I DID IT!

Monday’s BCI session was a great success.  I decided to work with 50 letters rather than 75 to help me keep focused.  The first time through I was able to do 81%.  That means recognizing the target letter out of a stream of other letters 81% of the time.  It was the same as I did last time so I was a little disappointed.  Betts, always the cheerleader, said that was good because it was where I finished last time.  What she didn't say was that was the same level I began with last time.

Keeping in mind that I had written in last night’s entry the phrase Focus Focus Focus, I started the next set of 50.  Somehow I finally was able to quiet my brain when the other letters were showing.  This time my score was 93%.  Wow! What a jump.  Now I was ready to conquer the 5 skill levels spelling words.  Each skill level had 3 sentences with a word to spell in each sentence.  Last time level 1 was easy, but I had some trouble with 2.  Level 3 went OK but Level 4 was bad, and I timed out before finishing. 

Monday was a whole different story, I whizzed through level 2.  Level 3 was almost as quick.  During level 4 I had an incorrect letter so I had to do a backspace and then replace the letter.  Trying to focus on the backspace was my real downfall before.  This time I was ready with a word to use, and I got it right away and went on to do the rest.  My stubborn streak took over on level 5 even though I knew I was getting tired.  Told myself to Focus Focus Focus.  Had some trouble and had to use backspace a few times, but I finished before it timed out! It was so awesome to really be able to direct my thoughts and spell a word. 

 Another fun part was having Walker watch the process.  At 10 he still keeps asking why, like a 2 year old.  But now he also asks how and what.  The difference for us is we often have to say we don't know.  It was also the first time for Yuki to see the process, since the other times it had been caregiver Cindy’s day.  When Betts was ready to put the cap they both jumped up to see better.  Walker declined the opportunity to try on the cap.  He watched the entire process and tried the letter selection process.  Even though I am unable to do some of the things with the boys, I can still provide entertainment and experiences they will not get anywhere else.