Lots of updates

Sorry I am so long overdue! I barely survived fieldwork and have been crazy busy since I finished. I did finish school so I am officially an OTA. I am studying for my 4 hour test for my "C" and applying for my "L" next week. When I am all done I will be a COTA/L (Licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant). I signed a contract and will start work later this year.
In May Hope & Meg graduated as a working team. We were able to meet Meg's puppy raiser and she officially handed over the leash to Hope. Meg is officially ours! As you can see from the pictures, they are inseparable. She was at Hope's birthday party too but was with me at the table. There were soooooo many kids running around! A couple of her friends from school joined us a Peter Piper Pizza. Her birthday is always hard. It's the week before school starts and everyone is on vacation that week.
Hope started 3rd grade. She is in the typical classroom thus far. It was a rough go. Her wheelchair fell over on the bus, she was without transportation the first week, was injured in PE twice, etc. Several gray hairs later, we will fast forward to last weekend. We have had about a week straight of increased barometric pressure. I believe our weather induced Hope's seizures. She has never had them before this. Her seizures are focal seizures so they do not involve and physical reactions other than starring. Not like the ones you see one TV. I am hearing of several kids that have just started having seizures in this area for the first time as well. The increased pressure in her head mixed with the increased pressure in the atmosphere takes a toll on her. She has had non-stop headaches as well. I had an appointment scheduled in November to see the Neurologist for the headaches (takes 3 months to get in there!). I was able to switch Hope's appointment with one of our foster kids so she will be going the first part of October now. She has an EEG scheduled for the 28th. My fear is nothing will show up by that time but it is the earliest we could get in. If the weather straightens out the seizures should stop.
We went to Shriner's today as well. Hips and back are still good at this point. They feel her movement disorders are more prominent than her physical cerebral palsy symptoms now. She is no longer wearing orthotics! LOVE IT!!! It only takes 3 minutes to put on her shoes instead of 15! We have had non-stop problems with her orthotics so she has been without for a couple of months now. I believe her ankles have gained strength in this time.
I'm sure I have missed some things but my brain has been a little stressed out lately. I promise to update this if anything additional happens with Hope's health. For now we are just going day to day.
Sorry to everyone who has been asking for an update on here! Time has been extremely limited.