Another good day and no weird adoption comments to report :)
Today we started practicing some ABR techniques on each other; I guess they want us to get the feel of it before we actually do it on our kids. We also met with the ABR director and she gave us a full evaluation of Ruby. They videotaped her and took all kinds of pictures so that when we go to Chicago (there is an ABR satellite there) for more training then we can compare the pictures to see her progress. During the evaluation the director, Annie, did tell us that Ruby has a fairly severe case of cerebral palsy. Because of her brain damage, her skeletal structure has collapsed in many places, leaving her body very weak and distorted. This was not news to us; we know Ruby is incredibly weak. But, we were very excited to hear they are confident Ruby will get stronger because of ABR. She also said it is a positive thing that Ruby is so young. This is the first time a therapist or doctor has given us this kind of hope for Ruby; it was such a blessing to hear. By the way, this therapy has nothing to do with her seizures, it can't get rid of them, but it will help to get the structure of her body closer to normal. We are working on attacking those dumb seizures with other stuff. I will take another post to thoroughly explain ABR, but I want to make sure I get it right, so it will have to be at another time.
We enjoyed lunch with the couple from Florida again and it sounds like we might go to an indoor zoo with them tomorrow, after training, and then meet up with another family at our hotel later tomorrow night. It has been fun getting to know other families and I think we will stay somewhat connected via the internet when we all go home.
Ruby has been fantastic on the trip so far and Mark and I are really enjoying time together, although we both miss our little Charlie. It sounds like he is getting spoiled at Grandpa and Grandma's house; I am sure he doesn't even realize we have been gone :)
Thanks again for your prayers! God is good and we are blessed by all of you!
I will post more tomorrow....good night!
3 comments:
I'm so excited to hear that things are going well. What a wierd lady yesterday! How awesome is it to connect to other families going through a lot of the same stuff. Enjoy your time and practice/learn a ton.
I'm also excited to read more about your timei in Montreal! I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers; I still remember holding tiny Ruby in the orphanage in Ethiopia; praying you could come soon to get her. Now I pray for strength for all of you to help her walk this road that is in front of her.
Kelli,
I am so glad things are going well for you guys! We are praying for Ruby and that this treatment will help her significantly. Just wanted to let you know we are reading and praying. :)
Hugs,
E
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