Bobath Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Joshua was lucky enough to be offered a 2 week treatment block. Which we completed today. I have to say that this post is about to be a complete rave about how good they are.

Joshua was assigned a physiotherapist on the first day. Upon attending it was obvious that the PT had read all of Joshua's notes and discussed him with the Senior PT that he met at an earlier consultation. She watched Joshua's movements and communication intently.

On the second day we were joined by an Occupational Therapist, who spent a lot of time looking at Joshua's vision.

Each day Joshua's tolerance of touch, positions and activity increased.

For 4 days we were joined by a Speech and Language Therapist, who spent a lot of time helping Josh to play, showing us to wait for Joshua to respond. And what to accept as a response, be it verbalising, a smile, or even withdrawing and crying.

We spent a lot of time concentrating on Joshua's arms, trying to bring them forward to make play more accessible. Trying to bring his shoulders down, to try and reduce the tone across them.

There was a lot of tummy time, trying to get Josh to lay with his arms supporting him, this enabled better head control.

We spoke about feeding, sleeping, playing, relaxing.

All the staff are amazing, and they all care so much.

Another brilliant factor was meeting other parents, sharing a cup of tea and listening to others experiences.

Josh will be attending again in March to attend the Early Intervention Course. This should reinforce everything he's already learned. And the next goal is to obtain PCT funding for another 2 week block in 6 months. Fingers crossed!

Like I said, this is a post of praise. It's also a post of thanks and admiration.

No funding for Joshua

Joshua's application for funding to attend the Bobath Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy was refused. We haven't had a letter explaining the reasons. Bobath actually contacted us with the news.

As David pointed out, the PCT/NHS are more than happy for him to undergo needless appointments, like audiology, when there is no concern for his hearing, repeated ophamology, when there is no change to his vision, an offer for a visit to a neurosurgeon, when there is nothing to be achieved. But no help at all for Bobath, who's expertise in the field has been going strong for over 40 years. Early intervention is key!

I await a letter to explain why Joshua can't have the best therapy available.

In the mean time we are going to self fund a consultation and take it from there.

Neonatal Development Clinic

Second appointment of the week, development clinic. I think we knew what to expect... Nothing, or wait and see. Sure enough that's what we got.

The doctor was one we had seen before. He was the consultant who first told us Joshua may have some mobility issues. This was when he was 9 days old. They had seen white cysts on the scan taken through his fontanel.

Today he said that he would term it 'evolving cerebral palsy'. That is to say that it appears that cerebral palsy will be a part of his future. Nothing new then. He did however agree to write a letter to the Bobath Centre in support of his referral.

Joshua was in such a happy, playful mood when we were with the doctor. Giving him all his best smiles and coos. The doctor was clearly taken with him.