An unfamiliar skunk

Zack tried out a shower come toilet chair yesterday. It's a Smirthwaite one. It's to go over his new toilet in his new bathroom, you know the one that will be built in about 15 years.

When he sat in the chair with not much support I hasten to add, it was the most comfortable I have ever seen him sit in a chair. Whilst discussions between the rep and the Occupational Therapist were taking place I was thinking could I realistically have my son use a shower chair for school?

This is the one we tried.

Smirthwaite toilet and shower seat


Zack has also been testing out his requirements for future pets. We went along to a Families United F.UN Club and Home Safari came along with a menagerie of animals.

This included a couple of snakes, Zack a big fan of these. One Skunk, which got its tail wafted at Zack, not really the place you want to be with an unfamiliar skunk. There were some hedgehog thingies, a bearded dragon and a Raccoon yes a big Raccoon. Oh and rabbits which Scarlett really liked. Though the cats bring home one or two of these a week, unfortunately they are usually dead or about to be eaten.

Here are some photos.

 

 

On a bum note

On Sunday we all went to Space with our friends from Families United


It's a multi-sensory play centre in Preston with soft play, ball pool, heated water bed and a huuuuge slide.


Zack loved it and so did first time visitor Scarlett, take a look at them enjoying some bonding time on the big swing (Zack's favourite part of the visit).

On a bum note (pun intended), I got an unsupportive result back from the O.T with regards to my request for suitable seating for toilet training. Apparently management (whomever they are) don't think he is developmentally ready for it. 

Truth be told I knew I would get that answer. Helpfully it was suggested I just try him on an ordinary potty chair from Mothercare and if I am successful a suitable chair can be looked into. On the other hand use his Disability Living Allowance to buy the chair as this is what's it's for. Either way they are not going to offer any help with regards this matter. 

I have asked for the relevant members of staff higher up to write to, don't think I will get anywhere but I still want them to consider this matter not just for Zack but for other children like him.

Seizures remain the same. Definitely longer, they last about thirty seconds now so I am starting to think we need to re-look at medication again. 

Come Friday Zack is going back to boot camp. We'll see how we go, I'm glad really as we haven't seen the physio for ages and we need to get back on track with some therapy for him.

Busy times for the Pants and a birthday coming along very soon, can't believe he will be three in a couple of weeks. 

We had the pee and poo nurses round today

Zack's back at nursery. So far he's played outside. Had a massage. Decorated a biscuit. And played in the sensory room. 


I was worried about sending him back after all the problems with his seizures but the staff were happy to care for him and he's in safe hands. I think he is getting more used to it now. Reports back from his main looker afterer is that he's doing lots of smiles and laughs and even shouts when he doesn't want to go in his seat. That is one little boy is getting his own way.


We had the pee and poo nurses round today. Okay. The incontinence nurses. They're the ones who hand out the free nappies. Apparently you only get four, that's all you're allowed. I said I didn't want any yet as Zack can still fit into the big size nappies. I didn't feel comfortable taking them whilst we can still get hold of the nappies to fit him. 


We discussed toilet training. They started off by saying, until a child is developmentally ready or mobile it's hard to potty train them. I said, well some children can't walk, talk or sit independently but they understand what's going on so surely they can be potty trained. They did agree and said that they think it's every child's right to try to be potty trained. Well okay then.


Moving the conversation along I discovered there are potty chairs (a bit like the chairs used in conductive education) that they have given to families to try to get their child to learn to use the toilet. I told them that the O.T couldn't provide a chair for Zack as there wasn't one small enough. I think the O.T is thinking Zack needs a chair that is more supportive whereas I know with help he can sit on one of these special potty chairs. 


This is the one I think they mean.


Potty Chair


Long and short of the conversation was that the P and P nurse is going to speak to the O.T about getting Zack one. She also said you never know learning to go the toilet might be his forte in life. Hmmmmm, I think Zack might be destined for greater things than learning to pee and poo on a potty.