so, this is exciting! Z walked a looong way today, with a low walker, after having done *two* physio classes. And without being utterly drained after. For the able-bodied person who doesn't have his 'condition', called "hereditary spastic paraparesis", this might not be such a huge milestone, but more something like 'returning to normal' after a broken hip.

But for Z, who hasn't walked the usual way, toe to heel, hip to knee to ankle to foot, along with all the countless micro-movements and muscles and so forth this "simple" act requires, he's just reached a milestone. And now the news is passing like wildfire through rehab, with everyone buzzing about it, and the physiotherapists super-excited, because they are seeing something historical.

I think how this might change the way people with HSP are treated--often being told 'nothing will help'.


It's like when someone broke the mile record, in running. whatever it was, it was unthinkable that anyone could surpass it. When that happened, suddenly everyone broke *that* record.

Proving, after all, that 'mind IS the builder'. But how inspiring! And now very little of the palsy showing, and
onward and upward. The challenge now is to get him to maintain an even keel. Nor too Up, nor too down. So, he's off to bed before 8:00,to rest, and listening to some good sounds.

Anyone remember when we used to call music "good sounds",and wondered how we could ever do without it? Now, for me,it's more the exception, than the rule. Silence (along with the sound of a fan on a hot day)is golden.
But I'd like to recommend a very soothing CD for anyone who feels frayed and rattled. It's called Moon Shines at Night, by Djivan Gasparyan.

A little boy on first hearing it, ( Z's grandson, as it happens) declared it "the best music in the world.". It IS beautiful, cooling and soothing, just to lie down with.  It's Duduk. And the finest duduk is made from the root of an apricot tree. Poetry, eh? 


:-)