Occupational Therapy saw a smile
In support of
Leah Catlin's Burn Support
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Leah Catlin's Burn Support
OT saw Leah SMILE: This morning 10/30/26 we worked on some intentional play followed by stretches. Stretches break sweet Leah and she needed some snuggles and an early morning nap. All the appointments have been making our routines crazy.
This afternoon Leah started her OT at a new clinic and with a new therapist. One of our favorites from Riley was there to do the hand off today. She remarked that today was the first time she’s seen Leah smile 😊 and heard her actually talk. Apparently a co-worker asked her if Leah spoke and she said she was sure she does but that she’s never heard her before today. If you don’t know Leah, our girl has LOTS of words and started speaking pretty early. She will talk your ear off! Sadly, the burn team sees a different Leah due to all the trauma and anxiety.
In OT, they helped Leah decorate a fun “no-no” brace for her left hand. Think lots and lots of glitter. The “no-no” is being worn during intentional play time on her left hand so that she can’t use her left arm and has to start using her right hand more. They think that it’s been so long since Leah has used it that her brain has started to turn off, in a sense, so we need to force her brain to focus on using her right hand. Today, they threw lots and lots of Pom poms around. Think play-stretches-play.
Does it feel like Leah gets a new brace every update?!? Yep! She has a new blue brace to wear on her right arm. This brace prevents her wrist from contracting while we wait for the sedation appointment to make her custom cast.
What’s next:
*Conscious sedation appointment will be Monday, for another new cast!
*Two more days of OT this week. We get take Friday and the weekend off but have to do stretches at home.
How to pray:
*Leah can continue to relax and have fun while stretches are done with the new OT!
*Praying new faces and new places change things up for her.
* Do stop asking for miraculous healing of the contractures. Right wrist, hand, and all her fingers.
*Stamina for our awesome care team as they continue to find creative solutions.
This journey is long and full of sharp turns and challenges, thank you for traveling with us!
————
The one and only fundraiser to support Leah’s healing journey:
https://www.supportnow.org/leah-catlin-s-burn-support
————
Leah’s rehab Amazon page (if it’s empty, we occasionally add https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/FCBEDJDEKDNW
This afternoon Leah started her OT at a new clinic and with a new therapist. One of our favorites from Riley was there to do the hand off today. She remarked that today was the first time she’s seen Leah smile 😊 and heard her actually talk. Apparently a co-worker asked her if Leah spoke and she said she was sure she does but that she’s never heard her before today. If you don’t know Leah, our girl has LOTS of words and started speaking pretty early. She will talk your ear off! Sadly, the burn team sees a different Leah due to all the trauma and anxiety.
In OT, they helped Leah decorate a fun “no-no” brace for her left hand. Think lots and lots of glitter. The “no-no” is being worn during intentional play time on her left hand so that she can’t use her left arm and has to start using her right hand more. They think that it’s been so long since Leah has used it that her brain has started to turn off, in a sense, so we need to force her brain to focus on using her right hand. Today, they threw lots and lots of Pom poms around. Think play-stretches-play.
Does it feel like Leah gets a new brace every update?!? Yep! She has a new blue brace to wear on her right arm. This brace prevents her wrist from contracting while we wait for the sedation appointment to make her custom cast.
What’s next:
*Conscious sedation appointment will be Monday, for another new cast!
*Two more days of OT this week. We get take Friday and the weekend off but have to do stretches at home.
How to pray:
*Leah can continue to relax and have fun while stretches are done with the new OT!
*Praying new faces and new places change things up for her.
* Do stop asking for miraculous healing of the contractures. Right wrist, hand, and all her fingers.
*Stamina for our awesome care team as they continue to find creative solutions.
This journey is long and full of sharp turns and challenges, thank you for traveling with us!
————
The one and only fundraiser to support Leah’s healing journey:
https://www.supportnow.org/leah-catlin-s-burn-support
————
Leah’s rehab Amazon page (if it’s empty, we occasionally add https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/FCBEDJDEKDNW
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