It's been one month since Maddie completed the Constraint Induced Therapy at Hasbro Children's 
Hospital and it's hard to believe that it's all said and done at this point! We were surprised and relieved with Madison's willingness to participate in the beginning of the program and overwhelmed with her accomplishments by the end. She worked so hard each and every day and never quit. Her therapist, Linda Correia OTR/L, was phenomenal. She is extremely patient, kind and devoted. Linda believed in Maddie and helped her to achieve her goals.
The first week of Maddie's therapy was school vacation. It worked out perfectly to have a transition time at home to adjust to the cast and bond with Linda. Maddie hardly fought the cast and embraced having a new friend that was all her own! For weeks 2-4, I dropped Madison and Linda off at school at 8:40 and returned to pick them up at 11:10 am. Linda arrived each morning at 7am and immediately supported Maddie with dressing. We then proceeded on with breakfast and then Maddie and Linda were off! They brushed teeth, washed hands and played. All of the activities Maddie participated in were challenging but designed to make her successful no matter how well she performed the task. Some of the activities Maddie loved the most were play dough, bubbles, coloring and finger painting. Madison also loved to brush Linda's hair and that was often used as a reward activity. Maddie and Linda also spent countless hours atop the play structure drawing on the chalk wall and digging for treasures in Linda's bucket of rice and beans.
Today, Maddie attempts to use her right hand often and both hands together regularly when appropriate. Her fine motor skills are still inhibited but in general, she's using her right hand much more than before CIT. Maddie also recognizes her own successes so she's more apt to try a task. Before the therapy, Maddie neglected her right hand most of the time and refused to use it when prompted. Now, she's more confident and involved in some of the activates we do. Yesterday, Madison and I created a sunflower patch. I tilled the grass and dirt and Maddie steadily followed behind grabbing clumps of loose grass and vigorously shook out the dirt with her right hand! This is an outcome of her therapy. Maddie also pushes her baby stroller around the house like an old pro! She puts both hands on and rounds the corners with little difficulty. This is what being 4 is all about!
Due to the success of this 1st CIT program with Hasbro, Madison has been enrolled in 2 additional 
sessions for October 2009 and April 2010. We are able to do this for Maddie with the support and generosity of our friends and family. We are eternally grateful for support and could not have provided this for Maddie without you!
Jen and Jason Moura
(photos by Jen)
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