There wasn't a dry eye in our little group at PT/OT today - except for Rand who shrugged it off. And "shrugged it off" is the key phrase. At least once a week since his stroke, therapists have asked him, showed him, tried to help him shrug his shoulder(s). In the first months he could not understand the directions, in the following months he was able to shrug his left shoulder, but today, after four days of intensive work on his right side, he shrugged BOTH shoulders!! He actually has developed some muscle tone and control in his shoulder/chest/back to allow him to do that. Mollie was holding his arm in the shoulder socket but he moved his shoulder by himself - again and again! Mollie and I were teary, Thuan was clapping and high-fiveing Rand, Aylann had her hands over her mouth in astonishment! The instructors came by to watch and they were whooping with delight! Rand was laughing and "shrugged it off!" Wheeeeeee!
Tomorrow is the last day of this special PT/OT class and I am so sorry to see it end. Rand has made so much progress during this short time. I talked with the instructors this afternoon and asked if Rand could participate in another session if/when one is held. A while later they came back and said that they want him in the class in January and again in February! Double Wheeeeeee! The classes will be in Los Gatos and Santa Cruz and I assured them that I'll get him there come hell or high water! They love having Rand as a subject because he is so cooperative, pleasant, fun, has great stamina, and is cute besides! Thuan has learned so much and is working very hard also. He takes notes in Vietnamese then during breaks in his night job, translates them into English and then gets them on the computer at home. He's as excited about the new classes as I am. Again, Rand shrugged it off as not a big deal. Whoooopie!
Tomorrow I'm bringing in a small Christmas tree for the table in front of the window in Rand's Room. I've selected ornaments that we collected on our travels and, after a review of them, Rand will decorate the tree - then there will be a quiz!
Keep Rand close. He's remarkable.
Love,
Connie
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