Monday, August 11, 2008

August 11th

Ashley’s computer arrived on Friday. Her speech therapist will get it set up this week and a lot of our time at home will now be focused on helping Ashley communicate through this system. It looks like a tablet PC. It has a touch screen, but Ashley will use a button with her left arm to control it.

The screen will present and ‘speak’ options to Ashley. It will scroll through options in rows. Ashley will hit her button when it gets to a row that displays an option she wants. Next it will display those options and she will click on the one she wants and it will state it. It may take a few screens to get to a specific option, but now Ashley will begin to tell us what she wants verses our doing the yes/no guessing game.

Oh did I mention that the front of this tablet PC is bright pink!?!

This weekend Ashley ‘took off’ on her pedaling. She completed as many as five full revolutions in a row without any assistance. We have to credit the Walk, Talk and Eat praying all of you are doing along with Ashley’s hard work for that significant improvement.

At mass yesterday Ashley gave a huge smile and was raised both arms in affirmation when Father John, in his homily, said we need to have faith in Christ to get us beyond our fears. The gospel reading was about Peter walking to Jesus on the water but then becoming fearful and sinking. It was a beautiful sight to see Ashley’s reaction knowing she wanted us to know that her faith is unfaltering.

As we have often said Ashley smiles much more than she frowns and laughs much more than she cries. When the rest of us are feeling overwhelmed it just takes a look at her beautiful smile to get refocused and to think, “If Ashley can keep a positive attitude how can I let myself fail to do so?”

It is as obvious as the sun rising in the east that Ashley is feeling the beneficial affects of everyone’s prayers. Please keep them coming.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Ashley,
We can't wait to see you working away on your PINK computer. It will be fun communicating with it.
You have now officially pedaled more this summer than I have. I remember how happy you were when you were on the bicycle at RIC. I hope you get to use it often now.
Ashley, your father writes such touching and faith filled blogs. He is so inspired by you, your hard work, and your faith. As are we all. We love you. Aunt Lynn, Uncle Stan, and Angela

Anonymous said...

Ash--

Hey, girl, hey! It was so good seeing you this week. I missed you on our week absence! It was very nice getting caught up with you, too!

Too bad I didn't know about the computer before I came out-- you could have shown it off to me! Next time, then, hm?

You are doing such a great job with everything-- even getting down those head-nods without any prompts! Congrats on making the bike spin, too. That's great! More coordination! I love it!

I love you! I will continue to pray my little mantra for you: Walk, Talk, and Eat.

Always in my thoughts,

XoXo,

Emily*

Anonymous said...

WOW a pink computer...how "girlie" and pretty! What a great way to communicate. Keep up the inspiring improvement! Hope to see you at the lake again before we head back to Naples. Love, Helen and Roger

Anonymous said...

Hi Ashley, Mary Jeff and Austin,
This is my 2nd attempt at writing to all of you. The first time everything evaporated.... I'm not as computer literate as some! ha ha! Just wanted to say HOORAY, on the arrival of your computer!!!! Now you can really get down to business, and let everyone know what you are thinking! Lauren was on retreat with the BD show choir last week and upon returning the families all met at St. Vincent's to celebrate mass! It was beautiful to see all of the kids so faithful to our Lord I thought of you and prayed for continued strength ! But let me tell you honey... nothing compared to the wonderful news your dad shared with us about your Awe inspiring raising of your hands to our Lord while in Mass last week! Your go Girl!!!! Jesus Himself is listening to all of us who are keeping you close in prayer. In fact you are bringing so many people closer to Him thru our many prayers. You all continue to inspire us! I think of you everyday when I head into Holly's room, she has several pictures of the two of you Laughing and Smiling! She treasures your friendship more than you'll ever know!! Your parents and brother are amazing, they sure do love you, it is quite evident from all of the pics your dad has posted that you are a TEAM!!!!! We love you all!!
Claudia jerry Holly and Lauren Schnurr

Anonymous said...

Ashley,
Great news about the computer. Is it going to be set up like the one we saw at therapy? Jess has been working so much lately and she really wants to visit before school starts. Our schedules have been opposite each other and I'm not comfortable letting her drive that far. Have Alex and Jessica watched you on the bike? We hope to visit soon. Much love Cassidy's

Anonymous said...

Good morning Ashley and your wonderfully awesome family,

Just wanted you to know we are thinking of all of you today, got any plans for this beautiful sun shiny day? I hope all is going well with the new computer. We're praying this opens up a whole new world for you. Lauren and I are heading out to buy school supplies and Holly is working 8 hours today. Lots of exciting times at the Schnurr house Ha Ha! You will all be in our hearts and prayers as we head to Mass this evening! Love and hugs Claudia Jerry Holly and Lauren