James' speech is coming along really nicely! We had the sister missionaries over for dinner this weekend, and James was able to carry on a conversation with them without my help! It was awesome! It did help a little that they know finger spelling, but they didn't really have to rely on it. They understood most of his speech. There is a sister in our ward in Lacombe who communicates through finger spelling, so there are actually quite a few people who know the ASL alphabet from her.
James is doing well in physio too. He is practicing stepping over things and balancing with an obsticle course. The physiotherapist helps by holding on to his waist for support and he has to reach down and pick things up, walk on a balance beam on the floor, jump on a mini trampoline and step on and over different things. His balance is definitely improving, just slowly. Last night James took his walker and he and I walked out to the main hallway and he got a root beer at the vending machine. He put the change in and reached down and got the pop can out himself.
James made a really nice little change purse in leather works. He is very proud of it. He has also been loving getting out on the recumbent trike at the center while the weather is still good.
We went with the church youth, to the Lacombe corn maze a few weeks ago. It was so much fun! They have farm animals there and there is a little track with some pedal powered tractor/ bikes. James loved them!
James has been working on his paragraph writing while working through a workbook in his school time. I was pretty proud of his paragraph he wrote about his rehab...these are his own words...
