Mom's Update

Courtney continues to work hard at recovery. While in-home therapy is being reduced and we are waiting for her to start Sargent Courtney is reviewing some old favorites. Multiplication tables, state capitals, U.S. government and American History facts and vocabulary are among topics we are reviewing. These reviews will help Courtney recall what she has learned in the past. Today we will have Courtney's violin tuned and she'll start playing her violin. Music is always wonderful therapy and playing the violin offers unique challenges for the left arm and hand.

Courtney is certain that she will return to URI in the Fall and I have no doubt she is right! As her recovery continues and for people seeing and speaking with Courtney for the first time since the accident it's good to remember that TBI recovery of this magnitude is like growing up again fast forward. That means Courtney started again as a new born and is now progressing through years of cognitive, behavioral and emotional development. Like the rest of her recovery Courtney is moving through these 'years' at an even faster pace than we expected.

During our visit to Paychex yesterday Courtney and I were able to thank many people for their prayers and support. It has been a wonderful gift for me to be able to stay with Courtney each day since the accident. This has been possible thanks to the generosity of my co-workers who have donated their own precious vacation time. I will never be able to express what this time has meant to me and how grateful I am.

In the next couple of weeks we will visit RIH TICU and Narragansett Fire Dept to say thanks to those who saved Courtney's life.

after my first week at home

Thank you to everyone I have met or have not met for praying for me. Yesterday at ash wednesday mass I got the biggest cross on my forehead. Probably because the lady saw my scars and my teeth and she asked me if I would "will you repent and be healed" and I said yes and she smiled at me. And on ash wednesday the nurse discharged me because she doesn"t need to be here any more. Everyday my recovery continues and I keep getting better and better. And today we went to Paychex where my mom is the manager and every one was so happy to see me. So thank you for all of your prayers for me getting better and I am better now. And I was at Braintree hospital in a group called CIMT and I was crying because there were new ambulances coming in and at church I told the priest to pray for them just like I did that day after the group was over I went to my room with my mom and we said the hail Mary and the Our Father and I also said dear God, make these people as well as you made me.

my first week at home!

I did occupational therapy on twice a week. And physical therapy I passed the test she said I can do everything so she can"t see me again. I visited with family and friends. And I went shopping. And I felt so normal for one time since November. and yesterday I went to Christ the King at URI and the priest saw me in the hospital and he told me I am a walking miracle. And tonight I answered the home phone and the lady said is "is this Courtney's sister?" and I said "no this is Courtney!" and she said "Courtney! oh my god" probably because she thought I was still in the hospital and she brought me to Rhode Island hospital. And tomorrow I am writing letters saying "I am glad and rejoycing for you saving my life" to everyone to the hospital in Rhode Island hospital and to Dr katz and to the nurses and therapists at Braintree. And today I said to my Mommy i am glad and rejoycing for God saving my life. My Mommy tells me everyday that she is the happiest Mother in the world.