Melanie felt like robocop today as she got to walk on the “lokomat” a therapeutic Swedish Walking Machine. This is an AWESOME advancement in her therapy. Pictures soon! We love you Mel!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEL!!

Melanie is improving each day. She stood on the standing frame today at PB for 20 minutes and is anxious to experience the Lokomat. Mel had her first outing on the Manual chair at Allie’s 1st birthday party on January 2nd. Her wrists are getting stronger each day and the OT said she doesnt need her wrist supports any longer. Sitting is also improving as she is sitting for 20 minutes at a time by herself. The improvements are coming slowing but surely and she is getting more independent each day. Hope and faith…She has got it!

With the chaos of the Holidays I’ve been lagging in my updates about Mel. Hopefully you’ve seen or talked with her recently. She looks fantastic and is maintaining a grueling therapy schedule 3x a week still at Good Sam & 2x a week at Pushing Boundaries. She and Lady both continue to use Dr. Baze, an amazing Chiropractor located in Renton. 

Alison and I were fortunate to have Melanie & Crystal join us in our Merry Birthday celebrations in Seattle. Mel had a great time joining us, despite being out of power for several days. Please continue to keep Mel in your prayers. She’s getting stronger every day and continues to be so positive and hardworking. We love you Mel!
 
Everyone please stay safe over the Holidays, keep the Christ in Christmas – as he is the reason for the season. Please know that The Christianson Family appreciate everything everyone has done to help them over the course of the year. Cheers to 2011!

Mel’s therapy is in fast forward now. She was evaluated at Pushing Boundaries in Redmond and STOOD in a STANDING FRAME for 11 minutes! This is amazing! The frame asissts her in standing so her body can get used to feeling her weight again. She said she could tell she was standing, she felt it. This is so awesome. We are so happy for you!! Melanie will be at Pushing Boundaries in Redmond for 2 hours 2 times a week. For those of you wondering where to send some Christmas money…keep in mind that Melanie’s sessions are $80/hour AND in Redmond – that’s a helluva commute from Enumclaw. We love you Melanie!!

I know it’s been a while since I last updated, but I wanted to let everyone know that Mel has been cleared by her doctor to start therapy at Pushing Boundaries. This is an intensive program where several of her Harborview Cohorts have had impressive recoveries. Check it out at www.pushing-boundaries.org

OPERATION SADDLE
Hey everyone, we all know Mel has earned enough trophy saddles for sure, but now she needs a new one to throw on Lady. The therapy saddle Mel needs is a custom saddle. Our goal is to raise an additional $2500 to cover this expense. I think we can all relate how being on the back of a horse can make us feel better. Check out: http://birdsaddles.com/therapysaddles.html
 
We currently have our Christmas Corral fundraiser posted on the fundraising page. If you have Breyers you would like to donate, or need to do some Christmas shopping and want to support Mel, check it out. You can pay securely through paypal. Free shipping if you order $100 worth or if you’re local, you can always pick up your purchase at Mike’s Western Suppliers.

The Breyer sale is now live!
Head to the “Fundraising” page and view many of the Breyer collection that is for sale. We have many more to add so if you’re not seeing what you’re looking for, come back and visit in a few days!  Great way to get some Christmas shopping done!
All payments are made via Paypal. Thank you again for your generosity!

In between her therapy appointments, Mel doesn’t miss a beat on her social calendar. Last week she and Crystal made it to Cinema Stickyfloors in Enumclaw to see Secretariat. This week she has a few Halloween parties to attend as well as a Sounders Game on Sunday!