This was the message Isla had for the family this morning, after her first successful wee in the toilet :D

I know she's 3 and it's late to be toilet training, but Isla's issues with balance have really hindered us in the past, plus the incident with FDC had scared her off the poor little lady.

So, we're in undies, not knickers Mummy, thank-you very much. And Dora ones at that. I always swore that I'd never dress my child in licensed clothing, and now she's sporting not only Dora undies, but shoes too. How shameful.

Botox Clinic on Wednesday (if they managed to find the numbers to fill the day) then Mel's coming over to have a look and see whether we need any equipment in the bathroom for Isla...

Isla's booked in for the 1st of May for Botox, and I'm in two minds about it all. On one hand, it could release the spastic muscles and only help her gait improve more. On the other hand, it may not work at all, and I really struggle with the idea of putting her into hospital and injecting her, the possibility of her needing to go back into plasters, and lose the strength in her legs. It's all too much. I know Michael, Dr L & Dr F wouldn't suggest it to us if they didn't think it was going to be beneficial, and I know that they have great expertise in this area, but at the moment, my heart is in charge and I feel like just bundling her up in my arms and running far, far away from everything medical.

The Spastic Centre have been calling, they want to have Isla back in the older group this year, and I have no idea what to do. In the group she used to be in, she was the most advanced (I can't remember if she was actually walking at the stage) so we received the least amount of "attention" from the therapists, and Isla doesn't particularly like the group sessions either...Decisions, decisions.

The little girl at the end of this clip walks just like my Isla does.

August 5th to 12th is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week.

Please take some time to read through Isla's site, or visit The Spastic Centre Website or CP Australia to see what's going on in the world of CP.

It is estimated that in Australia alone, a child is born with CP every 18 hours.

Cerebral Palsy is a permanent condition that affects movement. There are three different types of CP, Spastic (which Isla has, which is increased tone), Dyskinetic (Athetoid and Dystonic) and Ataxic.

Please help increase awareness of CP :)

Sunday, July 01, 2007


We've stopped going to the Spastic Centre - it's over for this term anyway. I just don't feel like it was doing anything for us except for upsetting Isla. Maybe we'll go back when she's bigger, but for now we'll stick to seeing Michael and Mel.


It's a hard decision to make, but I just don't really find that there's any real focus on Isla as she's the most advanced of the group - I prefer one on one treatment.


Will see whether they offer a place for us next term.