Gymnastics...another kind of therapy
With Anna's high energy, we felt gymnastics might be another way to help her use up some of that crazy energy. Anna is strong, but sometimes strength has it's disadvantages. Like when it comes to flexibility, she is not flexible at all. Instead of what most children with cerebral palsy have, the low tone, Anna has high tone in her legs. Which means she has very strong but tight muscles in her legs. The opposite is true when it comes to her hands and arms, they are the lower tone which means she has to work harder and apply more pressure when doing things like climbing a rope.Her balance is another issue they work on every week, and with lack of balance can come some anxiety as well.
Everything about gymnastics is about confidence. She has an amazing coach that won't let her give up. When Anna began, just being on a balance beam was a huge frustration for her. Her coach would hold her hands and give her just the little bit of help she needed. Now, she can do it alone, and if she falls she just jumps back up on the beam again. They are currently working on back somersaults and bridges.
Everything about gymnastics is about confidence. She has an amazing coach that won't let her give up. When Anna began, just being on a balance beam was a huge frustration for her. Her coach would hold her hands and give her just the little bit of help she needed. Now, she can do it alone, and if she falls she just jumps back up on the beam again. They are currently working on back somersaults and bridges.