I've delayed introducing myself... but I'll give it a try.

 

My name is Tasha and I live in Northeast China with my husband and foster son, Nathan (3 yrs old).  My husband and I are American citizens but we have lived in China for 6 years now.

 

We first started fostering Nathan almost two years ago and he has made an amazing turn-around.  He was severely malnourished and had only enough strength to move his eyes at first.  The doctors gave him only another week to live and we were given 'emergency' permission to foster him for no more than three months.  But, here we are two years later...

He's thriving now and making some slow (but exciting) progress physically and emotionally.

 

We have little access to therapists, and some of Nathan's records are in Chinese, so I'm not very familiar with the correct terms.  (thus my hesitation and embarrassment to introduce myself!)

 

All four limbs are affected by the Cerebral Palsy.  Low muscle tone. thumbs, wrists, ankles turn in a little bit... but his hands are less so than they used to be.  No words yet, but a lot of fun sounds.  He's improving every day - getting a little more motivation to hold his back up, reach out for something, or move his legs.  He can sit up against the wall now and is starting to reach for toys and grab our faces and hands.

 

We do massage, exercises, and positioning.  Some friends from Africa who are studying medicine here volunteered their time to help us at first by teaching us some physical therapy exercises. 

 

I know I can learn a great deal from this group.

I would especially appreciate any advice about simple therapies that don't require special equipment / doctors / surgery. 

Any resources that would help me understand more about massage?  Do doctors in the US suggest massage therapy?  It seems to be the most popular method used by the Chinese people.

 

Thank you.

Tasha