Deirdre had her hippotherapy evaluation. Although we thought she would not be able to pass the intake, she somehow did. We are all on the same page that she needs lots of physical therapy before any horse contact. The PT points out she has a high need for stimulation and movement, just doing. And so, the journey begins!
Now, the AMAZING part was witnessing a PT who held her upwards for over 15 minutes, managing her without fear, and having an empathy that we have barely seen. We were floored by how she took her off the wheelchair and positioned her sitting completely straight over a tumbler, making slight moves mimicking some of the riding moves... all the while holding her head/neck securely and with a confidence that we have not seen all this time from any of her PTs. And Deirdre was not scared. She looked surprised and calm, enjoying her surroundings as anyone else would. She did not desated, tolerating with 97-98 oxigenation and heart rate between 120-140. This was a WOW moment for us, and we know it also was a WOW moment for her.
After witnessing this we get reassured of the kind of things she should be receiving in matters of PT, and that sadly no one who has come to our home has done to this date (except for OT Maya and OT Gail who are at the other end of the rainbow as they are AMAZING). We now have certainty that our fight is well founded, and that Deirdre's services must improve. There is so much she can do, and only people who actually believe in her should be allowed to be around her... period. So... hippotherapy, and aquatic therapy if approved. Now we are certain we need to seek out PT and SLP services from real, confident and experienced professionals as they are out there. Main problem, of course, our insurance and its lack of coverage...But where there is a will, there is a way.
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