Today was Rachel’s evaluation for a motorized wheelchair. She did awesome! So well in fact, that she was approved for a letter of medical necessity for one of her very own!
The chair has switches around her head. There is a switch behind her head for forward, and two on either side for turning. It was the same kind of setup she had tried before (see it here). That was 3 years ago (unbelievable), and she has much better head control now! She maneuvered around people and had a blast. She drove it for about 3 hours this afternoon and of course bawled and bawled when she had to leave.
We’re all very excited, but not sure how we will find a vehicle with a lift/ramp for her new chair.
Rachel received her new bicycle today! It was donated through the generous efforts of Altoona PA chapter of AMBUCS. This afternoon there was a nice dinner and presentation in Altoona and Rachel received the tryke in front of the entire chapter. She was the guest of honor and she made us so very proud! AMBUCS is a wonderful organization that provides adaptive bicycles to children with disabilities. To find out more or how you can support them, click here.
The bicycle is an AmTryke assembled by AMBUCS. It has a special bench seat with knee separators, handlebar, footpedals, seatbeat harness, wrist wraps to help keep her grip on the handlebars – even a helmet and storage basket on the back…. all designed and built specifically for Rachel’s needs. It will adapt and grow with her as she does. There is a setting on the front fork that will limit the range of motion of the front wheel if desired.
See the pics below of Rachel trying out her new wheels!
Today our class went swimming! We had a little fun. 
As you may have guessed… Life has been pretty busy. Rachel is enjoying first grade! She has been enjoying the extra time she has with the regular education first grade classroom. She has a great nurse with her every day that helps her to get to different classes, helps her with her therapy and helps the teacher with studying with rachel what she is learning. We started with a new doctor who mentioned having her evaluated with a motorized chair. We got permission and this is to be done at school! How exciting!! I have met with a provider and ordered her a stander for here at home and shortly she will be recieving a tricycle! I will post photos when i get them. Thanks for checking in!
I miss her already! She was happy to start!
The driver had a hard time getting the lift to work so he shut the door to reopen and try again. When he closed the door and she was not in the van she started crying. 
Today was a special day for Rachel. She had a super helper.
And we saw baby turkey on the way out of the lane.. Aren’t they cute?
YAY! Trotting is fun! Right Isaac?!? click green words before this for video.
It is up! I think it is to be ready for start of school! I hope!
Click here to go to the Zach Hinish Foundation Website for Pix.
Rachel is so pleased!
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- mommies french melon-cure
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- my melon toes
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- grammy's nails
Here’s video of Rachel riding Max at Happy Hoofs, where she has her therapy each week.
and….
loves it!!
Think she likes it? click below and you tell me.