Hello everyone.
This is just a short note to advise you all on some nice things that happened this weekend.
After a hard week in PT where we have seen gains in strength, Linda and I decided to get Steve out of the Hospital again. We loaded him into our van and took a drive around Ann Arbor.
We showed Steve the renovations being done to the "Big House", his old haunts like Church Street, and the airport he flew in to......what seems like so long ago. The bouncing caused by the Ann Arbor streets caused a slight upset stomach, so we cut the drive short after about an hour and a half. We figure we must have had him reclined a bit too far. All and all, it was a great day. Steve's ability to get in and out of the van shows just how far he has come.
Sunday night was "movie" night. We again put Steve in our van and met Beth at the theatre where we watched "Get Smart". Seeing Steve react to the funny parts and sit there with us like nothing ever happened to him, was good for the whole family. He tolerated the van ride without incident. When we went to get back into the van, Steve decided it was time to get in like he used to. He put all his weight on his right leg and put his left foot and leg into the van and pulled himself into the seat just like anyone else would!!
It occurred to me tonight that back at the end of March, just as Steve transferred up to rehab, Lin and I used to hear doctors say, " What Steve has going for him is his youth and intelligence. What he has against him is that it has been six weeks since the accident and he is not making much progress". Well.............. it has now been just 4 months and 2 weeks since Steve was hurt and look at him now!! As we helped him climb into his bed, he looked over at Lin and SAID "please get me the remote" as clear as ever.
Steve is coming back, believe it!!
Thank you all for your support, prayers , and positive energy.
Rob
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
What a great way to start the day !!!
Thanks Rob
Rick
Monday's are usually hard to get back into the swing of things but with today's update, this is the best Monday I've had in quite some time!!!
Thank you Steve!!
Love, Aunt Gail
Someone doesn't have a case of the Mondays anymore! What an amazing post!!! Thank you! Way to go, Steve!
~Ashley
This is the best start to a day I have had in a long time
(Feb 17th).
Could not be happier for you all, Steve especially.
Love and Prayers,
Sue Smith
Steve continues to be a story of inspiration to everyone, his determination is amazing!
He has become a teacher to many who read this blog; uncles, aunts, friends, and people he has never even met. Steve is a living testament to the power of prayer, and those prayers continue. We need to give thanks to God for His miraculous works He has shown though Steve.
Go get 'em Steve! Continue to blaze this path that has been set before you. Next thing we know, you will be going out for a nice lobster dinner with your friend Carl. And I pray for that every day.
Love you!
Uncle Don
Amen to that Uncle Don.
I think one of the early lessons we were all reminded of, came by these words posted by anonymous on February 21st. Let us not forget to uphold these words...tell those you love, and those that have impacted your life, that you love them. We have been blessed that God brought Steve back to us, and we can express what we feel, however there are some families not as lucky as us. We must learn from history, no matter how painful those experiences. Here are the words shared on February 21, 2008.
"In the blink of an eye, your life could change dramatically. However, we do not dwell on the thought of this “blink” and what might happen that could make a huge impact on our lives and on those in our lives. We assume that when we wake up in the morning, it is just another day and we will go about our normal routine. Come night time, we will then go to bed to recharge our bodies only to wake up to the exact same schedule the following day. It is this reoccurring, and to some people, vicious cycle that we call “life.” And on occasion, certain events, planned or unplanned, can make one day radically different from all of the others. These events are what make us come to a standstill and realize that this game of life is full of unstoppable, unexpected actions. Whether they are positive or negative, we cannot control them. They are planned into our lives long before we know it and no matter how hard we try, certain instances cannot be stopped. For the negative instances, we may question the infamous saying “everything happens for a reason” (for those who believe that quote) and usually anger builds out of it. We ask “why,” why me, or why them, what made one deserve such a thing? To our disadvantage, we may never know “why.” We have to keep our composure and do the only thing possible, stay strong and hope for the very best outcome. We get so caught up in this busy, repulsive, selfish world that we forget about those in our lives that make our world go around. Without the people that cause the positive impacts in our lives, we would be lonely and unhappy. We would not have anyone to turn to when something goes wrong and you just need someone to understand your feelings. And if by chance, you blink your eye and something unexpected happens to a loved one, will they know how much they mean to you? How much you care about them and appreciate their life as much as they do yours? Don’t forget to tell your friends and family how much you care about them as often as you can. They helped make YOU who YOU are today and vice versa. Hug them and remind them how special and important they are. Everybody in this world needs love whether they admit it or not. You never know when your life could a take a turn for the worst, so live your life as if there were no tomorrow and live it with those that you love. Life is only what YOU make of it."
Thank you anonymous for reminding us all about love!
Blessings,
Uncle Don
Steve, Mrs. Percha and Grams-
It was simply amazing to see you all this weekend (Mr. Percha, Beth and Danielle I'm so sorry I missed you!). It really hit me when I left Steve's room... the last time I saw him, we were overjoyed by a few blinks a day and we were so excited by what those blinks might mean... and Mrs Percha and I were breaking the law by running onto the runway to send Steve off- not yet awake- in an air ambulance to Michigan. As I keep telling you guys, from way out here in MD, Steve's progress seems to be moving at a breath-taking speed. I was so happy to finally see it for myself...
Steve, you've come from blinks to steps and words in a matter of weeks, and whatever you do next, you continue to amaze and inspire us. Hearing you laugh at our memories and jokes this weekend will continue to make me smile for weeks to come!
Percha family and Danielle- I don't think there is anything I can say that hasn't already been said to speak to your selflessness and unceasing love and support for Steve. Thank you. And keep breaking the rules and pushing the docs...
I can't wait to see what next visit brings!
-Lauren
(Aunt) Cheryl
Yeah, Come on Steve!!!! I went to an exercise class yesterday and I hurt everywhere!! The back of my legs are cramped up big time...so there is a lot to be said for "Youth"..and the instrutor was commenting on how "Mondays" are so difficult...I couldn't agree more, nor could my body....
I think we all knew Steve had it in him..but it is truly amazing what has traspired with him since the accident as far as his determination and progress. We are so proud of him, and Alexis just saw "Get Smart" and said it was great..so I think it was wonderful you all went to the movies and picked a good one to see..a "family movie", few and far between.
I know I always start my comment with "Yeah, Come on"....I find it very ironic that the guy on the radio that says it is "Southside Steve"..and Steve is his real name...couldn't be more fitting (other then the southside deal). Looking forward to seeing and hearing more...We loved the picture of Steve, Beth and Danielle..he looked like nothing had ever happened...amazing!!! Lots of Love and Prayers (Aunt) Cheryl and family
Just finished our swim season last night, with a banquet we won all our meets by a landslide!!! Last posting we were (our little neighborhood swim team..has grown to 172 swimmers) we were in 8th place out of 90 teams in the Atlanta Swim Association!!!
Bravo to all of you for the hard work and perseverance. That great note brought a tear or two. Thanks for sharing on the blog.
Linda M.
Lauren...thanks so much for the visit and the note. I once heard a saying that always makes me think of you and the support you were to all of us in Maryland..."I believe there are angels living on the earth dressed to look like people!"
Post a Comment