Fun at OT

Austin loves going to his occupational therapy sessions. Sumantha is Austin's therapist, and he is great. Sumantha has easily developed a good relationship with Austin, and keeps the sessions fun and interesting.

As you can see in one of the photos, Austin genuinely enjoys the activities.

In one photo, Austin and Sumantha are standing on inflated innertubes, facing each other. The goal is to knock the opponent off their innertube, by tossing a punching bag (which is hanging by a rope from the ceiling) to them. Austin maintained good balance, and thoroughly enjoyed the session.

In another photo, we see Austin's beautiful smile while he's inside a lycra tunnel. He either climbs through this tunnel, or has to hold on and try to stay standing as Sumantha shakes the tunnel at increasing speed and movement.

Austin played a game of Rush Hour (a puzzle game where you need to find a way to move the vehicles out of the way of the red engine, so it can pass through and off the board), in the "Superman swing." This exercise helps to build Austin's upper body muscles.

Sumantha explained that he is gradually building Austin's muscle strength from his shoulders to his wrist, which will help to make writing easier for Austin. Now, Sumantha has observed that Austin uses some shoulder strength for writing.

This reminded me of our ATV trip about 5 years ago, near Watson Lake, YT. I was driving my own ATV home from an overnight camping trip. During that day, I began pressing the throttle with my thumb, and as my thumb weakened, I was using my wrist muscles, then my lower arm, my upper arm, and by the end of the trip, I could only press that throttle with the little strength I could muster from my shoulder!