As some of you know we took Riley to California this last week to a therapist there named Anat Baniel. She has developed a method of therapy that is really supposed to help kids with physical as well as mental special needs. The experience was really enlightening. When we first got there Riley was doing some pretty cool stuff. She had him so flexible it was amazing, she had him putting all of his weight on his feet, his feet weren't flexed the whole time we were there which is quite an accomplishment. We also learned a lot about Riley, like the fact that when he is making noise he is trying to tell us something and not just making noise for the heck of it and that he is extremely spoiled! (Ha ha) We were able to learn some new ways to communicate with him which has made a huge difference in his personality. We were going to keep going with it but there is only one girl in this area and she only does it one weekend a month which isn't enough. They also wanted us to take him out of all of his other therapy which Clint and I both didn't get a very good feeling about. The therapists here in Idaho have done wonders with him and we didn't see enough of a result with Riley down there to have that much faith in it. We just don't feel like it is the right time for us to do this but we were very glad that we went.
We did get to go and do some sight seeing while we were there which was fun. We were in San Rafael which is just across the bay from San Francisco. We took the ferry over to San Francisco one day and man those ferry's go fast! We started out really slowly but then all of the sudden we were going like fifty miles an hour. We had to move under because we were getting blown away. Clint and Haley stayed out in the open of course and Haley thought she had died and gone to heaven! She loved that ferry! We went to Pier 39 to see the Sea Lions and we had dinner there which was very good seafood. Clint got ribs and double fries which I am sure that doesn't surprise anyone. We also went to see the Golden Gate Bridge and for some reason we didn't get out and walk on it. Clint was too focused on not dying driving in a big city that we just turned around and drove back over it again. Needless to say him and his parents were a little overwhelmed by how big and busy it was down there. I, on the other hand, thought it was beautiful and wouldn't mind living there. I don't have all of the pictures but I do have a few of the San Francisco trip. And for those of you coming to Idaho for Emily's Baptism we have a little video of Riley that we are going to show of some of his sessions. Enjoy!
3 comments:
I don't want to bug you, but I don't think you should give up on this therapy for Riley. You have to think of him like a stroke victim, that take MANY months to RE-learn things, but that he needs to LEARN these things for the first time! He's never been that relaxed (his feet etc) and you said he was doing so well! It's going to take months & months of therapy to help him, & for him to remember it, but with the progress you saw, I think it's worth it. I know it's a lot, but Riley's worth it! The therapists are very busy which should be a good sign that people are seeing progress & are still going. I'd get in when you can & then get on the schedule. You can keep him in his regular therapy until you can get in with one of the other therapists & then trade over. Don't be mad, but that's just my feelings.
I'm glad that you all had an enjoyable trip sightseeing and all in addition to the therapy. It's so hard to know what is best to do for your kids. You always want to do everything you can, but you also don't want to feel like you're throwing your hard-earned money down the toilet. Trust me- I understand. I think you should post this video on your blog- I'd love to check it out too!
looks like you had fun! glad that it helped riley! Tayte's therapists at kids who count are always asking me if I've heard from you or how riley is doing so now i can tell them about this trip for you guys!
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