Just Plain Dirty

We received a call from Custom Mobility today. They are the medical equipment people. They advised that United denied our claim for a gait trainer for the second time. Custom even called United to explain why my gait trainer is necessary and they would not change their decision. Once informed, my father immediately had a stress attack and checked himself into the hospital despite them. Just kidding. He's fine people!

The technical and boring part is that after the second denial, Custom goes to what is known as "last resort" funding, through the state, with the denial letter from United. How about appealing again, you ask? Well, from their experience, a third appeal to United would involve an outside director, chosen by United, reviewing our file and who will most likely concur with rejecting our claim. Basically, it's no use.

Meanwhile, I will continue to wait and waste more time NOT learning to walk. My parents will continue to physically lift me, stand me, hold my legs apart to stance, and encourage my legs to lift and step, alternating, all while trying to keep me from falling and continue my forward movement. When their age advances, so will their arthritis. Thanks United.

In other dirt news, I commando crawled on the grass today, ultimately reaching the dirt in our backyard. I dug my fingers into it, grabbed a handful, then ate it. The flavor and texture did not satisfy me, as I began to cry. I consequently needed a washing, which made me smile and cry some more. I like the water and slashing part, not so much the wiping.

At speech, I continue to impress Ms. Amy. She shows me flashcards every week. While showing me a "clock" card today, I immediately located the clock in the room, pointed and started to say "cla". I had never seen this card before and it was a surprise learning that I knew about the clock in the room. Sometimes she doesn't say what is on the card and I already know what it is. I know the baby, dog, apple, cat, telephone and toothbrush. Whenever possible, I even mimic the sound it makes. When I say super, you say smart. Super!

So smart

This week, I ate spinach and liked it.

In Speech, I had five flash cards put in front of me and was told what they were. I had never seen them before and I handed Mrs. Amy the ones she asked for on the first try. I even said "apple" for the apple card. Needless to say, I impress my therapist.

We borrowed a gait trainer from PT for the weekend. I require motivation to move forward, stepping. Usually a button to press. I stand up in it really well. It's an older model, doesn't have the seat attachment, and I'm so slim that I can slip out of the bottom at any moment. (Dear supervising adult, please note this.)

An answer to our appeal from United Healthcare is expected within the next two weeks. Let's twiddle our thumbs.

I blow kisses to all the cashiers and try to press their keypads, as I am obsessed with buttons. They still won't let me no matter how hard I try or throw myself at them. I go head first too!

Disney

Over the new year, I visited the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom with my family and extended family from NY. It was overly crowded at the Magic Kingdom and we didn't get to ride that many things because the lines were too long. About half way through our visit, my parents decided to try to get a stroller pass for me so I didn't have to wait in the long line. If only they had thought of it sooner. We got the pass and zipped through "It's a Small World" with my cousins in a much shorter, friendlier line. It was actually the wheelchair line, but I got to keep my stroller and save my parents' backs. Who wants to come with me next time? I am V.I.P.

Official CP

My neurologist, Dr. Andrews, has responded to United Healthcare on my behalf. This comes after a week of my mom and dad calling and finally writing to her. Anyhow, she has written them a letter entitled "Letter of Medical Necessity" for my gait trainer. In it, she states my official diagnosis - spastic diplegia cerebal palsy. This means that the CP affects my lower extremities - legs, hips and pelvis. The spacticity means my muscles are tight. I do use my right hand more now, though still not as equally as my left, but every little bit counts.

Now we wait until they respond and hopefully I will have the gait trainer soon.