Ashley had a wonderful birthday week.
The outpouring of love was amazing and deeply appreciated. Her therapists at Lutheran Hospital threw a surprise party for her; she received dozens of cards and gifts; there were numerous phone calls and visits from family and friends; and of course several wonderful postings on this blog. The highlight was when Ashley received and took a call on her birthday from her friend Adrienne who is currently spending a semester in Uganda Africa. Yes she called from Uganda!
Ashley took advantage of the extended summer weather we are having by taking several strolls through the neighborhood during the week and weekend.
On the Walk, Talk and Eat front Ashley is making steady progress.
As a visiting friend, Erica, was saying goodbye Ashley pushed her vocalization to new heights. We are praying for audible words, but to see the effort, and more importantly, the smile that was on Ashley’s face as she ‘sang’ her goodbye it was apparent that this was a sign of good things to come.
Over the weekend we did an interview for Fort Wayne Living Magazine. The article will be an update on Ashley and the efforts of members of our church parish to raise funds for a wheelchair accessible van. The story will run in their November edition.
To add to the exciting news we just received word that Ashley (and the family) has been accepted to the Victory Junction Gang weekend camp for young adults suffering from conditions like Ashley’s in North Carolina. In addition to spending time with others that Ashley can relate with we will be able to confer with the same medical specialists that were at the International Conference on Rare Neuro-immunilogical Disorders. Austin and I also had the pleasure of meeting the camps’ medical director at that conference in July. In a future posting we will tell you more about this wonderful facility that the Petty family of NASCAR fame has poured their love and treasure into. It has been a blessing for thousands of children, young adults and families that are facing various medical challenges. You can visit them at www.victoryjunction.org.
As we face each new day we are thankfully aware of all the love and support we have and will continue to receive. Saying thank you feels woefully inadequate, but please know that you are also in our prayers. We know first hand that prayer is the most valuable gift one person can provide to another.
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10 comments:
Hey Ashley... Just checking to see if your dad updated your blog after the BIG 21st birthday, and so he did.... Wow, a phone call from Adrienne.... Technology sure is Amazing, but nothing more amazing than the Love of a true Friend!! Our Lord is answering all of our prayers in "His Time"! It is so good to see you walking in the pictures dad posted, you look AMAZING!! Such Fantastic News about being accepted to the Petty"s Camp!! I'm sure you will have a great time and make so many new friends... Your SMILE is sure to draw the crowds while in Kansas!!!You and your entire family have so much to look forward too!! Just wait till everyone catches a glimpse of you and hears your updated story in the magazine interview your fam just gave! You'll have your new van in no time!!!
How can anyone resist that beautiful SMILE of yours!!! Holly just ran out the door for Spanish. she is taking a Huge load of classes this semester and is involved in so many campus activities.... I hardly ever see her! She did mention that she was going to give your mom a call and see if she can come over sometime this week! I know she still has that Surprise for you! We were entertaining family from Chicago this weekend. It is so good to be with Family but boy are we tired from all the visiting we did and full from eating so much!! Ha ha (most of our relatives live out of town)so when we get together we talk and eat alot!!! You are in our daily prayers Sweet Ashley!!! Love and Hugs Mrs Schnurr and family!
Ashley,
I can't believe I didn't send a card for your birthday...sounds like everyone else did! I know I haven't been over for a visit in quite awhile but I wanted to let you know that I read this blog every week AND I pray for you every day. I know God has a plan for you and your family and some day we will know what it is. Right now it is to be an inspiration to us all and not let us take anything for granted. You are a strong woman and I know you will reach your goal or eating, talking and walking with the love and support of family and friends. I promise to visit soon.
Love, Mrs. DePrez
Ashley--
Hey, girl, heeey! Great news about the camp-- congrats! Yay! How exciting! ... !!!!!
I know how happy I was to hear you on the phone, so I'm sure Erica was ecstatic when you "said goodbye"! That is such amazing progress. I am incredibly proud of you.
I hope your birthday went well. How awesome that Adrienne called! You have such great friends, Ashley. I hope my gift put a smile on your face ;) and that it was worth the Smiley Faces bobbing up and down all week.
I don't have too much to report... except that you just had a birthday, which means that it's almost October which means that it's almost November (excellent deducting skills, Emily!) which meeeannns... Nick is turning 17 in November. Umm... take a moment to think about that. Weird, huh? And you're 21! How is this possible? Aren't we still at St. Vincent's with cootie shots? And uniforms?! haha
I love you so much, Ashley. Keep your chin up, and as always... Walk, Talk, Eat! We're going to get on that beach! And I hope the thought of the beach works as inspiration as we move into the colder months... it's a high of 62* and you'd better believe I'm busting out my sweats. You know I love my sweats.
XoXo,
Emily*
PS! PS! I'll be home for October Break late on the 10th and I'll leave on the 14th. Do you have time for me? I'd love to see you!
Ashley, That is so cool you all get to go to the camp. I was telling Grandma about the camp yesterday but told her we wouldn't know for sure for a week or two. I can't wait to hear all about it!! You are working so hard and it shows. We had such a wonderful visit, thanks for letting us take you for a walk but mostly for giving us directions so we could get back to your house!!!!! You are an inspiration to all of us. Much love Cassidys
Ashley,
It is so wonderful to read about all of your milestones. I am awed by your determination and strong willpower.
I love the picture of you standing. That is so awesome! Keep up the great effort and my students and I will keep you in our prayers.
God bless,
E.Martin
PS Sometime you need to come check out St. V's. It has gotten so big I get lost. We also have 4 classes of kindergarten! Their rooms are so cute and the tables and chairs are so tiny!
PPS I plan to check out this camp next. It sounds great.
Hello Ashley Mary Jeff and Austin,
It was so good to see all of you , especially our dear Ashley! You Look Amazing Ash and so Strong and absolutely gorgeous, I about fainted when i walked in and saw you and Your mom standing and stretching in the family room.All of your hard work is really paying off! It was so nice to visit and share a few laughs with all of you! So Ashley.... are any of the pictures we gave your mom on the frig yet... If you know what I mean!!! Ha ha!! What a bunch of conniving girls we are Ha! Poor Austin is going to have to go thru both you and your mom before he pics the girl of his dreams! I'm excited for you to become an expert on your new pink computer. i know you have a whole lot you want to share with all of us, we see it in your eyes and in your beautiful smile!! Believe it or not I am typing this from my mom's house. Our computer continues to be in CRASH mode!!! Thank goodness for Holly's laptop or we'd all be in trouble!! give everyone a Hug From the Schnurr's. I hope to see you again real soon! You continue to be in our prayers.... xoxoxo
Claudia Schnurr and family
Ashley,
I'm Emily's roommate, and I just wanted you to know that I think about you, and pray for you! She talks about you all the time, and has me very anxious to meet you! I hear you're doing well and I'm so excited! I just wanted you to know that there are so many more people out there than you even know.... who are thinking about you, and want you to get better! Keep up the good work, it sounds like you're doing great!
-Natalie (Emily D's Roommate)
ashley!! i hate the internet here... lol but oh my gosh i have heard so many good things about victory junction! many of the staff at the camp i worked at this summer talked about how great it was because they worked there before this new one was built. have so much fun and i can't wait to hear all about it! i love you and can't wait to hear your voice. you are amazing and i'm praying for you always. love, adrienne
Hello Harrington's,
Thank Heaven for smart computer savy friends... Because of Mr. Hillman ...
our computer is up and running again!! Now I can send you more Way to go" and "WE love you" letters! Seems Lauren picked up a few viruses along the way and caused the latest Crashing of the Schnurr Technology center!! OOPS!!!!! Way to go LAUREN!!!
Tonight is the big Bishop Dwenger vs Snider game!! Go BD!!! Jerry and I will be working concessions, probably on the Snider side which means we will not see any of the game. I have to keep asking the fans for the score since we are in an enclosed stand facing the opposite direction of the field!! Some lame architect must not be a big football fan! Word is tho'... they are going to install tv screens for next season so the volunteers can check out the scores! Too bad we won't be there to enjoy it!! Ha ha
We are heading to Munster this weekend to visit my brother "Father Rick " and see his church and rectory.. It's suppose to be a big church the size of St Vincents! He is kept very busy that's for sure!!!! I hope you are enjoying some of this beautiful fall weather we are having!! Are you going to Carve a pumpkin this year!!! Sounds like a job for Austin!!!! Holly and i will have to pay you another visit sometime soon!! We will be sure to call before we head your way!! i had such a wonderful time visiting with you and your family!!!
What a tremendous team you all make!!There is so much LOVE in Your house, you can feel it when you walk thru those doors! Ashley my dear!!! Rest a little this weekend and soak up some sun! You work so hard all week, and deserve alittle Sunshine!!
Keep smiling and we will keep Praying!! Love to all Claudia Schnurr and family
Hello Ashley,
Our trip to Munster was a great one!
My brother's parish and rectory are absolutely beautiful!! He is surrounded by a big Park with lots of trees and ball diamonds, so there is always alot of action! It was so nice to attend mass and see my brother in action doing what Our Lord has been calling him to do. I still can't believe my baby brother is a Father!!!
This weather has been amazing, I hope you got out over the weekend and enjoyed all of the beautiful autumn trees and maybe even carved that pumpkin. I am writing this to you from my mom's computer. She had surgery today (kidney stone troubles) Not fun at all! and I am keeping her company and making sure she is eating etc. I hope your week is going smoothly. You have been working so hard.... and all of that effort is really paying off!
You looked absolutely gorgeous the last time I was there! Right down to the nail polish and the lip gloss..... You go Girl!!!
Keep smiling Ashley..... and we will keep praying !!! Love and Hugs
Claudia Schnurr and gang
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