Update #128 from Linda

Hello, friends! Thanks for checking in. We hope life is good and that you're enjoying 2012.

Things continue to roll along here. We still go to Willowbrook two afternoons each week, and the people there really feel like family members to us. They provide therapy to Steve, but also just let him know how much they enjoy his company, tease him, share jokes with him, etc. One of our favorite sayings is, "We believe there are angels on earth dressed up to look like people," and it certainly applies to the Willowbrook staff!

A few years ago we heard about a therapy facility ("Walk the Line") that we wanted to try, but at that time they were only accepting people with spinal cord injuries. Well, their name recently came up in a conversation about something totally unrelated, and we discovered that they just started accepting TBI clients, so we began going there last week. It has a loud, gym-like atmosphere with plenty of room to work on walking skills, and lots of young and enthusiastic employees. We're on the morning shift, which means a big adjustment at home since we don't move very fast in the AM! But it will be interesting to see how Steve likes a different schedule. This is also twice each week, and he has a solid three hours of PT assisted by three people. They wear him out!

We continue with the hormone therapy, and think it is helping. Steve is a real trooper and puts up with us stabbing him every day! Blood work was also done this morning to check levels.

Our schedule stays full with horseback riding, massage, swimming, and tennis...all good things for him physically and socially! We're also looking into working with an OT who specializes in vision issues...will know more about that in April.

We're VERY excited to announce that The Great Uncle Dave & His Amazing Assistants are starting to plan Steve's golf outing. It will be on June 23rd and we'll keep you updated as plans fall into place!

In other wonderful news...a foundation in our area ("The Pelican Foundation") helps one person each year by doing a project for them. They have chosen Steve for 2012! We met with their board of directors and their plan is to build a bathroom for Steve in our lower (family room) level and change the flooring in the family room, among other things. The goal is to create a space in our house (Beth refers to it as the "man cave") where Steve can practice skills like walking and transferring, and have more independence and privacy. We are beyond thankful that he was selected for this amazing gift!

We just passed the four year anniversary of Steve's injury, and have sure written a lot of scary posts. But look at this one...not a negative thing on the list. We are feeling very lucky and very blessed.

Take care of yourselves and each other. As always, thanks so much for staying in touch with Steve and keeping him in your thoughts!

Love,
Linda and Rob