Bradley’s Severe Cortical Visual Impairment Blog

Get me outta here!

June 2nd, 2009

The only reason I titled this post that is because it is so stinkin’ hot here I think I’m going to die.  Really, that’s coming from a family who lives in Arizona.  We didn’t plan for such hot weather and we actually thought it’d be a lot cooler than it is.  In downtown Qingdao, it’s cooler because its right on the coast. However, we are more inland and it is very hot/humid.  Bradley is getting little rashes because he’s so hot.  In therapy this afternoon, he kept falling asleep because it was so hot in there and he was so tired.  They don’t turn on any air conditioning, ever.  All we have are a couple fans.  One mom came out of her room today and told us it was 95 degrees in there! What the heck, right?  We’re not joking…it’s nasty.  We’ve decided that that is why they don’t turn the hot water on.  It’s so we can keep our bodies guessing, FREEZING showers and HOT air.  We are still trying to figure it all out, we’ve had ONE warm shower since we’ve been here and the others feel like we’re standing under a melting iceberg.  Yikes!

We had another fun day today.  We ended up heading downtown this afternoon with another family here.  Matthew, Rachel and their little girl Carlie (8).  We went to a place called “May 4th Square”.  There is a really cool monument that they have there and its right on the coast.  It’s right next to the place where they held the 2008 Olympic rowing contest.  We walked the square and saw tons of people flying kites.  They were some of the coolest kites we’d ever seen.  We went to dinner at “The Diner” again and I it was deeeeelicous.  The boys crashed on the way home so it worked out perfectly.  It was a lot of fun and we had some good company. 

Bradley is doing great!  We’re so analytical about everything Bradley does and are watching for any improvement we can find.  We should probably take it easy but its hard not to.  He has been walking like crazy and his balance has improved so much its almost unbelievable.  Truly a blessing.  During afternoon therapy Andy, his therapist, had him walking the lengths of the room over and over again.  One time he had him walk to me on one side and Bradley would turn around at the end and walk to the other side.  He did it like 5 times in a row without us helping him or balancing him.  It was AWESOME!!  His legs seem to be much stronger than they were before we came here.  I know this sounds funny but as his mom, I see a huge difference.  He used to walk a little pigeon toed and didn’t seem to have enough strength in his legs to hold his feet straight when he walked, this is changing daily.  Today when he walked, his steps were absolutely perfect.  His toes stayed facing forward.  A couple times when he’d lose his balance they’d turn in and then he’d get balanced and walk with them straight.  That’s reason to be happy we’re here right there.  It’s awesome.  He has another IV treatment tomorrow and again, we hope it goes as well as the others.

We continue to learn everyday and laugh even more.  China is such an interesting place.  We’re taking pictures like crazy and have a load of stories to tell.  We love this adventure we’re on but truly cannot wait to be back him with you all. 

I’ve found out that I can no longer post pictures on this blog because we’ve reached out limit.  So go to my facebook page for more photos of our family here in China.  Till next time…

Entry Filed under: severe cortical visual impairment Blog,Uncategorized