February 10th

Old man winter is not holding Ashley back.

Although it has been three and a half years since she was struck with ADEM Ashley continues to make significant improvements. Some medical literature and even some 'experts' told us most people tend to plateau after a couple of years following a neurological injury be it stroke, physical trauma, or in Ashley's case auto-immune demyelization. While her recover has been slow we find that with each passing month we are witnessing progress we did not see before. Ashley is now transferring to the front seat of the van to ride verses sitting in the back in her wheelchair. Her therapists are submitting the paperwork to get Ashley a new wheelchair that will allow her to move her self (currently with her feet due to the tone in her right arm, though that is improving as well). She has been using a model of the chair in therapy for the last month.

Ashley, along with the rest of us enjoyed a Christmas season full of family and friends. That included visits from two friends that have now traveled to separate Central American countries to do social work. Please keep Adrienne and Andrea in your prayers.

Ashley's voice continues to improve. Her best word to date is her name. She has very good pronunciation of the first syllable "Ash" while the "Lee" portion is still soft. Upon flying back from a trip to visit her grandparents she clearly stated "Home" when the plane touched down.

Her right arm is showing a wider range of motion and Ashley is able to move it (shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers) much faster than in the past. She has even been able to support her weight on her right side with her arm and is now using it to assist in getting up from that side.

Eating is also improving. Especially when it comes to solids. Ashley is improving her eye-hand coordination from picking up foods to getting them in her mouth and then just as importantly keeping her heard up and keeping the food in her mouth. Along those same lines Ashley is doing extremely well drinking the last few sips from a glass. Currently she is doing most of her drinking via a straw. At times she does quite well at grabbing the glass, getting the straw into her mouth, pursing her lips and taking sips. At other times she needs assistance either holding the glass still once she has it to her mouth or properly pursing her lips so she can sip from it.

Once we get down to the last ounce or so we remove the lid and straw. It is inspiring to see her pick up the glass, put it to her lips and take a drink. Her sips are smalls, but she doing it accurately and we know her intake volume will improve as well.

Last week Ashley as well as Mom and Dad took advantage of the gift of a trip from her grandparents to visit them in S.W. Florida. While Fort Wayne experienced a blizzard we were at the pool and beach with sun every day and temperatures in the low 80s.

Only one thing was more enjoyable than the weather and that was the people that we visited. On the day of our arrival the community that her grandparents live in had a party. Austin Miles (who was studying hard at IU during this time) posted a video taken by Helen of Ashley dancing that night to Black Eyed Pea's "Tonight it going to be a Good Night" on Ashley's Facebook page. We were able to meet many of the people that have been praying for Ashley and providing Grandma and Grandpa with love and understanding during this time. What wonderful folks. We understand why Ashley's grandparents enjoy their winter home so much. We got to see many of these caring and fun individuals several times during the week at the pool, in the neighborhood and at a pancake breakfast our last day.

On Sunday we traveled to Miami. In the summer of 2008 Austin Miles and I met George, his wife Ileana and his sister and brother in law Ana and Tony at a conference on demyelinating conditions. George was struck about six months prior to Ashley. Although the doctors first told Ileana he would not likely survive the first week you can see from the photos that George took on this challenge and is winning. He has had a faster recovery than Ashley, but like all ADEM encounters he still has issues he is focusing his efforts on. Although Ashley and Mary had not met them previously it felt like a family reunion when we met. As Ana said so well, when you have two families with such a unique connection there is a special bond that forms. We had a great afternoon of shared conversations over a wonderful meal.

Ashley and George have something of vital importance in common...immediate and extended family that pour their love and support into them. I shutter to think what it would be like to go through what they face without that support and the prayers that are lavished on them.

George's mother sent a note addressed to Mary. It was a mother-to-mother note with George's mother sharing the empathy that only another mother knows with Mary. It was very touching.

As we drove back to Naples that evening the three of us agreed that if we had to leave after just these first two days it would have been worth all the travel and effort to experience them.

As it was we had six more days of fun in the sun and Ashley took full advantage of them. Monday found us in the pool soaking up the sun. Her great aunt and uncle visited on Tuesday as we got word that a blizzard was heading toward Indiana.
On Wednesday Ashley checked shopping at 'Tin City' in downtown Naples off her list and spent the afternoon on the white sands off the Gulf of Mexico. Thursday was a gathering of several friends at Grandma's and Grandpa's.
Friday and Saturday Ashley could once again be found at the pool.

What a wonderful gift to have spent time with such beautiful people in a pleasing environment. Ashley's smile was nearly permanent during the entire trip as she took in all the love that was directed her way. We too felt the sincere love and care all of them expressed to us. God has placed a lot of special people on this planet and we have been blessed to have crossed paths with so many of them. Thanks Mom & Dad!!!

Having flown into Indianapolis we meet with Austin Miles (after chipping all the ice off the car) in Maritinsville for lunch and to catch up with him. He is getting settled into his second semester of his sophomore year and is enjoying his classes. While it would have been great to have him with us for the trip he expressed his happiness that Ashley had such a good time. He's a wonderful brother to have (and an adorable son as well)!