A note from Ross's mom, Betsy:
Again, it has been too long since I have written. We are all well, but the
last few months have been too busy for me to manage. Ross is still making
progress in both physical and interactive cognitive skills. He stands on his
own for transfers from bed to chair, chair to recliner, and then back to
bed. This is good for him and for us. He is speaking in phrases, instead of
single words. In August, he told Jeremiah how he should brush Ross's teeth.
With accompanying gestures, Ross said, "In, out, in, out." Several times,
when Ross was taking the masking tape off the wooden puzzle box, he put a
piece of tape in his mouth. When he realized he couldn't take it out
himself, he asked Jeremiah to remove it for him, mainly with gestures.
Ross is sleeping better, and he continues to have fewer and milder
seizures.He has been wonderfully cooperative in the last few weeks. He had
his annual sedation dentistry appointment a week ago. Not only did he do
well with the travel back and forth, he was calm through the whole process.
In addition, the dentist was very pleased that Ross's teeth were in very
good shape.
Our beloved Jeremiah, who had been with us for eleven years, since we
brought Ross home, moved to the east coast during the late summer. It was
very hard to say good bye to him, and definitely not easy to find a
replacement. It took us many weeks to find someone who was a good match
Ross and suitable for the job. We interviewed four fine men whom we
trained/evaluated. This meant training them and being with them the whole
time - a very intense few weeks.
Taking care of Ross is very complicated because not only are we taking care
of his basic needs, we give many supplements through the day, do active
therapy every day, and he is constantly changing, always making progress.
One of the biggest obstacles was finding someone who could do transfers
Ross while allowing Ross to do the work of standing and pivoting in the way
Jeremiah had taught him. This method keeps Ross standing, using his own
strength, and protects the caregiver from using his back to lift Ross.
Finally after working with four applicants, we found another exceptional
caregiver and friend for Ross. When we were still evaluating the man, I
asked Ross what he thought of Jacob. When I said, "Ross, do you like
Ross put his right hand on his heart, and said, "Heart." We are very pleased
and think he will help Ross.
Ross has always had a great sense of humor. His playfulness is reflected in
the picture of the two of us. I was sitting and talking to him, when he
quickly reached down, grabbed my leg with his right arm, and pulled my leg
up. The other picture shows how much more he is able to move his lower
torso, and actually bend his left leg. He still continues to purposely put
his right hand on the left hand, another significant awareness of his body.
Onward and Upward!
Again, it has been too long since I have written. We are all well, but the
last few months have been too busy for me to manage. Ross is still making
progress in both physical and interactive cognitive skills. He stands on his
own for transfers from bed to chair, chair to recliner, and then back to
bed. This is good for him and for us. He is speaking in phrases, instead of
single words. In August, he told Jeremiah how he should brush Ross's teeth.
With accompanying gestures, Ross said, "In, out, in, out." Several times,
when Ross was taking the masking tape off the wooden puzzle box, he put a
piece of tape in his mouth. When he realized he couldn't take it out
himself, he asked Jeremiah to remove it for him, mainly with gestures.
Ross is sleeping better, and he continues to have fewer and milder
seizures.He has been wonderfully cooperative in the last few weeks. He had
his annual sedation dentistry appointment a week ago. Not only did he do
well with the travel back and forth, he was calm through the whole process.
In addition, the dentist was very pleased that Ross's teeth were in very
good shape.
Our beloved Jeremiah, who had been with us for eleven years, since we
brought Ross home, moved to the east coast during the late summer. It was
very hard to say good bye to him, and definitely not easy to find a
replacement. It took us many weeks to find someone who was a good match
Ross and suitable for the job. We interviewed four fine men whom we
trained/evaluated. This meant training them and being with them the whole
time - a very intense few weeks.
Taking care of Ross is very complicated because not only are we taking care
of his basic needs, we give many supplements through the day, do active
therapy every day, and he is constantly changing, always making progress.
One of the biggest obstacles was finding someone who could do transfers
Ross while allowing Ross to do the work of standing and pivoting in the way
Jeremiah had taught him. This method keeps Ross standing, using his own
strength, and protects the caregiver from using his back to lift Ross.
Finally after working with four applicants, we found another exceptional
caregiver and friend for Ross. When we were still evaluating the man, I
asked Ross what he thought of Jacob. When I said, "Ross, do you like
Ross put his right hand on his heart, and said, "Heart." We are very pleased
and think he will help Ross.
Ross has always had a great sense of humor. His playfulness is reflected in
the picture of the two of us. I was sitting and talking to him, when he
quickly reached down, grabbed my leg with his right arm, and pulled my leg
up. The other picture shows how much more he is able to move his lower
torso, and actually bend his left leg. He still continues to purposely put
his right hand on the left hand, another significant awareness of his body.
Onward and Upward!
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