An Eventful OT Visit & Force Use

Today was Chloe's goal evaluation visit with her Occupational Therapist, Julia. We reviewed the goals we made four months ago, and evaluated where Chloe is, and how satisfied I am with her improvement. The main improvements she has made (with fine motor skills) are: bringing toys together in mid-line, and sitting with assistance. I was so proud to report her progress, and remind myself of her progress!

The new goals we set are: to use her right hand equal amounts as her left hand, self-feeding (i.e., holding a sippy cup or bringing treats to her mouth), improving her grasp and release in both hands, allowing others to hold her, and learning to point to a desired object.

We already started working on the new goals, and I'm very excited for the progress she'll have made four months from now!

Because Chloe is highly left-side dominant, we decided to apply the 'Force Use' principle. By putting an immobilizing brace on Chloe's left arm sometimes while she's playing, she will be forced to use her right arm and hand. Plus the brace is pink with white butterflies on it. Hello.... perfect!

Self-feeding is fairly easy when it comes to anything savory. She's like her mom that way. Salty pretzel? You betcha! What we really need to work on, though, is teaching her to bring the food up to her mouth rather than her folding over, taking her head down to get the food.

Because she's been getting a good night's sleep for about a week now, and because she's spending less time in mya rms and more time in the stander, she's already better about being independent of me, which makes her more apt to be happy with other people. She can still improve, though, and we'll be continuing to work on that as well!

Overall, it was a successful and fun-filled visit to the OT, but poor little Chloe was worn out afterward and fell asleep almost the instant I put her in the carseat.

As I was driving home thinking about our new goals, and looking back at sweet Chloe, my mind got wandering (as it often does).... 'What can I learn from Chloe today?' She has so much to teach me, and I know this, so I'm always trying to recognize her little lessons.

The answer came pretty clearly and quickly today. I thought about Chloe's brace for her left arm and the 'Force Use' example.

I realized I have been spending my times and talents in areas that come rather easily to me. By immobilizing those areas and spending less time on the things that come easy, I will force myself to step outside my comfort zone and tackle more difficult challenges. This can apply to so many things in my life. Some things are simple - like ironing. Other things are big - like befriending strangers, jogging/running (heck even walking) 5k, getting all the projects on my to do list done, reading my scriptures more often, getting better at budgeting, meal-planning, and cooking..... on and on and on.

Just as Chloe has been using her left arm, I've been using my talents. In other words, I don't sit around watching television and eating chocolates all day long - I'm productive for the majority of the day. But I'm productive with things that I don't have to struggle with. I know I can set aside more time for things that challenge and push me to be my best self, a better mother, a better wife, a better neighbor and friend.

My plan is to set some goals, and re-evaluate in four months.

I'm so grateful to be Chloe's mother and have the opportunity to learn from her. The simplest of activities that we take for granted (like holding your head up and being able to bring your hands together) are a daily struggle for her. But there is a reason for that struggle. She wants to help and teach and inspire others. I am so grateful to be her mother and to learn from her each day.

Is there anything in your life you can immobilize to strengthen other areas?