After experiencing such an amazing program this summer, I didn’t think anything could have lived up to our expectations. But knowing what is out there has made it that much harder to accept the status quo. Knowing there are experts out there who know everything about kids like Madison, it is hard not having access to them all of the time. After about a month of being home, I just began feeling sad when I thought about our Conductive Education experience in Michigan. It was so amazing, but it was so over, and I knew we wouldn’t be able to do it again for quite some time. Knowing about the San Jose program before, I decided it was time to check it out. I knew about it when we decided to go to Michigan, but I knew it was much smaller, and in my mind, I wanted to experience the "best of the best" in Michigan so I knew what a quality program should look like. The moment we walked into the center in San Jose, I knew we were in the right spot. To see the same equipment, to hear the same beautiful songs, and to hear the encouraging words of the conductor, I knew we had to make it work somehow.

Fortunately, Savannah’s Kindergarten is on a year-round schedule. Therefore, she has the entire month of November off. We quickly realized that November, then, would be a perfect time to pack up our bags and come here! It is just the two girls and me - Daddy has to go to work every day. We miss him dearly. Fortunately, though, we do get to come home on the weekends, and besides all of the driving and packing, that is working out quite well. With the help of my parents, I have been able to sneak away a few times to get my job done, as well.

So Madison started this new program on November 5^th and is doing wonderfully. The hours of this program are much longer - from 9-3 everyday. I did not think she would make it until three, but she is doing an amazing job. She is working very, very hard and the teachers continue to comment on how well she listens and follows directions. A year ago, I would have never imagined that someone would say that about THIS little girl!

After about a week and a half of therapy, I noticed a significant change in her body. She has a new strength that is hard to describe. Before, if I held her in standing at her hips, she would "taco" right over, not standing very long. But now, she just needs a slight touch on her hips and she begins taking steps without any prompting. It feels like her body is in one piece now...

We have a very unique and amazing living situation here in San Jose. We had a very hard time trying to find an affordable place to stay, and just when I was about to give up, I received a beautiful e-mail from an angel named Joyce. She and her family founded this program in San Jose around ten years ago and are extremely dedicated to its’ success. Throughout the years, her and her husband, Merv, have continuously had families from out of town/out of state stay with them while their children participate in the program. They have a nice, big house with a private bedroom downstairs and she told me it was ours - at no cost - if I wanted it. Not only that, but one of Madison’s teachers, Judit, who came here from Hungary about a year ago, is staying here as well with her beautiful five year old daughter, Hanna. It has been an amazing experience trying to learn how to bring Conductive Education into the home and Judit has helped me do so.  Hanna and Savannah become quick friends, and it was like a party for all of the girls each night we were there.  And Merv and Joyce patiently put up with their raquet every evening!

It hasn’t been easy, but this is yet another opportunity we felt we couldn’t miss out on. I think it will take a while to see the full effects of Madison’s month here, but I know the whole experience was well worth it. It was a very hard month for Madison, and she was exhausted, tired, and cried A LOT.  Dealing with that, away from home, was very difficult.  At times, I worried that all of the adjusting both girls had to do was not good for them, but now that the experience is over, I think they both fared just fine. They are certainly learning to be flexible and adaptible little girls!