Casting...on purpose?

Yesterday Jonathan's awesome OT and PT came over bright and early to cast Jonathan... on purpose. No...he doesn't have a broken arm. Rather, the cast is for therapeutic purposes. A little less than two months ago, Jonathan received Botox injections in some of his muscles that have been working too hard (secondary to the meningitis). On his left side, he had injections in his peck, bicep and somewhere on his forearm...can't remember exactly where). The purpose of the Botox is not to reduce wrinkles in his chubby arms, but to temporarily make the overworking muscles relax (similar to what Botox does for those muscles that give us forehead wrinkles). While the Botox is working (lasts 3 to 6 months), his therapists work hard on strengthening the weaker muscles.

Ok...so what does all this have to do with a big blue cast? Jonathan has a cast on his right arm (his functional arm) in order to force him to use his left hand/arm (weaker side) while the Botox is working.

It is the end of day 2, and here is what we have so far:

1. He is using his left hand to eat (with assistance). For me, this is the most difficult part. I/We have to help him put the food in his hand then help him/encourage him to put it in his mouth and open his hand. So, for now, putting a snack cup in the back seat while running errands is out of the question. On the positive side...he IS really trying...and getting mad in the process.
2. A large blue cast can also be used as a weapon (as Jenny). Ok, so we really don't think that he is thinking..."man, I can really beat up big sis now!" There has been some sibling rivalry for a while (pinching, hitting, pulling Jenny's hair). We think that he is just trying to do his usual stuff, but there is this big blue cast attached to his arm. So far, we have a had a few more tears (from Jenny).
3. One of our biggest fears is that he wouldn't be able to sleep. After his last hospital stay in April, crying at night eats at both of us. We have prayed and prayed and prayed that this part wouldn't be excruciating, but at the same time, prepared for the worst. So far, he has slept at night and at nap time without problems (the best answer to prayer we can have at this point)

We are praying now for Jonathan to just learn to tolerate the cast (and stop trying to chew on it...yuck!), and that he can learn to use his left arm/hand. As it normally is in our house, we take it one day at a time, one therapy session at a time...and now, one cast at a time.

Not the best quality picture below...and I didn't plan on my toes being part of it...oops!