Author: katherineambos

Today Madison went downtown to the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine to teach physiotherapy students about how she moves. She was an awesome teacher! The program she visited is called O.I.E.P.B.

The Ontario Internationally Educated Bridging Program (OIEPB) is designed to provide educational opportunities for physical therapists educated outside of Canada, who already possess specified qualifications, to develop the additional knowledge, skills and clinical reasoning required to meet Canadian entry-to-practice standards. The University of Toronto, Department of Physical Therapy and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration are in partnership to offer this program.

Today, the OIEPB learners were introduced to paediatric physiotherapy. The learners were asked to conduct portions of assessments that were unique to paediatric clientele or clientele with a neurological, cardiorespiratory or orthopedic condition that was diagnosed in early childhood.

Madison did an awesome job! She took part in different activities to show her different transitions and movements that she can do independently. They watched her do things in and out of her AFO’s, passed around her equipment for the students to observe and did different stretching and range activities to teach how to assess and measure her catches and range. 

​

​
Michelle went with Madison to learn about what different things Madison does everyday and took lots of notes for a written profile assignment for school that will be about Madison and her upcoming surgery. Thanks Michelle!

The students then spent their afternoon problem solving different movement goals Mommy presented to them that they will pass along once they finish the assignment. 

Madison did a fantastic job with Stephanie at physio this afternoon. Mommy has been worried about the plateau Madison had experienced after her change in AFO’s and Botox that lasted much longer then usual. She has slowly been getting back to her level of mobility and independence she originally progressed to – and both Mommy and Stephanie felt like Madison was back to herself today and doing extremely well!

Madi and Jack had a great night with Nana and Papa! They played with some puzzles and had a nice dinner together. 

Madison was excited to have a little taste of Christmas today. She participated in a photo shoot at Varity Village for their Christmas card. The card is going out to all their major donors and sponsors as a thank you for their support. Without them, many of the programs and facility costs would not be possible. We are truly grateful that Madison has access to such a wonderful place that is fun, accessible and promotes inclusion- so we were happy to help out and give back by sharing Madi’s infectious smile. Stay tuned for some pics.

Daddy spent the afternoon with Madi and Jack at the mall. They wondered around and got to each pick one thing from the dollar store. Madi chose a snowman candy box and Jack chose a bag of coal. 

Madison had an exceptionally good morning at school. She used the treadmill during gym class and used the potty successfully!

Janine and Suzzane picked up Madi after school and they spent the afternoon together for Janine’s birthday! They went to the beach to enjoy the beautiful weather, went for a walk along the boardwalk and played with an ice cream play dough maker after some lunch. 

Madison then went to Nana’s house for some dinner and played with lots of puzzles with Nana. 

Then it was time for swimming with Ryan! They worked on more bobs, floats, kicking and floating in her life jacket and swimming with her buddy Jessica who helped out tonight. Madison even worked on walking in the hot pool with her ropes! She did an amazing job trying to do bobs while holding onto the ropes and walking to Ryan! Her confidence and comfort continues to build weekly- it’s so exciting to see! She kept her goggles on for the whole lesson tonight thanks to Ryan and Jessica both wearing pink goggles too so they would match Madison.

​

​​​

Madison and Jack had a list of appointments at Grandview today. It’s so amazing that all of their therapists and doctors plan together to make the visits easy and logistically stress free. 

Madison’s first appointment was with her Developmental Peadiatrician to have a “meet and greet” to go over some specifics that she will be writing in a letter of recommendation for Madison for surgery. She always has the best stickers for Madison to choose from.

Jack then had physio where they did various stretching exercises for his neck as well as taped his left side. The tape is acting as a cue for when his right side drops he will feel the pull on the left to cue himself to lift his head up straight. 

Madison worked in physio on her walking, different exercises to strengthen  and stretch her ankle/foot dorsiflexion and reaching up tall when standing with flat feet.

After physio it was time for OT! They worked on proper pencil grip, colouring in different lines, spatial awareness on a page by drawing faces, cutting and gluing. 

During OT she also started working on developing self help skills in preparation for kindergarten next year. Today she learned how to put a sweater on herself by placing it on the ground, sitting on a bench, reaching her hands in the arm holes and flipping it over her head. She also worked on zipping it on and off. Other self help skills we will work on are: pants on and off for the potty, opening her snack and drink on her own and putting her jacket, gloves and a hat on. 

Madison was thrilled that Daddy watched her at ballet tonight. She said her favourite part of class was walking like a duck and shaking her bum. 

On the way home from dance, Madison and Jack stopped by to see Shannon for their massage. Such a nice way to end the day! Muscles worked on, taped, pajamas on and then home to bed. Thanks Shannon! 

Madison had lots of fun with her friends at school this morning. They all dressed up in costume and sang Halloween songs at the end of the morning. 

After school Madison went for a ride with Sassy. Her instructor was thrilled that she is starting to correct her posture and re-position herself on the saddle when needed without cueing. She loved seeing her volunteers dress up as a chicken, cow and her instructor was a farmer. 

Madison was due for her 6 month cleaning at the dentist so she went this afternoon since there were so many cancellations for Halloween. She did awesome! She let them do an examination, cleaning and fluoride treatment all while watching the movie Frozen on the ceiling- best dentist ever!

After the dentist it was trick or treating time! Madi, Jack and Nate had some pizza and got ready together and then off they went in their astronaut suits to collect candy. Jack made it to 5 houses and then him and Nana headed home to hand out candy. Madison and Nate went to a bunch of houses together- so much fun! After Nate went home, Madi wanted to explore one more street. She walked all the way there, went to 8 houses and then walked all the way back in her walker all by herself! Mommy was most impressed by how well Madi managed the houses with steps. She figured out how to lift her walker up a step and then follow with her feet. Candy is the best motivation!

​​

​​

​​

​​​​

​

Madison was thrilled to go to her buddy Bens house for some Halloween fun this afternoon. Her friend Cruz was there too and Jack also went along for the fun. They decorated cookies, played a skeleton game, had lots of treats and rolled around and played together. Madison loved playing with Bens play dough ice cream maker and checking out all his Halloween books. It’s always so special seeing the kids play together and to know that they have one another as they grow, to figure out who they are together and what makes them unique and special. 

​
​

​

Madi and Tiffany had a great time at VV this morning for her sports class. All of the activities the instructors chose were aligned with goals Madi is working on in physio! They were all fun games and activities so she had no idea how much she worked within the hour class… It was perfect! Their warm up consisted of crawling, rolling and moving like different animals, they crawled and walked over a line of bosu balls and rolled and jumped on the air mattress. Madi did a great job! Thanks Tiffany!

Madi and Jack spent their afternoon cleaning up all the yard toys and putting everything away for the winter. They also decorated the house for Halloween!

Madison was lucky to spend her afternoon and evening with both sets of Grandparents.

She had a fun afternoon of Halloween activities with Grandma and Grandpa Ambos. They carved pumpkins, decorated cookies and cupcakes and played. 

She had a fun evening with Nana and Papa reading Halloween books, playing and practicing her walking. She also loved using Papa’s phone to take pictures of Jack!

​

​​​
Madison and Jack had a great day. Thanks everyone for all your help! 

Madison had a great morning with her teacher Calene. During gym class they climbed and crawled through different obstacles and had lots of fun!

After school, Madison and Jack had a low key afternoon at the house. While Jack was sleeping, Mommy showed Madison her new responsibilities chart. Mommy is trying to encourage Madison to be more independent with some daily tasks and for her to start initiating some tasks on her own without being asked. Her daily responsibilities are: having a bath, brushing her teeth, cleaning up her toys, sharing with her brother, saying please and thank you, stretching her feet & legs and doing one PT activity of Mommy’s choice. Her reward on the weekend is to pick a family activity of her choice and she is also building points towards a new book.

Madi and Jack had a great time at Pam & Medfords while Mommy was coaching. They played with the squishy balls and Madison loved all of Pams Halloween and Fall decorations. Madison also sang a Halloween song to Pam and she called it her Jack’s song about a Jack O Lantern. She told Pam she learnt it at school and every time she finished singing to Pam she laughed hysterically.

Daddy was on his own for bedtime which resulted in truck rides racing around the house

​

​​
​