May 31st

Yes I know, five weeks without an update and just coming in under the wire for a May 2009 posting.

It has been a busy month. Ashley has done a lot since the last posting. She competed her serial castings and has two new sets of orthotic boots. One pair for the day and a more comfortable pair for at night. That involved a couple of road trips to Indianapolis.

We have been fortunate enough to go to the lake a couple of times visiting Ashley’s grandparents and other relatives. She has been on the boat and soaked up some sun.

Just over a week ago we all kept busy with Austin’s high school graduation activities. Here are Ashley and Austin at his Baccalaureate Mass. Two days later Ashley saw several of her friends that also had siblings graduate along with Austin.

We are pleased to report that Ashley has continued to get all her calories from regular food that we puree. No more canned liquid nutrition for Ashley! On the liquids front we are making progress though it is slow. That said it hasn’t keep Ashley from trying to use a straw in addition to sipping orange juice and iced coffee, two of her favorites.

Perhaps the greatest change we have seen in the last month is the increase in movement Ashley is having with her right arm. She is able to move not only her arm, but her wrist and fingers. She is winning the battle over the tone she has in that arm. Of all four limbs that has been her greatest challenge.

While the serial casting and new boots are making a difference there are more steps Ashley’s doctor and physical therapist are going to take especially with regard to the tone in Ashley’s right ankle. That will involve some botox and another round of serial casting. This should complete the process and provide Ashley with more comfort in standing erect while walking.

The tone in her right leg does not stop Ashley from peddling on her stationary bike. This picture does not do justice for showing the success she is having with that. Her muscles continue to build up renewed strength.

So Ashley is Eating well and continues to make progress on walking. That leaves talking. On that front Ashley continues to work on the mechanics of rebuilding her speech capability. It is interesting to watch her do her own exercises as she moves her mouth and tongue to form different letters. She does not yet have the ability to coordinate the flow of air through her vocal cords to form the words yet, but we know it is just a matter of time. Occasionally now Ashley will take a deep breath when asked. She was never able to do that on request before.

On the social front Ashley has had visits from several friends now that school is out. One evening a few of her friends came over and they skyped her friend Erika in Chile. I had never heard the term before, but ‘to skype’ is basically a video conference call over the Internet – for free. I was amazed at the clarity and sound quality. What impressed me most was the real time aspect to the call. There was no delay in the transmission. Sometimes technology can be a wonderful thing.

We find ourselves getting out and about in the neighborhood more often and bumping into folks we have not seen in awhile. Ashley is the indeed the neighborhood celebrity.

We are looking forward to a very productive summer. Ashley is going to start to take some therapy sessions in the morning so she has some afternoons open to do a variety of activities such as go to the pool and enjoy other outside activities.

Something we hear often and continue to be thankful for is, “Ashley is in my prayers.” Thank you all for your continued support. Ashley’s hard work, unwavering faith and the combination of all our prayers is what is pushing Ashley toward her recovery.