March 17th

From Ashley and all of us, “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”

St. Patrick was actually born in Britain to a wealthy family. He was kidnapped in his teenage years by Irish raiders that attacked his family’s estate. It was during his captivity that Patrick turned to his faith for solace. Eventually in a dream, he felt was inspired by God, Patrick was told that he could return to Britain and he simply walked away from this captivity. Ashley, like St. Patrick, is facing a loss of independence, but she to will rely on her faith to heal her.

Ashley did a lot in the last week.

She got a preview of what the software on her new computer will look like. It will take a while to master, but it will raise communication to a new level. Ashley made sure her speech therapist understood that she only saw the computer as a temporary communication device and that she wanted the therapy’s focus to remain on reestablishing her vocal speech.

On Wednesday Ashley was the model for a couple of different standing frames that her rehabilitation facility is considering. Luck for us they are from the same manufacturer as Ashley’s standing frame and they can assemble hers at our house. On a related note - when we transfer Ashley from one location to another we ask her to support her weight in a standing position for a short period of time and then, when she is in front of the object she is going to sit on, we ask her to slowly bend her knees and sit down. We have to support her at all times, but lately it has been much more support of balance than holding her up. She will often support her own weight and then sit down in a slow fluid motion.

The weather has been nice enough that Ashley has been out for walks in the neighborhood a few times in the last week. We look forward to those walks occurring more frequently in the future. Like the rest of us, Ashley has had enough of winter and loves to get outside.

As most of you know, Ashley communicates by moving her left arm. She has a button that, when pushed by her arm, activates an audible ‘Yes’. On Sunday Ashley started to raise her right arm as well as her left arm to answer yes. Needless to say we were excited and proceeded to ask more questions and Ashley continued to raise her right arm.

We have not seen Ashley raise her right arm to a request since prior to going to Chicago in September. Ashley was beaming with pride and we provided her with a standing ovation. It takes her great effort to raise her right arm, but she insisted that her communication button be moved to her right arm Monday morning.

This is Holy Week and we have much to be thankful for. May God fill you with the Holy Spirit and bring you peace.