Walking Improvements and Exercise

Melanie continues to work hand in hand with Whit's PT at school on walking. Repetition and practice are the two main themes. And they are definitely paying off. The video accompanying this post shows that Whitney can make it across and entire room now without much help at all.

We're also working on some additional exercises to help Whit be more nimble on her feet. Her favorite is Ring Around the Rosies. We join hands and walk in a circle while reciting the children's rhyme. This forces a side by side stepping motion and it also makes the whole exercise a game. Then we all sit down at the end. Whit always anticipates this and sits down a bit early. Laughing the whole time, of course.

The next piece of the puzzle that needs to fall into place is Whitney deciding to take steps on her own. She's very confident when we haul her out into the middle of the room and leave her there standing. But she never stands up and decides to let go of the couch, table or counter and go walking on her own. I'm sure she's close though. And as you can see from the video she gets plenty of encouragement from other children.