January 5, 2006

Last night Ryan dictated the information in his blog. Unfortunately we were unable to save it on his site so we'll rewrite it today.

Today has been my best day just as every day and even every minute improves. I stayed up in my wheel chair for four and one-half hours and did physical therapy and occupational therapy. On Wednesday I used 1.5 pound wrist weights and today I used five pound wrist weights to do bicep curls. Gail, my physical therapist, doesn't let me hold dumbbells in my hands because she says my fingers don't have the strength to hold them confidently, especially since I would be holding them over her toes. Therapy was exhausting so I came back to my room and took a three and one-half hour nap.

We had a delicious meal from our Relief Society President, Linda Ingersoll. I also had lots of great visitors. My sister, Hayley, stayed with me on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I love having one-on-one time with my family.

Tonight they had a panel of Craig graduates come to talk to parents and patients. I was to tired to go but my parents and sisters went. Later, two of the people on the panel came by my room and talked with me. Chanda was shot in the neck when she was nine years old and is Miss Wheelchair Colorado. She uses a power wheel chair and has a golden retriever service dog named Flint. She has graduated from college in sociology. Justin is 24 and he was in a car accident when he was 19. Justin is a Columbine High School survivor. The shootings occurred his junior year. He was at Craig five years ago. He graduated from CU Boulder in psychology and wants to be a physical therapist. He is living in Provo, Utah, and works with a man there that has a program called "Sit Tall, Stand Tall." Justin's injury is lower than mine and he is now able to walk with crutches. His family lives in Littleton and he will be moving back here in a couple of months. He has a very optomistic attitude and offered his continued support along with contact information for others. It was great to talk with them.

Emails, telephone calls and especially visits from friends and family have been the best possible therapy these past two weeks. I go to bed every night very happy and optomistic about my situation and thinking of you as I close my eyes.

I love and appreciate you all very much.

Ryan