Ashley is still going to Lutheran for voice therapy five
days a week. She continues to make slow
but steady progress in getting her voice back.
Her focus is on breathing to get her diaphragm stronger.
Ashley is now going to Turnstone for physical and
occupational therapy. She is only going
two days a week, but she is excited to capitalize on the change and continue to
make progress.
After more than five years working with many of the same
therapists it was emotional to change, but Ashley still gets to see her old
therapists since she still goes to Lutheran for voice therapy.
Part of the marked progress Ashley has made has been walking
with a walker. Before transitioning from
Lutheran Ashley walked more than 150 feet without assistance or stopping using
the walker.
Ashley continues to improve maneuvering around the house
with her walker.
Ashley continues to stay in touch with her friends. Visiting with Holly and Adrienne.
Ashley read ‘Dog Days’ by Barbara Satler this winter. We met Barbara at Victory Junction. Barbara has Transverse Myelitis and is very
involved in TMA. She combined her
experience as a former judge and her love of animals in writing her first
novel. She is working on her second book
and we are anxiously awaiting its release.
In May we ventured down to Bloomington to watch brother
Miles graduate with honors from Indiana University. Ashley is excited that her brother will be
moving home to being his career now that his training in Indianapolis is
complete.
Since baptism, a month after being born, Ashley has been a
member of Saint Vincent’s Church in Fort Wayne.
Ashley went to grade school and junior high at St. Vincents (mom was her
junior high religion teacher) and her strong faith has been nurtured in this
wonderful parish.
Monsignor John Kuzmich has been the pastor for 29
years. He retired this week and before
leaving Fort Wayne he paid us a visit.
He gave Ashley a blessing, said Mass and gave us communion. After words he gave Ashley a statue of Mary.
Monsigner John built our parish into the wonderful community
that has provided us with so much support.
We will never be able to express how truly blessed we have been to have so
much love and prayer poured upon us.
From the bottom of our hearts we thank, and will keep Monsigner John in
our prayers.
This weekend we attended the graduation party of Cameron
Tripp. Cameron is the son of Renee
Sherwood Tripp (the ghostwriter’s cousin).
All of the Sherwoods and all of the Harringtons were there.
Ashley is pictured here with her Great Aunt
Donna who has ALS (Lou Gerhig’s Disease).
They have a special bond since, among all of us, only the two of them fully
understand what it is like to have your abilities robbed by a neurological
condition.
Although Ashley will continue to work hard all summer she
will find time to wander next door and take advantage of the Markley’s pool.
Pool time is guaranteed to put that famous
smile on Ashley’s face.
In about a month we will be going back to the Center for Courageous
Kids in southern Kentucky for the Transverse Myelitis Association camp. It will be a time to catch up with friends
and to learn the latest in the advancing research on demyelinating conditions.
Ashley appreciates all the prayers you offer up for
her. She feels the power of those
prayers and she, along with all of her family, thank God for you!
P.S. Thanks for the flowers Emily!
.JPG)
