We are now preparing the logistics of pulling up stakes in Charlottesville and preparing to move to Atlanta for the beginning of his rehabilitation phase which may happen by the end of the week. The beginning will be in the Acute Care facility at Shepherd Center, considered to be one of the best and very few brain trauma and spine trauma rehab facilities in the nation. Hopefully he will soon transition into the more active part of the rehab where he will concentrate on the physical part (but always being careful of his fracture at the mid back) and he will also work on the cognitive part, speaking, etc. as well as many of the other parts of brain trauma rehab.
Rae opening cards, letters and posters from today. |
We will maintain the blog and continue to enter at least once a day (usually evening) as to Forrest's activities during the day. As we have been cautioned some days will be marked by amazing firsts and bursts of progress and other days will have setbacks. We look forward to hearing from you and you checking in, he really needs his friends and backers. We were cautioned by some that it is easy for the patient to get disillusioned during the very challenging rehab portion and after and feel forgotten by his friends, we are counting on that not happening with Forrest and this blog being one tool to help that. Thanks again for your prayers, support, blog posts, donations, cards letters and pictures. Team Forrest is making daily strides of progress, as Colonel Stone, his Uncle stated, "any other option is unacceptable."
"The art of medicine is to amuse the patient while nature cures the disease."
-- Voltaire French Philospher 1694-1778Dad
Kent, Rae, Austin and Trisha,
ReplyDeleteAs you embark in this new phase of Forrest's recovery, I share with you the prayer that has seen me through some of the difficult times in my life. I have it with me always and trust in what it says:
The Serenity Prayer:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3, 5-6
May He continue to provide you with the strength that you have all demonstrated through this tremendous hardship. Our prayers for all of you will continue until Forrest is back home surrounded by all your love and that of all his family and friends.
Take care for Forrest's sake and your own.
Gaby - QGM-California
The magnitude of moving camp seems daunting, but if anyone can pull this off, you all can! Your strength and determination amaze me.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to future posts and for news of progress from Shepherd. As always you are in my prayers. Kathy
I am from Atlanta and my family still lives there and near there. They know many people in the medical profession which you won't likely need, but also know where to eat and such, which you might like to know. If there is anything you want to know about the place at least I can get you first hand information. I'm serious- it is hard all by itself to find yourself in a new place. Kjs@karenstinnett.com
ReplyDeleteI just emailed my dad about Forrest and he wrote this:
ReplyDeletewe do. been to more than one fund raiser for them. the Center came about because of an injury to the Shepherd's son many years ago. Alana Shepherd is the driving force behind the institution and has turned it into one of the premier facilities in the country for spinal injuries and rehabilitation of serious injuries. you remember Dot Watkins was in long-term care of Shepherd and Jennings is a major contributor to the Center. if you know the family, tell them they could not have picked a better facility for their son.
Dear Allen Family:
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog and pray for you all. The Shepard Center is a truly amazing place. My cousin Caroline spent a year there and her family speaks nothing but praise. You will be well taken care of. My hopes and prayers are for your safe journey to Atlanta and for a speedy recovery and return to Middleburg.
Much love,
Alix H.
Dear Kent and Rae,
ReplyDeleteYour report today sounds very encouraging. We are happy that "The University" is providing the necessary support as you enter another phase.
With our thoughts and prayers for all of you.
Dan & Ginger
Lately, reading all of the wonderful updates of Forrest's great progress I am appreciative not only of the news, but of the quotes. Yesterday's quote hit me particularly and made me think of two things - the maybe not so obvious connection between patient as a noun and patient as an adjective, and how so much of nature is beyond our (and even doctors') control - that, by necessity, we have to be patient, assisted by our faith, throughout our journeys in God's amazing world. The Shepherd Center certainly seems like a wonderful place to assist in your journey. Despite the distance, it is such a positive step! We continue to send prayers and hope to all of you and trust that all his caregivers along with the incredible power of nature, time, and love will help heal Forrest. The Shermans
ReplyDeleteTeam 44
ReplyDeleteRemember how you eat an elephant .... 1 bite at a time!
We would love to come through Athens, grab Tyler and see Forrest.
As you get settled we will make a plan.
The Selfes