May 19th

Where's the update?

The editor did not file a posting last week, but it didn't have anything to do with a lack of good news to share.

During the week of the 12th. many of Ashley's friends began returning home from school and she had several visits. Each one was uplifting for Ashley. A couple of her classmates from St. Marys made detours on their way home just to see Ashley. The combination of friends and being outside more often are perhaps the best medicine for Ashley.

Perhaps the contacts with her friends had a role in the latest milestone for Ashley. In the past two weeks Ashley has steadily increased her control over her legs for standing. In the past when it came to transferring Ashley from one location to another it required the person doing the transfer to 'lift' her to make the move. Now, the vast majority of the time. Ashley is bearing that weight on her legs by herself. Many times when we ask her to stand we are doing little more than providing her with balance support.

Last Friday the therapist decided it was time for Ashley to take her first controlled walk. She was aided to the parallel bars (set at just above waist height) and the therapists patterned Ashley, physically moving her legs while Ashley did the lion's share of supporting her weight. They moved Ashley, one step at a time for a total of 14 steps!

It may be quite some time before Ashley can take those steps on her own, but it is beyond description to express the joy we felt at seeing Ashley accomplish this major improvement.

We continue to encounter more individuals, families and groups that tell us that they are praying for Ashley and our family. We know that it is this support that keeps Ashley's attitude positive and gives us the strength to she her through her recovery.

All of you keep that beautiful smile on Ashley's face!