Mastering the art of gripping and dropping

Occupational therapy sessions entered Chaya's life about two months ago.

Scheduling them isn't easy because both Elvie, her caregiver, and I want to be present and Chaya must be seizure-free. 

We've already had one fiasco - Chaya in the throes of a string of seizures when the therapist arrived. (I had called to notify her but she was already on her way). 

But her other sessions were rather productive ones. 

Over on the right is C. getting her ligaments gently stretched at the session's start to increase her range of movement.

And below is a photo of her gripping an object while our therapist, Neria, shakes her hand. She is improving at closing her hand to grasp an object and then, on demand, opening her hand to release it. 

Modest goals, but they elicit bravos from all three of us - the therapist, C.'s caregiver, Elvie and me. 

You've got to admit, we're a realistic bunch.

We had about two weeks of relative relief from seizures (i.e. about three a day) which I attributed to the rise in the night-time Vimpat dose. But here we are after raising the morning dose too and the seizures are back with a vengeance. 

We still haven't managed to check the Keppra blood levels. So maybe therein lies a solution.

The Kupat Holim (health fund) nurse tells us that test will only be available after Sukkot.

No hydro photos because the therapy pool is also closed until after the chagim (the Jewish festival season).

Finally, we are excitedly awaiting delivery of Chaya's new wheelchair on October 8.