Ferol is now 14 years old and in the 8TH Grade. She stands
5'3" and is 125 lbs. We started her with braces about a year ago now and she
is doing so much better than anyone had imagined. A piece of bone from her
right hip to bridge the gap in her upper right jaw from her cleft lip and
pallet and now upper braces so she can actually get some teeth to line up
for improved chewing. She sits still for the dentist better than I do. Other
physicallities; she has become a full grown lady now and all that comes with
it. (Dad is still getting used to the whole bra thing.)
Ferol still has occasional accidents with toileting during
the day and must where a night time diaper at bed time. She can walk a mile
and ride a tricycle with encouragement.
Ferol eats and drinks by mouth. She is still nonverbal but
makes all kinds of songs that she sings to soothe everyone but her 16 year
old brother Kegan. I call her my little mourning dove. She tries to talk as
if she is telling a story but uses the same "word" with different
intonations. much as a regular baby might when learning to talk. She also
gestures like her Momma.
I respond as if I understand. She does use a communication
device at school so others can understand her. Like a touch screen computer
that actually talks for her,with many pictures and options.
Ferol is at a 3-4 year old level in most things. She is
starting to finally move away from Blues Clues and Dora and on to other
Disney Characters and the like. She loves her DVD's and all types of music
and can ususally find and keep a beat to music in the car and the turn
signal on the car as well. She is happy 95% of the time but can still throw
a fit when tired or frustrated or in pain. The fits can lead to self
injurious behaviors such as hitting her head with her hands or hitting her
head on the hardest thing she can find which leads to one getting hurt
trying to keep Ferol from hurting herself. We are getting better at
anticipating this. Ferol loves school and is loved too by all her peers. I
have seen her in action at school and she is definitely in her element
their. She knows just what to do and is very attentive. This is her first
year of school where she begins transitioning from reading writing and
arithmetic to more life and community skills and hygiene etc.
Ferol goes to therapy 2-3 times a week and learns different exercises to
improve her balance and fine /gross motor skills.
Ferol likes to use the computer and talks to her favorite
Aunt on Skype every night where they sing songs and read books.
Thank you
Jim Grode
Inside Sales Representative
GP Companies Incorporated
888-474-5487 extension 127
myorder@gpcompanies.com
Dad: Jim Grode
Translation