Bootcamp: Coming Soon
Later this week Levi will begin an intensive therapy conference we lovingly call
“bootcamp.”
8 days
3 assessments
6 hours daily
one-on-one therapy
changing rooms every hour
new therapist every hour
custom therapy plan
evening training for Mama
Photo: Push ups are so hard Mama
This is a full-family bootcamp, as it requires Levi, Mama, Papa, Younger Brother, and Levi’s care team to break from their daily routines to support Mama and Levi being at the conference.
Levi will be participating in the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) family conference here in Minnesota. Children and families from across the country and MNRI Core Specialists locally and internationally, will gather together with Dr. Svetlana Masgutova to provide individualized therapeutic treatment plan for each participant.
Our 1st Experience Last Year
Last year Levi participated in bootcamp for the first time. The results were so profound after four days (which was all the funding we initially had available), Dr Masgutova personally asked for Levi to continue his participation for the full eight days. An anonymous donor generously provided funds for day #5 and by 9am of day #6 funds became available for days #6-8. It was a genuine miracle!
Photos: unlocking shoulder tension while making eye contact. Never-Before-Seen happy open thumb, absolutely rare hand-eye coordination "hello arm"
After the conference Dr Masgutova provided us with a detailed home-therapy plan which we have implemented 4-6 days/week. The plan includes six major areas of therapy (protocals). Each protocal has a list of 10+ primary motor reflex patterns. Each reflex pattern provides a very specific sensory stimuli, which invites neuro-processing, and (over time) produces a specific motor response.
For most of us the most familiar reflex pattern is when
the doctor hits your knee (sensory stimuli)
which triggers your brain
you kick your leg (motor response)
There are actually hundreds of primary motor reflexes in our bodies, all of which are designed to become integrated. For a variety of reasons these reflexes may have:
Integrated when they were supposed to but subsequently re-surfaced and need to be re-integrated
Did not integrate when they should have and need to be integrated
Never emerged when they should have and need to be activated and integrated
One of the special aspects of this bootcamp it getting to meet families whose children are facing similar and very different developmental challenges. It is incredible to witness the changes in each child and talk to those who have been committed to MNRI for several years.
Photos: experiencing cross-lateral movement (walking pattern), releasing spasticity and tension in the foot. the more hands the happier Levi is (never-before-seen leg movement during this session!!)
One of Many Lasting Impacts
One day before the start of last year’s bootcamp, I met with three of Levi’s medical specialists to discuss the increases in his muscle spasticity and our concerns about having to use higher level emergency medications more frequently to intervene. We discussed the risks of these interventions and risks of if his spasticity continued to escalate without some kind of ongoing intervention. We discussed a plan, starting in the fall, to begin using a new ongoing medication to manage his spasticity.
After 8 full days of bootcamp and the implementation of an extensive home therapy plan, we have seen a consistent and sustained reduction in Levi’s muscle spasticity. We did not need to implement the new medication plan in the fall. As I visited with these same doctors last week, I was able to talk about how MNRI has been a key factor in Levi’s improvement. No further discussion about new medications was needed!
Excitement & Hope
We are all tremendously excited to see what will emerge from this year’s bootcamp!
Since last year's bootcamp, Nkuku has taken the lead in providing a majority of the home-based therapies. (thank you!) Nearly all of Levi’s PCAs have also learned one or more aspects of the work.
Levi has also been working with two local MNRI specialists twice a month. They have helped to clarify his home-based therapy plan, train his care team, and provide Levi with specific advanced level work.
Photo: Day 4 Levi's grasp reflex shows up for the first time!! He is so excited he raises both arms. Freedom in the body feels great. This therapist spoke to him in her native Polish language.
For Levi, it was like a new love language.
Please join us in prayer over the coming two weeks for
Final preparations to go smoothly
Gratitude for the many hearts and hands who are stepping forward to help care for Younger Brother
Safe travels to/from Bootcamp daily
Additional energy and strength for Mama as she is fully caring for Levi (including lifting him many times a day, Mr 40lbs!) while tracking his progress and learning his new therapy plan
Levi to be in good health, particularly with his respiratory and digestive systems
Meaningful relationships to be built with the therapists and fellow families
Evident, transformative, and lasting changes in Levi’s mind / body/ spirit
Moments when Levi is able to surprise us as he experiences new freedoms within his body.
We know Levi has a strong desire to walk someday. Join us in praying for his dreams for himself to come true.
Photos: How Levi feels at the end of Day 1. Never-Before-Seen leg flexion. Hard work = kisses from Mama.
Bootcamp is a time and place where major transformations happen. The therapists are able to accomplish in 8 days what it can take us years to do at home. Their advanced skills, knowledge of MNRI and the intense nature of “bootcamp” converge in astounding ways.
It is an opportunity for me to have a front row seat to the Lord’s miraculous works in Levi.
I am full of hope and excitement for Levi.
Two sensations I don’t often get to experience as his Mama.
This on it’s own is beautiful.
This I will savor.
To read more about MNRI visit
