March 11th

Ashley's long awaited standing frame arrived yesterday evening...
in parts.

Since it was a special order item the supplier did not assemble it. After opening the two large boxes and laying out the parts I grabbed the owners manual. After a quick perusal of the instructions I said to Ashley, "It's kinda like a bicycle. All I have to do is follow these 36 illustrated, some what straightforward, steps!"

Needless to say it is not yet assembled.

On Wednesday Ashley's therapy facility is getting a standing frame (they use a 'tilt' table now to raise clients to a standing position). Since Ashley used a standing frame in Chicago they have asked her to 'model' their new one. Ashley was more than happy to oblige.

Aside from the standing frame Ashley has had a good week. There were a couple of days were she was drowsy during the day so we are going to consult with her doctors to determine if we can yet again reduce some of Ashley's medications. She is having fewer painful spasms and no problems with nasuea. The most common side affects of the meds are drowsiness and nasuea. Ashley seems to have the upper hand on one. It will be nice to reach the point where she is lucid all day everyday.

While we are waiting on Ashley's computer (probably has a similar leadtime as her standing frame) we have been using paper examples of the screens she will see that her speech therapist provided. Ashley is getting more comfortable with them and it is apparent that once she has the computer she will be able to communicate to us what she wants and needs much quicker than our current hit-n-miss approach of questioning.

Related to the computer Ashley makes it clear that she doesn't want the speech therapist to let up on the exercises they are doing to return Ashley's speech. Often times Ashley will hum. She smiles when we ask if she is warming up her vocal cords. She continues to make progress with her eatinig exercises and that will lead to developing the muscle strength needed to speak again.

This is the last week of lent prior to holy week. We can feel all the prayers that you are sending our way. Our pray in return is that God conveys to you His blessing and that you feel His loving guidance.