June 11th

Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to share a link with you. I posted this on my Facebook page as well. As some of you know Megan was involved with the Mmofra Trom Bead Project when she was at Bentley. They have made a bracelet in her honor! The bracelet is white and red. The are $10, and half of the profits will go directly to the National Stroke Association. Please support Megan in her recovery by wearing these beautiful bracelets! Hopefully we'll see you around Acton, Bentley, or anywhere Megan's friends and family are located wearing these to show our support for her!
http://www.mmofratrombeadproject.com/collections/cause-collection/products/meganstrong

Now on to Megan! In Megan's OT she has been working with her right arm. Her therapist brought in this brace looking thing yesterday, and we weren't really sure what is was for. Her therapist quickly told us that it was called Bioness. It sends an electric current through her muscles to get it moving. When the current is on it causes Megan's hand to open, but when the current goes off her hand closes. There are a series of exercises that work with movement of the hand and wrist. Megan is only working on the opening at this point. Her therapist is hoping that by moving her hand like this, it will begin to send signals to the brain. He is hoping that it will help Megan start to have more movement on her own. Not going to lie, it's a little creepy. It looks like she has a claw!

I wasn't able to attend PT today, but she is still working on walking. I have mentioned that they are tying an ace bandage around her right foot and leg below her knee. You wouldn't think that this does much, but it really does make a world of difference. It keeps her right foot from rolling outward (as if you would step on the outside of your foot and roll your ankle). She still has difficulty monitoring the control of her right leg, but it is definitely better. She sort of swings her leg around and then snaps her knee back as she takes a step. With the ace bandage, it keeps her foot flat as she swings her leg to take that step. Hopefully you can follow that!

Next is speech, my favorite! For those that don't know, I am majoring in Speech-Pathology. I have learned so much already, and there is still so much to learn! Anyway, Megan's speech continues to develop. When she first began speaking, she had a higher pitch than her normal voice. As the days go on and she is talking more her regular tone is coming back! She is sounding like herself more and more. Today during speech therapy Megan started off writing with her left hand! She was given a picture and had to write it out. Her SLP has told me that Megan's reading comprehension is a lot better than her oral output. She isn't able to express what she wants to say. She has a lot of trouble finding the word she wants to say. Basically, she can read the word in her head, but saying it is a struggle. They will continue to work on this daily, and in time will become easier. Megan also has difficulty following directions when her left arm is involved. The signals to her brain are still not firing when she tells herself to point to the ceiling, or the floor. For example, she knows that if you want her to point to the floor and then the ceiling what that means, but she can't always do it. As Megan continues to strengthen those connections over time they will become easier for her!

I am taking the day off tomorrow from rehab, as I have other obligations. I will try to get the updates from the rest of my family. If not I will update again on Thursday!