Happy 2009!
We rang in the New Year as a family and we are looking forward to many milestones this year. Austin has committed to attending Indiana University next year. We have finally gotten approval from the state to get some in-home assistance. Ashley continues to work hard and show improvements.
In December Ashley had a treatment on her right arm which has a lot of tone. We have already noticed that it is easier to move during range of motion and Ashley is able to relax it much more easily. With the easing of tone we are confident that Ashley will gain more control of her muscles in that arm and soon she will show more control of it.
While it still takes a lot of effort for Ashley to control her left arm she is now able to do functional things. Perhaps the most rewarding to her is being able to reach and touch. Ashley will often grab her right arm and stretch it. She pulls her hat off when she gets in doors and assists to a greater extent when dressing.
The strength in Ashley’s legs and abdomen continues to improve. Her balance while sitting is quite good. When standing she will lean forward and use her left arm to help push herself up. Most of the time we are merely providing her balance when she stands and we leave all the lifting to her.
After having several days off during Christmas break Ashley will be back to a full therapy schedule this week including a session in the pool.
We appreciate all your prayers and support as we start 2009. We wish all of you a blessed new year!
Ashley
ALS Walk
Joining the "I Sherwood Walk" for Aunt Donna
Go ND
There is nothing like game day at Notre Dame
Go IU
First time watching the game with Miles. He was always filming while a student.
Valpo Popcorn Fest
Hanging with Orville
TMA Camp in Kentucky
Ashley with Michelle and Jordan
A Great Day at the Pool Beats...
Hey, I'm working here!
Six Years Later... Still Motivated
The eyes and smile say it all
Way To Go Bro...
I taught him everything he knows
Ashley with Her Walker
Continuing her efforts to fully recover
Christmas in Florida
December on the Beach
Reporting for Beach Action
Someone has to enjoy it!
Ashley in Holly's Wedding
A whole lot of pretty
Go Bulldogs
Ashley & Miles Cheering on Wade and the Dogs
TMA Camp 2012
Dressed for the Western Theme
Proud Papa with Ashley
Keeping Dad Smiling
Spring 2012 in Chicago
The Sign Says it All!
February in Naples
Some of our WestWind Friends
January in Miami
Visiting George, Ileana, Ana & Tony
Always Connected
New Netbook keeps Ashley Connected even on Neighborhood Walks
Not now. I'm buzy.
Ashley Meets Dr. Lugo
Mary, Ashley, Pauline and Al Lugo (also an ADEM victim)
Let It Snow
Ashley and Mom Sledding
Imogene's Antlers
Ashley in a play with others using communication devices
Ashley standing and providing her own balance
How I Spent My Summer
Nothing Beats Being at the Lake
Ashley's Corrective Castings
A 3-4 week process to correct foot posture
Family Portrait on Serenade of the Seas
Recognize the backdrop? From a ship no longer with us
Ashley's Van
God Bless the hundreds that helped us get this van!
Christmas Morning
Tis the Season
Christmas Carols Pay a Visit
On the Treadmill at Therapy
Victory Junction Gang Camp
Mary and Ashley in the Village Area
Adam's Car
Ashley with our Crew Chiefs Katie and Matt
Two Important Men (and a dog) in Ashley's Life
Sandy, Dr. Kerr and Kazu
The Whole Family having Fun at Victory Junction
Ashley and Dr. Sim
Dr. Sim is the Medical Director of Victory Junction
Bowling at Victory Junction
On Horseback at Victory Junction Camp
Ashley after her first horse ride
Ashley Walking
She is working without a net!
Summer Tuesdays Friend's Night
Boating on Lake Freeman
Sandy & Austin at the Neuroimmunological Symposium
Sandy has done so much to guide and help us
Ashley Hits the Pool!!!
Ashley & Austin get a Mother's Day Hug
Ashley's St. Mary's Pals Visit
Andrea and Kelly Drop by before Heading Home
Ashley & Mom Watering the Flowers
Spring is here!
Ashley in Her Standing Frame
Ashley's Restored Smile
Dr. Teel's handy work has Ashley smiling as bright as ever!
Ashley gets a Visit from Emily
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Ashley's most prolific blog comment-maker checks out Ashley's new digs
Ashley and Mary react to the news they are coming home!
Ashley and her Dwenger High Pals
Ashley's award winning smile is back (no braces!)
Ashley and Mom at an RIC Live Christmas Music Event
An example of the Support Ashley is getting
One of several posters, cards and letters sent to Ashley as Christmas approaches
Ashley's view of Water Tower Place from Northwestern Hospital
Ashley's Christmas Tree
Transfering to a Car
This 'car' sits on the 12th floor of RIC
A Family Walk in Chicago
Along Lake Michigan with Mom & Dad
Ashley and Dad
At the Park with Mom and the Grandparents
View of Lake Michigan from Ashley's room at RIC
Early Birthday Party at Select
Nurse Carol (share's Ashley's B-day) and the staff celebrate
Ashley's View at Select in Ft. Wayne
Visitors during Therapy at Select
Ashley & Mary Fly in from Virginia
View from Ashley's room in Virginia
E-cards pinned up in Ashley's ICU room the first week in Virginia
7 comments:
Good Morning, Harringtons!
Wow, Austin. So excited about you going to I.U! (Of course U. Dave will have something to say about that.)
Happy Blessed New Year.
Love,
A. Kathy xx
Hi Ashley and Family,
Just finished our first day back to school and you are probably back at the therapy as well!! Hope your family had the best of time being together! So glad to hear Austin settled on IU, Lauren and he will be rivals as she has received her congrats "You're a boilermaker letter" She is excited and nervous at the same time! Lots to do yet! Hopefully she will be able to find a scholarship that will fit her needs... Holly is enjoying her pilgrimage to Rome, she has made so many new friends and shared so many spiritual happenings with all of them! She shared your story with the other pilgrims on the trip as well so you have many young college students praying for you Ashley. Holly was praying for you during a Healing Mass at the tomb of St. Claire! this has been a very emotional trip for Holly, lots of TEARS and spiritual growth! We hope you feel the love and prayers that are being sent your way From Rome and Assisi! Holly's schedule has been challenging, no rest for the people on the trip at all! But they are seeing so many different sights and she has said that all of her pictures (all 900) of them are going to be beautiful!! She will have alot to share with you when she visits you the next time!! We will continue praying for your heal;th and healing! God has a perfect plan for your life Dear Ashley!!! Keep working hard and keep Smiling that beautiful smile of yours! Love to all of your family! Claudia and gang
Ashley,
It was great to see everyone over the Christmas break. I'm so glad I finally got to see you walk!!! Tell Austin Jessica is thinking she wants to go to IU. What about Purdue????? Did you stay awake until midnight on New Years Eve? I was awake because I was working, and kids were hanging with thier friends. Poor Uncle Craig, he fell asleep at 10:00. Or so he says I bet it was more like 8:00! My New Years resolution lasted 3 hours. I decided this time I really was going to cut back on the sweets, and wouldn't you know during my lunch break there was dessert. I couldn't be rude and not eat some, right? Well since then it has all gone down hill. Oh well there is always next year! Keep up the good work. We love you all Aunt Beth, Uncle Craig, Alex and Jessica
Ashley--
Hello, sweetheart! It was so good to see you today. What at treat it was to see you kicking butt! (That sounds kind of funny... almost like I'm encouraging violence! hehe! But you know what I mean!) It really was great to see what you've mastered since I've last seen you. Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Every day, every week, every month you are getting better and better. Sometimes it's difficult to see the improvements on a daily basis, but you really are doing so well! Although it was unfortunate that I hadn't gotten to see you for such a long time, it was a nice reminder (for me) that those day-to-day trials and small triumphs add up to something big-- and I got to see all of those big accomplishments today!
I told Szebo (pronounced "z-bO") how far you've come and he was really excited for you. I'm not sure how he initially heard about your condition-- whether it was through me, Blake, or St. Vincent's-- but he's been praying for you as soon as he knew. We all have been, and we continue to pray for you every day.
When you were putting the spoon to your mouth, I prayed "walk, talk, EAT!" and when you showed me your verbal skills, "walk, TALK!, eat" and when you were moving on down the hallway, "WALK!, talk, eat." You're always in my thoughts and prayers, Ash, you and your family. Even if I don't get to see you frequently, you're never far from my mind.
Please keep up that determination and confidence. You have such a positive attitude and you smile all the way through your therapy! You are so amazing, Ash!
Here's to good start in the New Year!!
I love you, Miss Ashley!
XoXo,
Emily*
Happy Friday! Looks like we're in a deep freeze. Cri yi.
We just got a Wii Fit. Hope it doesn't give us a wee fit or I don't fall off or something.
Have a good weekend. Can't wait to see you.
Love,
A. Kathy xx
Hello Ashley, Jeff Mary and Austin,
Hope you all are staying warm, I'm in the midst of taking down the rest of the Christmas decorations, and with the computer nearby I started thinking of you hoping all is well at the Harrington Household!! We left our decorations up a little longer this year so that Holly could enjoy the trees after being gone for 12 days!!! It was indeed The trip of a life time!! Holly now has a better grasp of all that St Francis went thru in his life and a better appreciation for the university that was named after him! She wept, she laughed, she prayed and prayed and made so many new friends from across the United States! She has to compile all of her thoughts and pictures and present them to several classes and groups on and off campus, but is very excited to do so! I think she has caught the traveling bug and would like to plan another trip!! But for now... it's back to class!!! Today was the first day back, and this semester will be a busy one as usual!! Once she gets those pictures developed she is planning on paying you and your family a visit!! So much to share with you!! She is still contemplating how to wrap that good looking Italian guy she brought back for you as a memento from her trip!!! Ha ha! Thought you'd get a kick out of that one!!
Lauren is getting ready for Show Choir season to start! Maybe you can come out and see one of the shows, It's like being on Broadway!! You'd be amazed at the talent that is out there!!!
Altho there is a competition amongst the groups I think all of us who attend... clap just as loud for our the other schools as well!! We all appreciate great talent and hard work!!!
speaking of hard work!!! I'm sure you have been working your buns off, huh Ashley!!! Looking back at all of your pictures you can tell that all of your hard work is paying off, you have that sparkle back in your eyes and your SMILE is brighter than ever!!! Proof of Prayers being answered!! We think of you often and continue to pray for health and healing!!! With love and lots and lots of hugs Claudia And Gang!
Hello Harrington Family,
We have sunshine today...what a blessing. This morning our trees were so beautiful all frosted up. It is this time of year when I would like to stay home in the warmth and comfort of home. I hope that this new year has started out well for your family...we are doing ok. I think of you often and pray that God continues to give you the strength you need and smiles to lighten you load. It is a big day in history today, but Ashley you make it a big day too! You are proof that all things are possible. Keep up your hard work "all of you"...your in my prayers & sending hugs! ~ Laura
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