PT

A few weeks ago Eli started physical therapy. He is eligible to receive it free of charge because of his FH, so I figured why not? I knew that some of the other families with kids who have FH had done it and so I thought we should explore it for Eli as well.

We've been three times so far. The therapist wants to see him for 30 minutes every week. Each time we go the experience gets worse. Eli just hates PT. He cries hysterically the whole time we are there. I know the therapist isn't hurting him, but for whatever reason he gets beyond upset. The therapist tries her best to distract him, console him, etc, but it doesn't work. She explained to me that it'll just take time for him to get used to.

Last week was especially bad, and I felt like she really thought that my presence (and the fact that Eli couldn't be with me) was the problem, and that I should basically just go sit in the hall. She said that she can't just give him to me every time he cries, because then he'll learn that all he has to do is cry and then therapy is over. So I sat in a chair and watched my hysterical baby receive his "therapy." I feel horrible about it.

You see, I think that is a bunch of b.s. First of all, I am the one who decided to take him to therapy. Dr. Woo didn't recommend it, and Paul didn't recommend it. Don't get me wrong, she has taught us some great exercises and activities to do with him to get him to put more weight on his right leg, how to stand correctly, how to get down from standing, etc. So in no way am I anti-PT, I am just realizing that it isn't working for Eli at this point in time.

First of all, he is 13 mths old - he is still very young and its completely normal that he doesn't walk yet. More importantly, I really feel that he'll just figure all these things that we are "teaching" him on his own. I have to follow my gut on this one, and my gut is telling me that no good is coming out of taking him there once a week so that he can become inconsolable. How much "therapy" is really getting accomplished when he is that upset anyways?

So for now, I am 99% sure that I am going to suspend therapy for the time being. In the future, if Eli needs PT, I will absolutely make sure he gets it. But for now, I am just going to let him be a toddler and encourage him every step of the way. I know I am bias, but I think he is just doing great!