The most appreciative person that I've known is Mikaail! He thanks everyone for everything that the person does for him.
Today, we picked up our new maid and when she fed him his porridge, he thanked her and also told her that she is in his heart!
Earlier this morning, my husband and my sister brought him to the hospital to collect his AFO for his legs. He thanked us for buying these for him. It's amazing!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Studying @ Home
Mikaail's activities
His breakfast this morning: Fish porridge and grilled codfish. He practically eats everything with his cheese! Yesterday I bought a packet of seaweed and he add this to his porridge as well! Sometimes when he asked for egg then he expects a bottle of Brands Essence of Chicken and hot milo. He usually have these for breakfast on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays - his ritual.
Meals: Have to ask him what he wants to eat otherwise he may not want to eat what's been cooked for him. I prefer for him to eat porridge with different variation as it will be easier for him to eat due to his swallowing problem. He is so impatient - whenever he wants something, he will keep rushing me to get whatever he wants. When he wanted to bathe earlier, he kept on calling me to bathe him! I wanted to get update my blog! I asked him to count up to 50 then I will bathe him - just to buy time!
Meals: Have to ask him what he wants to eat otherwise he may not want to eat what's been cooked for him. I prefer for him to eat porridge with different variation as it will be easier for him to eat due to his swallowing problem. He is so impatient - whenever he wants something, he will keep rushing me to get whatever he wants. When he wanted to bathe earlier, he kept on calling me to bathe him! I wanted to get update my blog! I asked him to count up to 50 then I will bathe him - just to buy time!
He usually gets 5 out of 5 for his memory test! Yeah! His words for today were: push, pull, jump, swim and make. Daddy's comments in his book: "Thank you, Mikaail for doing a great job! Keep it up. Dada luv you!
This is his extremely delighted smile. Happy like a big "sotong"!
It's an achievement for him. As far as I am concerned, his going to school is merely attending playgroup - it's not like he is there to study for his exams, etc. No need for him to get stressed. Whatever he achives, it's great! That's why I am not keen for him to learn to spell. Total stranger may not really understand him.
I am looking at purchasing the braille labelling machine in order to guide him to be able to use braille instead for reading books, etc. Have not done so though this is in my list of things to do.
Mikaail, My Special Needs Son
Mikaail was born in 1998. When he was born, he did not show any signs of abnormality and his apgar score was 9.
Anyway, when he was 3 months old, I noticed that he was not turning around like most babies do and he was not jumping on my lap when I held him up. I did some research on his behaviour and found that he may be going in the direction of cerebral palsy as there may be impairment in his physical development. I brought him to the pediatrician and was told that babies develop at different age and as he has no siblings, we should not judge him yet.
Anyway, he was diagnosed as a cerebral palsy child when he turned one. The neurologist told us that his condition is mild. Whatever the case, although it is mild, it is really disheartening as he is adorable and to have such a condition means he would not be able to enjoy life to its fullest. In a way, I had half expected it after doing research on his condition before he turned 1. He was developing at a much slower pace but is always a happy child. He easily gives his smile to any stranger.
He is now 10 years old. I'm not sure why but when he just turned 7, he had stroke. God took away his vision, his speech and movement. I still cant understand why God did what He did. No one could give me an answer. I must admit that I am still unable to come to terms with this. I had a lot of plans for him ie enrolling him in enrichment class, participate in activities with him. In short for him to enjoy his childhood but all this came to naught!
He is taken care of by my sister since he was a baby. With his current condition, she is the one who cares for him most of the time. She brings him to school and back as well as attends classes and therapies with him.
Anyway, when he was 3 months old, I noticed that he was not turning around like most babies do and he was not jumping on my lap when I held him up. I did some research on his behaviour and found that he may be going in the direction of cerebral palsy as there may be impairment in his physical development. I brought him to the pediatrician and was told that babies develop at different age and as he has no siblings, we should not judge him yet.
Anyway, he was diagnosed as a cerebral palsy child when he turned one. The neurologist told us that his condition is mild. Whatever the case, although it is mild, it is really disheartening as he is adorable and to have such a condition means he would not be able to enjoy life to its fullest. In a way, I had half expected it after doing research on his condition before he turned 1. He was developing at a much slower pace but is always a happy child. He easily gives his smile to any stranger.
He is now 10 years old. I'm not sure why but when he just turned 7, he had stroke. God took away his vision, his speech and movement. I still cant understand why God did what He did. No one could give me an answer. I must admit that I am still unable to come to terms with this. I had a lot of plans for him ie enrolling him in enrichment class, participate in activities with him. In short for him to enjoy his childhood but all this came to naught!
He is taken care of by my sister since he was a baby. With his current condition, she is the one who cares for him most of the time. She brings him to school and back as well as attends classes and therapies with him.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Mikaail's Achievements
Mikaail is able to spell some one syllabus words but right now, I can only recall, "you". He can also participate in spelling/reading sessions in his class, enjoys school very much and always look forward to school. He is also to say his numbers from 1 to 50 with a bit of prompting. In class he was able to do some spelling, reading and counting. This is a lot of effort on my sister's part who guides him regularly.
Every morning when he wakes up, the first thing he tells me is the day and what he will be learning in school. He wakes up very easily - at the slight vibration of my mobile phone which acts as my alarm clock!
Over the past few weeks, Mikaail is able to say his numbers from 1 to 50 with a bit of prompting. In class he was able to do some spelling, reading and counting. This is a lot of effort on my sister's part who guides him regularly.
Mikaail enjoys helping me when I bake cookies and the like. He will help to hold the cake mixer, add the ingredients and also help to scoop the batter into the cup cases. The cute thing is by just holding the cake mixer he makes an expression that he puts in a lot of effort holding the mixer. He will tell everyone that he is tired from baking!
His hearing seems to be much better as compared to his pre-stroke days though. He can hear me coming home like about 5 metres away. When I asked him how he knows that mummy is back, he will lift his leg up. I supposed that means he heard my footsteps.
His ability to understand me is very good but I have problems understanding him. There were times when we will both be at each other's throat! After POE's Why Must I Change, and telling off by Stuart, it dawn upon me that I should be more understanding towards him.
I also remember his teacher Cathryn had told my sister, when Mikaail loses his temper when we dont understand him, then we should tell him that we don't understand him and for him to repeat what he wants. When he is not angry anymore then approach him to talk to him calmly. This approach seems to work. This is why I am extremely concern about managing my anger!
It's weekend again today, Sunday, 5 April and Alex is working today! So its me and him again! I am very wary that there maybe a match. I am also more cautious and aware that I must do my best to hold off my temper.
Every morning when he wakes up, the first thing he tells me is the day and what he will be learning in school. He wakes up very easily - at the slight vibration of my mobile phone which acts as my alarm clock!
Over the past few weeks, Mikaail is able to say his numbers from 1 to 50 with a bit of prompting. In class he was able to do some spelling, reading and counting. This is a lot of effort on my sister's part who guides him regularly.
Mikaail enjoys helping me when I bake cookies and the like. He will help to hold the cake mixer, add the ingredients and also help to scoop the batter into the cup cases. The cute thing is by just holding the cake mixer he makes an expression that he puts in a lot of effort holding the mixer. He will tell everyone that he is tired from baking!
His hearing seems to be much better as compared to his pre-stroke days though. He can hear me coming home like about 5 metres away. When I asked him how he knows that mummy is back, he will lift his leg up. I supposed that means he heard my footsteps.
His ability to understand me is very good but I have problems understanding him. There were times when we will both be at each other's throat! After POE's Why Must I Change, and telling off by Stuart, it dawn upon me that I should be more understanding towards him.
I also remember his teacher Cathryn had told my sister, when Mikaail loses his temper when we dont understand him, then we should tell him that we don't understand him and for him to repeat what he wants. When he is not angry anymore then approach him to talk to him calmly. This approach seems to work. This is why I am extremely concern about managing my anger!
It's weekend again today, Sunday, 5 April and Alex is working today! So its me and him again! I am very wary that there maybe a match. I am also more cautious and aware that I must do my best to hold off my temper.
Mikaail & Me
Though he has improved tremendously, there are times when he gets fits out of nothing. MRI scan taken in Jan 2009 didnt show anything else that we didnt know about. The doctor said that he will still get the fits when his brain nerves hit the wrong spot!!
Anyway, despite all his handicapped, I cant imagine him not in my life. Sometimes I am really frustrated when I dont know what he wants. The funny thing is that he understands what I am telling him. Sometimes I really have no clue on what he wants or trying to communicate with me. There were times when I really feel like killing him then myself! It's a silly thought but trust me, it is a very very trying time.
There was this incident when he got really angry at me as I didnt know what he wanted. There was no one else who I could turned to. He started screaming and throwing things around. I got mad and I shouted at him. Then he retaliated so I told him that I will slap him if he continued and he did. So I had to slap him! Then he cried and started pulling my hair. I almost strangled him that day but I had to refrain and I just kept holding him tightly and told him to stop it.
He ended up with bruises on his arms due to the strength of my hands holding him :( I just didnt know what to do or how to handle him. I am so frustrated and angry with myself!
Anyway, despite all his handicapped, I cant imagine him not in my life. Sometimes I am really frustrated when I dont know what he wants. The funny thing is that he understands what I am telling him. Sometimes I really have no clue on what he wants or trying to communicate with me. There were times when I really feel like killing him then myself! It's a silly thought but trust me, it is a very very trying time.
There was this incident when he got really angry at me as I didnt know what he wanted. There was no one else who I could turned to. He started screaming and throwing things around. I got mad and I shouted at him. Then he retaliated so I told him that I will slap him if he continued and he did. So I had to slap him! Then he cried and started pulling my hair. I almost strangled him that day but I had to refrain and I just kept holding him tightly and told him to stop it.
He ended up with bruises on his arms due to the strength of my hands holding him :( I just didnt know what to do or how to handle him. I am so frustrated and angry with myself!
Life after stroke
With the loving support of my sister, Mariah, and his teachers in the Cerebral Palsy Centre, he was able to participate in some class activities such as spelling, counting, reading. We don't expect that anyone else could really understand his pronounciation but so long as he either makes a gesture or pronounce the words, close enough, that is good enough for us, his parents.
Mikaail, After Stroke 3 years ago
After the unfortunate incident of a stroke at 7 years old, he lost his vision, speech, mobility and in short, totally dependant on others for life! I feel it is a real pity for one who is so very young to go through such a traumatic experience. I can never understand the "whys"? His willpower I would think is tremendous.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
My Son, Mikaail
Mikaail was born in December 1998 after an almost fuss free pregnancy though I had to have lots of bed rest. I was away from work for almost 3 months prior to the delivery of Mikaail. He was due in January 1999 but when I went to my gynae for the routine check-up in December, the gynae told me that I would need to be operated on to take him out as he was in a breech position and would not be able to turn around to prepare for his arrival into the world on his own!
Actually I was quite happy to have the C-section as I wanted to be the first to hear his cries. I didnt want the hassle of him having to go through the birth channel and me having to bear the pain, etc, etc. But I was not prepared for this though so I was very worried. Anyway, when the gynae removed him from my womb and I heard his cries, I was so very happy!
The next few months was smooth sailing. I breast fed him, etc, and I felt like a damn cow! There was so much milk and at the same time, I felt very sticky each time I fed him and got really pissed that I stopped breast feeding him barely 6 weeks! I got in touch with the Breastfeeding support group but I just couldnt bring myself to continue feeding him without getting really fed up so to keep myself sane, I had to give up the idea. :(
When he turned 5 - 6 months old, I noticed that he did not bounce when I carried him by his arms and his legs on my thighs. I was a little worried as I was comparing his growth against a baby growth chart. Then I also noticed that when I left him on the bed, he would not turn nor would he crawl. I brought him to the pediatrician and she told me that I should not worry too much as each baby will grow at a different pace.
I searched for information on the internet but didnt get very much. I went to the library and found that babies who do not crawl nor much physical activities are heading in the direction of cerebral palsy. I was shocked but kept hoping that it would not be him but at one year old, he was diagnosed as cerebral palsy. What this means really is that I cant leave him to sit on his own without him toppling over unlike a normal baby! Of course I was devastated.
Doctor diagnosed him as having a mild cerebral palsy but if you think mild is ok - think again! What's worst is he is unable to fully use his 5 senses!
Actually I was quite happy to have the C-section as I wanted to be the first to hear his cries. I didnt want the hassle of him having to go through the birth channel and me having to bear the pain, etc, etc. But I was not prepared for this though so I was very worried. Anyway, when the gynae removed him from my womb and I heard his cries, I was so very happy!
The next few months was smooth sailing. I breast fed him, etc, and I felt like a damn cow! There was so much milk and at the same time, I felt very sticky each time I fed him and got really pissed that I stopped breast feeding him barely 6 weeks! I got in touch with the Breastfeeding support group but I just couldnt bring myself to continue feeding him without getting really fed up so to keep myself sane, I had to give up the idea. :(
When he turned 5 - 6 months old, I noticed that he did not bounce when I carried him by his arms and his legs on my thighs. I was a little worried as I was comparing his growth against a baby growth chart. Then I also noticed that when I left him on the bed, he would not turn nor would he crawl. I brought him to the pediatrician and she told me that I should not worry too much as each baby will grow at a different pace.
I searched for information on the internet but didnt get very much. I went to the library and found that babies who do not crawl nor much physical activities are heading in the direction of cerebral palsy. I was shocked but kept hoping that it would not be him but at one year old, he was diagnosed as cerebral palsy. What this means really is that I cant leave him to sit on his own without him toppling over unlike a normal baby! Of course I was devastated.
Doctor diagnosed him as having a mild cerebral palsy but if you think mild is ok - think again! What's worst is he is unable to fully use his 5 senses!
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