January 2nd

Happy New Year!

Ashley has continued to make measurable strides.

Although it is still considered training and she continues with tube feedings, Ashley now receives a food tray for every meal. Whatever is on the menu is pureed. She still has to work hard to get the right signals to the right muscles for eating. Watching Ashley work through each step makes you appreciate just how complex our bodies are and yet we take ‘simple’ tasks like eating for granted. The feeding exercises tire her out, but again when you think of all the muscles and the timing that is required you begin to appreciate how exhausting it could be.

The ‘yes’ communication button has made a huge difference. For the first time in six months we have a reliable means of communicating with Ashley and truly knowing what she is thinking and wants. Achieving this milestone has now opened other means of evaluating communications with Ashley. In the Tech Center at RIC they now can perform various test with her. They may ask Ashley to press the button anytime the therapist states a particular number. Ashley’s accuracy is quite high. She has even pulled up music videos on the Internet via a computer that can interface with the button. It offers her choices and loads whatever Ashley chooses.

The term ‘transfers’ has a particular meaning for Ashley. It is not a bus transfer. It is moving Ashley from one spot to another. It could be from bed to a wheelchair, the wheelchair to a therapy mat, or anything else. On Monday Ashley did a transfer to the front seat of a car. This was not your ordinary car though. It was just the passenger compartment and it is on the 12th floor of RIC. A new picture posted to the homepage shows Ashley in the passenger seat along with Mary in the driver’s seat. What you can’t see from the photo is that this ‘car’ faces a window. When I told Ashley not to pull a ‘Thelma & Louise’ and drive through the glass she started cracking up with laughter. That was only the start of it. The therapist told us she brought a Chicago area patient up to the ‘car’ a couple of years ago and he said it looked like a car that he reported stolen (it was a Dodge Spirit) and he wanted to know what the VIN number was on it.

Today Ashley did a transfer to a real car. We pulled up in front of RIC and a heavily bundled Ashley (it was about 10 degrees at the time) was transferred by me to the front seat. Prior to the exercise with the ‘car’ on the 12th floor I didn’t think it was possible to stand in front of a wheel chair and get Ashley in the front seat of a car. Well it is. We took a short drive thought the neighborhood to see how well Ashley would balance herself it the slightly reclined seat. She came thought with flying colors.

As some of you may know one of Ashley’s top front teeth was loosened when she was prepared for surgery back in July at the University of Virginia Hospital. She has worn a temporary brace since that time. It was not the best looking thing and it was irritating her lip. Well today it was removed and while the tooth is slightly loose it is healthy and should be correctible in the future with some orthodontia. So it looks like Ashley will be getting her award winning smile back as well!

Anything can change, but we expect Ashley to come home this month. We have been making modifications to the house and are working with the transition team at RIC to make all the necessary arrangements for therapy and procurements of equipment and supplies to carry on Ashley’s aggressive rehabilitation.

We are thankful for Ashley’s progress which now appears to be building. It will still be a long process, but Ashley shows no signs of letting up. Her determination and focus is truly awe inspiring. Coupled with the prayers and support we have had from so many throughout this ordeal it lifts our spirits and renews our faith.

We wish you all a prosperous and healthy 2008!