Therapy

Today we had the privilege of attending "K's" therapy session.

As I have mentioned before, our little guy has a cochlear implant. He was born deaf and it was discovered at the age of two. A woman of high standing in the community was visiting the orphanage last fall and took an interest in "K". She found charity funds to provide him with the surgery for his cochlear implant. He travelled to Kiev with an orphanage mama and had the surgery done there. He was back in Kiev for follow up this past June. From what we have heard, the doctors are pleased with his progress.

We had arranged with Olga to attend one of his therapy sessions while he was still in the orphanage. "K" sits at a little table with a toy of some kind in front of him. Before he can play with the toy in front of him (sometimes it is a puzzle), he has to sit still with both hands palm down on the table. Once "K" is looking at her, she makes a clapping noise and he then can play for a minute. Hands back on the table and so it goes. The object is to have him pay attention to the sound when she makes the clapping noise behind his head.

Personally, we are not sure how well he hears. At times it seems like he hears loud sounds. While playing yesterday, a load truck pulled into the yard and "K" became quite afraid. Could have been the sight of the truck, could have been the noise. He does not respond to his name. He may not know it. If he is walking away from us and we want him to come back, someone has to tap him on the shoulder and get his attention and motion to come back.

We will be eager to hear what the doctors back home have to say. One of the mama's showed us the different switches on the device today. We could not understand a word she told us. Before we leave Ukraine, we will have one appointment with the doctors who performed the implant back in Kiev. I know that Olga will attend this appointment with us and will interpret for us. I hope we get valuable information from them to bring home to the doctors in the states.

One cute little side note...... When leaving the therapy session, there was a stool to the right of the door and it had 2 pots underneath it. One pot was sticking out slightly. "K" stopped mid step to bend down and push that pot completely under the stool. He is going to be one orderly boy! Peter and "K's" room will be the neatest one in our home.

Day eleven away from home is almost over. We look to God to give us the endurance we need for the next 25 or so. We cannot walk this journey alone. We know He is walking before us and smoothing our path. We are grateful to have a Creator who knows all things and has the perfect plan for our days.... even if it is thousands of miles away from our comfortable home and loved ones. Thank you for journeying with us and remembering us in prayer. We so appreciate it.





Kids playing on the equipment at the orphanage.





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