Well as I mentioned Spencer left for China the entire month of January to teach.  We had Spencer’s college, Jon come out 3 times a week to work with Matt.  Jon came out with some new approaches that have seemed to work quite well.  The biggest thing was Jon got Matt up and walking in tandem with himself.  It’s a little hard to explain but basically Jon & Matt share 2 separate platforms  that they both have their shoes mounted too.  There is a strap on each of their legs just below their knees.  Jon then gets up with Matt in front of him and walks him around.  The first time we did this Matt seemed a little uneasy, I don’t think he quite understood what was going on even though we explained it to him.  That unease lasted about 20 minutes then you could see the change in Matt as he relaxed and realized things were going to be ok.  Jon likes this approach he says because he can directly feel Matt’s body, legs, back, torso, shoulders etc and can tell when and where Matt’s engagement is and with that he can talk him through it and get more of Matt’s own reaction as he moves through all the natural movements.  Because Matt’s core strength has improved so much with all Spencer’s work, Jon said managing Matt was not to bad at all.  Matt did so well with this in fact that it became a part of each therapy session all four weeks Jon came out.  Jon & Matt would average 1hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes continuously each session.  There were times Matt would balance his head and core hands off.  There were times as they walked through the room Jon could feel Matt lifting his leg to take a step.  When Spencer came back Jon and Spencer put their heads together and now Spencer is incorporating the walking as part of Matt’s therapy routine.  I notice that as Matt did the walking more and more he moves his arms and shoulders like he is working his body all together taking more of a stride.  It seems like he connects his body all together in what looks like a more natural complete movement.  That is all very encouraging, really something to watch.  There were times though when Matt became very vocal, very loud.  Jon would stop not really sure what was going on.  Lisa and I would laugh because you could see Matt was complaining.  That was more in the first and second times we did this.  He doesn’t complain anymore.  I really see alot of looking around at things, I guess a different perspective and I also think I’m seeing a little curiosity.  Don’t know exactly, wish we could get some words out so we don’t have to be guessing.  We’d all love to know what’s going on in his head.  It would be so good to hear his voice and have a conversation.     Some day…………………………….

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