Before: This picture was taken right before J came home. Notice the food all over her face and the sippy cup. She was unable to feel food on her face, snot running down her face, drool rivers and a host of sensory problems. Notice the blank inanimate face. She would have much rather put her face down in her plate to eat than to use utensils and she did this quite often. She had two facial expressions. This one above or growling, spitting rage.
After: I think the animation on her face speaks volumes. Plus she is also turning into such a little lady. Her table manners would put many adults to shame. She can handle a fork and knife and all table utensils like the finest debutante. She can now feel food on her face and will wipe her nose before a drip can be spotted. No more drool rivers either. She can identify many different emotions now and most of the time will show them appropriately.
I wonder where she will be in a year......
Never mind....
I think I'll just enjoy today.....
I gave y'all a break from therapies as my New Year's gift. Next up....."How to change a belief." Then it's back to tapping...
Fishing for some comments here....hint hint
Posts
21 comments:
Something to be so proud of...What a beautiful little girl and you two are so blessed to have each other!
Thanks for sharing the photos!! She is a fine looking young lady! She sure has made positive progress and I know this will only continue. May your New Year be filled with even more healing. :)
hmmmm, that is interesting about the sensory on her face. Genea goes the other direction, I have never seen such a clean kid. No food speck that goes near her face will stay there. One day recently I noted a tiny smudge on her face and she told me, "I know, I can feel it". OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH that explains a lot! I absolutely love your before and after pic- stunning difference! How beautiful- and obviously well cared for- she is.
What a beautiful change! I know we read every day about the hard work you and J have been doing, but it's wonderful to get to SEE the difference.
What awesome progress! Love the before and after photos. Now, if I can get Sasha to feel some of the food on her face. She says she can feel it sometimes, so Im not sure if it is just laziness. Anyway, Congrats, she is beautiful.
She is BEAUTIFUL!! I hope that you have a Happy New Year!!
Wow, what a difference! She's beautiful:-)
She looks amazing! You have clearly been a blessing in her life.
Wow, what a difference! She really is beautiful! Best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Anne & Elizabeth
Wow!! What a change. She's such a beautiful girl, and so lucky to have you as a mommy!
My daughter (adopted same time as yours from the same state!) still has a lack of sensory awareness (no clue when there is food dripping off her face, cannot feel pinches or hurts on her forearms or shins - yes, she encourages kids to hurt her to prove this all the time!). I will not allow myself to feel guilty though. I will just acknowledge that you are an amazing, devoted Mom.
We have talked to her therapists about this. They say that
a) when she suffered neglect as an infant she began to lie to herself about her needs - I didn't want to be cuddled or have my diaper changed anyway!
b) that as/if she allows herself to open her heart and trust others with her feelings that being able to feel with her senses will follow.
Her two therapists are coming at this from both directions. One is helping Kitty access emotions and feelings. The other is working on Kitty's sensory feelings - touching, rubbing, closeness. Kitty hates being touched, especially on her back and upper arms so we're slowly working up to that.
You are an amazing mom Lisa! J is a very lucky little girl!
Love,
Squeak (Mary in Texas)
Such a beauty... loved your post on tapping too... keep those coming very helpful.
I used to do tapping in meditation class but have never done it with Livi
Happy New Year
J is absolutely delightful. What a great grin in the second picture! Thank you so much for sharing these with us.
See, now, this is why you're my hero! The things you have done for this child are absolutely amazing. She is GORGEOUS... she just looks so sweet and peaceful. What a difference you have made in her life! If I can even be half the mom you are I'll be thrilled.
Enjoy the dawn of a beautiful New Year with your beautiful little lady!
(((Hugs)))
wow.. what a beautiful, beautiful girl!
i know this life! i'm still so very amazed at how this silly computer and blogging has brought me into a world where i am not alone, and others understand this life. i'm so glad to be on the journey behind moms like you who have seen such great progress and change. hoping for more of that this coming year in my little RADish. desperately hoping. the steps have seemed to be backwards lately.
yes, yes, more about tapping, please!
Love the pics. You are doing an awesome job! Do you have any tricks to getting her to feel the food on her face? I think Tara's lack of feeling might be partially attributed to her FASD and cerebral palsy but there is SOME feeling there so it is hard to know what she is and is not capable of feeling.
J is so cute!
There is nothing like a real smile to warm a mom's heart. Whenever you have a bad day look at those two pictures and realize what a difference you have been. Where would she be without you. (not meant in the "you must be such a saint" way,but is the "you are in fact making a difference in her life" way)
Lindy
Ohhh cutie pie.
Happy New Year
This is really cool to see! Thanks for sharing :)
Lisa, the difference from photo to photo is STUNNING. It makes me think of an abandoned house ( 1st photo) and a house with all the lights on and happy goings-on happening inside that you can see theu the windows (2nd photo) . I dont know why that comes into my mind, but it does! J is so beautiful.
J is beautiful, before and after! Her success speaks volumes to your parenting. You're a momma to strive to imitate!
Your blog inspires me. I tend to "forget" (ha!) that even when we have several good days at our home with our daughter that things are not 100% normal forever now. She always has a bad day right after and I wonder what the heck?! I just love reading your blog and seeing how far you have come and realizing that I am not alone. :)
Post a Comment