I've been taking Kathleen twice a week to a local hospital for OT therapy.We've been doing Electrical Stimulation on he rleft ahnd and wrist.It's pretty amazing. The very tiny electrical current(feels sort of tingly),stimulates the muscles to either open her hand or close depending where they're place.The hope is eventually she'll be able to initiate this movement on her own.I've seen so much pregress in just a month.She's much more aware of her left hand,using her right hand to make it touch things,she is also able to kind of point her pointer finger which is new because opening ehr hand fingers is the most difficult for her.I just hope I can continue this when school starts.It would be awesome to ahve a machine at home and do this daily but I know one similar machine I priced was $4000.I'll Yesterday she worked side by side with an adult(who had had a astroke 4 yrs ago) using a similar machine, she hadn't moved her hand in 4 yrs and now it's moving some.They ended their session with a game of balloon volley ball.She always leaves there in such a happy mood tlaking and laughing all the way to the car.It must make her happy to see such an accomplishment.My hope that she iwllhave some functional use is growing and so is my smile!
Mary Grace

Mary,

What great news!  Sounds like Kathleen's OT is also providing a wonderful social environment for her as well (balloon volleyball).

I was thinking...will your health insurance help cover the cost of a machine for home use?  Just wondering..

Take care,
SFH

That's great news MG, Kelsey had that on her right leg last year, and it seemed to help getting it moving.   Think we'll discuss with her OT person about her right arm,,  Thanks much.  good luck, and keeps us posted.  Pat

That is wonderful news to hear.  Brought tears to my eyes that even after all she has gone through, she still has that smile.  Give her hugs for us and keep your smiling going...i bet its a contagious one (smile)

Hillary

All this is so profoundly new and amazing to me!  Did your daughter have the surgery or is the OT en lieu of it?

And how did you find out about this type of therapy?  

I'm glad it's working for her. It sounds like this is a real ray of hope for you!    :D

While all of our situations are different.  I am in my 30's and have had left sided weakness all my memorable life, that is now progressively worsening.