Is that your final answer?

March 20, 2011

It’s no secret that neither Annette or I make many quick decisions. Annette is very thorough in researching problems, possible answers, what others say, how it effects other aspects, etc. Me, I’m normally just stubborn. I drag my feet at things I’m not convinced over for one reason or another. Today, when choosing a new paint color for the basement, we jumped at the one that both of us thought “wasn’t too bad.” (but only the sample size.) That’s what makes the speed of what happened for Nathan this week all the more surprising.

Annette has looked into many different possibilities for how to utilize summer break for Nathan. One option she found is conductive learning through a facility named Brighter Beginnings, in Marysville, OH. The woman who started the facility used to take her daughter to Canada for multi-week sessions at a time, but with other children at home, travelling all the time became too prohibitive. A similar facility opened up in Cleveland, but still the distance was just too much to handle, so she started her own facility, knowing it could help others as well.

“Conductive Education molds physical activities with cognitive tasks, emphasizes communication and places the individuals in group settings to stimulate their senses and body on multiple levels, which maximizes active learning and functionality. Conductive Education is offered in various group and individual settings in North America. Its professionals are the Conductors/Conductive Education Teachers, who hold a bachelor/master degree in Conductive Education and regular education teaching. Conductive Education focuses on the child's/adult's potential and ultimately attempts to shift the disabled personality to a physically and emotionally independent mind set regardless of the equipment they may or may not use for the long or short term. Depending on the age group in Conductive Education, the Conductors introduce individualized problem solving methods which are followed by a very consistent and functional practice. As a result the student/adult realize their success which helps them to stay motivated and physically and cognitively active during their every day routine.”
— Taken from www.acena.org.

Annette scheduled the evaluation which was took place last Monday. One of the rules is the kids are to walk in and out of the sessions on their own. They are permitted to use walkers or assistive devices, but no one is supposed to be carried, pushed in a stroller or wheelchair. The student is expected to do it on his/her own.

We made the drive in a little under an hour, got Nathan’s AFOs on his feet, got the walker out of the car and set it up on the sidewalk about halfway to the door, hoping he’d be willing to move it the rest of the way on his own. Nathan was more than happy to oblige, as his feet were moving before I could get the straps connected in the back.

We went in for the evaluation and for the first time, that either Annette or I could remember, Nathan didn’t play possum at all, and eagerly showed all the ladies (yes, all females) what he could do. He worked with the two conductors for around 30 minutes as Annette and I talked with the mother in charge in the waiting/observation room. We discussed the daily schedule, how the class setting works and what different options are. Our only concerns were how Nathan would react with other kids in the room since he’s so nosy at any situations where watching kids is an option.

There was one other possibility, they offer an afterschool session for two hours a night, 5 days a week for two weeks, which had almost immediate openings. During the long ride home we discussed what we thought, running through the logistics, costs, schedules, etc. and came up with an answer within 24 hours. Annette made the call and we’re all set up to start tomorrow.

The timing works out well as this week is Nathan’s spring break and he doesn’t have any other therapies this week. We can see what kind of toll the training would take on him. It shouldn’t be as demanding as the intensive PT was, but it would still be a lot more physical activity than he’s getting on a day-to-day basis now. Once we get through this week, we’ll reintroduce school and it’s a short week with a teacher professional day on Friday, the last scheduled day of the session.

The cost is very reasonable for the dedicated time of two conductors working with him the whole time. It’s crazy to think that the cost of gas maybe higher than the cost of therapy (and any parent paying for therapy, knows the irony there.) Still the rewards should more than pay for itself more sooner than later.

Sometimes quick decisions pay off, and we really don’t see any negatives worth worrying over at this point. Hopefully Nathan will agree. He’ll build new skills, new mindsets and have more things to show off, before Easter rolls around. (Probably a lot sooner than we’ll get the basement painted.)

Back to previous postings