#11

24 Aug #11

I’m back! We’ve had a not so healthy fortnight but we are all feeling much better now.

Lachy’s CP League therapists and I are excited and hopeful that his targeted training is going to make a difference. I think Lachy’s head control is already improving. The targeted training is a measurable system. The way I understand it is a (– 2) is where the measure starts (not 0) and the aim is to achieve a (+ 2). With regard Lachy’s head control a (+ 2) result would be determined if within a 3 month period Lachy was able to bring his head from a chin on chest position directly up (not around sideways) and hold for 3 seconds. Lachy achieved that yesterday (in fact there is a whisper that it was actually 5 seconds but I don’t want to set that bench mark just yet). Wiser, more experienced parents of special needs children have told me how emotional you will feel when your child achieves any milestone but nothing can prepare you until it happens. I can’t wait for more.

I am going to register a small team to be named “Unlock the Lachs” to participate in the Take a Hike fundraiser which is raising awareness and funds for the AEIOU Foundation. Lachy seemingly isn’t on the Autism Spectrum but my nephew, Harry, is. This spectrum is so very wide and I would not be surprised if each of us knew somebody or a family which is affected by Autism. The therapy and education of children on the spectrum can cost $40,000.00 per year and that is just the financial cost. Any parent of a high need child will tell you the emotional and physical cost can be far greater. Anyway, Take a Hike is a 40 klm walk over 9 hours on August 25. As well as raising awareness and funds for a very worthy cause, it is also a mammoth personal challenge which will give great reward for any participant. If anyone is interested in joining me, please let me know. I will be registering a team next week. To find out more, have a look at the website http://aeiou.org.au/take-a-hike-townsville.