All of the Tools..

Our house is slowly being overrun by tools and adaptive equipment for Mr. Huxley. We are SO lucky to have an amazing team of therapists from a centre here in Victoria called 'Queen Alexandra Centre for Children's Health.' They have an equipment lending service which has provided us with an abundance of things to try out with Huxley. I think about what it would cost us if this service wasn't available and it just makes me shudder. 

It started out slow.. 

At first we were given a giant mirror to distract Huxley and to help us to be able to monitor his body alignment while we played. 

You can see the awesome mirror there on the left (good for checking push up alignment too haha)


Then we were given a few toys which Hux still loves to play with: a switch toy and a sensory ball. 

That big yellow ball is the sensory ball :)

Gradually as we learned that Huxley was going to need support to experience different body positions, bigger pieces of equipment started to fill our house. 

This piece of equipment is called a "Tadpole" It can help Huxley find support in a multitude of different positions, he's practicing 'posting up' in this picture :)

Sometimes children with 'high tone' tend to stand right up on their tippy toes when placed in a standing position. People often say 'Wow, Huxley is so strong' (and yes in a lot of ways he is) but, he sometimes uses his high muscle tone too much and standing on tippy toes is not only hard on the toes but his calfs and hamstrings may get overly tight if he continues to practice standing in that way. A piece of equipment that is used to help children stand properly and enjoy being upright to play is something called a 'stander.' Here's Huxley thoroughly enjoying some independent play :)

QA didn't lend us the big body pillow pictured bellow but lately we've been using it to help support Huxley on his tummy and on his back. He seems to be enjoying it :) 

In a previous post I talked about this little chair called the 'tomato chair' (weird names right?) it is a supportive seating system that we hope Huxley will become comfortable with over time. QA has brought in several different seating options and so far the tomato chair has worked the best. 

Check out this neat band around Huxleys hand, it helps him to grip and hang onto a spoon. He is SO interested in feeding himself. Lately Hux has had great success bringing food towards his mouth or guiding our hands to do so. This kid is determined. I couldn't be more proud.

As many of you know, Huxley is yet to be mobile and is pretty uncomfortable being left on his back or tummy on the floor for too long. Huxley is also not able to go in a stroller and his car seat has become unsafe (long story). SO we carry him a lot. I feel so thankful that carriers exist, my favourite is a woven wrap and below I've put together a compilation of all the different ones I've had the pleasure of wearing :) (Big shout out to my lovely neighbour Sarah across the street for giving me the opportunity to wear so many different ones!!) I will always have a woven wrap because they are sturdy and hug Huxley in which makes him feel very secure and happy but the time is coming that we are going to need to put him on our backs in a supportive carrier. I'm on the hunt for one that has a high back so that his neck can be comfortably supported. If you have any thoughts or suggestions on a carrier that would work well for us please share! 

It is with a heavy heart that I have accepted equipment for Huxley into our home. I am SO glad that they exist and that we have access but it doesn't make it any easier and you truly never think that your child will need support in every aspect of their life. 

Big Sigh. 

Moving on. 

As always, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading about our journey

xo.