April 30th

The saying is “April showers will bring May flowers”, but with Ashley we are wondering if “April voicing and letter/word patterning will bring May speech”. That statement may be premature, but given the strides Ashley has made so far this year it is not out of the question.

Ashley has been more vocal and she is increasing the number of letters and even whole words that she is forming. Add to that the increased amount and regularity of vocalizing and it looks promising.

Just three months ago the speech therapist was coming down to watch Ashley in the pool during physical therapy because she was vocalizing and the therapist want to hear her (we think the water pressure on her diaphragm made it easier to push air through her vocal cords). Now Ashley is voicing up each day in speech therapy.

Physical strength is also continuing to improve. Ashley is now often able to stand up and balance from her wheelchair without assistance. While there is still tone in her right arm she is showing an broader range of control of not only that arm, but also her fingers.

In the past week Ashley was able raise up from all fours to balancing on her knees. In addition to that she then pulled on a ‘thera-band’ with her left arm. The therapists were impressed with her ability to maintain her balance while also repeatedly pulling on the resistive device.

Yesterday Ashley wrapped up another round of serial casting on her right ankle. For three weeks she had casts placed on that lower leg twice a week in an effort to improve the range of the ankle. The measurements following the castings were not all that great, but time will tell now that it is off as she begins walking with the same shoes on both feet.

Later today we will be off to visit Grandma and Grandpa who recently returned to the Hoosier state from the Sunshine state. This will be the first time they have seen Ashley since October and she is ready to show them the progress she has made.