Chile - Day 5 & 6

It has been another great 2 days in Chile!!! Abby has been working really hard with Ramon and trying new stuff each session.

Today Abby was walking on organza, taking steps on a large disc and walking up a ladder of sorts. She also took steps all by herself on the floor, stepping over 3 obstacles (balance boards). We were soo excited to see that she was able to do it herself!! It seems like each session Abby is able to accomplish something new. It is a very long journey but we are getting there one step at a time:) We have started to work more in balance with standing positions. After all, we need to stand before we can walk!

We went swimming again today and Abby was jumping into the pool from the ledge. It is a great pool and was very warm today with the bright sunshine!!

2 more session tomorrow and then our flight leaves for Toronto at 9:45pm. An overnight flight and then we are home for X-mas Eve! It has been a great trip but we are anxious to be home for Christmas:)

Thank-you to all our friends and family who made this trip (and all the others) possible!!

Until the next time....Thank-you. Gracias:)

ps. Hi Jill, Brittany, Pam & my YMCA friends! I miss you all and can't wait to see you in January! I love Jack's santa face that Jill painted!

pps. Hi to all my Grade 1 friends in Mrs. Beaudry's class!! I wish that you could have come along in my suitcase!!! Thanks for reading my posts. See you in 2012!!

Chile - Day 4

Today was another beautiful day in Chile!! The sun was shining brightly, it was summertime hot and Abby was awesome during both therapy sessions!

We began the morning with therapy at 8:45am. Steps on 10 pipes, free standing on organza on ramp, steps with loose grip in and out of boxes 10 and attempting to free stand on discs with balls 11. A good morning.

We then returned to our room for breakfast and then off to the pool for a few hours of sun and swim. This has become our daily routine!

More therapy at 3:45. This was an awesome session!! Huge accomplishments especially when standing on large discs (as seen in the picture). Ramon even let his son Alex do a repetition with Abby. He seems to have his father's touch!! Abby loved working with Ramon, Alex & Ladianna (from Brazil) - she always loves an audience!!! Her confidence today was obvious and I think she was very pleased with a job very well done!!

More of the same tomorrow and Thursday:)

Hi again to my friends in Mrs. Beaudry's class. It is 30 degrees here!! No snow, but we are singing 'Must be Santa' and 'My 2 front teeth' to keep in the X-mas spirit!! Love, Abby

Chile - Day 3

Well, we have arrived safe and sound back in Santiago, Chile. The flight was smooth (except for the bumping around over Peru) and we arrived at the Marriott around 2:30 on Saturday afternoon. We checked into our room, which came complete with a bedroom, living room and full kitchen (very handy when we get sick of eating out - which is soon!) and then headed down to enjoy the afternoon of sunshine in the pool.
Sunday was a day of relaxation with some groceries at Tostos and then afternoon swimming at the hotel. Off to the Parque Arcuana for window shopping and then dinner.

Today was our first day of therapy at 9:45 and 3:45. Abby was very excited to see Ramon as he was to see her. We also met Ramon's son Alex and a CME Level II student from Brazil who speaks only Portuguese! He was very happy with the progress that she has made since Montreal in August and we picked up right where we left off.

She took independent steps and stood all by herself on a disc and on a box 10. Her steps seemed much more controlled and they worked on 2 steps then stopping - certainly a challenge!! Abby also did steps up a ramp with light support at ankles and large steps down 4 boxes 15. She was taller than the rest of us!!! She was happy and a willingly participant through both sessions although she was a little tired and chose to sit a few times when she could have stood forever!! I better start taking some singing and dancing lessons as that is what seems to keep her distracted!

Back to therapy tomorrow at 8:45 and 3:45 with swimming and relaxing in between:)

It is very hot here - 30 degrees and pure shine shine!! Great weather for relaxing in the pool and of course an impromptu aqua fit class that I joined in with Abby on my back!!

More tomorrow!

ps. Abby says hi to all her Grade One friends in Mrs. Beaudry's class at ECES!! I miss you guys:) Hi to Ms. Fraser and Mrs. Bailey too!!