Happy birthday honey. Three birthdays have passed since the accident and each one continues to bring with it renewed growth and spirit. At one time, I did not know if your would see 18 and now as you celebrate 20, I know that Full Recovery is no longer a slogan but is instead an actuality.My heart sings with joy as I watch you blossom into the woman and potential we all knew was possibly. It has not been an easy road but one that we were destined to take together.
As you understand, things do not just happen. There is a reason for everything and together we have come to understand and grow from this experience. Together, we have relearned what life is all about. We have faced adversity and overcome. There are great things ahead in life and where the road takes us we do not know. All we can do is to relearn and become better in the eyes of God.
Thank you for helping me become a better person. Because I've know you - I have been changed for good.
I am so proud of you and I love you millions and billions.
Dad
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Dec. 20 Sunday Night
I learn more and more about brain injuries every day. They are elusive. I think we have hit another milestone in our recovery. I also think I must reiterate that it is a recovery process for everyone. In our initial days at the Roger C. Peace Center (the rehab) we were told that brain injuries are a marathon. No one said, they are really the Iron Man triathlon.
Don't get me wrong, we are truly blessed and we all know it but after 2.8 years (give or take) Allie is beginning to grieve and that is a good thing but painful for all none the less. Interestingly, Allie has been snowed in her house, without a vehicle and without a computer for the last three days. This, I am sure has given her a lot of time to think and to be quiet with only her thoughts, her kitty and a small television. No distractions. I think we could all benefit from a stay like that.
She has come to understand and more importantly admit that she does have defecits in certain areas. What a painful but necessary realization. Now true healing can begin. So for as sad as it can be, it has regnited a mission. Now we can truly once again take the next step towards Full Recovery.
Please continue your prayers for Allie, Paige, Rachel and thier families.
Allie's Dad
Don't get me wrong, we are truly blessed and we all know it but after 2.8 years (give or take) Allie is beginning to grieve and that is a good thing but painful for all none the less. Interestingly, Allie has been snowed in her house, without a vehicle and without a computer for the last three days. This, I am sure has given her a lot of time to think and to be quiet with only her thoughts, her kitty and a small television. No distractions. I think we could all benefit from a stay like that.
She has come to understand and more importantly admit that she does have defecits in certain areas. What a painful but necessary realization. Now true healing can begin. So for as sad as it can be, it has regnited a mission. Now we can truly once again take the next step towards Full Recovery.
Please continue your prayers for Allie, Paige, Rachel and thier families.
Allie's Dad
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tuesday Evening, Nov. 17, 2009
Hi All
Well it has been two weeks that Allie has been living on her own and things seem to be going really well. She is doing her own shopping and cooking and handling all of the chores of living on your own. Beyond your wildest dreams? Full Recovery - Never a Doubt.
Today she also got a job at the Dollar Tree and starts tomorrow. The best part is that she took the initiative and did it on her own. Since every day is a new day, I live with hope. The hope that she will continue to grow and get better and better ever day..
Thank you for all of your continued prayers. Nancy and I love all of you.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Allie's Dad
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday Afternoon, November 9, 2009
Amazing things continue to happen every day and with each event comes a tear of joy and a heartful of grattitude. Our little girl has taken spread her wings and has moved into a two bedroom cabin we own about twenty minutes from our office or fourty minutes from our homes.
It's wierd but is sometyhing that had to happen. Allie has so much passion for life and for being a "normal teenager" if there is such a thing that deep down she knew she needed to be on her own. I think that by moving into the cabin she will grow even further and faster than I ever cold have imagined. This is a true reality check. She will learn how to budget money and make decisions and reap either the benefits or the consequences of her decisions and that is something she needs because Nancy and I are so protective that we micromanage every moment in her life and the time for all has got to come to an end so she can grow up.
I am so proud of her. She is handling things like a champ. First our cabin is in a place which has people around it but none of her freinds. It is in the beautiful mountains on two acres with a creek running through it so she has plenty of room and I am hoping that she will take pride in ownersip and will make it hers. She got a little grey striped kitten she calls Zebra or "Z" for short and this is a blessing too because it not only gives her someone to love and keep her company but it also teaches her responsibility. This is such a blessing and she is learning real life lessons. She gets a budget for gas and food and a little for play and she now has to fugure out how to make it last (we'll see) but she is learning and making decisions. Do I go back to town when I only have a little gas? Do I eat or put in more gas.... All of the things we have all gone through and had to figure out
So how long will it last? Who cares? IT has been a week and she is showing no signs of being needy or of breaking down. She has visited the house twice and comes over once a week for her neurofeedback training. I thinl she loves having her space and being able to come to the office or the house and visit and then go home to her own space. I thank God for his grace and for everyones prayers. Please continue to pray for Allie and for our good friends Paige Cook and Rachel Juliano, we love them so much and eveyone needs your prayers.
Full Recovery - Never a Doubt
Allie's Dad
It's wierd but is sometyhing that had to happen. Allie has so much passion for life and for being a "normal teenager" if there is such a thing that deep down she knew she needed to be on her own. I think that by moving into the cabin she will grow even further and faster than I ever cold have imagined. This is a true reality check. She will learn how to budget money and make decisions and reap either the benefits or the consequences of her decisions and that is something she needs because Nancy and I are so protective that we micromanage every moment in her life and the time for all has got to come to an end so she can grow up.
I am so proud of her. She is handling things like a champ. First our cabin is in a place which has people around it but none of her freinds. It is in the beautiful mountains on two acres with a creek running through it so she has plenty of room and I am hoping that she will take pride in ownersip and will make it hers. She got a little grey striped kitten she calls Zebra or "Z" for short and this is a blessing too because it not only gives her someone to love and keep her company but it also teaches her responsibility. This is such a blessing and she is learning real life lessons. She gets a budget for gas and food and a little for play and she now has to fugure out how to make it last (we'll see) but she is learning and making decisions. Do I go back to town when I only have a little gas? Do I eat or put in more gas.... All of the things we have all gone through and had to figure out
So how long will it last? Who cares? IT has been a week and she is showing no signs of being needy or of breaking down. She has visited the house twice and comes over once a week for her neurofeedback training. I thinl she loves having her space and being able to come to the office or the house and visit and then go home to her own space. I thank God for his grace and for everyones prayers. Please continue to pray for Allie and for our good friends Paige Cook and Rachel Juliano, we love them so much and eveyone needs your prayers.
Full Recovery - Never a Doubt
Allie's Dad
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Sunday Evening, October 11th, 2009
Hi Everyone
Well it sure has been a long time since we have had an Allie update and it is good. In fact, it is unbelievable. Full Recovery - Never a Doubt.
I believe I have already written about Allie's last accident back in January and how we were led to Neurofeedback and I thank God that we were. It has made all of the difference in the world in her recovery.
As I write, it is as if things are normal here at our home. Allie is doing great and is making huge strides everyday. In fact, if you met her on the street and did not know she was ever in an accident, you may not be able to tell. She is driving again and is attending our local community college. Believe it or not, she is taking a full schedule - 13 credits. Unbelieveable!
She has become the most amazing person. She is happy and very okay with where she is at this time. She had changed her major and is now declaring herself as elementary education. She loves little kids and they love her. She is beautiful and creative and happy. She has taken up beading and has gotten quite good at it. She started her own little business called Skye Creations and sells her jewelry in a few local shops. She is also working in our office a few hours a week. We keep her busy and she is able to stay focused for long stretches of time. Actually, one of the very few deficiencies is still her short term memory has problems every now and again. Whose dosen't have that problem.
Allie is really fitting in again and is starting to reconnect with friends from high school who are now in college with her.
Nancy and I are finding life is becoming normal again. Allie is not nearly as needy as she use to be and is usually out of the house with friends or just doing Allie things which leaves Nancy and I free to do things together - without worrying about getting a phone call. That is a great feeling.
So everything is going great here. We still pray every night for further recovery, for all of us.
Thanks for your continued prayers.
Allie's Dad
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tuesday Morning, August 18th
Good Morning Everyone
Well it has been a long time since my last blog. Although it is never far from my mind, I now have a tebdancy to hold off with the writing in the hopes that the story has ended and there will be nothing to share, but the truth is is that this is a living document that will never end while I am still of this world.
Whenever I think of Allie, I smile and give thanks for how far we have come. One could look at what has happened in a pholosophical and theorethical fashion as I choose to drawing my stregnth from God and an understanding of theory or what is possible. I also draw strength from the Universal and metaphysical laws of the universe, meaning that everything happens in accordance with a master plan. So what happened had to happen and what is happening happens with the steps that we take to drive it in a particular direction. So why do I write these feelings about what we do and how we feel. In order to possible help someone who may be going through what we did and are going through.
Allie is finishing up a 5 day stay at her nana's house in NY and is now on her way to the airport to come homw. She just text messaged and said she wanted to live there. Nana has that effect on people butcome home she must. Allie begins college again in a few days. Incredibly she is scheduled to take 13 credit which is fantastic and while I will be there rooting for her and helping in every way, I am once again not attached to the outcome. Everyday she is becoming more and more mature and it is all of our dreams to see her through this year of school and then tpo see her transfer to one with a dorm so she will live on her own. Doable? Very doable! She is awesome. One of the things she has taken a passion to is jewlery making and has created quite a number of beaded product which I would swear came from a store but I watched her make them. She is also driving again by herself so if you are in Brevard, watch out Smile, smile.
Nancy and I were talking this morning about her stay in the hospital during breakfast this morning and as we relived it we once again became comitted to getting the message. out to how people should protect themselves and their loved ones during that time and discussed ways we can help. Unfortunately the further removed you are from a situation the less memory you have of it and the intensity of your desire goes down. I promise you I will not lose either and although things may not have materialized yet the way I planned or sopke of originally, that does not mean they will not, it only means that at that time I lacked the understanding of the process it takes to recovery and how long it would occupy us once along with needing and wanting to give time and love to our other child. It will happen because of this blog (all my notes are in it) and because it needs to.
Before I end this long message, I again want to say to all of my friends out there who are going through a similar situation, stay with God, stay the course and don't give up! Study on what is happening, don't just believe the guy in the white coat, be proactive, don't wait for the nurses or expect anyone else to be on your side - you are in charge so take charge, be open to alternative methods, heck they don't know everything - if alternatives did not work they would not be here,
Again I believe neurofeedback has been a blessing for Allie and has created the change necessary to bring her to the next level.
Create a journal of what happened, and what continues to happen on a daily basis. I have never to this day re-read mine but I will someday, however I am so glad it is there to remind me how strong my love for my family and friend is and how strong my belief in God is. It show me how We took charge to help our daughter when other did not. It serves as a reminder that we have an obligation to help others.
Life is good.
Allie's Dad
Well it has been a long time since my last blog. Although it is never far from my mind, I now have a tebdancy to hold off with the writing in the hopes that the story has ended and there will be nothing to share, but the truth is is that this is a living document that will never end while I am still of this world.
Whenever I think of Allie, I smile and give thanks for how far we have come. One could look at what has happened in a pholosophical and theorethical fashion as I choose to drawing my stregnth from God and an understanding of theory or what is possible. I also draw strength from the Universal and metaphysical laws of the universe, meaning that everything happens in accordance with a master plan. So what happened had to happen and what is happening happens with the steps that we take to drive it in a particular direction. So why do I write these feelings about what we do and how we feel. In order to possible help someone who may be going through what we did and are going through.
Allie is finishing up a 5 day stay at her nana's house in NY and is now on her way to the airport to come homw. She just text messaged and said she wanted to live there. Nana has that effect on people butcome home she must. Allie begins college again in a few days. Incredibly she is scheduled to take 13 credit which is fantastic and while I will be there rooting for her and helping in every way, I am once again not attached to the outcome. Everyday she is becoming more and more mature and it is all of our dreams to see her through this year of school and then tpo see her transfer to one with a dorm so she will live on her own. Doable? Very doable! She is awesome. One of the things she has taken a passion to is jewlery making and has created quite a number of beaded product which I would swear came from a store but I watched her make them. She is also driving again by herself so if you are in Brevard, watch out Smile, smile.
Nancy and I were talking this morning about her stay in the hospital during breakfast this morning and as we relived it we once again became comitted to getting the message. out to how people should protect themselves and their loved ones during that time and discussed ways we can help. Unfortunately the further removed you are from a situation the less memory you have of it and the intensity of your desire goes down. I promise you I will not lose either and although things may not have materialized yet the way I planned or sopke of originally, that does not mean they will not, it only means that at that time I lacked the understanding of the process it takes to recovery and how long it would occupy us once along with needing and wanting to give time and love to our other child. It will happen because of this blog (all my notes are in it) and because it needs to.
Before I end this long message, I again want to say to all of my friends out there who are going through a similar situation, stay with God, stay the course and don't give up! Study on what is happening, don't just believe the guy in the white coat, be proactive, don't wait for the nurses or expect anyone else to be on your side - you are in charge so take charge, be open to alternative methods, heck they don't know everything - if alternatives did not work they would not be here,
Again I believe neurofeedback has been a blessing for Allie and has created the change necessary to bring her to the next level.
Create a journal of what happened, and what continues to happen on a daily basis. I have never to this day re-read mine but I will someday, however I am so glad it is there to remind me how strong my love for my family and friend is and how strong my belief in God is. It show me how We took charge to help our daughter when other did not. It serves as a reminder that we have an obligation to help others.
Life is good.
Allie's Dad
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
June 16th, 2009 morning
Things continue to progress and Allie continues her journey to Full Recovery. Every day we notice new changes in her behavior, her actions and her drive. In the past she did not notice any deficits in herself and she though she had reached a state of Full Recovery but now more thanever she is the one who is pusing and driving herself. She may not realize why but she is talking more about going away to college but she understands that she has to raise her academic bar. Must be starange but just like I can not really remember life before the accident I am sure she can not either. Fortunately I believe she remembers just enough to motivate her or she is seeing her friends move on and she wants to be a part of it. Cool, what ever way it is foward progress.
Huge leap in faith and maturity last week. Allie flew to Florida all by herself to spend a week with my sister Roni. Now I know that sounds like a little thing but after shat she has been though I was definitely nervous as time can get away from her and then switching gates..... would she make it to the gate in time, what if her flight was late and she missed her connector? There were a million different scenarios playing out in my head. What if she did not have a good time there or had an emotional moment or seizure or whatever? Would she take her medicine, or drink alcohol (not good for seizures) but innately I know she would do well and she did.
She loves her job at the assisted living facility and is looking to get more hours. She is learning to understand the value of money. When to spend and when to save. She like to spend better but who doesn't? As an added therapy we have been taking her to jewlery making classes and she loves it and is really good at it. As we try to help her with career choices and we believe in doing something that makes you happy not just makes you money we sat down and opened up a round table discussion as to what Allie likes to do and her favorite thing was always arts and crafts. Ever since she was a little girl she loved beads and cutting paper and that stuff so possibly jewlery making? After her first class she came out with a bracelet she made (two and a half hours of beading, not that is what I call therapy for her hands and hand eye coordination) and it was beautiful. Could have actually put it in a store and sold it. Next a necklance and today is her third lesson and she is way excited.
We will be registering her for another semester of college this week and we are hoping for the best. She will be doign two acadenim classes and two electives. She wanted to do four, I was thinking more three. We will do four.
Right ow Allie is doing her Neurofeedback and again I will say it is this training that has made all of the difference in her and I am recommending it to all of my friends. Seek out a therapist in your area nd try it for at least twenty sessions. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.
We are grateful and thankful to God and every person we have met on this journey. For whatever reason this was meant to be our journey so we gratefully accept it and the challenges that come with it and thank God for making us better people in the process.
Love and Recovery
Allie's Dad
Huge leap in faith and maturity last week. Allie flew to Florida all by herself to spend a week with my sister Roni. Now I know that sounds like a little thing but after shat she has been though I was definitely nervous as time can get away from her and then switching gates..... would she make it to the gate in time, what if her flight was late and she missed her connector? There were a million different scenarios playing out in my head. What if she did not have a good time there or had an emotional moment or seizure or whatever? Would she take her medicine, or drink alcohol (not good for seizures) but innately I know she would do well and she did.
She loves her job at the assisted living facility and is looking to get more hours. She is learning to understand the value of money. When to spend and when to save. She like to spend better but who doesn't? As an added therapy we have been taking her to jewlery making classes and she loves it and is really good at it. As we try to help her with career choices and we believe in doing something that makes you happy not just makes you money we sat down and opened up a round table discussion as to what Allie likes to do and her favorite thing was always arts and crafts. Ever since she was a little girl she loved beads and cutting paper and that stuff so possibly jewlery making? After her first class she came out with a bracelet she made (two and a half hours of beading, not that is what I call therapy for her hands and hand eye coordination) and it was beautiful. Could have actually put it in a store and sold it. Next a necklance and today is her third lesson and she is way excited.
We will be registering her for another semester of college this week and we are hoping for the best. She will be doign two acadenim classes and two electives. She wanted to do four, I was thinking more three. We will do four.
Right ow Allie is doing her Neurofeedback and again I will say it is this training that has made all of the difference in her and I am recommending it to all of my friends. Seek out a therapist in your area nd try it for at least twenty sessions. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.
We are grateful and thankful to God and every person we have met on this journey. For whatever reason this was meant to be our journey so we gratefully accept it and the challenges that come with it and thank God for making us better people in the process.
Love and Recovery
Allie's Dad
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