Eclectically Yours,

OT Visit

We've just got back from Ms. D's OT visit. I'm a bit shaky, a bit emotional without really being able to  pin point why.

Ms. D had all sorts of tests. Of course, they didn't seem like tests. They seemed like games. The ones she wasn't so hot in had to do with balance and coordination. She can't really do jumping jacks or any cross coordination type things very well. Very difficult. Balance is an issue. The OT, Marissa, was very thorough I felt. She asked a lot of questions about Ms. D's original issues with walking/crawling and so forth. Did you know how important that whole crawling thing is for babies? It teaches patterns in the brain. Patterns they need later. Marissa was surprised that our PT that helped Ms. D with her walking issues didn't go back and really try to teach Ms D those patterns before teaching her to walk. You know, that really goes to show a person really really needs to research. We were just thrilled at the time that Ms. D was walking! Who knew there was more to it? I feel like we should of. Ah, the parental "blame game". At any rate, Marissa also explained to us how the eyes and  motor skills work together. I asked once again why this type of thing wasn't "caught" before. Marissa explained that the whole developmental optometry in connection with motor skills thingy (Marissa doesn't say "thingy", but I do) is rather a newer study and the surface is only just being scratched. 

I knew that Ms. D was behind physically. I knew she had some sensory issues. But really, they weren't getting in the way of her life to any large extent. So she doesn't ride a bike yet. Someday. So she isn't as active as other kids. It would come. She's just behind. As long as I saw some progress I was okay. And I always saw progress. Not every kid has to be at "grade level" or "developmental level", right? Her life wouldn't be ruined, right? And, while I figured it was a separate issue, the reading aspect concerned me, but her vision was 20/20 and reading has nothing to do with physical issues. I would continue to find ways of working with her and keeping her progress in a forward motion. But there was a inner sense of bafflement. Was I doing enough? It appeared so. The doctor's thought so.

And then I figured out quite by chance that the two issues were very likely connected. Do you know how close I came to NOT figuring that out?? I would've NEVER have figured out Ms. D's convergence insufficiency issue if it wasn't for the online forum I visit. In particular when someone posted their fear with their childs reading. I happened to read it. Someone else happened to post, and it happened to make me think and act. And now we possibly have an answer to Ms. D's reading issues. And even if she never eats up books like a crazy person we will know we've done what we can.

In addition, on another homeschooling forum I entered the Special Needs section. I never go there, and, feeling silly because these parents are dealing with HUGE issues in their children, I posted Ms. D's convergence insufficiency issues. And got some incredible advice. Helpful suggestions. And great information. I happened to add some information about Ms. D's early proprioception/Sensory Integration issues. Someone happened to reply that I should look into that further and what to look for. In particular an OT who specializes in Sensory Processing Disorder. They didn't have to post that extra information. But they did.

And I think this is were I get emotional. I almost didn't figure this out. I didn't realize how badly I needed to figure out what was really wrong. I thought we'd just never really have an answer...that it would always be vague. That we'd done what we could. We just compensated. Now I realize we don't need to just compensate. We can help her. And I'm really, really, happy. And really, really, thankful. I'm happy that even if she never LOVES reading, she'll have a chance to get those eyes corrected. And even if she never really LOVES to ride a bike, she's going to actually be able to do it some day. She's got the options now. She can take them if she wants.

So how many kids are walking around without options? I'm told by several specialists that it is highly unlikely a public school situation would've caught the convergence insufficiency. She would've just had reading problems. Learning disabilities. Or she would just be lazy. Or not trying hard enough. Not concentrating. I'm also told today by the OT that if Ms. D's problems hadn't been diagnosed this early it is unlikely a lot of help could be given. (Her opinion) So what if I hadn't asked questions? What if Ms. D just thought she was clumsy? Or uncoordinated? Or just not good at physical stuff? Yes, I know, people walk through life just like that all the time and they are fine.  Aren't they? What if they didn't have to walk through life like that? What if they got answers, too? And, I think, this is where I get a bit emotional, too. What if's.

Word To My Mother

This is must letting my public know, and in particular my mother, that I have survived the removal of my lower right wisdom tooth.

The trepidation of this fairly common and minor occurrence in many people's lives is compounded by the fact that 1) I had put it off a YEAR (made and canceled appointments that is, to be fair not all cancellations were on my end) and 2) my mother's voice (who could have written the Worst Case Scenario Book) in my head warning me of the consequences of "going under", a botched surgery and the fact that my Aunt Elaine has lived w/her wisdom teeth just fine all these years.

Despite my deep fear of putting all sorts of junk in my system to anesthetize, despite my panic, (and the ortho surgeons rear- covering warnings) that I may loose some feeling in either gum, cheek, or tongue due to the close proximity of a nerve that my tooth was resting on, I survived.

Once the wee little nose mask was put around my head and attached firmly, I found myself breathing very shallowly, trying to take little breaths so as not to inhale all of that nitrous oxide. (see above dire warnings) But ya know, after a minute or two I had the loveliest sensation. And my surgeon and those nurses became suddenly very witty people. They should blog. My fear that I would utter untoward things in their presence suddenly didn't matter at all. I recall thinking it wasn't too hard to keep my mouth shut despite the urge to divulge everything in my life that suddenly stuck me funny (including that rather embarrassing time my husband...well, never mind...) Then again, when the mask was pulled off I had this weird feeling I had misplaced a 1/2 hour in five minutes. Which I did. So who knows what was said?

If all goes well, that silly little ortho surgeon will be taking out my right wisdom tooth in the near future. They didn't do both at the same time due to the afore mentioned nerves and afore mentioned fears. Well, they've got nothing to worry on the later any more.

In fact, I'm quite looking forward to going back.