Stryker Brigade News

We only had one appointment today and that was for physical therapy. Among the chores for today were obstacles and balancing tasks. The PT for today (they rotate weekends) placed obstacles on the floor and Scott had to step over some, walk on others and generally navigate around without tripping. He seemed to enjoy the exercise as he grinned through most of it. He had to walk between the parallel bars, stepping over canes that had been partially propped up on either side. Here, he was a little too "Godzilla-like" because on one pass he just stepped on them or kicked them out of the way. Another task was for him to step forward and backward with his right foot still on a short platform. He didn't seem to like this one too much. Another balancing task put him with his feet shoulder-width apart on a platform which was attached to two curved pieces so that he rocked from side to side. I told the PT Scott was a soldier, not a sailor, and didn't need to work on this task (it was a joke). He had to do the same only front and back when the platform was rotated 90 degrees. Scott also did a lot of walking around with the new type of brace, which I think he'll be fitted for soon.

After we finished PT, we went to the cafeteria as we had not eaten yet. Scott didn't get much either as he somehow managed to knock over his tray this morning (we're investigating). We spied some very good looking sticky buns and we secured one each. Scott also wanted a medium Cherry Coke, a small chocolate milk and a donut. He opened the chocolate milk with both hands without too much difficulty and began to eat the sticky bun. At one point, he just paused and make some Homer Simpson noises while he slowly chewed his food. He took the Coke and the donut back to his room and consumed them during the day.

After "dining," we returned to the room and waited while Scott took a shower. Then we talked and watched some bad movie on TV until lunch arrived. He ate most of it and then fell asleep. We left and came back for his dinner, bringing ours with us (in the 40 degree evening with a stiff breeze). After dinner, he fell asleep again. We waited about an hour or two to make sure he was done for the night. Julie laid out some clothes for tomorrow morning and we left.

We were hoping to get Scott on the telephone for my mother's birthday, which he remembered, but it didn't work out. We'll get it done tomorrow. (Maybe a good task for speech therapy?)

ST