Walking! - March 31, 2016

Our beautiful, strong, brave Armenian angel is walking again.

A Visit from Miss USA - March 30, 2016

Today, Lilit spent some time with Miss USA 2015, Olivia Jordan.

Meanwhile, SOAR has been busy putting together Lilit's equipment needed after her discharge tomorrow: crutches, walker and a temporary wheelchair.

Almost Ready - March 29, 2016

Lilit is almost ready to leave the rehab facility and everyone is preparing for her discharge and transition to therapy in Armenia.  The therapists in New York are passing along their recommendations for continued PT and OT in Yerevan as well as recording short videos of their work with Lilit for those who will continue it thousands of miles away.  A special boot has also been prepared for Lilit to support her left leg for walking until the issues with her hip can be resolved.  For this purpose, Lilit has an intake appointment with a wonderful pediatric orthopedist in Yerevan at the end of April.

A visitor from Mt. Sinai

Heart to Heart - March 28, 2016

With her impending return to Armenia, Lilit is beginning to feel some apprehension about what her future holds, thinking a lot about life, and asking important questions.  Among many tears, she opened up today to her new friend Naira, President of the SOAR New York Chapter.

Naira learned that Lilit is very concerned about going back to the orphanage.  She knows that the individual care, attention and love she has received while in the US for medical treatment will not be provided to her once she returns to this setting.  For the first time in her life, Lilit realizes that there is something good, something better outside of the walls of the orphanage.

Lilit does not fully understand why Ella can stay in America and why she must return to Armenia because, as she says, she is ready to live in America herself and waiting for someone to make this dream possible for her.  She is more motivated now to attend school, learn to read and write and do math, as well as continue her acquisition of English which will be supported via SOAR.  Lilit is hopeful that someday she can return to the US permanently.

Please keep Lilit in your thoughts as she prepares to go back to Yerevan and undergoes another difficult transition.

Happy Easter - March 24-27, 2016

Lilit is now less than a week away from being discharged from the rehab facility and she will return to Armenia in early April.

Today she had some Easter visitors who brought the fun and the yum.

Lilit and Ella - March 23, 2016

Today was the last day of being together for these two best friends.  It is unknown when they will see each other again.  They made the most of it and packed their shared hours full of giggles and excitement.

"Reading" the newspaper

Ella combing Lilit's hair after her shower

Coloring Easter eggs

Another pizza eating contest

Balloon heads

Pedi...

.... cures

After all this fun, these two Armenian angels had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad farewell.  But their bond is strong and has endured separation before. We all hope that they will be allowed to remain friends (or sisters as they call themselves) as they grow up.

Lilit & Ella - March 22, 2016

As planned, Lilit and Ella met up for lunch and after enjoying some pizza and strawberries, they worked on coloring pictures before Lilit went for more therapy.

When Lilit returned to her room, a pillow fight, tickle fest, giggle gig, kissing fete ensued on the bed.

Then the girls went to do some crafts in the community room.  During their creative processes, chalkboard picture frames eventually turned into taped up we-don't know whats.

Before Ella had to leave, the girls shared Lilit's spaghetti dinner.  They insisted on eating with spoons instead of forks.

One more day of togetherness for these two friends before the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad good-bye.

Fun With Ella - March 21, 2016

Today Ella and her family arrived for another visit. Everyone was excited well ahead of time and so thrilled to be together again.  Lilit has made remarkable progress since last month and is in very happy, playful spirits.  She understands quite a bit of English now and casually uses phrases like, thank you very much, oh my gosh, just a second, and good job.

Lilit's schedule

Lilit's view

Rocking her sparkly Frozen shoes

Planting a fern in OT

In one month,
Lilit went from being able to write no letters
to independently spelling and writing her name
very well

The girls had a pizza eating contest for lunch and scheduled themselves for obligatory beauty time after Lilit's therapies were finished.  They also had dinner together.  Apparently Lilit's appetite is increased when she is sharing a meal with her friend.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's adventures of two Armenian besties.

Therapy Fun - March 20, 2016

Lilit thinks riding a bike is the best kind of therapy. And she probably also liked being outdoors after so many weeks inside.

Lilit is in the home stretch of her journey to better health.  She will be returning to Armenia on April 4.

Work & Play - March 16 - 19, 2016

Lilit is working hard, but also enjoying some entertainment and more surprise presents.

Better All The Time - March 15, 2016

Lilit is doing great.  She's sticking to her daily therapy schedule and making progress all the time.

Here's Miss Lilit showing off her ever-expanding English skills:

Closer To Going Home - March 11-14, 2016

Lilit keeps working through her rehabilitation without any problems.  She is moving around quite well, getting stronger, eating better, and learning English.

Siranoush has returned to Yerevan for a well-deserved break and SOAR's Associate Director from Armenia, Hripsime, has arrived to take her place with Lilit.  Lilit is slated to go home in about three weeks when Siranoush will return to pick her up.  SOAR is working hard to coordinate continued PT for Lilit in Armenia as well as to purchase any equipment necessary for her therapy there.

If you would like to financially support SOAR in its efforts to help Lilit, please follow the Go Fund Me link on the right hand side of this blog.  Thank you.

Continuing Progress - March 9 & 10, 2016

Lilit is making remarkable progress and feeling upbeat, despite being quite tired from all of her hard work in therapy.  She is very aware now of how her body has changed through the surgery, learning more English daily, and gladly venturing to the facility's play room when her schedule allows.

While Lilit's legs are now of exactly the same length, it appears that her hips are not properly aligned which may require orthopedic intervention at a later date.  PT has fitted her with a boot for now that allows both feet to make contact more easily with the ground.

Lilit is expected to return to Armenia in about four weeks.

Good Night - March 8, 2016

Lilit is in excellent spirits and working diligently in her therapy sessions.

And here she is saying good-night to Uncle George:

Doing Great - March 5, 6, 7, 2016

Lilit is doing fantastic. She enjoys her therapy and complies with everything the therapists ask.  Today, she had so much fun painting with her feet.

For  those of you wondering, Lilit still has a tube in for medication since she refuses to take her meds by mouth.  She also receives a little additional nutrition via the tube during the night.

Over the weekend, Lilit's story was featured at the gala event of the SOAR Philadelphia Metro Chapter.  The video shown to the guests can be seen here:

http://soar-us.org/sponsor_highlights.html#february2016