Swimming

I knew after our weekend away in February Maria needed swimming lessons. Preferably from someone other than me....some things it is just easier for her to do with different people. So, I started looking for private swim instructors in our area who had experience with children who have physical disabilities....and I found Grandma Barb.

She is great! Spunky and not slowing down at 77. Coaxing and helping Maria get comfortable at her own pace and even seeking out additional advice from others on what is best for Maria. The first week Maria was very uncertain and said no the entire time, but did do some things for Barb.

Slow and steady has been the pace and Maria has done great.

Lesson 2 brought Maria's big challenge, putting her face in the water....something she did NOT want to do at all. With taking things slow, she did this....ok, I also bribed her with ice cream. She also felt comfortable with two noodles supporting her in the water. With the noodles there she has figured out the dog paddle. This is brought tears to my eyes. In the pool Maria can be like other kids....she doesn't need her braces, crutches or a wheelchair. She can move about and do things just like other kids! I was quick to send videos and pictures to Manuela who was at Maria's former doma. Everyone got to see her swimming and were amazed at what she was doing, especially her physical therapist there.

 

This week brought lesson 3...Maria did great...she even swam with only 1 noodle for a little while, although she isn't very comfortable with it yet. She did just great and we are all so pleased. Maria is loving swimming lessons right now. I have a feeling we are going to sign up for more lessons to help her get ready for summer. I also think that the swimming lessons might be helping her become stronger, which is great!

 

2nd lesson

This week's lesson

 

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Maria's new trick

This is the girl who shouldn't have feeling below her belly button
The girl who shouldn't have ever been able to walk
The girl who was loosing the ability to walk just a few years ago
Now able to stand unsupported for a few seconds....not long, but AMAZING!

I'm not sure how long Maria has been doing this.  I know she has been doing it at school since the classroom aide has noticed it too.  I witnessed it for the first time last week on Friday in the middle of the grocery store....all the sudden she picked her sticks up waist high and stood!  I was SHOCKED to say the least...and when I asked her about it Maria's reply was "Kid needs crutches."

I told our friend in Switzerland about Maria's new trick and had to video it to share with Manuela and Dr. Bruno.  Bruno and his wife saw it this afternoon (their night) and needless to say they were surprised and the fantastic doctor was quick to remind Maria she has to be careful.  And yes, he got a typical preteen whine with an eye roll :)  We have yet to hear Manuela or our friends in Bulgaria's response to Maria's new trick....I'm sure they will be just as surprised.

New wheels

We were very fortunate to be given Maria's wheelchair from the doma. It has served us well, but had some issues. The tires never stayed inflated, it seemed too big for her and was very heavy to transport anywhere. So, when I was able to get her the basketball wheelchair through two grants, I started talking with Trevor the wheelchair guy about getting Maria new wheels, especially before all the new healthcare laws go into effect (no flames, just that new laws sometimes make things harder to get through insurance). So, we started the paper work for a lightweight ridged frame wheelchair. A doctor's letter and PT appointment were required and finally it came. Thankfully insurance covered about 4/5 of the cost....and in case you are wondering how much a wheel chair cost...it is a lot! Thankfully Maria's wasn't as expensive as some are. So, I'm us you are anxious to see her new wheels....

 

 

Yes, it is pink....she wanted this color. And as you can tell Libby is ok with her new napping place. Maria was quick to inform the cats that she had a new wheelchair. Yup, she talks to the cats...I think it is good for her that she has animals to find comfort from too. Libby is Maria's buddy....she is waiting for Maria every morning in the bathroom, quick to show Maria affection by purring and rubbing against Maria's legs, and gets in bed with Maria when she gets a chance.

 

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Giving back

A few months ago my friend Viviane talked about how her and her husband are going to donate money monthly to someone in the process of adopting.  I was inspired by the choice that they made and decided that I would donate a small amount ($35) monthly to different families adopting from Bulgaria.  So, to start this out I ended up asking the lady at the NGO that has helped with Zack, J and S if she knew of any families who needed a donation.  She sent me a link for one family that was attached to a give away.  I ended up donating my money and chuckled to myself that I would never win either prize.  I also gave to some fundraisers some other friends were having for their adoptions. 

So, last week at church our pastor did something a little nutty....he gave us all envelopes with money in them to go and bless others with....some people got $5, $10 others got more.  Maria and I each got $5....we talked on the way home from church that we would combine our money and I decided to add more to it and that we would give it to a family adopting from Bulgaria.  Later on Sunday I posted on 2 Facebook groups what had happened and asked if anyone would be interested in receiving the money.  The response was more than I expected.  Maria and I ended up dividing the money between 2 families after school on Monday.  It was great for Maria to get to help other kids come home and know that she is making a difference. 

The other exciting thing that happened on Monday was that I can no longer say I never win anything....yeah, won a week vacation in a condo in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.  At first I was planning to give it to my parents and stay at home, finishing up our school year and work....but then the office assistant told me I would be a bad mom not to take Maria.  So, we have pretty much figured out how to make it work.  We will drive out there so we can pick up my friend's daughter for the trip too....I'm going to learn first hand what it is like to parent 2 giggly girls and yes they will be giggling most of the time.  In fact my friend is waiting to tell her daughter so that she doesn't have to deal with an overly excited child for the next couple months.  Should be a great vacation.  June is going to be super busy between this and the Bulgarian Adoptee Reunion.

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Lately the winter blues have been hitting....because we have has so much snow! In the last 3 weeks there have been just as many snow days as school days it seems. I know I have been longing for spring! Maria and I are still wearing are martenitsas, ready for the first sign of spring to put them in a tree.

Although I'm not seeing lots of changes in the weather, I am seeing other changes. Maria has started doing homework without being told at the babysitter's home. She also did homework in the car on the way home yesterday....all on her own. A few months ago, this wouldn't have happened. Homework was something that brought tears almost nightly....but now, she is getting it. No, it isn't perfect and she has to make her own mistakes, but she is wanting to do things independently. So, proud of my girl!

 

 

 

 

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Chestita Baba Marta

We made lots and lots of martenitsas for Maria's class party.

She was worried that there would not be enough for all her friends. No problem, we had more than enough. We had banitsa, juice (banana, peach and sour cherry), chocolate and Bulgarian rose candy. The kids all had a great time! And someone was pretty happy!

Maria also wanted to share pictures from the doma with her class. We also got some pretty awesome pictures from friends in Bulgaria and other adoptive families.

 

 

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