Eloise’s first intensive therapy

Today Eloise was on the floor, fussing in pain and moving around — typical behavior in this season. Often, we pick her up and try to find and treat the source of pain (usually we can’t 😐). But today I watched instead of intervening right away. And then… Eloise got into a sitting position herself from lying completely flat on the floor. And, even more of a shock, she used her arms to do it!

I cried happy tears — so many of us have worked on that skill with her for over 2 years now.

But maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised. Even with all her GI issues and daily pain, Eloise has been on a development streak for the last several months now. It’s been heartwarming.

And that’s why a few months ago we realized we need to take advantage of this precious development window. Which is why we are doing something new and a bit scary this week.

You see, for years we’ve seen many kids with disabilities participate in what they call intensive therapy programs. Research shows that in just 2-3 weeks of some intensive therapy programs, many kids develop as much as they do in an entire year of therapy.

So finally Eloise will be attending her first one here in Estonia. It’s not quite as intensive — due to some difficulties on our end, it’s only 1 week instead of 2, and the days may be shorter because due to a last minute change, we’ll now have to drive back and forth each day. (We’ll find out tomorrow if the program will even allow us to commute instead of stay overnight.)

I’m both nervous and hopeful. If Eloise does well this week and doesn’t get too tired, then we might be able to consider intensive programs in other countries with therapies more designed for kids like her.

This week in Estonia is only a tiny beginning, but I’ve seen intensives do wonders for so many kids. Maybe it will for Eloise, too.

Send us your good vibes and prayers for endurance for us all — Eloise often struggles in therapy, especially if there are many. So this week is going to be intense. 🫠