Our best gift is already realized. Our family will celebrate Christmas together at home this year.
We are also fortunate that the worse ice storm we have experienced only affected our power briefly last Friday. There are still thousands of homes in Fort Wayne without power and heat and we had single digit low temperatures this week.
This week we found out about another girl (the same age as Ashley when she was struck) that has been in a coma for a month due to ADEM. Please add Jessica and her family to your prayers that she will emerge from her coma and recover and that her family finds peace.
A few days ago Mary was putting rollers in Ashley’s hair. Standing behind Ashley, she would ask Ashley for a roller when she needed it and Ashley would grab one and hand it back to her. This got us talking about how many ‘simple’ things we take for granted in our daily lives. Ashley smiled and nodded ‘yes’. We knew that behind that smile was a lot of humble confidence.
With the Christmas Break Ashley has already had several friends over. She glows brighter than the Christmas tree when interacting with her friends. Listening to her laugh and seeing her direct eye contact around the room as the conversation flows is priceless.
Since we see Ashley everyday the changes are so subtle. Seeing her pass hair rollers and watching her interact with friends illustrates to us that Ashley is making monumental strides.
A year ago at Christmas time we were excited (and very thankful) because Ashley was consistent in using her ‘Yes’ button so we could finally communicate with her. We have certainly come a long way in a year. With all the pray support and the fact that Ashley continues to put everything she has into striving for a full recovery we have faith that she will get there, on God’s time.
We all have our challenges and crosses to bear. Christmas is a time for all of us to remember that our living Savior is here. This excerpt from Margaret Fishback Powers’ version of Footprints has always helped me keep my bearings, "Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
December 8th
Coming off of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend Ashley did not miss a beat in therapy. Lutheran now has a harness that will support Ashley while she uses either a stair master or treadmill (photo posted in the right column). Ashley set a personal best with walking this weekend when she covered 75 feet in assisted walking. Ashley initiated every step and most of the time moved her feet forward to complete the step. It takes time and a combination of concentration and energy from Ashley that is exhausting, but she is motivated.
On Saturday there was a fundraiser dinner for Ashley at St. Vincent’s. The committee was hoping for 250 people. A total of 344 tickets were sold. It is hard to convey the grateful feelings we all felt as we looked across the full cafeteria and still saw a long line of people that braved the snow and ice falling outside.
Mr. Proulx, the St. Vincent’s music teacher, and his Jazz Band played all evening.
We had an opportunity to speak with and thank many of the parishioners and friends that have been supporting us since Ashley was struck with ADEM. We wish we could have thanked everyone individually and let them know how much their prayers and support mean to us. We certainly want to thank the dozens of volunteers that planned and work at the benefit. We were blessed with a beautiful evening with loving friends and it was made possible by the hard work done by so many!
In particular we want to thank the Briscoes, Leonards, Nills and Pollifrones who spearheaded this effort and have so generously given of their time to take on this endeavor.
Fathers John and Jason chatted with us and we had an opportunity to thank them for presiding over such a generous parish.
Because of the tremendous response from so many we are well on our way to securing the funds for a permanent van. I say permanent because we were told by Jay Leonard that a fellow parishioner Jeff O’Daniel of O’Daniel Ford was providing us with a conversion van they had taken in on trade. That van now sits in our driveway and will play a key role in our ability to go out as a family this Christmas season.
The students of Ashley’s alma mater (and Austin’s current high school) Bishop Dwenger invited us to celebrate The Immaculate Conception Mass with them today. Following the mass the student council presented us with a check from a fundraiser they organized to contribute to the purchase of our van. Yet another example of how God has surrounded us with his loving people.
On Saturday there was a fundraiser dinner for Ashley at St. Vincent’s. The committee was hoping for 250 people. A total of 344 tickets were sold. It is hard to convey the grateful feelings we all felt as we looked across the full cafeteria and still saw a long line of people that braved the snow and ice falling outside.
Mr. Proulx, the St. Vincent’s music teacher, and his Jazz Band played all evening.
We had an opportunity to speak with and thank many of the parishioners and friends that have been supporting us since Ashley was struck with ADEM. We wish we could have thanked everyone individually and let them know how much their prayers and support mean to us. We certainly want to thank the dozens of volunteers that planned and work at the benefit. We were blessed with a beautiful evening with loving friends and it was made possible by the hard work done by so many!In particular we want to thank the Briscoes, Leonards, Nills and Pollifrones who spearheaded this effort and have so generously given of their time to take on this endeavor.
Fathers John and Jason chatted with us and we had an opportunity to thank them for presiding over such a generous parish.
Because of the tremendous response from so many we are well on our way to securing the funds for a permanent van. I say permanent because we were told by Jay Leonard that a fellow parishioner Jeff O’Daniel of O’Daniel Ford was providing us with a conversion van they had taken in on trade. That van now sits in our driveway and will play a key role in our ability to go out as a family this Christmas season.The students of Ashley’s alma mater (and Austin’s current high school) Bishop Dwenger invited us to celebrate The Immaculate Conception Mass with them today. Following the mass the student council presented us with a check from a fundraiser they organized to contribute to the purchase of our van. Yet another example of how God has surrounded us with his loving people.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
December 2nd
It was another action packed week for Ashley.
Coming off of the Notre Dame weekend we hosted Thanksgiving and went down to Indianapolis to watch her alma mater, Bishop Dwenger play in the high school state championship game.
Ashley had a shortened work week as far as scheduled therapy goes. She worked hard and we made sure to pick up the pace with at home exercises. As we mentioned in the last update Ashley initiated and followed through on every step during a walk from our family room to her temporary bedroom. We have not replicated that long of a walk, but Ashley is being more consistent in not only picking up her feet, but also moving them forward to complete the step.
It is fair to say that walking has taken the lead among Ashley’s recovery categories of Walk, Talk and Eat. On the talking front we have begun exercising the muscles on Ashley’s sides along her rib cage. She is getting good and making sounds on request and then we apply light pressure to her sides to increase her exhaling as she ‘speaks’. This is in an effort to revitalize the muscles that contact against our lungs as we speak pushing air past our vocal cords.
Ashley is also improving her balances when she is sitting. At therapy they will lightly push her backward from a seated position and Ashley can use her trunk to pull herself back to a seated position.
Thanksgiving break meant that some of Ashley's friends were home from school. Sam and Holly dropped by for a quick game of Old Maid.
On Thursday we hosted Thanksgiving and had over 25 family members in our home. We had a wonderful day and Ashley’s perpetual smile was an indication that in spite of the challenges we are facing we have a lot to be thankful for. At the top of the list is the prayerful support we have received from family and friends.
On Saturday Bishop Dwenger played for the state title in football at the new Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the Colts) in Indianapolis. What a facility!
Dwenger lead at the half, 7-3 over Indianapolis Cathedral, but the sole score in the second half of this defensive struggle went to Cathedral. The final score was 10-7. Although we were hoping for a win, we were proud that Dwenger played a good game. We certainly enjoyed being in the new stadium.
We had an opportunity to go through Circle Center Mall downtown much to the delight of Ashley. We even bumped into some Dwenger fans.
Ashley is back to a full week of therapy and on Monday she did not show the signs of fatigue she had following the Notre Dame weekend. She must have paced herself this time.
We are looking forward to seeing many of the people that have been supporting us through our journey this Saturday at the Spaghetti Dinner Benefit St. Vincent’s Church is sponsoring. We get such a boost in our moral when we see the heartfelt love and concern that so many extraordinary people have brought to our lives. God bless you all!
Coming off of the Notre Dame weekend we hosted Thanksgiving and went down to Indianapolis to watch her alma mater, Bishop Dwenger play in the high school state championship game.
Ashley had a shortened work week as far as scheduled therapy goes. She worked hard and we made sure to pick up the pace with at home exercises. As we mentioned in the last update Ashley initiated and followed through on every step during a walk from our family room to her temporary bedroom. We have not replicated that long of a walk, but Ashley is being more consistent in not only picking up her feet, but also moving them forward to complete the step.
It is fair to say that walking has taken the lead among Ashley’s recovery categories of Walk, Talk and Eat. On the talking front we have begun exercising the muscles on Ashley’s sides along her rib cage. She is getting good and making sounds on request and then we apply light pressure to her sides to increase her exhaling as she ‘speaks’. This is in an effort to revitalize the muscles that contact against our lungs as we speak pushing air past our vocal cords.
Ashley is also improving her balances when she is sitting. At therapy they will lightly push her backward from a seated position and Ashley can use her trunk to pull herself back to a seated position.
Thanksgiving break meant that some of Ashley's friends were home from school. Sam and Holly dropped by for a quick game of Old Maid.On Thursday we hosted Thanksgiving and had over 25 family members in our home. We had a wonderful day and Ashley’s perpetual smile was an indication that in spite of the challenges we are facing we have a lot to be thankful for. At the top of the list is the prayerful support we have received from family and friends.
On Saturday Bishop Dwenger played for the state title in football at the new Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the Colts) in Indianapolis. What a facility!
Dwenger lead at the half, 7-3 over Indianapolis Cathedral, but the sole score in the second half of this defensive struggle went to Cathedral. The final score was 10-7. Although we were hoping for a win, we were proud that Dwenger played a good game. We certainly enjoyed being in the new stadium.We had an opportunity to go through Circle Center Mall downtown much to the delight of Ashley. We even bumped into some Dwenger fans.
Ashley is back to a full week of therapy and on Monday she did not show the signs of fatigue she had following the Notre Dame weekend. She must have paced herself this time.
We are looking forward to seeing many of the people that have been supporting us through our journey this Saturday at the Spaghetti Dinner Benefit St. Vincent’s Church is sponsoring. We get such a boost in our moral when we see the heartfelt love and concern that so many extraordinary people have brought to our lives. God bless you all!
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