Quick Bentley Update

Bentley's favorite: Food and Cars... what a boy!

Bentley had a NICU follow up appointment last week. They were very pleased with his development, but had some concerns with his flexibilty and his physical development. His ribcage is spread very wide and so are his shoulder blades on his back. When he sits he hunches over his large belly. So, today we went for his occupational Therapy evaluation. Stacy, his therapist, was extremely nice, and Bentley took right to her. She will be focusing on myofascial release. Helping to strengthen the muscles that are too relaxed and create flexiblity around his ribcage. The will be using Kinesiotaping (a flexible tape that will stay on for a little while) on his back to engage his muscles and help him straighten up. Right now, Stacy's goals are to help him become more flexible, help his range of motion (it's cut short because of his belly), help him breath from his chest instead of his belly, and correct his posture. They feel that this is very important for him, esp. if he were to have a transplant and his stomach would go down, he wouldn't have the support in his body that he needs to have proper posture. She's going to contact the GI to make sure that what she wants to do isn't going to inhibit anything. I'm very excited for Bentley to have the opportunity to help his growing body. I pray that God would really use this to help him! I'm really glad and thankful that right now he enjoys it. The goal right now is once a week for six months. (To some that might seem like a long time, but for those who have got through any sort of therapy it isn't unexpected.) We'll keep you updated!