Tuesday morning came and we headed straight to the PRC -- pain rehabilitation clinic. As we waited by the desk and kid came up and introduced himself to Houlder asking him if he was going to be joining them (kids enter the program in a rolling fashion. Phase 1-2 in as 1-2 graduate). Houlder immediately broke out into his classic smile and shook his hand. It felt good.
Tuesday was long as we learned many things. There were classes for Houlder and me, parent groups, intakes, working with Frazer in the atrium -- typical first day anywhere --FULL!
Wednesday was basically a repeat. The parents hang out in the atrium much of the time talking and sharing their experiences. The program really encourages folks to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. They had a community dinner which we attended and it is an amazingly nice facility. We are on the waiting list but we are also not sure. The hotel is closer to the campus in which Frazer will going and that seems a bit easier for him.
The kids at this time are mostly in the surrounding area. Two kids drive back and forth every day, and three go home on weekends. There is a 16 boy from Missouri, a 19 year old girl from Denver, a 12 year old girl from Jacksonsville, and a 17 year old girl from Bloomington. Houlder is the first person in the program from Richmond. They have a map in which the kids pin their home towns.
We are also started to pick up the lingo. Houlder on his first day was minus 2. So, his third day there is actually Day 1 until graduation. And, it gets tricky not wanting to say, "Oh," in that Minnesotan way.
Thursday, Day 1, Houlder began the regimen that they have him on. Unlike what we are hearing about, he has entered the program excited and ready -- the coachable kid that he is. In that way he does not fit much of what they focus on as his attitude and willingness to work hard are already there. He had the focused relaxation down as well as guided imagery. Hopefully he will move by leaps and bounds. There are several kids who came in a wheelchair and are walking now which is pretty incredible.
Each morning begins with 30 minutes of stretching and I made Frazer join in. I wish I had taken a photo. Hood up, hands in pockets, looking at his toes. After trying to cajole him into joining us for 15 minutes, I let him go back downstairs where he read. That kid does not like a crowd or people talking about his eyes.
Thursday lunch is provided by the program and there was a graduation cake for a 12 year old boy from Winnona, MN who graduates on toay. He arrived in a wheelchair and had been in bed for over a year. His mother brought him every meal in bed. Clearly I must be meaner. There is a lot of parent focus on not doing too much for our children or focusing on what is wrong. In our meeting with Houlder's case manager, he said that he sensed that was not applicable to me as Houlder had already told him that I had continued to make him do chores.
Thursday evening a small group gathered for dinner at the Mongolian Grill HuHot. It was a nice evening and then we came back and Frazer and Houlder watched Lord of the Rings Two or something while I worked.
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