Day 358 - January 22, 2007

Rand was rather down when I arrived this afternoon. I gave his friend a bum steer by saying that visiting him anytime today was OK - forgetting that the SLP was there at the same time. Uff da. Rand is always down after speech therapy.

Thuan had Rand standing alone for 10 minutes today, without a crutch and without the leg brace. I think Rand was really tired. After three long days of PT and OT, followed by speech and more PT, he was more than ready to relax. I hope he sleeps well tonight and is rejuvenated in the morning.

Rand really wanted to talk, to practice talking this afternoon. He mimics so well, but is hard pressed to say things on his own and understand what he is saying. We started with, "My name is Rand. What is your name? My pants are blue. My socks are white. My shoes are black. The tractor is red. I am handsome. I am cute." He repeated each short sentence over and over again. He would not let me move on until he had mastered a sentence. He did so well. The pronunciation was great, but the sentences meant nothing to him. He had no idea what was blue, white, black or what colors they were. He doesn't know colors. But he is so intent on talking, he tries so hard, he wants to talk in the worst way. He concentrates, repeats, focuses, works and works at it, but it just doesn't come. I know that he knows exactly what he wants to say but it will not come out right. He gets so frustrated and down. I felt so bad for him when I left. I wish there was something I could do to fix it.

Keep Rand close to your hearts and in your prayers. I hope this is the lull before the storm (of speech, of ideas, of emotions) This too shall pass and it can only get better.