Anne continues to make slow and steady progress.

Let’s see… Physically, she is smiling on both sides of her mouth and stretching her left fingers out straight 4 or 5 times a day. Whenever she uses these “new” muscles, she gets really excited. “Look at my big smile, mommy!!!” “Look, look! Look at my hand!”  Can you imagine not feeling the left side of your mouth or not being able to stretch out the fingers in your left hand – and all of a sudden being able to do it??  To me, it’s more evidence that God is continuing to heal.

Anne has also made big jumps cognitively. More of her personality is emerging. A good, upbeat song will come on the radio and Anne will say, “Oh Yeah, baby!” Her sense of humor and ability to use words continues to improve. She seems overall, more content and happy – although she continues to struggle with insecurities over being different. For the most part, she is keeping up academically in school. She has a hard time writing, so she will probably qualify for adaptive technology for first grade (in other words, she’ll get to use a keyboard to complete her work.) She is also less irritable and has a bit more stamina – which makes our lives a little easier, especially in the evenings.

Anne’s seizures have drastically decreased in frequency, duration and intensity – but she is still having 1-2 very short, mild seizures a day. We’ll see the neurologist again in March to discuss our next plan of attack. But thankfully, the intense (horrible) seizures she was having over Christmas break stopped after we increased her current medication a smidgen. Thank you for your prayers!

She still struggles with her walking, although she has made progress – it’s just not fast progress :-) She walks well with her walker, but she cannot propel or steer the walker by herself, so she has a ways to go before she can walk independently… that’s my dream-goal for Anne – that she might be independent one day. We’ll just have to wait and see :-)

She still likes to mouth objects, but I think peer pressure is helping to curb that impulse. The other kindergartners just think it’s strange when she puts the wooden food in her mouth! This is just one example of why we are so grateful Anne is in a regular kindergarten class. There is so much value in positive behavior models for Anne!

Anne’s rehab doctor is still concerned about the tightness in Anne’s left foot. Her left foot is stuck pointed down and in. This is a direct result of the brain injury – her brain is unable to send the correct signals to the muscles to tell her foot to relax. He’s persuaded me to start her on a medication that reduces muscle spasticity. I’m praying it doesn’t affect her mood or stamina level.

Anne continues to be a source of great joy in our family. She has a unique ability to endear herself to others, so she brings joy to many people outside our family as well. This is a source of great encouragement to us! Our prayer is that God is glorified through this difficult circumstance, and when we see a glimpse of His glory in our lives, we are strengthened to persevere with gratitude!

Thank you so much for praying for our family for so long!!!

Gratefully, kathryn