Happy New Year!
Jordan celebrated the new year a little early… We counted down to midnight in Greenland so the kids could go to bed early. It was fun and complete with noise makers and hats. We hope you had a wonderful celebration and an even better 2010!!
HI Jen,
Thanks for you Msg. Fun looking through pictures of Jordan! Does she wear a prosthetic? So great to connect with you over the internet!
Heather – Jordan wears her prosthetic for tasks. Recently she used it during a craft party with friends (but I couldn’t get her to use it as well as I know she can with her occupational therapist): http://www.bornjustright.org/2009/12/craft-fun/
The photo from the craft party is one of Jordan’s three different “hands.” Open/close hand helps her grab stuff but it requires a strap around her shoulder so she can pull the hand open and closed. She does NOT like straps or feeling tied down so she doesn’t wear this hand a lot.
This summer Jordan really took to riding her bike with training wheels. Here’s a little video of her using it: http://www.bornjustright.org/2009/07/camp-no-limits/
Jordan also has a hand that is named “bouncy hand.” It’s a simple passive hand that offers a little balance help (she uses it often at dance class). You can see a recent video of her wearing it here: http://www.bornjustright.org/2009/11/dancing-with-her-helper-arm/
We worked with Pediatric Prosthetics on two myoelectric arms when Jordan was 10 months and 22 months old. It helped her build torso strength and that was very important. But when Jordan got older she would get very mad at at the arm because the hand wouldn’t open and close when she wanted it. I moved to a different company in Chicago in 2008 and Jordan is having a much more positive experience and has really learned how helper arms can help! We’re building her next arm in May 2010! It will be her first with a flexing elbow. I’m really looking forward to that.