Hope For Mattie

Tag: Cerebral Palsy

  • Change for Mattie

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    hopeformattie
    in

    Somehow, someway an entire middle school was able to raise $1,306.83 for Mattie. The amount is amazing. The day my mom told me the total, I was in shock. So many amazing people came together to make this happen. A special needs class civic project taught me more about giving then I have ever known.…

  • Another Opinion

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    hopeformattie
    in

    Last week I was feeling nervous about Mattie’s upcoming surgery. I had opted to not get a second opinion, but of course at the last moment, I changed my mind. I was able to get in with another highly recommended ENT doctor. I took Mattie last Wednesday. Dr. H could not find anything wrong with…

  • The Price of Success

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    hopeformattie
    in

    In a recent post we discussed the differences in traditional therapy (OT/PT) and ABM and the resulting clash of theories. The simplest way I can describe the difference is that the traditional theory wants a special needs child to mimic the development of a healthy child in milestones and timelines, while ABM focuses on the…

  • Muffled

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    hopeformattie
    in

    Last week I posted on Facebook that Mattie was going to be able to cross another doctor off her “amazing long list of doctors and specialists”. Umm I was wrong. Mattie did not pass her hearing test last week. The beginning of the test was fine, but when the softer tones started, she was not…

  • What exactly is cerebral palsy? How does this effect Mattie?

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    hopeformattie
    in

    Today is World Cerebral Palsy Day, the first one of its kind. To me this is a day to spread awareness, love, and hope. I know that most people don’t know what cerebral palsy really is. Heck, I didn’t really know until Mattie was diagnosed with PVL. Mattie has been diagnosed as having moderate spastic…

  • New York, New York

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    hopeformattie
    in

    Jim: At the end of our family vacation in Albany, we placed our son Joba on a plane with his grandmother and headed to NYC for 3 days of ABM intensive therapy sessions with Marcy. Marcy is one of the most advanced ABM practitioners we have brought Mattie to for therapy. Jess: We stayed 2…

  • A Nanny’s View

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    hopeformattie
    in

    When I first met Mattie she was four months old, and I had no idea what I was in for… At the beginning, Jess and Jim discussed with me the unknowns and the concern of what Mattie’s future would be. There was no roadmap as to what progress could be expected, what milestones would be…

  • World Cerebral Palsy Day – September 4th

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    hopeformattie
    in

    With the first annual World Cerebral Palsy Day fast approaching, I know you are wondering how you can participate and help Mattie. For those of you who work in an office or administrative setting where business attire is the norm, dressin down for charity could be just the project for you!! Tell your employer why…

  • Noses and Glasses

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    hopeformattie
    in

    We have had a busy June and July. August is looking pretty full as well. Traveling for ABM is really taking a chunk of our free time. Since the last update in June (First Steps), we have done 10 ABM sessions with another 5 more on the schedule for July! Mattie is starting to have better…

  • Perseverance and Determination

    Perseverance and Determination

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    by

    hopeformattie
    in

    Every now and then I get sucked into the milestone checklist. I did it today. Mattie just turned 15 months old. When we adjust for her prematurity that technically puts her at a 13 months old level. So I decided to look at the 1 year milestones again since I have given her a few…