Yesterday was a really exciting day for us. During Riley's weekly speech therapy session yesterday morning we meet with a specialist about the possibility of getting a speech assistance device for Riley. Basically it is a programmable touch screen computer that will speak for Riley. We can completely customize it to everyday words and phrases she would want to say and then by touching a button Riley can use the device to speak for her to better communicate her wants and needs. Riley communicates fairly well now just through signs and gestures but this device will completely change and simplify communication for her. We are able to download digital photos of our home, her room, etc. and then she can interact with the different elements of those scenes (if she touches her bed in the picture of her room the device will say "bed"). The technology is absolutely amazing! We are starting the process of getting one of these devices for her now and we are just hoping for favor with the insurance company because these are not cheap and we will not be able to afford it on our own. We are optimistic and excited about what this device could mean for Riley's day to day life but we are still confidently praying that we will one day hear HER voice as God continues to strengthen and heal her vocal cords.
Other big news from yesterday . . . Riley's stander and bath chair were finally approved and delivered. This has been a 7 month process with insurance, lots of paperwork, and tons of help but we finally got coverage for this equipment from Early Steps (a state program for therapeutic needs for medically needy kids under the age of 3). The bath chair will help make bath time so much easier and safer by allowing us to position her in the bathtub in a way that will let her take a real bath without the concern of water getting in or around her trach or g/j tube stomas. And the stander is a piece of equipment that allows her to stand upright by supporting her weight and maintaining her posture. We have alot of work to do as far as her therapy goals involving the stander but still this is a very big step in helping her to develop muscles and healthy bone growth in her legs so that she can hopefully one day stand and even walk on her own.
And then to cap off our amazing day yesterday we attended the Youth Quake Live: The Musical benefit for Riley and another just incredible kid Joshua Frase. The benefit was so well done and we were completely honored and humbled by the loving and selfless generosity of Sean Yost, Alexandra Smith, all the cast, and everyone else involved in YQL. Josh and I both were so moved by the effort, support, and dedication that were poured into this event for the Frase's and our family. We can not say thank you enough to the amazing, amazing people at Youth Quake Live. Our whole family was able to attend and Riley & Ayden both loved the musical and danced along to all the songs.
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