I also just discovered this thread. Three thoughts:
Margret
- I broke my left arm in three places four years ago. During the months that it was in a cast, the muscles and ligaments shriveled. It took intense occupational therapy to stretch the ligaments, a process which is still continuing, and fairly intense exercise to increase the muscle strength, which is also ongoing. For some time after the cast came off I refused to use my left hand on a banister, because I knew (correctly) that the wrist couldn't support my weight. I had to get the strength back in that wrist first, just as Reeves needs to get strength back in his legs.
- The reason people are emphasizing hydrotherapy is that it's a way to take some of the weight off of the legs, so that Reeves will actually be able to walk, as long as he's in the water. This gives him a chance to get used to the idea of walking once again, build up confidence that it's actually possible to walk, and exercise the muscles that have atrophied. My mother was a physical therapist, so I understand about hydrotherapy.
- Reeves obviously has a normal, kittenish play instinct. Have you ever seen small plastic wind-up toys for the bathtub? They can either float on top and paddle around, or, some of them, go underwater and swim. I believe these are very cheap, and they might be just the thing to get Reeves into the water and entice him to actually try to walk there, to chase them. Do make sure that the water is warm enough, and the right depth; we're not trying to teach Reeves to swim, but we do want enough water to support most (not all) of his weight. It may take a bit of experimentation. Also, put some kind of bath mat down, so that he has proper traction and can grip with his claws a little bit; that may decrease the fear somewhat.
Margret
you're doing a fantastic job with him!
