October 7, 2007

A year ago this month, Amanda moved in to Horizons Residential Care Center. It’s hard to believe a year has passed! We continue to feel very fortunate to have a facility of this caliber so close to home. Just tonight we attended a dinner at Horizons and were able to meet other parents who have children there, as well as several board members. This event confirmed that there are many good people involved with making sure that Amanda and the other residents are well-cared for: both directly and behind the scenes.

We met the new director of Horizons, David Adams. He is working hard to increase funding to make improvements to the facility and purchase new equipment. Two of Amanda’s cousins, Katie and Audrey, did their part to raise money this summer. They had a lemonade stand and were able to contribute $150 to the cause! Nice job, girls!

Amanda had quite a few visits from family this summer. Dad’s sister, Cindy, and her family came down from Ohio; Mom’s sister, Jeannie, and her daughter, Tianna, came in from Louisiana; and Cynthia’s mother and father visited from Florida. Everyone enjoyed seeing Amanda and also going to Horizons to see where Amanda now lives.

Amanda and her mother regularly go to church on Sunday’s. Amanda has been a part of the eighth grade girls’ Sunday School class this year—these girls have really taken Amanda under their wing (and into their hearts). The class is moving on to high school and they celebrated the end of their middle school group with a trip to Horizons to sing for Amanda and the other residents. What terrific girls…and wonderful Sunday School teachers, too!

What a hot summer this was! Well, we found a way to take advantage of the heat! One of her dad’s neighbors, Eugenia Guyer, has a lovely swimming pool in her backyard and Amanda was able to go swimming, twice! We still had to put a wet suit on Amanda, so she wouldn’t be too cold in the water. It seemed like it really felt good to her, to be able to let her body float and to be able to stand upright so easily. Amanda drifted around the pool on a raft and then she relaxed in chaise lounge in the warm sunshine. You’re pretty cool, Amanda! Thank you, Eugenia!

Speaking of cool, Amanda is now a bona-fide teenage girl—she turned fifteen this September! We  celebrated her birthday, and her brother Zach’s sixteenth, with a quiet evening at home. Amanda got a cute new fleece jacket and some beautiful earrings. Her father was also able to finish customizing her special stroller, which had become too small for Amanda to ride in comfortably. So, now we are ready for some autumn strolls—as soon as some (cool) autumn weather arrives!

Letter to Amanda from Mom 

Comments

[Morgan Thomas]

Hey Amanda!! What a great report! I am so happy to hear you are doing well at Horizons! Im sure there are alot of nice people taking care of you. Im glad to hear you had a good summer and got to enjoy some time in your neighbors pool that sounds like a lot of fun!! I`m sure you will continue to benefit from all the things your parents and horizon is doing for you.
Im keeping you in my thoughts and prayers everyday! Ill talk to you soon!

[Rachel Zanders]

AMANDA!!!!
AHH i hope you all remember me! I loved playing on the team with amanda! We miss NC so much and i am SO HAPPY to see how amanda is doing!!!!
You all are always in my prayers!
love,
-Rachel

[jen hoffert]

I bought your note cards at my dog groomers for my daughters. I was looking for thank you notes for Christmas. These seem perfect. I went to the web page after reading the back. I am so moved by all of you and the love and zest for life you all seem to have; especially you Amanda. When I look into your eyes in the photos you have real joy. I pray you continue to bring joy to those around you.
I too attend a church clled Calvary Baptist Church in Asheville and so felt compelled to say I will pray for you and your family and will share your site and beautiful artwork with my daughters.
Jen

[Cynthia Braun]

Amanda,
Thinking of you today, as I do every single day. Tons of love!
Cynthia

[Krista Holgate]

Amanda,

So glad to hear things are well at Horizons. Drew and I have a son, Aidan, who was born on Nov. 21. Cleaning out a closet the other day I found your notecards and stopped and said special prayers for you. I think you are such a brave and oustanding person, Amanda. Your courage, tenacity and strength are inspiring. I am so happy to hear your mom's good news and to see how well she is doing. I know that makes you happy, too! I would love to pay you a visit soon and introduce Aidan to you. Until then, you are in my prayers and thoughts.

Love,
Krista

[Hilarie]

Hi. I forget where I first heard about Amanda, but I was touched by her story and include her in my prayers. I drop in every so often to see if there are any updates. How is she doing?

[lorrie]

Update! Please!!

[Leslie]

Hi, I've dropped by regularly (once a month or so) ever since I found Amanda's blog while searching for the song Father and Daughter by Paul Simon, which is linked on this blog. I haven't seen anything on her in a while. How is Amanda? I pray for her and I hope she's doing well. Please update us when you get a chance! Thanks!

[Leslie]

I'm praying for Amanda on the five-year anniversary of her accident. I hope things are going well and I'm sure that lots of people would love an update! =)