Sunday we were able to go and visit Grace again. We took a completely different approach to this visit. I decided that it was going to be a fun visit. Grace had mentioned that she needed some chap stick and some undershirts. I had bought those to take to her. I decided to get her a few fun things as well. I had talked to a staff member a while back and she mentioned that the girls were really in to word searches right now. I bought Grace several word search books as well as a suduko book, a coloring book, crayons, and markers. My friend came to visit and had bought a toy for Brother and Sister so she asked if she could get Grace another coloring book for me to take with the other things. It was so fun to see Grace's eye light up. She was so happy she said just to get the visit, but the stuff was a really nice bonus. Our visit was actually so fun. Grace was her normal happy self. I hadn't seen her this relaxed and happy in a very long time. We had fun playing a game together and painting her nails. We took so fun pictures together and just laughed as a family. I can't tell you how beautiful it really was. I love the days like Sunday. I want and hope for more of them.
As great as Sunday was that is not what is making me happy today. Yesterday was a crazy busy day filled with many phone calls to many different people. We are trying to get our support system in place so that we can be ready for the day that Grace can come home. I am so excited because between all the people we have talked to we are coming up with a Great plan. My phone calls were to set up her testing, the school district, Home therapy groups, and dance studios. So her is our very basic plan for now. The school district is concerned that Grace coming home and acclimating back to life and school may be too much for her to handle all at once. I have to say that I see their point. So it has been decided that Grace will do 6th grade online from home. This will give us flexibility to schedule her many therapy and doctors appointments. Also if Grace is having a bad morning or a melt down I don't have to stress that she will miss school. The school district will still oversee her studies and do all of the lesson planning. Really that seems so perfect. We are also going to put Grace in a dance class. We haven't decided what style yet, hence all the phone calls. I am starting to feel like I can actually do this. It just takes time to let everything sink in.
The most amazing thing through all of this has been my own research. I have been wondering about the ABI. What does it mean? What is the difference between ABI* and TBI**? What are the symptoms between the two? I found a website that was a great help. Really when I read the site I thought they had just completely described my child. The page a fact sheet about Acquired Brain Injures in Children. There are four main areas of concern. Sensory and Motor, Cognitive, Language and Communication, and Language and Communication. Here is the paragraph that describes Grace perfectly...
Social, behavioural and emotional
A child may experience difficulties relating to peers and siblings and have difficulty joining group activities. They may appear very demanding of their parents' or teachers' attention and have difficulty following rules and instructions. A range of behavioural problems may arise after acquired brain injury, which may include: depressed or anxious mood, hyperactivity, distractibility, impulsivity, poor judgment, reduced control of anger and frustration, mood swings, aggression, sleep disturbance, and poor motivation and initiation. When social, behavioural and emotional problems are recognised early in recovery, a number of rehabilitation strategies may be employed in the school and home environment.
http://synapse.org.au/get-the-facts/acquired-brain-injury-in-children-fact-sheet.aspx I have called and read the article to Grace's therapist and her Pediatrician today and both said, you just described Grace. It is amazing. This helps us understand the why. What we will still have to work on is how to help her overcome it. I know I haven't found a miracle cure, but understanding goes a long way. I am hopeful that this will mean less medication for Grace. I am not a fan of medication. I know there is a time and a place for it. I just want to try everything to avoid it. Here is hoping that we are able to go down a better path to help Grace.
*ABI- Acquired Brain Injury
**TBI- Traumatic Brain Injury
This article explains the difference between the two injuries.http://www.biausa.org/FAQRetrieve.aspx?ID=43913
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