May 4, 2006

May 4, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

            Today was a big day!  Ryan had his Lasik surgery at 4:10 at the Spivack Vision Center.  We are all thrilled he has the opportunity to have the surgery done.  As I mentioned before, Spivack donates eye surgery to about four patients each year at Craig. . . we feel extremely fortunate that Ryan was a candidate after all these years of wearing contacts and glasses.  Barry and I were able to be in the operating room with Ryan and watch the whole procedure on a television.  Dr. Spencer explained everything to Ryan as he was performing the procedure.  It only took about fifteen minutes and was fascinating to watch.  He is wearing eye shields and sunglasses and has lubricating eye drops every thirty minutes and antibiotic drops every hour at least until we go back for a post-op visit tomorrow morning. The wonders of modern technology!!!

            Since we last wrote on Sunday, Ryan has had two ninety minute driving sessions and is confident driving.  It will be so great for him to have the independence of driving himself and transferring independently from his chair into the driver's seat.  We will order an accessible Toyota Sienna van tomorrow that should be here in about ten weeks.  We are hoping to rent a wheel chair accessible van until his van arrives.

            Ryan had his family conference today . . . only three weeks until he is released from Craig.  The time has gone so quickly in some ways but seems like an eternity in others.  I'm a little anxious to leave our "Craig Cocoon."  I'm sure Ryan has had the best team of doctors and therapists in rehabilitative medicine.  Again, we feel very blessed!

           Amanda, Ryan's occupational therapist, reports that Ryan's driving is "marvelous", he is able to dress himself while in bed, and he is able to pad and turn himself in bed.  They are using "dragon" software for the computer which is voice activated.  The computer learns to recognize your voice and types what you are saying.    Amanda has also had splints made for Ryan's hands which will help to strengthen his fingers.  She feels like his fingers and thumb on his left hand are "waking up."  Yippee!

            Heather, Ryan's physical therapist, said she has also seen a huge improvement.  They are working on uneven transfers, floor transfers, and bed mobility.  Ryan is also in a wheel chair skills class.  Heather will also be working with Ryan on airline transfers and going up and down multiple stairs. Ryan and Brenda, from therapeutic rec, were able to find an hour after his water therapy class and before Ryan's surgery today to take the hand cycles for a spin.  Ryan LOVES riding the hand cycle!

           We are also trying to finalize plans for Ryan's addition to our home and look forward to Ryan having his own bedroom and bathroom when he is home.  In addition, we are going through the admissions process for Ryan to be admitted to BYU-Provo.  Barry, Ryan and I plan to go to Utah following Ryan's release to evaluate the two rehab programs in Provo and South Jordan.  Hopefully, Ryan will be able to take a couple of college classes as well as attending a rehab program.

            In closing, I would like to post a couple of thoughts from our Gratitude journal.

PEOPLE MAY FORGET WHAT YOU SAID, AND PEOPLE MAY FORGET WHAT YOU DID, BUT THEY WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.  Unknown

THE HAPPINESS OF LIFE IS MADE UP OF LITTLE THINGS – A SMILE, A HELPING HAND, A CARING HEART, A WORD OF PRAISE, AND A MOMENT OF SHARED LAUGHTER.  WE ARE MOST ALIVE IN THOSE MOMENTS WHEN OUR HEARTS ARE CONSCIOUS OF OUR TREASURES.  Thornton Wilder

            Good Night and God Bless,

                        Bridgette, Barry, Ryan and Kaitlyn