We eat out, see movies, shop, “walk” the mall, attend the theater (usually to see musicals, though we have seen other stuff, like a comedian) attend church activities, listen to audio books, attend educational seminars (which I enjoy, since I finally get some educational enlightenment), attend state fairs, rodeos, museums, concerts, play card games, watch YouTube, browse the internet, read the scriptures. We do many of these things as a family (some family activities are silly, like an annual pancake cook-off or “themed” dinners, & some more serious, like “FHE”–time once a week to gather as a family for “Family Home Evening” & we can share our spiritual side).

We also do stuff alone. Like I journal, organize things, scrapbook, and do things on my computer or iPad, indoors, while mk does woodworking, & enjoys many outdoor activities, like he puts on amazing firework shows, hikes, camps, plays tennis, & plays paintball–though our kids are usually involved in these activities!

My double vision has improved. U can write normal, though I won’t complain if u write in a larger size! My iPad blows up font, my computer can speak what’s written, I have a large moniter (so small font looks big) & since my eye muscles seem stronger (probably ffrom daily use of my iPad mini), while I still have double vision, I have “gotten used to it”, & can usually read smaller font—as small as size 11, if my contacts aren’t yucky!

My left hand likes to curl as well, but I straighten my hand (I hold it down & strap it- w/the 2 Velcro strips that are attached to my chair, 1 at the wrist & one at the knuckles) everytime I get in my chair.

Let me explain: years ago, my “paralyzed” (my hand feels stuff, but it can’t move voluntarily) left hand was annoying me, so as a joke, mk strapped it down. but I loved it, so I always do it now! It’s probably bad that I can’t use it’ but ii has it’s pros & cons, & for me, the pros outweigh that 1 con!

Then when I was getting my permobile w/c, the sales guy saw my Velcro strap, & said he could put a permanent one on my new w/c, cuz the w/c company sells these Velcro straps that attach to the chair (though thx goodness my mom sews so well & was able to switch to some heavy duty Velcro, cuz I put a LOT of strain on these little straps!)

Looking at the bottom of my left hand

Looking at the side of my left hand

Looking at the bottom of my left hand

Anyway, here’s my pros for using a Velcro strap on my ?paralyzed? hand::
1. It’s such a headache having to constantly guard my left hand everytime I laugh & sneeze (cuz my arm contracts into my body, & falls off the armrest)!
2. It does allow me to use what left side strength I have (think in the left shoulder). With it, I can straighten my arms to lift my butt & move it right, forward, & back. But w/o it, my hand falls off of the armrest, so I don’t have the leverage to lift myself!
3. It also allows me to lean forward (say to scratch my foot) & “catch myself” so I don’t fall out of my chair.

Yes, I speak daily, but how much I speak depends on the day. There are weeks where talking comes easy (especially in my house) & I mostly speak all day long. But there are days where I have to really work hard to get going, so I’ll get lazy & sign 20-50% of the time. I speak louder & best in my home, but no matter where I am, I need to “warm up,” so the 1st few things I say are harder to get out, tend to be quite delayed, & are not as clear. However, if I lay back, or get a bigger breath, I clear up.

My music therapist is trying to strengthen my “normal” speaking voice, so I use it instead of my “forced” voice. So, I have been asked to sign instead of force myself to talk, but to speak as much as possible in my “natural” voice. I don’t know if I do this as well as I should though. I don’t really stop like my therapist wants, cuz I love talking! (My favorite thing to do is if my kids play the “quiet game”, I like to make noise & be the 1st one out, just cuz I can! Lol). But if I say something, & am asked to repeat it, since I tend to force things if I have to repeat things, I sign it, usually, so I don’t strain my voice. When I was briefly in Utah for the 4th of July, my father-in-law (who last saw me in like Feb.) commented how while I speak less in quantity, the quality I’m speaking is amazingly different!

The more I work on strengthening my natural voice, the clearer I get. I now can usually speak in the car (well, I get lazy w/mk, & sign more to him), & I feel confident enough to speak around friends, strangers, & acquaintances, since most understand me (especially if I’m in my home), & if I’m not understood, I’ve become quite confident in my writing abilities! The key to understanding me is to focus on what I mean & the overall statement, rather than figuring out every word as I am saying it, cuz some words are clear, while others are not, so if u focus on those few words u understood, u can usually get the idea!

What is horse therapy?

Equine (“horse”) therapy is kind of like physical therapy, but i ride a horse instead of bounce & balance on a ball. sometimes i work on core strength/abs. sometimes the horse just stands there as i balance, & she stretches me, or we talk. once i had to twist & reach to do some upper body work.

This is from the newsletter for Red Arena (where I ride my horse, sven):

The movement of the horse can increase low tone for many reasons. The rhythmic movement of the horse can be stimulating to the proprioceptive system which helps the entire neuromuscular system engage. Combined with the momentum of the horse walking, in which the trunk muscles must activate to keep the core upright and adjust to the weight shift through the rider’s pelvis. You can actually see improvement in postural alignment during and after being on the horse. It’s just amazing how the horses movement can have such a broad impact, and there is no other piece of “equipment” that can replicate this and have the bonus of impacting the rider’s confidence, communication, self-esteem and mobility.