June 15, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

I just checked the last time we blogged and realized it’s been over two weeks! We got our internet working in Ryan’s apartment yesterday so now we feel connected to the outside world. So much has happened since we left Craig . . . where to begin.

We spent our first week away from Craig in a Marriott Residence Inn close to our home. Our days were full of appointments --- doctors, dentists, ophthalmologists, etc, for Ryan and Kaitlyn. Ryan started on Coumadin to prevent further blood clots so we needed to have his blood drawn every other day to make sure his Coumadin was at a therapeutic level.

Ryan, Barry and I met with a hand surgeon a couple of days before leaving Craig. Ryan is only able to grasp about five pounds with his fists now. The doctor wants to evaluate Ryan after his injury is about a year old and consider doing surgery on his hands. The surgeon would move tendons in his hands that are working well to other areas that don’t have strength. It’s a procedure that we feel would be beneficial for Ryan after he has regained as much function on his own as he is able to.

Bishop Larsen met with Ryan, Barry and I on Saturday, May 27^th, after spending a lot of time with the missionary department in Salt Lake. Ryan has been honorably released from serving his mission in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. When Ryan is medically stable, usually at least a year post injury, he will be able to go on some type of a mission. We don’t know what that would look like now but possibly serving in the mission office, firesides, etc. and then coming home to sleep at night. It’s nice to know that there are still possibilities for him to serve. Brother Stoddard from BYU Housing said his sons were able to choose from a list of 2,300 different missions offered by the missionary department.

Barry and I loaded both of our cars and drove with Ryan to Provo on Sunday, June 4^th. I always tease Ryan that he comes with a lot of “accessories” but he is well worth it! We stayed at the Residence Inn in Provo until moving over to Wyview Apartments on June 12^th.

I had been in communication with BYU housing for several months and they were extremely helpful in finding us a place to live. Wyview Apartments are across from the BYU Stadium and were built for married student housing. The housing is being changed so that half will be for married students and the other half for single students. The apartment reminds me a lot of Whitney’s first apartment at Aggie Village at Utah State. It has a small living area and kitchen, with one larger bedroom, a small bedroom and an accessible bathroom with a roll in shower. It’s easy to get around in and has plenty of storage and air conditioning with a beautiful view of the mountains! We also looked at Budge Hall in Helaman Halls as a possibility for Ryan for fall semester or Ryan would have the option of staying in this apartment and having a roommate. The grounds around the apartment are beautiful not to mention the Creamery (love those banana Creamies), laundry facilities and a multi-purpose Chapel close by.

On Monday, June 5^th, we went to the first rehab facility Ryan was considering. Neuroworx is located in South Jordan, just off 1-15 at 106^th South. He was very impressed with the facility as well as Dr. Hull, the physical therapists, aids and other patients. Dr. Hull started Neuroworx in 2002 following a spinal cord injury he received jumping on a trampoline. Prior to his accident he was on OBGYN. He is a very humble, kind man that Ryan related to immediately.

Following Neuroworx, we drove to the University of Utah Hospital to meet Dr. Jeff Rosenbluth. He is the physiatrist that will be following Ryan while he is in Utah. He spent several hours with us and was also extremely helpful.

On Tuesday, we went to Sit Tall Stand Tall in Provo. Leighton Weber runs the program which concentrates on teaching people to crawl and then walk with the use of leg braces and canes. Most of his clientele are paras.

In the end, it was an easy decision for Ryan. I guess the best way to differentiate between the two programs was that Neuroworx is more positive reinforcement and Sit Tall Stand Tall is more negative reinforcement. Ryan started Neuroworx on Monday, June 12^th.

On Wednesday, Ryan had the opportunity to speak to the youth in James and Julie’s ward who were in Provo for Youth Conference. The youth were receptive and Ryan did a good job expressing his thoughts and feelings. Afterwards, Gneitings treated us to Brazilian food! Thanks!

Hayley and Ryan Hatch drove to Provo from Rexburg on June 8^th and stayed with Ryan while Barry and I drove back to Denver for the weekend. I flew back to Salt Lake on Sunday and we moved over to Wyview on Monday. Hayley and Ryan were kind enough to move everything they could out of the hotel before they left on Sunday. It was good to see them and we knew Ryan Walters was in good hands.

Ryan begins Summer Term at BYU on Monday, June 26^th. He is taking History 220 – American history from 1877 through the present. It’s a three credit class that meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 to 12.

Ryan is scheduled for therapy at Neuroworx on weekdays from one to three-thirty. He really gives it his all and leaves tired each day. So far he has been through an evaluation to see where he is currently functioning. He has also worked in the therapy pool, doing a variety of arm strokes for a solid thirty minutes. Jan Black, one of the PT’s, worked on electrical stimulation on his hands on Wednesday. He really enjoys doing weight training in the gym. It’s fun to watch the interaction between the patients and staff. It’s a great environment for Ryan to continue his rehabilitation.

Now for a quick update on the rest of the kids. Kaitlyn got out of school on May 24^th. She went to fifth year girl’s camp which included repelling, white water rafting and caving. Aunt Kalle drove her over to Rexburg for Especially for Youth with cousins, Parker and Brock. Her cousin, Melissa, is her counselor. We haven’t heard from her since Monday morning so I guess she must be having a wonderful time! Aunt Angie is picking Kate up in Rexburg this Saturday to spend two weeks as a nanny to cousins Taylor and Evan. Kaitlyn loves to spend time with them!

Hayley and Ryan are finishing up classes at BYU Idaho in preparation for Ryan to go to Chiropractic School in Oregon this fall. Hayley is taking the last classes she has to finish her Bachelors in Nursing.

Tyler and Rebecca are awaiting the arrival of baby girl Walters. Her due date is June 21 and every day they call to give us an update. Last night was a miserable night for Rebecca, she is dilated to 2 and 50% effaced. They plan to drive from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Denver when the baby is about a week old. Tyler begins his summer internship on July 1^st at a law firm in Denver. We are very excited to meet this new little girl. If you haven’t seen their blogsite you can visit it at “babywalters.blogspot.com”

Whitney, Justin, Callum, Isabelle and Tate are busy as ever. Justin has been traveling for work almost every week this summer. Whitney and her children are driving to see us on Sunday, June 25. Hayley is flying to Denver to help Whitney drive to Utah. They will stay with us until Friday and then drive to Sun Valley to take Kaitlyn home on Sunday. Ryan and I will also be going to Sun Valley to see my family on the same weekend. Henwoods also have a site at “http://spaces.msn.com/HenwoodFamily”

Thank you for your patience in receiving this update. It’s been a crazy last couple of weeks, but like always, the pieces are falling into place.

Following is a quote from the wall at Neuroworx.

“Attitude makes all the difference but gratitude brings me joy.” –S. Seegmiller

We send our love,

Bridgette, Barry, Ryan and Kate