October 8th

Ashley is spending more time out of bed and in her wheel chair. While that might not sound significant it is. When you spend most of your time laying down it can be painful to sit up for extended periods. While each day is different with regard to what Ashley can tolerate the result is a net gain over time.

Who would have guessed that we would still be having 80+ degree days with abundant sunshine with which Ashley can be outside watching sailboats on Lake Michigan.

Ashley is moving her legs now more than ever so that will help slow muscle loss. Her right arm has been more rigid lately while her left arm is quite limber. Early on it was the opposite for Ashley’s arms.

While the technology folks have not yet narrowed down a device with which Ashley can make consistent responses there was one suggestion that is showing some promise. One of the therapist suggested using a deck of playing cards. Hold up two different cards and ask Ashley to touch an identified card. It was not flawless, but the vast majority of the time Ashley would grab the right card. At this point in her recovery a major issue is the rigidity she encounters when moving. At times she is unable to move her arm and hand directly to the card, but eventually she gets it where she wants it. At other times she is able to reach directly to a desired spot grab on to it and pull it toward her.

One thing that came out of the card exercise was some black jack playing. Ashley did quite well. She would raise her hand for a hit, or hold still or slide her hand along the table to stay. We played several times over the weekend and she thoroughly enjoyed it; smiling broadly when risky hit delivered her a winning hand.

We are reaching a critical point in Ashley’s rehabilitation. The therapists set up goals for Ashley and have been aggressive. We all have been hoping for quick progress, but that has not been the case. While Ashley is scheduled to be in Chicago until mid-November they are evaluating her progress weekly to determine if this is the best course of action for her at this time. That is not to say that Ashley will not continue therapy. She most certainly will. What we need to determine is whether she can come home and continue it on an outpatient basis, or if she will need to be inpatient at a facility in Fort Wayne for a time.

Please pray that Ashley is able to make significant progress in therapy. We know she is working hard. She is confronting battles none of us can fathom; brain signals that do not consistently travel properly which controls both logic and motor function. She experiences pain which may be physical or neurological but she cannot tell us. Your prayers have brought both Ashley and the rest of our family this far and we are ever grateful. We thank you for the prayers you continue to offer up on our behalf.