robotics therapy

phew!  what a busy two weeks it has been.  carson just completed a two week intensive robotic therapy program at children's healthcare of atlanta.  10 days of driving back and forth and/or staying down town at andrew's parents (which was a huge life and time saver!), waking up early, being stuck in rush hour traffic and just being flat out exhausted.  and that was just me.  poor carson was the one who was really wiped out.  but it was all totally worth it.  he got some really good muscle stimulation and really good therapy.  since carson had his surgery back in january of 2015 we have really been working on strengthening his legs.  there are some muscle groups that just can not be reached with typical PT.  by doing the robotics program they were able to use NMES (neuro muscular electrical stimulation) to help stimulate the correct muscle in the correct way while walking, riding a bike, and also on a anti-gravity treadmill with the hopes of helping his brain remap how to use the correct muscles  it was all so cool and hard to believe that all of this is just down the road (about 40 minutes) from us.  we met several families who were from all over the southeast staying at the ronald mcdonald house just to take part in the program.  there was no question when they called to say they had fit carson into the 2 week intensive program that we wouldn't do it.  he was a rock star and true to form, charmed everyone.  i'm sure the "you can go to toys r us and pick a toy if you don't give any problems" didn't have anything to do with how well he tolerated everything.  honestly though, he did great and we were able to get the most out of the time we had there and also got some really good resources for home.  we will definitely be going back!

stretching and warming up some muscles (and also showing off in front of all the pretty PT girls in the gym).

using the bioness system for the first time.  it was a little unfamiliar to him to feel some muscles being activated but he adjusted well.

walking on the super cool anti gravity treadmill.  i kinda wanted to get in and try it for myself.

here is a video of using the treadmill.  you can see when the chamber inflates with air carson's feet are lifted off the ground almost.  it was really cool.

IMG_0776 from Lauren Hess on Vimeo.

and this is the bike that he used every morning.  he is hooked up with electrodes and they would fire the correct muscles as he is peddling the bike.  

IMG_0772 from Lauren Hess on Vimeo.

and when you work super hard and have to be hooked up to electrical stimulus you develop some what of an appetite.  a definite positive side effect for carson.  when he asks to eat i jump.  this time it was triple chocolate ice cream.  you don't have to ask me twice!