I haven’t written for a few days just because I haven’t had the time or focus…not because things aren’t happening.
In a nutshell, its been a head-spinning week. Vernon has been sent to hospital and back again, now experiencing a new antibiotic and room-isolation status once again. Behind the scenes, his insurance was dropped for a week because I didn’t update some paperwork in time. Thankfully some doctor’s offices were on the ball, telling me about this before it went to collections. I have been dealing with those calls as well. What a blessing and curse a phone is! BUT all is well, a few hours in the social services offices have got us back on track…for now. This is the boring stuff, so I won’t go on about it. I only mention it because I have been learning that there are even LESS glamorous sides of being a caregiver. Paperwork and money matters makes me crazy anyway, but now its a constant part of life. I can either choose to be more anxious or grow my capabilities. Bring on that Growth Mindset! Its no fun, but I don’t have a choice…but to get smarter and more capable. (Or so I tell myself, it’s working at the moment.)
Back to more interesting matters, since Vernon has been back at Mesa Verde, I do feel like he is brightening up again. I think being able to sit in a wheel chair from time to time helps out with his agitated limbs. The visitors from the church are showing up more frequently now that there is a schedule and I can see he really loves that. Yesterday he responded better to the speech therapist than he has since he was first placed in the home. The therapists have to assess him again every time he returns from the hospital, and this time he was very clear on what he wanted. “I want to feed myself,” he announced pretty clearly. Though he isn’t ready for that yet, it was good to know he wanted to…and expressed it. Its a hint of the determination we haven’t seen since last year. Also for the first time, he lifted his cup of thickened apple juice to his mouth with his RIGHT hand. This is the first time I’ve seen him take the initiative on this side since the accident happened. I think its worth noting.
His brain is growing.
Today, we took the training wheels off Justine’s bike. Oh how I wish her dad was around for this. Partly because doing this myself is a killer on my back…and partly because he’s always been so passionate about bicycles! She didn’t get far with it. But what amazed me is that she wanted to keep trying. She got up to a few rotations before falling over, but she would have worked on this all day if I had let her. For her there is no way she will return to training wheels now that she knows the ability to master two wheels is right within her grasp. She kept saying: “If I try again, I’ll get better.” I don’t even know if she is physically ready for this. But she wants it. So she will get it…eventually.
We are all learning this in our own ways.
Perseverance in Pink.
“Perseverance is not a long race: it is many short races one after the other. ” Walter Elliot
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seeing these two photographs this morning has given me hope in my heart, photos can tell such a story and bring such love so far away… you must be so proud of them Allison , growing in their own way..the next step, i sit here a proud sister and a proud aunt, almost feel like doing an American “whoop whoop”!!!
..and most of all i am so proud to call you my sister-in-law, you are amazing xx
xx love to you all xx
thank you for sharing this. The quote is perfect
Such a good update. Wonderful news about Vernon using his hand and wanting to do something’s for himself! Thank you Lord! More Fire and determination for Vernon God! Let it rise up in him-to win this battle! Praying for MORE HEALING!
And -great job Justine! Eva just had us take off her training wheel too 🙂 love you all!
Alison, you will probably not remember me from Thameside Church in Reading. I was the bicycle lady who sometime passed you as you pushed Justine down St Peters Rd. I have been following your blog and have been incredibly touched by your loving devotion to Vernon. I sometimes wish I could wrap my arms around you and hold you tight. Sometimes the person who is having to be strong needs to be receiving as much love and care as the one receiving their care. Sending cyberhugs and love. You are an amazing lady.
So good to hear Vernon is on the up. As for Justine and her cycling, great news. An excellent tip for learning is to find a very slight incline on grass so that she can get a little momentum going downhill and soft grass for falls. Vernon would be proud of her perseverence. like father like daughter xx
Allison,
Vernon looks so good drinking his juice. Justine is so cute in all of her pink and they both have the same attitude. They want to do it themselves. Vernon to feed himself and Justine to ride her bike. That is such an important time in a child life. Thank God that Vern is getting better.
Love,
Becky Jones
All of this sounds so encouraging!