May 3rd, 2007 Update
Dear Family and Friends,
Another update in the life of Jessica! She will be 22 this month. I can’t believe the months are going by so fast. May has arrived and Jess will be having quite a bit of intense physical therapy 2 days a week at “Now I Can”. The sessions are 3 hours long. I tell her that when she feels like she’s discouraged, frustrated or just can’t do it, that’s when she should take a breather and really push herself. She is down to once a week with physical therapy at the hospital and two days a week for speech. She is now finished with occupational therapy. Her therapist Brian feels that she has improved substantially and that there is nothing more to be done other than what she does in everyday life. Just remindeing her to use her right hand and arm when doing simple tasks. Her right hand and arm are still slower than the left but really has improved in strength and speed quite a bit. We want Brian, her occupational therapist, to know how much we have enjoyed his company and caring expertise. He has a fun nature about him and we always looked forward to our sessions with him. Thank you Brian for making therapy an experience we will never forget! We will come visit you and discuss when the next U2 concert is coming. Ha Ha
We have also been told that physical therapy at the hospital will be ending after May. I couldn’t understand this and argued it somewhat. She isn’t walking yet… how can that be? The answer back was this… She has improved alot and continues to progress and pretty much her parents are honarary therapists now themselves. They feel they’ve taught her what she needs to know and now the rest is just a time thing. True. But I kind of look at it like this when you exercise everyday you become stronger, it becomes a habit, you learn what works best for your body as opposed to if you exercise only once a week its almost like starting over everytime! But I can see their point too. Jess really needs to become more independant from her therapist and trust herself and trust what her body can do. So, it’s kinda bittersweet. Sometimes she has to fall to know what she can do, in other words, make mistakes so she realizes her strengths and what she needs to improve on. It’s all up to her and what wires in her brain will re-connect and move her forward. We pray for this progression. We will always help and continue in her therapy, finding new things to help her. For example, the other day Jess did a squat, then moved to her knees on the floor without assistance (just a spotter) then back up to a standing position. What an improvement. Way to go Jess!. Things that are so simple for us are such accomplishments for her. She will never take walking for granted.
Jessica continues to be an excellent cook and is a big help around the house. She’s learned to navigate the computer pretty well checking her web site and writing emails. She is doing very well with her organizer skills and continues to work on her memory. We are thinking about continuing her pool therapy in the summer with private lessons. She’s gotten her hair done a couple of times these past months and loves to work on her tan in the sunshine or tanning beds. Shopping is still her number one past time.
Well, another day tomorrow, another day of recovery and moving towards the future. We are praying for Jessica’s tone in her arm and left leg to ease up and for strength in her right hip area. We are working on trunk strength and the idea to walk with grace. We pray her attitude to stay positive so healing can take place.
Thank you to all the people who take the time to all, care and come by. It helps to make life more normal. It is also a way of helping Jess with her social skills and gives her things other than her therapy to talk about.
Eight months has gone by and with each passing day we are realizing more and more how blessed we are.
There are many times that have been very hard both emotionally and physically but we are dedicated and know there are better days ahead.
Thank you to those who check her website for whatever reason. We appreciate your concern and prayers. It helps so much and lifts our spirits.
Always dedicated to Jessica and her future.
The Krehbiels
Tim, Geri, Sara and baby Kade, Samantha and Ben