CoronaVirus and the Therapy Intensive.

We set off to St Louis on Sunday, March 15 amidst the breaking news of the CoronaVirus. This was the week of our therapy intensive at St Louis Children's Hospital. This is a review of our week:

SUNDAY

The traffic on I-55 heading into St Louis was quieter than normal. We expected this as all the sporting events were cancelled but this was almost eerie. Drake Box traveled with us in spite of his job shadowing at Shriners Hospital being canceled that Thursday. This was where Drake received the orthopedic surgeries for his cerebral palsy. This young man never seizes to amaze me with his eagerness to learn and willingness to adapt to change.

MONDAY

Kellan saw Dr Park for a recheck before we headed back to therapy. This weekly intensive consisted of 3 hour therapy sessions, two hours of physical therapy and one hour of occupational therapy. It kicks off with an evaluation to see what goals we want to work on for the coming week. Kellan's goal was to improve his crutch walking and promote his handwriting skills. Objective measurements were taken by Jordan (PT)and Sheri(OT). That morning we received news that the St Louis school system was closing as a measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus. In addition, restaurants were closing to dine in service but would provide curbside service. We headed back to the apartment, made a quick dinner and was wiped out from a physically and emotionally gruelling day.

TUESDAY

Becca Oschwald, DPT and Jackie Patterson, DPT have been with us since the start of our SDR journey. They see things from a different perspective to where they can judge change. Becca discontinued his noodle braces and fitted him in his new Benik trunk support. Tori, his OT came up with some awesome problem solving to make his handwriting easier! She talked about a special handwriting program. Brooke Hanna, an OT friend of mine is currently taking the course and will soon be credentialed in this program, so watch this space for upcoming details.

WEDNESDAY

Infection control measures were firmly in place and we were greeted by screeners before we entered the hospital today. Governor Bill Lee from Tennessee recommended school closings and we received news that the Dyersburg School System would be closed till the end of March and that most colleges including Drake's school Dyersburg State Community College had moved their courses online for the next several weeks. That evening we got to do a podcast with Matthew Ryan of Audius Prime from who I learned quite a few of my podcasting skills.

THURSDAY

I met a family from Australia that was heading back home early after surgery in light of the airlines grounding flights. I met a mom from Jordan who was unable to return home after her daughter's surgery. She will be staying in St Louis for possibly another two weeks or until Jordan reopens its borders.

FRIDAY

I am proud of Kellan as he finished off the difficult week. It was unsettling as the week progressed and the containment measures for the coronavirus evolved. Today the outpatient therapy department was briefed that they were going to close to patients and that elective surgeries were being cancelled till mid May. We were grateful to head back home with a updated program but it's with a heavy heart as we think of those families waiting in limbo till the threat of this pandemic passes.