The following represents the August updates that had already been emailed. Following this batch each update will be posted directly to this Blog.

To see the July original posting and daily updates click on 'July' on the right side of this page

August 1st
This update is delayed because Austin had a case of heat exhaustion from football practice (he wasn’t the only one) so I didn’t have a chance yesterday to do the update. I am typing this from Dupont where he having a follow up test to make sure he is 100%.

Ashley looks better everyday and seems more engaged with her visitors. We are confident that she will meet, or exceed the goals that rehabilitation therapists are setting for her.

We keep saying it but it cannot be said enough. Your prayers, cards, kind words and other support have changed our lives for the better. We don’t know how long Ashley’s recovery will take, nor do we know what other obstacles we will encounter along its path. What we know absolutely is that our faith, reinforced by all of you, will aid us in overcoming them.

We appreciate the offers for additional help such as preparing meals. The Markleys are keeping an eye on Austin to make sure he gets his three squares; Mary is with Ashley most of the day and I head up there after work. At this time we aren’t at the house enough for a scheduled meal. When we do have a need we will not be shy about asking for assistance and know we can count on your caring help.

The News Sentinel ran an article on Ashley today. They got the date of the benefit incorrect (it is Friday the 10th), but the article its self was well done. You can view it on-line at:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070801/NEWS/708010315&SearchID=73288959307057

August 2nd
While we were at Dupont Hospital near our home for Austin’s follow up blood test for his heat exhaustion a few people came in with golden retrievers. They were from Three Rivers Visiting Dogs. Austin was petting one of the dogs and I asked the owner if they went to the hospital Ashley was in. She said they went to specific floors. When I asked if they went to the floor Ashley was on she asked if we were the Harringtons? I was taken aback. Turns out she looked at the Bishop Dwenger logo on Austin’s gym shorts and had just read the newspaper article on Ashley.

Well the answer to the question is yes. They will be visiting Ashley. Now I guess we can add dog therapy to the list of treatments Ashley will be receiving.

Ashley did have a special visitor today. A guy a few years older than her who suffered a sever brain injury about a year ago and went through rehabilitation at the same facility came in. He and his mother spoke with Mary for awhile. They spoke highly of the care and rehab he received while he was there. It just reinforces our confidence that Ashley is in the right place.

For Ashley’s part she had a good day. She continues to show us that she is fighting hard to recover. Now that Ashley has been here a few days Mary and I are getting into the swing of things with Ashley and the care/therapy staff. The therapy folks continue to introduce new techniques that, as a layman, I would never have thought of. They manage to get Ashley’s attention, and cooperation which shows that Ashley is making progress.

Progress… Your prayers are playing a major role. We are buoyed by your prayers; given the strength to see that Ashley gets the care she needs, and while Ashley is a fighter, your prayers most certainly are fueling Ashley.

Please keep Ashley in your prayers and know that you are making a difference.

August 3rd
The swimmers Ashley coaches at Glenaqua begin competing in the city-wide meet tonight. We have a Glenaqua poster in her room directly across from her so it is always in view. It’s a given that the whole team will swim their best to make Ashley proud of them.

Ashley’s youth is an advantage in her recovery. Her eleven years of swimming year-round plays an even larger role. We spoke with Ashley’s Cardiologist today and he reaffirmed that her physical condition is strong.

Each day Ashley looks better. As with every endeavor in life there is not a long list of new accomplishments each day. Achievement comes with hard work. Ashley has always been a hard worker and that determination is what will bring her to a complete recovery.

On Sunday, at the conclusion of the city swim meet, we look forward to talking to Ashley and letting her know that the hard work she put into coaching this summer once again paid off resulting in the scores of children she coaches having had an enjoyable summer of fun.

We appreciate the work all of you are doing praying for Ashley’s speedy, complete recovery.

August 4th
This Saturday went much smoother for Ashley than last week’s when she and Mary flew in from Virginia. It is also easier on the rest of the family not being 600 miles from home.

We think Ashley is getting comfortable with her care takers in Fort Wayne. The fact that she has begun physical therapy must be helping. Please pray that Ashley meets the aggressive goals the doctors and therapists have for her rehabilitation.

Austin on the other hand, after being given the all clear by his doctor to resume sports, found out he wasn’t quite up to snuff for the city swim meet. It appears the form of heat exhaustion he had, Rhabdomyolysis, (there will be a prize for the first person to pronounce that correctly on the first try) had more of an affect on his muscles than he first thought. He is going to have to ease himself back into competitive shape.

August 5th
It was hot, muggy and rainy out today; a good day to be in an air conditioned hospital room. We have covered the walls Ashley can see from her bed with the cards she has received and 8 x 10 photographs we think she would like to look at. It seems to have her looking around the room more.

This afternoon from Ashley’s room I spoke with an ADEM sufferer. He was struck while attending college at the University of Michigan. His plans for a career were to be a chemical engineer. ADEM did have an affect on him. In two weeks he begins med school at Ohio State. He plans to go into Immuno-Neurology. He also did an internship at Johns Hopkins this summer and work with Dr. Greenberg who provided the confirming second opinion on Ashley’s case. It is a small world.

Al, the soon to be med student, shared his story with us. Every case of ADEM is different, but if Ashley comes out of this wanting to be a physician, we can live with that! On a serious note it will be nice to stay in touch with Al and get his unique prospective on rehabilitation and other steps we can take to insure Ashley has the smoothest recovery possible.

Please pray that we are able to apply all the appropriate advice we encounter for Ashley’s full and speedy recovery.

As for Austin. He is doing fine. He didn’t compete today, but he did go to the city swim meet finals. For those of you familiar with the Austin-City Meet tradition, we did find time to give him a ‘hair sculpture’ for today. He has his traditional ‘GA’ letters in the back, and since their teams theme this year was ‘racing’ the rest of his head was done in a finish flag checker.

August 6th
Back to work for Ashley. Like most of us, Monday now means a return to work for Ashley; therapy that is. They are being aggressive with Ashley which is good. She seemed to handle it well.

Ashley had three of her high school friends visit her this evening. They can acknowledge that Ashley was engaged with them via humor. What a gift to see Ashley laughing along with her friends.

An aside; a nurse came in this evening and asked if we had any country CDs. We have been using Ashley’s iPod so we only had a couple of CDs for a player we leave overnight. It turns out there was a 95 year old gentleman named Bob that was just admitted. He was having a bit of a tough time adjusting and mentioned he like country.

Mary went down with the nurse to put in a CD and asked what music he liked. He said Johnny Cash. When Mary came back to the room she said we have to get this man a Johnny Cash CD and bring it up tomorrow. Then we thought, why wait? I ran out and got a ‘Best of Johnny Cash” CD set and brought it to Bob.

His eyes lit up.

We have been so blessed to be on the receiving end of so much generosity that it felt good to ‘pass it on’ to Bob this evening.

As you say your next prayer for Ashley please say a prayer that Bob feels comforted and at peace.

August 7th
We have a combined update. Ashley continues to progress with therapy. It is slow going, but good things are worth the wait. On Tuesday they placed Ashley in a chair that then converted to a level surface. At that position they raised Ashley, strapped in of course, to a near vertical stand. Having not been in a standing position for nearly 6 weeks it had to be unique feeling.

The therapists are great with Ashley. They push her to new levels, but always with positive reinforcement.

We continue to hear of more individuals and companies getting involved with Ashley’s benefit at Glenaqua this Friday. It is humbling to think of so many lending their support. The stories we hear of how Ashley has left a positive impression with so many along various paths she has crossed is reaffirming of how special she is.

We are thankful for all the wonderful folks that helped form Ashley’s optimistic and uplifting view of life.

Please continue to pray for Ashley’s continued progress in therapy and for a full recovery.

August 9th
Ashley had nearly three hours of therapy today. Our ADEM (Ashley’s condition) specialist said what she needs most is aggressive therapy. We thank God that she is in a place where that is happening.

They are talking about taking Ashley outside soon (if this heat wave ever snaps). We can’t wait to see her when she gets outdoors we know that will bring a big smile to her face. We will be sure to get that event on film.

With the benefit tomorrow we are looking forward to seeing and thank many of Ashley’s supporters. We are awestruck by the support and appreciate the dozens of volunteers that are pitching in to assist.

If you are going I would strongly suggest parking in one of the school or church lots at Reed and Vance so as not to clog the neighborhood streets in Glenwood Addition.

Please keep Ashley in your prayers for a full recovery.

August 12th
Thank you!

Our family is so blest by those that surround us. Many of you we will never meet, and for several others it will be a long time before we can thank you personally, but your prayers and support have made an everlasting positive difference in our lives.

On Friday evening the Glenaqua Swim Club (where Ashley worked summers as a life guard and swim coach) hosted a benefit for Ashley. We were not surprised at the tremendous turn out because we had so many indications leading up to it.

That does not mean we were not amazed. It was beyond awesome. Starting with the weather; all week it was hot and humid with isolated thunder storms popping up unannounced. This night the weather was what they call ‘Department of Tourism’ perfect. The sun was shining, but the humidity seemed absent and there was a gentle breeze blowing.

The entire atmosphere was spectacular. This event was so well coordinated. Nothing was overlooked. You would have thought the Glenaqua families and those that joined in as volunteers did this as their profession. Kids were having fun in the pool and with the numerous games and activities that were provided. The food was fantastic. The live music was exceptional. As I surveyed the crowd throughout the evening I had to keep reminding myself that all of this was for Ashley. Although I was seeing it, and I knew there was a lot of support, it was hard for it to sink in.

We will never be able to say thank you enough to the sponsors, volunteers and participants . I did speak at the event. (Luckily I wrote out my thoughts ahead of time, I never would have made it without several deep breaths and sticking to that script.) I expressed, as well as I could, how much your prayers and support have meant to us.

This week we will be discussing Ashley’s next step in rehabilitation. While she may be able to stay in Fort Wayne for the time being it is possible that we will have to transfer Ashley to a facility outside the area. The support from so many will make it possible for Mary to take a leave of absence from work and to reside wherever Ashley will be. Thank you.

As for Ashley and her condition we are happy to report that physically she is doing quite well. Over the last six weeks she has fought off some infections and other ‘by-products’ of her condition and being in a hospital environment. On most days she does well in therapy and shares a laugh (and occasional cry) with her visitors. There are challenging days, but that is to be expected. Once again we count our blessings that Ashley can have a full recovery and with all of you behind her that will happen.

Please continue to keep Ashley in your prayers, and we will continue to thank God for the gift you are to us.