Just got back from the perinatal clinic...

We have to go to the perinatal clinic at the Children's Hospital for regular follow-up with Ave as they chart her progress after the operation to correct her heart defect. Today they diagnosed Avery with mild hemiplegic cerebral palsy (at some point in her gestational development or as a result of oxygen deprivation [due to her heart defect], she experienced a neural trauma which affected her motor function on her right side).

They believe that with early intervention she will re-train her brain to map the neural pathways she needs for successful movement on her right side. So we will be having physiotherapy every two weeks or so, a visit with the neuro-motor clinic at the hospital (to locate the trauma and find ways to ameliorate the problems) and may have to use specialized equipment (like a pediatric walker) to get her on the road to standing and walking.

They believe she is a very bright, intuitive child so they do not think she will have many cognitive or speech challenges. They complimented me on being so versed in the material that I knew the diagnosis before they even told me. Moreover, they felt I could really point to specific issues which, while innocuous for most, really do speak to the issues of CP (e.g. toeing instead of flat feet when walking, cupping or balling the fists, etc.). That was nice to hear since I do make an effort to understand Avery's issues as best as I can so that she can be, most of all, a happy girl (she does get so frustrated when she can't do certain things).

So right now, I have nothing but good thoughts about the diagnosis. Everything has always been a challenge with Avery but her smile makes it all worthwhile. We will get there...eventually...