel like these skills will come as time permits. I am more concerned about the skills she needs for everyday living (walking up stairs). Amber totally understood and supports us in our goals for Kendal.

To me, her progress seems so amazing. This is a totally different child (mobility-wise) from even 8 months ago. I was concerned that TEIS would kick us off the program because she has done so well, but to qualify, Kendal had to have at least a 25% delay and now that she is diagnosed I think she is automatically covered.

For those that aren't familiar, TEIS (Tennessee Early Intervention System) helps coordinate early intervention services with delayed or special needs children. This has been really nice because they contract with independent therapists that can come to our house. TEIS has been very helpful because they cover our co-pays for our insurance coverage that we would normally have for each session. We calculated it would be approx. $320-$400/month just in co-pays. TEIS is only available from birth to 3 years of age. After 3, the child can receive their therapies in the school systems. Usually 4 days a week, 3 hours a day, the child will be with other children that need services and will receive therapy most often in a group session. Kendal has 5 months before she is taken off TEIS, and we are not sure what we will do after that point.

Tomorrow evening Donnetta will be coming over for a visit. We haven't seen her in 3 weeks, but we are pleased with that extra day that we now have since we have changed her visits to once per month. We were growing quite attached to her and enjoyed seeing her and talking about what was going on with Kendal - but that extra day a week off now really gives us a break.

Guess who didn't get any calls from any doctors today.......ME!!! I will have to email Kendal's neurologist again tomorrow.