Abby update - January 26

I thought you’d enjoy seeing a photo from Abby’s big news of the day. She had a great time riding Merlin at the A.W.A.R.E. riding therapy center in San Marcos! It was great to see her on a horse and she did really well! After a few times around the arena, they allowed her to trot and even to ride some portions without a lead rope on him. Another teenage girl (who has ridden there for 11 years) and Abby had lessons at the same time, so they had the two girls ride through an obstacle course, play “Red light, green light,” do some horseback exercises, and then even had a practice equitation class. At the end Abby even dismounted on her own. Merlin is a wonderful horse for her, and I think this is going to be wonderful therapy for her!

Abby also had a good day at therapy at St. David's. The occupational and physical therapists today were really working on her balance and core strength (two items that horseback riding will also help). She bounced on a trampoline, threw heavy balls, carried buckets, did yoga, rode a stationary bike, balanced on a teeter board, and practiced swinging her hands while walking. As I look back, she's come a long way in one week. Her walking is much more smooth and natural now, and her balance is much better (a week ago she had trouble standing on one foot--no problem now!). She also did a very good job remembering and comprehending some reading today (She's reading our friend Andy Sansom's book, Scout the Christmas Dog.)

In addition to her three regular therapies, she also had pool therapy today (horseback riding and swimming in one day--sounds like summer camp!). She's able to swim using crawl, breast, and back-stroke, although she still needs some work making the strokes strong and efficient. I really like getting in the pool at St. David's too!

Anyway, as you can imagine, we're looking forward to a little rest this weekend. Abby will be glad to let Frank, who has a basketball double-header on Saturday, take center stage for a couple of days...Let the weekend begin!

Love,
-the Linams

P.S. Now that I'm getting things organized on my computer, I'll try to slip a few more pictures in--perhaps even some from earlier in Abby's recovery.