Sunday, August 14, 2005

Wow! What a summer! Amanda and her family have been very busy!

First, Dad and Cynthia got married in June in the backyard of the old house. Friends, relatives, and neighbors came to help celebrate. Grandma Josie and Grandpa Arnie, down from Ohio, took care of Amanda while the newlyweds were on their honeymoon. Mom checked in everyday, and all went smoothly.

Soon afterwards, the Big Move took place! Dad, Cynthia, Amanda and Zach (and Tiger and Anna-the cats) all moved into a new house on Turkey Hill Road in Winston-Salem. The house needed a great deal of work, mostly painting and yard work. Dad and Cynthia have been hustling and bustling and are finally getting the family settled in.

The move has been worth the effort. The new house is a ranch-style with all the main living space on one level, plus a basement and attic. A driveway pulls right up to the kitchen-perfect for bringing Amanda in and out to the van. Hardwood floors and spacious rooms make wheelchair movement easy. The neighborhood has nice streets, with (mostly) gentle hills, that are good for taking Amanda on strolls. The house is minutes away from shopping, doctors, and therapy appointments, and is also closer to Amanda’s mom, who comes over regularly to help out.

Amanda recently spent two weeks in Asheville,staying at her Aunt Lisa and Uncle Dan’s house. Her little cousins, Katie and Audrey, gave Amanda a lot of attention and love while she was there. In Asheville, Amanda received acupuncture treatments almost everyday, and had several sessions of cranial sacral therapy, as well. Now, back in Winston, Amanda will continue these treatments, about once a week, with local therapists.

Speaking of therapists, Amanda has received in-home physical and occupational therapy twice a week, since coming home from the hospital last June. Her therapists, Wendy and Debbie, are like members of the  family now! Amanda also has been visited twice a week, this summer, by a speech therapist, who is working on increasing Amanda’s swallowing abilities.

Keeping Amanda in good shape and good health can be challenging. The family has been fortunate to find two wonderful Certified Nursing Aides who do an excellent job helping take care of Amanda. Katie helps with Amanda every day during the week, and Karen provides some respite on the weekends. Their warmth, kindness, and efficient ways have certainly contributed to Amanda’s state of well-being. Luckily, Amanda is so sweet and adorable, that it is a pleasure to tend to her needs.

Another exciting outcome of the move has been the ability to move forward on equipment needs. We had held off on some equipment purchases until we knew exactly what space we would have to work in. Fortunately, we now have plenty of space to store her (rather large) equipment! We have her wheelchair, special-needs stroller, stander, massage table, and exercise ball, and now we will be adding a shower-transfer chair and a Hoyer Lift. Folks came out from Healthcare Equipment, several times this summer, to show us various equipment choices.

Last week, Mom and Cynthia took Amanda to a local therapeutic riding stable. Amanda loves animals and was becoming quite the horsewoman before her accident. At the stable, Amanda had a chance to pet some horses and she really seemed to enjoy stroking their noses. We tried sitting her on a modified saddle, perched upon a barrel, but Amanda did not tolerate this very well-it seemed to aggravate her hip. It is possible that she may not be physically able to ride safely upon a horse, but we will continue to explore this as an option for Amanda.

All in all, Amanda is doing very well. She is in good health and on only a few medications. We can see very subtle changes occurring, such as increases in eye contact, eye tracking, and awareness of her surroundings. Amanda would benefit from more interaction with friends-please come by and visit her at her new house. Just call us at 760-0639 and let us know when you can come by!

May your kindness, Lord, be upon us; we have put our hope in You. -- Psalm 33:22

Comments

[Beverly Truslow]

Hi Amanda,
I was just thinking about you and decided to check the website. It sounds like you and your family have had a very busy summer!

I'm glad that you have been able to take a trip this summer and enjoy some different surroundings. That's what summer is about.

Take care Amanda and know that I think about you and pray for you and your family.

Love,
Beverly

[Billy Boy]

Greg, congrats on your recent wedding! I wish you and your new bride many years of happiness and peace.

Amanda, you are always on my mind each and every day and have touched a part of my heart and soul. I continue to pray for your continued recovery.

[Dana]

Wow, lots of changes!! Congrats to Dad on your new marriage and new home!

Amanda, I think of you so very often...I am glad to know that you have such warm, kind hearts working with you each day. I am also glad that you have equipment that makes caring for you such a breeze (that Hoyer lift will come in REALLY handy once you get taller!!).

Hang in there kiddo...you are making progress...and I believe in miracles. You are in my thoughts and prayers, today and always.

[Marcie]

Congrats on the wedding and the new house!!

I'm glad to see that the days are getting better. Amanda you are always on my mind, and in my prayers. Keep up the good work..because it's almost time for the beach again!!

<3 Marcie

[Krista Holgate]

Amanda, Greg, Cynthia & Zack,

Congratulations on your new life together in a new home. I am so very happy for Cynthia and Greg. I have witnessed firsthand how strong their love is and this just brings me so much joy!

Amanda, I am sorry I haven't been out to see you. I had a major surgery in late June & I've been unable to get out of the house much. I promise to be by soon.

Greg & Cynthia, sorry for the wedding mix up, again. Andrew and Joel felt mortified, as did I.

Hope to see you all soon!

Love,
Krista

[Morgan]

Hey!!
Congratulations on your new house and wedding!!

Amanda thats great about your therapy i hope it does alot of good for you!! I will come to see you soon school starts back tommorow I cant beleive it!! Summer went by way to fast!! I am sorry i couldnt come friday i forgot that i had to babysit while my aunt had surgery I will try to come see you soon maybe my schedule will flatten out a little bit!! I hope you have had a good summer!! I wish i could have came and saw you more than i did! I really miss you at school! Its not the same without you!!
Your best friend FOREVER,
Morgan

[lorraine]

wow, what exciting news....you guys really have been busy. you are in my prayers daily.

[Aunt Jeannie]

WOW...I had no idea about the wedding! Congrats!! I wish you all the best and lots of happiness in the future.

Amanda, sounds like you have been busy too. I do so much want to see you. I'm sure you have grown this past year. I don't know when it will be since we are all recovering from Hurricane Katrina down here. But as soon as things slow down we will take some time off. It will be good to get away from all this for a few days. Hopefully soon. I love you and Zachary very much!
Aunt Jeannie

[Tiana]

Hey...congrats for the wedding!!!...i am very happy for you...your new house sounds nice...it sounds like you have been busy this summer....but doing so good...im very proud of you...keep it up...love you always...Tiana

[Billy Boy]

Amanda, Happy Birthday 2 days late :)

[Bruce Senn]

Greg and Cynthia, congratulations on your wedding. Amanda, sounds like you have so many people who love you and take such good care of you. We keep you in our thoughts.

[Krista]

Thinking of you Amanda. You're on my heart all of the time and Andrew and I pray for you and your family daily.

Looking forward to seeing you again very soon.

Love,
Krista

[lorrie]

Please update!!!

[Kimberly]

I'm still praying for you and wondering how you're doing Amanda. I'd love to see an update!

[Morgan Thomas]

Hey Amanda!
I just wanted to let you know that im so sorry that i havnt been to see you in Forever!!! I really fell bad about that and ill try to come see you as soon as i can but your still in my every thought and prayer! Im not doing my part as being a best friend but Im gonna try to step that up!I`d love to see an update!!
your bff,
Morgan