June Update

Richelle continues her therapy and slowly reaches new goals. The latest development has been that her Physical Therapist is starting to feel her muscles that work her fingers "come to life". And although she does not have movement in her fingers themselves YET, the muscles that control them are waking up and are in the beginning stages of movement. With every day that passes she meets new challenges but also sees some of her prayers being answered with each new discovery(she is able to open doors and text with her cell phone). Richelle still continues to have a smile on her face and is more determined than ever that she will overcome this obstacle in her life.

Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for Richelle and my family. We are so grateful to each and everyone of you.

Movement!

Richelle has been progressing very quickly! The BIG news this past week is that she has moved both of her legs when asked to do so. It is only a couple of inches either way, but movement is movement and it is so exciting to see that she is doing this when we ask her too. Her Physical Therapist had her legs in a "neutral" position and then asks her to "Move your Left leg", and "Move your Right leg" and every time was a success! Every small accomplishment will add to big developments. Richelle continues to work very hard every day and sets new goals to achieve.

Richelle also was asked to lead the "Pledge of Allegiance" at Eatonville's "May Day" Community Day this past Friday, May 7. Although she was very nervous to get up in front of so many people, she did great and it was good for her to see so many of her friends. Thank you to everyone who continues to support Richelle and my family during this difficult time. Your thoughts and prayers are very well appreciated!

God Bless!

Week of April 12, 2010

Richelle continues to amaze everyone, including her Occupational Therapist! On Wednesday afternoon her OT asked her to "try" and do a sit up as he placed his hands on her stomach, although she wasn't able to complete her sit up, every single one of her stomach muscles fired and moved!!! He got a big smile on his face and said, "Richelle, those are all linked to C11 and C12!!" This is BIG progress, and we are so thrilled about every little movement that she didn't have the day before. She is also learning to grab things when you set them on a counter and she is getting really good at feeding herself with chips and other "finger foods". Even though at times she gets frustrated, her attitude still blows all of us away. She has a smile on her face from morning to night and is constantly cracking jokes to make others laugh.

This week Richelle has gotten out; to go get her hair done, take her sister back to the airport and go to church, and tonight she will be going out to dinner with about 24 people. Richelle really enjoys her visitors that come to see her, and she would like to say thank you to everyone for all of the sacrafices that they have made to help her out. We are so fotunate to have each and every one of you. Thank you so much!

First update at home...

Richelle is now all settled and starting to get into a daily routine at home. She has physical therapy that comes 3 times a week and occupational therapy that comes 4 times a week. Thanks to some amazing friends and wonderful neighbors, Richelle is getting Physical Therapy every day though! She continues to make strides forward and now has limited movement in her hands and fingers. Her attitude continues to amaze us all at her determination and will to do what people tell her she cannot do. Her smile and humor keep all of us going and we are so blessed to have her! Richelle continues to get a lot of visitors and she really enjoys this. If you would like to visit Richelle, we ask that you come anytime after 1:00 pm, as her mornings are pretty busy.

Thank you to everyone for all of your hard work and amazing support. I am eternally grateful to each and everyone of you who have helped and continue to help my family. We don't even know where to begin to thank everyone. Between the beautiful new home that my parents and Richelle now live in, to the meals that are being delivered from the Sheriff's Department, to all of the cards that keep coming in to lift Richelle's spirits, it is all so touching and just continues to leave us speechless and in awe of what a wonderful community we are surrounded by.

I will try and update this blog spot every couple of weeks with Richelle's progress, I am just unable to update it daily as I did when she was in the hospital. Thank you again for your prayers and support.

~Sherylee