Thursday, October 2

Over a single day it's difficult to see Tommy's progress, but when viewed week to week it's obvious. This week, Tommy has improved in doing his transfers, although he still has trouble if he has to move in the direction of his still-recovering right leg. That is, when he has to begin the sequence of small steps with his left leg, it's easier because then he's only bringing his right leg along, not leading with it. Shannon has been putting Tommy through these paces and it helps that Tommy's earlier distraction problem is fading; he is paying closer attention all the time. On Tuesday, Shannon asked me to assist Tommy in a transfer (from a wheelchair to an upholstered chair pulled alongside), and Tommy did very well; but again, he did better moving to his left than he did on the return trip. Tommy is also getting stronger at lifting himself out of his wheelchair when using grab bars on the wall, but in general he needs to practice all aspects of these transfers until they become pretty much bombproof.