Anchor Center and Cuddling

Every Monday morning Wesley and I go to the Anchor Center for Blind Children from 9-11:30 (it's not just for blind children but for any kid with a vision impairment).  It is all the way in Stapleton but is completely worth the drive.  While there, Wesley does 3 half hour centers with a small group of other infants and their parents.  Today he went to the motor room, the light room, and a parent center.

In the motor room he sees a physical therapist who works on engaging his vision and helping him with strength and flexibility.  Today he was in a swing with a colorful slinky hanging above him for part of the time and was sitting up in a laundry basket with various things to play with the rest of the time.  The things he does seem simple but they are so good for his development.  He really likes to be in motion and seems to see things better when either they are in motion or he is (this is common with a cortical vision impairment).The laundry basket seems ridiculous but it is a great way to get him in a supported sitting position.  He works on head control and core muscle tone (things he is developmentally behind in) and gets to play with the toys that are in the basket with him.  It also gives him clear boundaries he can feel which helps him feel secure and safe.  The physical therapist was really impressed with how well he was holding his head and how well he tolerated being in the basket.  There is a high school student who comes and helps out at the Anchor Center on occasion and she was in the motor room with Wesley today.  He was smiling and cooing at her.  Winning hearts all over the place.

The light room, ironically, is a dark room.  In it is a light table, some colored windows, and some hanging light strands.  Having a few key lights helps Wesley to focus on one thing that is engaging rather than staring at the ceiling lights the whole time.  He laid on his side for a while in there today and even on his tummy for about a minute (that's a long time for him to tolerate being on his stomach).  He was smiling at everyone in there too.  You just can't help but smile back at him.

Every other week they do a parent center.  Although the babies come to this session and play, it is more focused on parents "fellowshipping" and learning how to care for our babies with their special needs.  I really enjoy talking to the other parents and get huge encouragement from them.  I feel like those parents do know what it's like to constantly be going to doctor's appointments, to meet with therapist each week, and to wonder how much your kid will have to struggle in life a year or 10 years from now.  Their kids have diagnosis' that mean a life long struggle or have issues but no official diagnosis (like Wes).  I feel like we are all in the same boat.

The Anchor Center is something I really look forward to each week.  The teachers and therapists are so knowledgeable and encouraging.  I feel like being there is really helping Wesley reach his full potential and is helping me know how to parent him.  If you know anyone who has a kid (birth through preschool) who has vision issues in the Denver-ish area I highly recommend they check this place out.  It is funded through private donors so it is free to all the infant parents and very cheap for the parents of older kids.



Wesley worked hard today so when we got home and he ate he was ready for a long nap.  I've been reading a book a friend gave me about healthy sleep habits and it has so much good information in it.  It recommends that you have babies nap in their bed rather than in your arms, swings, or other moving objects so they can get quality REM sleep.  I'm normally pretty good about this (except for naps in the car as we go to and from appointments) but today he was so sweet that I cheated and held him for his afternoon nap.  I couldn't resist the cuddling time.  I think that every baby needs an occasional nap cuddled up in mommies arms (or maybe every mommy needs that).