Day 72

Mixed, but good, bag today! Since Josh didn't go to camp at Bravehearts yesterday, I was concerned about how he'd do today. Thank goodness Stephanie was there! Josh rode in a 15-person van (no bus) and Stephanie sat next to him - it was hard getting him up into the van simply because of the steps but he did it! She said he did a good job all morning - he didn't ride the horses today and he wouldn't brush them, but he did pet one horse, Ben, who was, as Josh said, "brown and white and gentle." Apparently, he did just fine at the stables. They went to the pool afterward - incredibly hot, humid, and there he was in long pants from the stables. He wouldn't let Stephanie change him into shorts so they just rolled up the pants above his knees (she said he would be OK coming in shorts tomorrow). He sat on the edge of the pool, splashing everyone. He did pull a little girl's hair, but she was fine and said she understood. Stephanie and Chris, the van driver, said Josh was soaking! His pants clearly dried during the rest of the afternoon - he was kicking back on a chaise lounge, I guess, and just soaking in the rays! His shirt and beach towel are wet, his orange little towel got tossed into the pool when they were playing, but he had a good time! Stephanie said he did hit her twice - once was "her fault," she said, because she didn't warn him she was reaching over to do his seatbelt. Don't know what happened the second time but they made up. He had only one PNES during the day (once before leaving the house also), a couple of simple overloads, but several absence seizures - he's still fighting the cold we both have so I think that is playing into that. I'm hoping they lessen/go away once the cold is completely gone.

Josh got off the van fine - a little nervous and Stephanie had the chair all ready for him so he could regroup. The stairs are tricky so whoever is getting him on/off will have to be careful about that - the stairs are narrow, there are three of them, and then his seat (or the ground, whichever way you are heading). Once he regrouped, he got right into the car and started yacking away about his day! We got home and, boy, was he thirsty! He had a YooHoo, the NV, and white grape juice! Plus, he had a big dinner, dictated an email to send to an old friend, and now he has crashed on the couch - snoring away - and it's only 7:00!

Good day, overall! Hope tomorrow he uses a brush on the horse, or at least pets them more. I really don't expect him to get on the horse within this week, but if he could get used to being around them some, perhaps continuing with Bravehearts into the school year could be beneficial for him - eventually doing the grooming and even getting on the horse! We'll see!