October 22nd

The highlight of Ashley’s last week had to be the two and a half hours we spent out on Navy Pier on Saturday. First of all who would have thought it would be shirt sleeve weather this late in October? Two factors that were present could have made Ashley uncomfortable that was the sheer duration of time in her wheelchair without being repositioned and the second was getting over stimulated by the large crowd. Neither had an adverse affect on Ashley; she thoroughly enjoyed it.

For a follow up on Sunday we walked along the Lake Michigan shore and then visited the park that is next to Navy Pier and viewable from Ashley’s window. The sights were spectacular and Ashley was taking it all in with smiles.

On Saturday night Ashley took a phone call from Kevin. Kevin lives in Denver and is recovering from ADEM. He was struck thirteen months ago. He told Ashley to hang in there and to keep up the hard work. We appreciated Kevin’s encouragement and it was obvious that Ashley was hanging on every word he spoke. Here was someone that was in her condition and he was speaking, could walk and was able to do many things on his own. She was listening to hope; that she too can, and will recover.

During the week Ashley tried a new device in physical therapy. It was similar to an exercise bike. The difference was that this unit was set to turn with Ashley’s feet strapped in at a slow rate. If Ashley applied pressure to the pedals it would record that. The system ran for several minutes. At the end it showed that Ashley did indeed, at times, apply pressure to the pedals and was pedaling. She also appeared to enjoy it.

While Ashley has her moments of sadness and we all wish her progress was faster it is amazing how often Ashley is smiling and laughing along with us. It is not possible to know what she is going through; even so it’s hard to imagine what it would take to keep your spirits up when your body is not doing what your mind is asking it to do. It shows that Ashley is up for this challenge.

The cards she continues to receive and the posting on her blog that we read to her must be providing some of that inspiration. She is witnessing how much love and prayerful support is on her side.