Though we haven't actually begun construction on the Ian Wing of our house, he now has enough equipment to warrant at least drawing up the blueprints. Lately he has been unable to sit on the couch alone because he keeps trying to jump up and can really only go about 2 steps before crashing. We had been sitting him on the floor if we had to be away from him just to try to keep him safe. So, we thought a more comfortable option would be this "pea pod", which he tolerates, if not loving it. It's a bit of a tight squeeze getting him in and out, but it has to be more comfortable than propping him up against pillows that he then slides away from.
After struggling for months to get around, trying to help him walk, but barely able to hold him up, we FINALLY got his wheelchair. Clayton was able to get him around pretty well walking, but I really couldn't help him much more than maybe walking from one room to another. It put a huge amount of responsibility on Clayton since I couldn't help him much at church or anywhere else we went. I really couldn't take both kids anywhere by myself. We began working on getting the chair in January and finally, the last couple of days of May (just too late to help his poor aides getting him on and off the bus and around at school), we got it. It's taken some adjustment and it wasn't his favorite at first, but it has been such a huge blessing! And I think he enjoys that it actually gives him a little bit more freedom and independence (if that makes sense): he doesn't have to always be connected to Mom or Dad. He is also able to use it to sit at the keyboard in his room and "play" music as well as sitting at his velcro toy table to look at books or play with his musical toys. With the attachable tray, we are also able to feed him more easily at restaurants and on picnics. It has been a true blessing!
The last piece is his "new" stander. His physical therapist, Scott, was able to find this as a donation. We were skeptical about this style, fearing he'd be pounding his head against the back constantly, but he has really enjoyed it. He loves being able to stand and watch TV again -- that has always been his favorite TV-watching set up. The tray also makes it possible to put things up for his hands to play with while he stands or watches. And I really feel like it has already made a difference in his posture and muscle tone -- it is ironically a bit easier for me to walk with him places now that he has this additional adaptive equipment.
Anyway, with all these new toys, our living room is pretty full. Maybe it's time for a bigger place… :)
