Hi Guys, Well, it's been 16 months since Steven (my DSonIL) had his AVM stroke. He still has a wonky memory (short-term mostly) and his "practical" thinking isn't too swift. By this I mean that he is still relearning to make a lot of the intuitive leaps in thinking that are "second nature" to most of us. He also has very poor left side peripheral vision in both eyes and this is what has kept him from getting his driver's license. A good thing because he's still dealing with that "intuitive" thinking thing which is ***critical*** when doing a highly multi-task thin like driving. I guess saying he isn't very good at multi-tasking is an easier way of saying what I mean. He's soooooo much better than this time last year -- or even last summer -- that we can't complain. Anyway, back to the vision which is what this post is mainly about. There is a new PT out there for people with vision problems, especially peripheral vision like Steven has. It has been developed by a company called NovaVision and is an "at home" therapy done using a computer. DD contacted them and discussed Steven's vision and they approved him for their program. The program is administered through twelve different vision clinics throughout the country one of which is the Emory Vision Center right here in HOTlanta! Steven has his appointment on Monday 22 May and he & DD and the SMDGD will be here on
19 May!!! HOORAY -- I can't wait to have them visit again but more importantly, I can't wait for Steven to start this new therapy!. Emory will do tests on Steven to determine his specific needs. They will then send him a laptop loaded with the appropriate therapy stuff for him to work on at home. The laptop will periodically send his therapy results back to Emory and after six months, they will assess his results. At that time they will determine if he would benefit from further therapy or not. The cost is tremendous -- $6,000.00 -- but worth every penny. The center will help the kids with some sort of financing since none of us has a spare six grand just laying around doing nothing -- LOL! So -- prayers, good thoughts, positive vibes, etc. (whatever you prefer) that the therapy works for Steven. As he does more and more, his critical thinking improves and he *really* needs to get his peripheral vision to improve so that he is more comfortable in his daily life. He was back at work for about eight months (he's an architect) but business was getting very slow and his firm just didn't have enough appropriate work for him considering his ability at this time. They went through the proper channels to say that Steven is unable to work at his former level. His Dr. did the paperwork to make this official for at least another six months so that Steven will be getting his full disability again (I think this is about 60% of his working wages). The best part of Steven staying home again is that, to save money, the SMDGD stays home with her Daddy one day a week :-)! The first day (about a month ago) he phoned DD at least a dozen times with questions like "Raechel won't eat her lunch, what shall I do". The second time he took care of her, he only called DD 5 or 6 times. and last week he phoned 3 or 4 times and that was because "R" wanted to tell Mommy what she and Daddy were doing at the park :-)! This is great for him as he is getting confidence in his ability to do more, especially with the kiddo. All in all, we certainly can't complain with the progress Steven has made in his recovery. He flatland TWICE when he was in the Emergency Room the night he had his AVM and had to be "jump-started" both times. From basically being a vegetable to being about 80% "normal" (he's about 99% back to normal physically) in just 16 months is awesome and we all thank the powers that be AND all of our friends for the prayers, positive thoughts, etc. that you have sent Steven. CiaoMeow >^;;^<- posted
18 years ago