Some pre-EEG snuggling with Dad in the waiting room.
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Getting all hooked up and looking concerned.
Finished and feeling triumphant.
A tired Charlie enjoys post-bath snuggles with Mom.
Happy boy.
November 16, 2013
Routine EEG
Charlie had a routine EEG on Wednesday this week. It was a big day in the hospital, but our Charlie Fighting Bear took it in stride as he does most things. We'll have some results next week sometime, but until then, here's our little guy in action.
November 3, 2013
The Neuroplasticity Series
Last night brought the opening of the Neuroplasticity Art Exhibit at Snider Plaza in Dallas, TX. It's been a joyful process to create these pieces, all of which were inspired by Charlie. My husband and I are so grateful to all those who came out for the event. The pieces will be on view in Snider Plaza through the 26th of November, so if you're in the Dallas area, please stop by! All proceeds from the art sales go towards Charlie's Medical Fund. Click HERE to view location details. Thank you again to all who come out to support our family. It was an amazing evening.
The first image of my son I ever saw was an MRI. My husband and I peered into the terrifying scan and saw a black sea of brain damage. This was our baby boy and he had suffered a stroke.
Those first pictures of Charlie’s tiny beautiful brain were copied and reproduced and sent ahead to all of his specialists. Like an actor’s headshot in a program of a play we had yet to see, these images preceded him and shaped all of his first interactions with the world.
Creating a thematic body of artwork inspired by Charlie’s struggle and triumph in the wake of his brain hemorrhage, Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy has been a tangible way for me to take back those first images and process them in a dark room of joy rather than one of fear.
Yours,
Sarah Greenman
Here's a note about the collection as a whole:
The first image of my son I ever saw was an MRI. My husband and I peered into the terrifying scan and saw a black sea of brain damage. This was our baby boy and he had suffered a stroke.
Those first pictures of Charlie’s tiny beautiful brain were copied and reproduced and sent ahead to all of his specialists. Like an actor’s headshot in a program of a play we had yet to see, these images preceded him and shaped all of his first interactions with the world.
Creating a thematic body of artwork inspired by Charlie’s struggle and triumph in the wake of his brain hemorrhage, Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy has been a tangible way for me to take back those first images and process them in a dark room of joy rather than one of fear.
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| According to the MRI - 11 x 14 |
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| While You Were Sleeping - 36 x 36 |
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| Eden - 20 x 48 (pair) |
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| Bloodwork - 36 x 36 |
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| Mother - 48 x 60 |
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| Place Your Bets - 24 x 24 (pair) |
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| Neuroplasticity - 12 x 12 |
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| Subclinical - 24 x 36 |
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| Small Great Wall - 16 x 16 |
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| In His Right Mind - 24 x 24 |
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| Synaptic Pruning - 48 x 36 |
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| Neurogenesis - 24 x 24 |
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| THe Healing Fields - 36 x 48 |
A special thank you to:
Denisa Weber and Erica Sosa of Serving Life Chiropractic
October 3, 2013
Neuroplasticity | Art Show and Opening Reception
You're invited!
Here are two of the pieces that will be on view:
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| "Bloodwork" - 36" x 36" acrylic on canvas |
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| "Neuroplacticity" - 12" x 12" acrylic and oil pastel on canvas |
For more information about Sarah's artwork,
September 23, 2013
Preschool for Charlie
Hello Charlie Fans!
Three months have passed since my last post. Shame on me! It has been a fantastic few months for Charlie. He has been scooting around on the floor in an army-style crawl for the past eight weeks and has even begun using a walker periodically. These two developments in Charlie's mobility have been nothing short of extraordinary. All he wants to do now is be on his feet and on the go. Can you blame him?
On August 4th, Charlie turned three and aged out of the Texas Early Childhood Intervention program. We had to say goodbye to our amazing physical therapist, Lori. She has been with Charlie since he was seven weeks old. We are now looking for a new PT who will come see Charlie at the house. Our service coordinator is helping us with that process.
At the end of August, Charlie began his first year of preschool in a special needs program. He is one of 10 students in his class and so far, he's having a ball. The teachers and aids are outstanding and he is also receiving some physical, occupational and speech therapy in class as well. Charlie's favorite part about school is the bus, which picks him up and drops him off at our doorstep everyday.
Since starting preschool, Charlie's language acquisition has improved dramatically. Before school he was able to say mama, dada, eat, more and yeah. In the past two weeks he has added the following words to his repertoire: apple, car, bear, bus, tickle, kids, school and Walker (his brother's name). His words are fractured and incomplete, but they are being used with enthusiasm and accuracy. We are, of course, over the moon about this new development. I'll close today's post with some impossibly cute photos of Charlie and his brother. As always, thank you for your support!
Three months have passed since my last post. Shame on me! It has been a fantastic few months for Charlie. He has been scooting around on the floor in an army-style crawl for the past eight weeks and has even begun using a walker periodically. These two developments in Charlie's mobility have been nothing short of extraordinary. All he wants to do now is be on his feet and on the go. Can you blame him?
On August 4th, Charlie turned three and aged out of the Texas Early Childhood Intervention program. We had to say goodbye to our amazing physical therapist, Lori. She has been with Charlie since he was seven weeks old. We are now looking for a new PT who will come see Charlie at the house. Our service coordinator is helping us with that process.
At the end of August, Charlie began his first year of preschool in a special needs program. He is one of 10 students in his class and so far, he's having a ball. The teachers and aids are outstanding and he is also receiving some physical, occupational and speech therapy in class as well. Charlie's favorite part about school is the bus, which picks him up and drops him off at our doorstep everyday.
Here is a picture of Charlie on the first day of school.
Since starting preschool, Charlie's language acquisition has improved dramatically. Before school he was able to say mama, dada, eat, more and yeah. In the past two weeks he has added the following words to his repertoire: apple, car, bear, bus, tickle, kids, school and Walker (his brother's name). His words are fractured and incomplete, but they are being used with enthusiasm and accuracy. We are, of course, over the moon about this new development. I'll close today's post with some impossibly cute photos of Charlie and his brother. As always, thank you for your support!
Yours,
Sarah Greenman
June 21, 2013
Kenna Cup and a Thank You
This weekend, Charlie is attending the Kenna Cup, a two-day-long golf tournament to support Kenna's Kids. You'll remember, I'm sure, that Charlie was a Kenna's Kids beneficiary last year. This year, the family will be present for the newest crop of kiddos. Please take a moment to read about them HERE.
Jack, Charlie's father, is unfortunately unable to attend the fund raiser this summer and sends his warmest wishes. He recorded a short video to play in his absence. Thank you Kenna's Kids for making this a fantastic year for Charlie! He wouldn't have made such amazing progress without your support!
Jack, Charlie's father, is unfortunately unable to attend the fund raiser this summer and sends his warmest wishes. He recorded a short video to play in his absence. Thank you Kenna's Kids for making this a fantastic year for Charlie! He wouldn't have made such amazing progress without your support!
May 30, 2013
One Foot in Front of the Other
For those of you who have been following Charlie's blog, you know that he has Cerebral Palsy related to stroke. He can't walk or crawl. Last fall he began bearing weight through his legs and feet with the help of orthotic braces and the support of an adult. But just recently, he began shifting his body weight onto one foot and picking up his other foot to mimic a stepping action. This week, he completed the action and was even able to get his stroke affected leg to participate. Here he is putting one foot in front of the other and bearing weight through his hips, legs, knees and feet. His mother, Sarah, is holding him by his pelvis to keep him upright - the rest is all him!
May 18, 2013
Charlie's Spring Update
Hello Charlie Fans! Charlie has just finished up his spring therapies and is now spending May and June in Utah with his family. Every year the Greenmans travel to Cedar City where Jack (Charlie's Dad) works at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. While away, Charlie will spend time in the local pool doing some aqua therapy, but all other appointments and meetings fade away for a time. Charlie gets to sit back and be a kid for a while!
The big news is that Charlie is in the process of enrolling for preschool! It's hard to believe it, but he'll be three years old in August! In April, Charlie had his first evaluation for Texas' Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities (PPCD). This meeting was followed by an Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) where therapists, teachers and parents annually meet to create an education plan for the student. Charlie will start preschool in the fall where he will follow normal preschool curriculum and also receive speech therapy and some physical therapy. He will also continue his occupational therapies at Our Children's House Baylor outside of school.
Charlie had a neurology appointment in April. His doctor assessed that Charlie has probably been having sub-clinical seizures (undetectable by just looking at him) which are slightly dampening his cognitive function. We will be increasing the dose of his medication to combat these sub-clinical seizures and of course, the doctor will be closely monitoring Charlie as we find the right balance.
Generally, Charlie is doing very well. He is saying "Mama" with frequency and accuracy. He is also learning new signs and responding appropriately to yes / no questions. It is clear that he understands far more than he can speak. His wheel chair continues to be a God-send and helps him stay connected and mobile. He's very social, always making eye contact and engaging with vocal sounds, laughter and hugs.
The big news is that Charlie is in the process of enrolling for preschool! It's hard to believe it, but he'll be three years old in August! In April, Charlie had his first evaluation for Texas' Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities (PPCD). This meeting was followed by an Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) where therapists, teachers and parents annually meet to create an education plan for the student. Charlie will start preschool in the fall where he will follow normal preschool curriculum and also receive speech therapy and some physical therapy. He will also continue his occupational therapies at Our Children's House Baylor outside of school.
Generally, Charlie is doing very well. He is saying "Mama" with frequency and accuracy. He is also learning new signs and responding appropriately to yes / no questions. It is clear that he understands far more than he can speak. His wheel chair continues to be a God-send and helps him stay connected and mobile. He's very social, always making eye contact and engaging with vocal sounds, laughter and hugs.
Thank you for ALL your amazing support!
Yours,
Sarah Greenman
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