Wednesday, November 19, 2008

3 Steps Forward...

and 2 steps back. Sometimes it feels like 3 steps back and that we are starting all over. Grace finished her September Conductive Education doing really well. Sitting up well, walking well, great attitude. Now she is afraid to sit up, she is complaining about her right leg and has become most difficult at times to get along with (especially with me). I was feeling so great about things in September. We had the right therapists, the right equipment and things were really, really moving forward. And now I fell like I just can't do it all! Is this the way it is with CP? I guess I thought things would always continue to get better. I guess I really don't know what I'm doing or what to expect from this journey. I guess I feel like I'm letting everyone...especially Grace...down.

11 comments:

Holly said...

Your trying everything you can for your children. Don't be too hard on yourself. Our kids will do what they want when they want. Maybe this is just a terrible 3's thing?

Hoping you find strength and confidence. I'll be thinking of you.

Anonymous said...

Just stopping in and hoping to leave some encouragement. Other parents who know are your BEST source and support for your fears. Check out some of the other parent blogs at my site, under The Commons.

Hope you are feeling better by the time you read this. Barbara

Melissa said...

I feel the same way sometimes!! Nathan hasn't really made too much progress in over a year. I guess maybe I am expecting too much or maybe I am not doing enough with him to help him progress in the right direction. Oh the never ending guilt. *sigh*

Jackie said...

I don't know that much about CP but I do know that a good mother loves her children and does what she can to make their lives better. And that's what you are doing.

Will pray for you (even moreso) during this difficult time.

Mel said...

I too am realizing how difficult it is to see your child take those steps back! Crew has something quirky going on with his right leg. So frustrating.

AZ Chapman said...

sorry no help here sending hugs through

CP and Me said...

I'm sorry that you're in this place right now. I definitely think it's just something that kids go through (all kids I think, not just those with special needs) but it sucks. Hannah went through some really rough stages where she refused to walk in her walker and do pretty much anything independently. It felt like it lasted forever even though I think it was only a few weeks. Hannah was pulling up in her crib regularly this summer but hasn't done it for awhile now. Her PT suggested maybe she grew and it's harder for her to pull herself up so she has to adjust to this new leg length. Maybe Grace is going through a growth spurt and that's affecting her sense of balance/security with her new found skills and maybe also why her leg hurts? The good news is that she has attained those skills and since she is such a smart and motivated cookie, she'll get them back again. Maybe she just needs some time to rest up and conserve energy while she grows.

Hang in there, you really are doing everything you can and sometimes we just need to sit back and wait while our kids do things in their own time.

Billie said...

This has TOTALLY been our experience and we're kinda in a slump right now too...right at a time when I had been feeling like everything was going so well!

Try to keep in mind, that when you take 3 steps forward, and only two back, you're still ONE STEP AHEAD!

I also frequently remind myself that "this too shall pass."

Keep your chin up:)
Billie

Susie Mallett said...

I have just read your posting about Conductive Education blocks and steps forwards and back. My name is Susie Mallett, I am a conductor ( British, Petö Institute trained 1989-93) and I have been concerned for a long time about what happens to the children and families once a summer camp is over. This is one reason why I have recently offered my services for "Doing a Dina "( see my blog).
I am now inspired by your posting, and the comments you have received on the subject, to write something about this on my own blog, it will appear in the next couple of days.

Your last sentence concerns me most of all. There is often a need for a lot more support for families who have attended a Conductive Education block. Many parents see so much progress and often don't know what to do next. How can they know unless they are shown, guided, taught. Is the support network enough after such a block?
What could be made better for families once they return home? How do we keep the ball rolling?
These are some of many questions that I will be asking on my blog soon. Maybe between us we will be able to answer some of them.
I have been reading your blog for quite a while now and as a conductor it is very interesting for me to read a family's eye view of a life with Conductive Education in it.
Susie
wwww.konduktorin.blogspot.com

BusyLizzyMom said...

Hugs. You do so much for Grace already and you are raising 2 other children at the same time. I don't think the guilt ever stops you are not alone.

We find with every growth spurt Elizabeth goes back as she gets used to her new body, she goes from miserable, sleepless to being beyond clumsy.

Laszlo said...

Hi, I am Lszlo Szogeczki, CET,

I just want to share that I have seen many children, adults having a graet development result later because they have had a 'pouse' between blocks. There was no official research on this but honestly, I experienced it many times, so I discussed it with collegaues. Probably the nervous system take thigs on board during that period. So, I look forward reading your next report in the future how it really went after you were back in next block. My best, Laszlo