Georgia's stay at Children's will soon be over but her therapist team is not wasting any time before she leaves. All three disciplines (PT/OT/Speech) really put G threw her paces today - twice in fact, with a little bonus session in what's called the "Gait Lab".
Normally, Georgia gets a chance to power-nap b/w her therapy sessions but not today. After her am work-outs, Georgia got wheeled straight down to a high-tech studio in Children's Lower Level. In this "blue room", dozens of cameras and computers track a patient's every move as therapists have them go through various exercises. It's the same technology used to monitor professional athletes and make those super-realistic animations you see on Xbox. Children's facility is actually one of the top 5 most advanced such labs in the world! (if you're really interested, check here: http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/pro/MakingitBetter/gaitlab.aspx). While Georgia is still too young to get the whole work-up (& besides, who wants electrodes stuck all over their body - definitely, not her!), getting the test done even on a limited basis still has many benefits.
They ended up videotaping her w/just a few of the floor cameras (no electrodes), so that her docs and therapists have a baseline to evaluate her future progress and also develop exercises to improve her motor function as she gets older. You can even see in the clips below how much better she walks w/her SMAFO (small ankle brace) and sneaks vs. just her bare feet. You may also notice that G uses her left arm quite a bit as a "wing" when she walks. She does this to help stabilize herself and it should lessen w/increased therapy. Finally, you'll see that Georgia had to strip down to her diapers to do the tests. That was so they could see her back and leg muscles as she walked. Nothing gets overlooked. Once again, she put aside the indignities required and knocked out the taping like a pro. In fact if you listen closely, you can hear her say: "Dr. Gallagher, I'm ready for my close-up." :)
And good thing too, 'cause right after taping she had to get upstairs, grab lunch and get right back to her therapy sessions - there's just no rest for the weary (or champs like Georgia!).
Mission Control
1st Pass (pardon the skivvies)
2nd Pass (still going strong)
Sprints! (thankfully w/shoes)
WOW WOW WOW!! Safe travels home today! Can't wait till you are all settled back at the homestead! XOOXOXXOXOXOXO Caitlin and gang! Again enjoyable and inspirational viewing!
ReplyDeleteShe is doing so great in her walking!! And running!!! What a trooper!!! I know you can't wait to get home. And that Lil's smile is a heart breaker!
ReplyDeleteTalk soon...you're out of there today, right?
We want the videos to continue from home!
XOXOXO!
Amazing! Little G you are doing such a great job and it's only 3 weeks post-op. Your East Coast fans are cheering you on! My little J is a big fan of yours and can't wait to meet you (again). You are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI love the glimpses of Lil and you can see even at such a young age how proud she is of Georgia and how much she wants to join in.
Keep strong you guys. You are in our thoughts and prayers. I look forward to seeing many more breathtaking videos now that Georgia is back home. Good luck today/tonight on your first night back home.