Short note...

Just a quick note about Izzy's day.
She worked with the statewide vision specialist today.
She said she could see improvement in Izzy's vision and was interested in the program we are doing.  Her exact words were, "it's working, keep it up."  
She also told me she went with her to speech therapy where Izzy worked on the 'm' sound.  She said Izzy made the sound successfully and did nice work there.  
We are still doing three sessions a day.  Matt said that Izzy was mad when he woke her up at 5:30 this morning, she didn't want to do the program ... I don't blame her.
She is doing good with the program and we are all adjusting to this schedule.  Hopefully we will soon be adding another session per day.

This & that....

I keep intending to take the camera to school and get a picture of Isabelle there, but it just hasn't happened yet...
Life is beginning to feel normal again. All the kids are in school and our routine is being established. We have moved up to two sessions a day of Isabelle's program and plan to go to three in the next couple of days. Laura came on her lunch hour Tuesday to help pattern Izzy and my dad has been coming some afternoons. Laura is putting a sign up sheet out at church to recruit more volunteers. We've been told that the program is most successful when there is a lot of help. They talked about a family in New Zealand who live in a town with only a few hundred people, but that everyone in that town helps out. I tend to try to manage and do everything on my own, but I think Izzy will benefit from having lots of helping hands so we'll see what happens.
School is going well again this year for Isabelle. She is in her same class with her teachers from last year. We both love them all! She has p.t. with Camilla who we love as well! We have truly been blessed with wonderful people all around us. We are blessed and highly favored.
Izzy is doing great! She will start horse riding again in a few weeks. We are trying to coordinate our schedules with our friends in Ponca to get more dives in. Hopefully we will be heading to Ponca next week for a couple of days.
I cannot wait until I can write an update about how Isabelle crawled across the floor, or walked a certain amount of steps. I know that day is coming!

Staying busy...

We are continuing to stay busy with Isabelle. Her new program continues to get easier and we are gradually getting things done so that the front room can be her "therapy room". Our next step will be to recruit some volunteers and do more sessions of her program daily. I know that she is already making improvements and I am excited to see how the next weeks and months go. We're planning a trip to Ponca this week to get in some hbot dives. I have been struck with some kind of allergy thing so I am waiting it out... and my birthday is tomorrow!!! So, we'll probably go Thursday.
I cannot believe school is starting Monday (August 13). The Summer has flown by and I will enjoy having our quiet afternoons back, but also miss having all my little helpers around. The four of them will be in four different schools... Isabelle - Choctaw Elementary spec ed preschool class... Emelia - Westfall Elementary 3rd grade... Bailey - Nicoma Park Junior High... and Amanda - Choctaw High School ... UGH!
We went Monday to pick up Izzy's new AFO's. They are butterfly patterned with purple straps. Quite fashionable foot splints. Today we went to a different dentist for a second opinion. This dentist pretty much agreed with the first, that she needs crowns on every tooth in her mouth. The combination of the grinding right after her accident with the inability to have water without thickener for a time while being fed by mouth has caused her teeth a lot of problems. I brush them probably six times a day or everytime I feed her anything and am now able to rinse with water. She has just recently become able to drink plain water without gagging so that helps... she also takes fluoride tabs... but, it is too little too late. I guess we will try to do it with a sedation cocktail in office and see how that works, otherwise we will have to do it under general anesthetic... I was very upset after the appointment earlier today but Matt reminded me that it is all good and that God is in control. I know that, but it is nice to have a partner in life to help me remember when things seem a little too much ...
Please continue to pray for Izzy's program to help her brain make new pathways and to wake up dormant cells... also please pray for her dental problems to work out.
We appreciate all the prayers offered up for Izzy and our family. It is what has made the biggest difference in this whole situation.

Izzy's new "programme"

Well... we are knee deep into Izzy's new program and it is getting easier. Having said that... it takes about 90 minutes to complete and they would like us to strive for six sessions a day. Our goal (realistic goal) is four sessions per day. We were told to start with one for a week or month or whatever. We decided that we will do one session per day for 21 days (I read somewhere that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit). School will be starting soon which will complicate Izzy's schedule and also take away my helpers during the day hours. In addition to the session(s) we are doing daily, we are doing 30 masking treatments along with CVS flashcards, and also new oral exercises that are done before any feedings.

My goals are:
1. get the front room converted to Izzy's "therapy room"
2. get rid of the big red chair and piano in the front room...

Izzy is supposed to be prone on the floor anytime she is not being fed, loved, or programmed...

Her program looks something like this... This program was tailor made for Isabelle and where she is in her physical abilities at this point.
- spinning in chair
- swinging in blanket
- mask & cvs cards
- ice and vibration to limbs
- head turning
- basic vision
- tracking
- convergence and divergence
- tactiles ABC
- arm unlocking
- homologus patterning
- leg and ankle stretch
- leg loosening
- hip roll
- rolling
- mask and cvs cards
- basic vision
- tracking
- convergence and divergence
- gustatory
- mask & cvs cards
- beckman oral exercises
- swallowing reflex
- rolling
- hip roll
- trunkal patterning
- homologus patterning

Thats about it... each one of these exercises take one to five minutes.

We are seeing little things even after the first week. I am optimistic that we are on the path we need to follow. We continue to put our faith and trust in God, and are eager to do whatever we can to help the process that is Isabelle's healing.

Please pray that Isabelle's brain continues to make new pathways awakening cells to gain control over her body so that she can run and play and dance like she used to.


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Isabelle is 4 years old today!!!

Izzy having some cake!
Blow out the candles!
Izzy's baby
Izzy giving baby a kiss.

AIAHP

Amanda & Matt
Chad Timmerman on the golf cart
Matt "having a go" at a new exercise for Izzy
Tim Timmerman showing us how it's done

We are home from our trip for Izzy's evaluation and our training to carry out her program with the guys from AIAHP. We were thrilled to have experts in this area all the way from Australia to work with us. We learned so much over the last few days.

Izzy did pretty well with the evaluation, basically they just put on paper what we already knew. The good news is we are now armed with exercised and activities to wake up the right parts of her brain! I am very excited to see the changes over the next few months as we make the program work for Isabelle.

Some of you may know that we had already started a "program" based on the information in both Keith Pennock and Doman's books. We found out we had jumped a few stages so we now have a better program made just for Isabelle. Everything from spinning to disco balls to nutrition. It is pretty interesting.

Matt, Amanda and myself had all read the book so we knew a lot of the history and theories behind the program. They said usually the 'dads' don't read the book, so Matt gets a gold star!

Bailey's zoo pics continued...

Sad & Happy Days...

We have continued to stay busy!
Matt's grandmother Jackie died last week. She was 87 years old. Matt lived with her for several years and she was very dear to him. She apparently fell asleep and just didn't wake up. Her favorite food was bing cherries which she happened to have a bowl beside her when she passed away. We all went to her funeral. Matt's cousin Mike spoke and did a really good job sharing memories of Jackie.
Saturday we went with Mike and his wife and daughter along with Ginger and her friend to the ZOO. Izzy did great, she kept her head up the whole time and seemed to enjoy looking at the animals. Bailey was in charge of the camera and the only pictures he took were of landscapes and animals. I am adding a few from him. I was hoping for some shots of people!!!
Speaking of Bailey, he is at photography camp this week. This is part two. He loves to take pictures!
Our biggest news is that we have been doing the brain net stuff with Izzy for over a week and she is doing so well. IT IS HARD!!!! and takes a lot of time! ... but, it is so worth it. She has done many little things that are so encouraging and the people who see her can see changes already happening!
Next week is our evaluation and training with the group from Australia. We are excited to see what we are doing right and wrong and get busy with Izzy.
Some of the things that Izzy has done ...
-During vision/light therapy Matt put the light in her hand and told her to shine it on Emelia and she did!
-During another vision/light therapy, Bailey and Matt were making hand shapes on the wall and noticed Izzy trying to make shapes with her hand too.
-She called out mama while being patterned...
-She is watching her dvd's on the floor while laying prone (as instructed by the aiahp) and cries if the movie ends or the battery dies on her dvd player.
That's all for now... therapy calls...
Here are a few zoo pics courtesy of Bailey...

Izzy with mommy in the morning!










This is a picture of Izzy's left eye. She was born with this brown streak in the blue...
I think it is really neat.








Izzy doing some morning stretching!











Izzy watching her program...

Isabelle's silent auction went very well. Thank you's to everyone who came by and helped. It was such a fun day with so many people who love Izzy. I think we raised about $6000. Mom's cinnamon rolls went over very well. She sold all the 318 that she made! The indian taco's carolyn blair made were also very yummy. Chuck grilled hot dogs and Jackie Catrow brought some baked goodies. There were more than 50 baskets for auction. They all sold. So many creative people!

We went the following day to Tulsa to see Lion King (the musical) with Gram Paula. The kids really enjoyed it. We got home very late, but we were all able to sleep in Monday morning. It was a very good play, a lot of visual and audio stimulation for Isabelle. It lasted close to three hours and she did great.

We're looking forward to July 20 when we have Izzy's evaluation and training to begin her new brain net program.

"Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore." Psalm 113:2

Busy Summer!

This continues to be a busy busy Summer! Amanda is at church camp, I received a text message from her the day she arrived that said, "I'm ready to come home." Bailey is going daily to photography camp and having a blast... Emelia went with me & Izzy to Ponca for hbot. We got in three dives Monday-Tuesday. We had a nice visit and are making plans there for the Australians from aiahp who are coming in July. We'll be making many trips to Ponca to get this round finished in the next month.
Isabelle has been going to see the pt and ot at school on Wednesdays. She is doing really well! As recommended by the aiahp people, I am keeping her on the floor a lot and prone as much as possible (she still hates it!). She is doing great with her head, and following directions. She stood really well today for Camilla and did work with the mirror and colors. Camilla has requested the school system order a walker for Izzy that has a harness. She said that her head control and attentiveness has improved enough to use this piece of equipment. I am excited to see how it works for her.
Mom and Laura are working hard getting the Silent Auction together. It is growing daily... they are even having pony rides and stawberry newport now... along with mom's cinnamon rolls and Ms. Blair's famous indian tacos. It is Saturday, June 24, 11-2 p.m. at the Nicoma Park Community Center. I am hoping for good weather and a good turnout.
Amanda took the better digital camera to camp... so I don't have any new photos of Izzy to post but I will soon. She is growning daily! She is huge... and so healthy. We are so blessed.

AIAHP

Good news... the AIAHP group that we are beginning to work with in July are coming to Oklahoma! That means we don't have to go to PA this time anyway. . . maybe in six months but we'll cross that bridge...
They are coming July 20-22 (tentatively). We are pretty excited about getting started. It will take a lot of time and discipline but we expect the benefits to outweight any hardship.
The first couple of weeks of "Summer" have been pretty uneventful. We've been taking Izzy to the chiropractor, and she starts summer school (pt and ot) tomorrow morning. We hope to head up to Ponca City in the next few days to get some hbot... hopefully at least 20 dives before July 20.
Amanda had a root canal today (ouch)!!!
The silent auction/auction is coming together. It will be Saturday, June 24, 11:00 - 2:00 p.m. at the Nicoma Park Community Center. There will be many themed baskets up for silent auction as well as many larger items to be auctioned. Mom & Laura have been organizing all the details. It has been amazing to hear about all the people who are coming together to help Izzy! There is so much love around us it is amazing.
We are very blessed and highly favored.
Please join us as we continue to pray and believe in Izzy's complete healing.
"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Mark 11:24

IEP and other things...

Another busy week..
Last Friday after seeing Isabelle's story in the papers, a reporter from Fox news called wanting to do a story for the news that night. He came and interviewed me, and it was on the news Friday night. We talked a lot about pool safety. It went really well, although I hated seeing myself on television (ugh)! But I would do anything for Isabelle and to spread the word about pool awareness... Like Matt says, it's like having a loaded gun in your back yard.
Isabelle kicked the ball twice while side lying in physical therapy. She also reached for the ball twice. Then on Thursday Camilla worked with suction balls on a mirror, asking her to look from one color to the other which she did very well. She preferred the yellow to the green and when asked if she wanted to get the ball she vocalized and then made an effort to get the ball. We were all impressed by her! She continues to show us just how smart she is!
The golf tournament was fun (I didn't actually play golf) but I was there and it looked fun! It was great to see people coming together for our Izzy. We are now planning a big event in June... a silent auction, moon walk, popcorn, snow cones, face painting, band playing, hot dogs, "mom's" cinnamon rolls (yum!). . . We're praying for great success with this event!
We had Isabelle's IEP at school Wednesday. I honestly don't really like these meetings, but it was very pleasant and I just sat there thinking how blessed we were to have a team of people working toward a common goal of getting Izzy better and I could see and feel the love they all have for her. They made really good goals for her and they made it clear that they could see a lot of potential. I am excited to see what leaps we make over the Summer with our new program that starts in July... She will go to Physical therapy and occupational therapy weekly over the summer as well as continue with horse riding and chiropractor.
On another note... Izzy's big sister, Amanda, had award's assembly Tuesday evening. She is graduating from 9th grade this year. She was awarded a golden falcon for all A's for her junior high career among other honors and was named valedictorian. We are very proud of her as well as Bailey and Emelia.

Emelia reading Izzy a bedtime story...

Izzy made the paper!

Izzy's story is in the Daily Oklahoman today, front page of the metro section... and also the front page of the MWC Sun. I hoped that the stories would increase awareness of drowning precautions.
Isabelle has done a few things worth noting the last week or two...
...when I picked Izzy up from school last week, her p.t. Camilla said she had been swinging Isabelle and would stop the swing and encourage her to say "go" to swing again. I don't think she ever said go for Camilla. On the way home I asked Isabelle about school as usual and then asked her if Camilla played with her on the swing. She said, "go." I said, "Oh, Isabelle, did Camilla tell you to say go when you wanted to swing some more?" and she said "go" again very clearly.
...I got a little silver ring for Izzy and she has raised her hand to show it off to several different people when asked.
...Izzy touched a little package of chocolates when sitting with me so I placed it in her hand and asked her to give it to me and I would give her a bite of chocolate. She moved her arm to place it into my hand and let go of it at the right time. I then gave her a bite of chocolate which she seemed to enjoy.
There are more, and these may seem small... but to us these things are all huge and step by step we are seeing Isabelle progress. The steps may be tiny tiny baby steps, but we are still on the path of progress.

There will be a Benefit Golf Tournament
Saturday, May 13
for Isabelle... Her chiropractor is organizing it.
Tee times start at noon.
Cost is $55 per person/$220 per team
Lunch is provided with entry fee
Prizes will be awarded
Hole sponsorship is available for $50 which includes a sign
with a business name and number or just a note that will be placed
at a hole on the golf course.
For more information call 769.1900

Izzy rides Taco!!!

Sunglasses on & ready to go outside to ride!!!
Izzy did well riding and was able to hold herself up much of the time she rode.
They could tell a difference from the last time we were there and much of the time Joy only held the edge of her hensinger (neck brace she wears sometimes on the taller horses to keep her from having her head jerked back if the horse moves too quickly).

Izzy from the back riding Taco... Look how good she is holding herself up with minimal support!!!

Happy Easter!!!!

Izzys World ...

Isabelle is HEALTHY!!!
We are so thankful for her continued good health!
Several things have been happening in Izzy's world...
1. We went to a pediatric dds last week and she wants to do extensive dental work because of some grinding etc. that took place primarily early on after her accident. We are trying to get pre-auth's from dental and medical ins. and may have a bit of a battle on our hands. Please pray that this all works out.
2. We are getting ready to head back to Ponca for more hbot!!! I think we are doing 20 dives this time consecutively. I am so excited to watch her make gains from another round.
3. Izzy got to ride Opie and goes back next Monday for another round of horse therapy. Matt was able to meet us there and see her ride. She did well!
4. We are getting everything moving on our trip to PA this Summer for brain net. Izzy's chiropractor is organizing a golf tournament fundraiser. EXCITING!

Iz had a good day today at school. Her O.T. said her head control was just getting better and better. She was able to sit at the table with her class while they dyed Easter eggs! They said she was really motivated to watch all the activity and kept her head up nicely. She later worked with the visual specialist and also did a great job at "looking."

...With God all things are possible.
-Matthew 19:26 NIV

Izzy had a good weekend! Matt's mom, aunt Jane Ellen, and sister Jane Ann spent the night with us Friday night. Isabelle decided to show off a little and vocalize for about 30 minutes with gram early Saturday morning. Later, Matt put a metal ring on her foot and she kicked it off repeatedly on both feet. It was very very purposeful and accurate kicking! She had horse therapy on Monday. Shorty was resting so she got to ride Opie. She did well, relaxing to the point of actually falling asleep. In the Fall the ride was getting uncomfortable because she was tight. She seemed very comfortable and was able to ride for at least 30 minutes. She worked hard and as a result was sore on Tuesday. We have also started some different things at home with her that go along with the program we plan to begin this summer. We have decided to go forward with our plans to take her to Philadelphia this Summer to begin a new program. We are excited about bombarding her with stimuli and look forward to awesome results. While lying on the floor the other night, Izzy rolled off her wedge mat and then rolled over again ending up face down on the wood floor. She was not happy about that and was kinda stuck... But we were happy with all her hard work. She continues to show us that she is very aware and very capable of many many things. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the statewide visual therapist was visiting her school last week and did some light box work with Isabelle while I was in the room. She said she was amazed at the improvment in Izzy's vision since Fall! She tracked both ways and held her gaze much longer than before. We continue to praise God for our little miracle... Izzy!!!

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me. Micah 7:7-8