Hippotherapy - Therapeutic Riding
Becky began therapeutic riding (horse-back riding) the summer of 2000 - she was 2.5 years old.  Instead of being put on a waiting list for a state sponsored and accredited arena, we went riding once a week at a friend's house.  It was incredible to see how relaxed and stretched Becky's legs were after a 20 minute ride.  The best part about using our friend's horses was the fact that Jessi also got to ride.  In fact, Jessi took riding lessons during the summer on the days that Becky has physical therapy.
Therapeutic Fun (and equipment)
Because of Becky's cerebral palsy, she receives many different of therapies including occupational therapy, physical therapy, feeding clinic, hippotherapy (horse-back riding) and aquatic therapy (swimming). 
AQUATIC THERAPY - As Becky has gotten older, we've tried different things to help with her balance and to strengthen her leg muscles.  Aquatic therapy has done wonders for her!!  When she first began almost three years ago, Becky couldn't even keep herself upright in her swimming ring - someone had to be holding onto her at all times.  Within two months, she was swimming all over the pool!! 
Becky attending a feeding clinic for about one year (1999-2000).  She had dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).  She also had oral aversions and would gag and vomit if she was fed anything lumpier than stage 2 baby food.  Our child wasn't even eating enough to sustain her weight, let alone grow - as parents, we weren't even providing the most basic of care for our child - it was a VERY stressful time in our lives.
January 2001
Jessi - 5.5 years old
Becky - 3 years old

If Jessi didn't have school, she would come along for some of Becky's therapy sessions.  Here the girls are having fun riding around on a wooden scooter.
Winter 2000 - 2 years old

Even though Becky received physical and occupational therapies through an Early-On infant program, she participated in an additional weekly physical therapy session.  At times it felt like we were overloading Becky with all the different therapies and therapists, but it was also nice to get the different input and information each of them provided.
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Progress Reports

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"Superman!!"  This helps Becky work on trunk and back strength.
Becky got night splints to help keep her legs straight at night (and stretch the hamstrings).  Of course, she picked blue and yellow splints for Michael Waltrip.  A few months later, she had a chance to meet Michael and had him sign one of her splints.  You can see photos of her with Michael on "Year 2004 Photos".
June 2004 (6.5 years)

Becky's orthopedic surgeon thought it would be a good idea to do a gait study to verify the need for femoral derotational surgery.  Becky had lots of sticky, reflective balls attached to her and had to walk back and forth on the "runway".  She actually had lots of fun.  The therapists loved her smile so much that they invited her to come back for a photo-shoot for their web site and brochure.  You can see her in action at www.maryfreebed.com 
When you get to their site, click on the "Motion Analysis" link to see Becky and get more information on this type of test.
She has learned how to kick alternating her legs, flutter kick, climb steps and is working on learning how to do some basic swim strokes using her arms and legs at the same time.


The hot water from the hot-tub makes stretching a bit easier.  Becky also works on steps in the hot-tub.  Cooler water makes her legs more spastic (tight).  The hot water helps relax her.
Sometimes therapy takes the form of "playing".  Becky enjoys crawling through the tunnels in the pool.