A New Opportunity

I'm excited to say that Ashlyn and I will be going to an Upper Limb Clinic at Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics next week. She is starting to get very excited about the possiblity of getting a pretty new pink princess arm. She fell in love with one that we saw Jordan wearing on Born Just Right. I think she might actually use her arm more often if it weren't for the harness part...which Jordan does not use.

Last year at this time my insurance didn't cover (or barely covered) prosthetics. However, we have recently switched insurance carriers and I have been informed they are now covered at 100% (+ copay). That means that we won't have to travel 4 hours (each way) to St. Louis. Now don't get me wrong I LOVE Shriner's and they were wonderful to work with and we did enjoy our trips there. However, I don't have a lot of vacation time and the hospital isn't open on the weekends. Not to mention that a very active 3 year old (almost 4) in a car for that long makes for an even longer trip.

I think we are both excited and the opportunity to see what they may be able to do for her. They also mentioned a new swim arm. She's swimming like a little fish this year. She has really impressed me with all she can do, including diving under water and picking up dive sticks and returning to the surface. She hasn't figured out how to tread water yet...but it's in the process and I think she'll get there. I do think, however, that a swim arm will help her with the ability to get resistance to move both sides of her body equally. Eh, she would probably figure it out in time on her own, but I want to show her there are "tools" that can help. :)

This clinic will be an opportunity for me to really discuss my wants and her needs. Yes, she can do just about everything with her right hand and little arm, but I just want to try to open even more doors for her and introduce her to these tools bas soon as possible.

So excited!! I'll let you know how it goes!!!