Bob Man Walking!

Video of Bob in PT

Dear Bob, Today is Friday, July 3, 2009. We always start our morning with speech exercises: calendar practice, personal information practice, naming body/face parts practice. We do these exercises not because you don't know them, but so that you'll be able to name them accurately every time. You see, part of your aphasia is that you know the correct answer-but the wrong word comes out when you try to retrieve language. All of your therapists say to you everyday that accuracy comes with "repetition, repetition, repetition". The other night you asked me if I could "please give me your liver" and that frustrated you. We finally figured out that you were trying to say, "please give me a blanket". That was a good thing because handing over my liver was more than I could handle after our long day.

    I added this video of you learning to move your right leg so that our friends and family can see how hard you're working at trying to regain use of your right side. While moving my leg seems so natural, it is an excruciating exercise for you. Part of the difficulty is that you haven't used many muscles on your right side in over two months so they're not used to working. Every day, however, you're getting stronger and stronger. 

   Yesterday Dr. Summer had you walk the halls of the hospital without your walker. I pulled the walking table in front of you just out of your reach in case you needed support but she wouldn't let you hang onto it. Dr. Summer walked behind you and guided your legs. Whoo-hoo! You're learning to trust your body. 

   Today was a big accomplishment! You wanted to try showering on your own! So, Bob, I just spotted for you while you soaped yourself and rinsed yourself. I only had to help you a little. You were so proud of yourself!  

  Well Bob, have a great day! Keep working hard! I love you! 

Dear Friends,

Since we can't travel this summer, please send postcards from your travels so that we can live vicariously. Bob needs your positive thoughts. Tell him: 

BOB, WE BELIEVE IN YOU! Go man, Go!

 

Our address is: 28935 Glenrock Place, Highland, CA 92346

Love, the most wonderful love of your life,

Sharon