Saturday, July 23, 2011

Josie gets a Gait Trainer

Although she's made a lot of progress in the physical therapy department, Miss Josie still has a ways to go when it comes to mobility.  Her wonderful physical therapist, Bea, attributes her hesitation to both her excessively content temperament (she's happy where she's at - no need to rock the boat) and her extreme cautiousness (the kid's not much of a risk taker). 

That's why we were so excited when Bea arrived this week with an extra special gift for Josie: a snazzy red gait trainer!  This little device is designed to promote proper positioning and encourage mobility for kiddos who can confidently stand but need a little extra encouragement taking steps. 
Josie checking out her new wheels

Initially, Josie *ahem* wasn't crazy about this new idea.  To say she resisted would be the understatement of the year.  If she could talk, I'm pretty sure we would need lots of these types of symbols $*#!@* to explain what she was saying to Bea.
@#!%&!

Our physical therapy session quickly morphed into cuddle therapy.  I guess that Bea missed that day in PT school when they were taught how to resist the charming manipulations of cute children who prefer not to practice their skills and abilities. But you can't really blame Bea.  In my lifetime of experience, I can confidently assert that kiddos with Down syndrome are born with a PhD in charming manipulation tactics!
Josie is a card carrying expert

But we finally succeeded in coaxing Josie into the gait trainer.  Josie ensured we didn't get too cocky in our victory celebrations by sporting her most defiant you-may-have-won-this-battle-but-I-am-still-not-amused face, and clinging to the device for dear life.
But if I know anything about chromosomally enhanced folks, the key to conquering new skills and abilities is a willingness to out-stubborn them.  Hence, Josie has been plopped in her new gait trainer every day and she's actually starting to dig it!
Look Ma - no hands!

While she hasn't figured out how to walk forward, she is getting quite good at pushing herself backward.  Realizing that she's leaving the room, she enthusiastically waves "bye bye" and disappears down the hallway!
Atta girl!

17 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, Josie is so cute! I enjoy about her journey!

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  2. Oh goodness! She is so cute! I can't wait to see her with her little sister.:)

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  3. So cute! We don't have a fancy set of wheels but Jesenia is getting some sure steps on Monday. :)

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  4. Have I mentioned that I'm pretty sure Addy and Josie were completely cut from the same cloth???

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  5. ahh, just love the wave good bye :)

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  6. adorable! She is so cute...
    and Brooke has her PT wrapped around her little finger too..

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  7. Too sweet! It doesn't take them long to figure out how to work their magic on us, does it?

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  8. Adorable and oh so true. Our girls are pretty good at the sympathy when they don't want to do something.

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  9. Oh my!! Way too cute!! LOL about Ms Bea missing that day in her training! hehe Josie is growing so fast!!

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  10. Hey Little Mamma - love the new banner and colors!! Doesn't the little gait trainer come in Diva Pink?? Poor Josie probably would have liked it better if it had been the super deluxe GIRLY model! ;-)

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  11. Piper and Josie share that overly-cautious, annoyingly stubborn, and lacking in self confidence bit... We borrowed a reverse walker from the therapy team, and I SWORE that it worked wonders for her. I think that the combination of letting her know HOW to ambulate and how much FUN it is was the key.

    The only downside we had was that, because it teachers proper posture, it didn't teach her how to waddle. And apparently that's pretty integral. So, if you're having trouble transitioning from the walker to walkING, I'd give it a whirl. We didn't even know about it until we saw the big PT at the hospital, lol...

    Also, I used to take Piper to the mall so she could just go-go-go. She thrives on attention, and, like Josie, she was unbelievably cute in her little walker and caught everyone's eyes. She got so much attention for walking that it was really a positive thing for her.

    Glad you get to play, too! Doesn't seem like tons of therapists use these- not sure why... I bet she starts loving it soon!

    ...can't wait for baby news! :)

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  12. She is so adorable & I agree - she's a charmer! So is miss Ollie - especially at 2-4 AM - she breaks out her sweet grin so she can stay up longer!

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  13. I can't believe how long her hair is getting. And she's so cute modeling in her new gait trainor..She's stylin and profilin.

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  14. Seeing her wave "bye bye" just killed me! Love that girlie!

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  15. Nava has the same ubber content ubber risk adverse personality, so we are totally jealous of Josies wheels!

    Not knocking it at all, I assure you, but can I ask how much your wheels differ from an old school baby walker?

    She looks great!

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  16. Go Josie! Looking snazzy in that gait trainer!

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  17. Hmmmmm wondering if new baby girl has arrived yet....MIA for a few days so makes me wonder!!!
    Sunnie in NC

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