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.