Before we share the news from Forrest's day, his team wants you all to know how much we enjoy your messages back to us. In fact, WE all check first thing every morning to read your comments! You may not realize how much we count on your feedback to keep us charged up and how often we read your messages with Forrest. We hear all the time how many people are following his progress and how people are depending on the daily updates. Since some folks are having trouble commenting, we thought we'd review how you can send a message back to Forrest or his Team. While his Team loves hearing from everyone who cares about Forrest, he really takes strength from each message from his peers; we hope that his peers will continue to reach out to him here or on his peer Facebook site.
There are two ways to comment. The best is to sign up to follow his blog (and the # of followers is encouraging to him) You can quickly create a google or yahoo account, then click "Follow" on the right side of the blog to sign in with your account. If you have trouble call Austin (540 729 2620). This is a great shortcut that allows you to post comments quickly.
Alternatively, you can click on comment at the end of the currents day's update, type your message in the comment box, choose "anonymous" and please sign the message. After you click "post comment" you HAVE to wait a moment until the word verification pops up. Then you write the letters shown in the funky font into the word verification box and click submit. This is a mandatory protocol that prevents spam.
SO back to today. Forrest moved up from pureed hamburger that looked a lot like cat food to real Mac and Cheese!!! AND Forrest actually strolled briskly with the support of two therapists all the way around his unit (for comparison check out the 2/ 11 update, 12 days ago!) and he successfully tackled his first stairs! He was exhausted and had to sit down to catch his breath, but he did it! Check back tomorrow for information about ABI recovery and some really fascinating resources…
Love to all,
Mum & Team Forrest
Quote of the day "Do Miracles happen? Yes they do. The Miracle sits on top of a great big pile of small accomplishments." Mark Palmer former ABI patient
His coordination is coming back quickly!
Forrest and Aunt Lynn
Forrest walking!
VIDEO: Forrest walking tall
I read Forrest's blog every night and am just so amazed by this INCREDIBLE story of courage and devotion and love. No words can express how inspiring you are, to so many people for so many reasons. I want to comment every single day but given the remarkable progress you have made, the beautiful and heartwarming entries made by your loving family and the photos that depict your heroic efforts, I am mostly speechless and just awe-struck, so I just say a prayer of thanks and look forward to the next posting. God bless you all... NP
ReplyDeleteForrest,
ReplyDeleteWe are continue to be amazed every day with your progress! Playing ball, walking almost by yourself, eating mac n' cheese, checking facebook and so much more. You will be home in no time!! We are all praying for that to happen soon! Keep up the great work and keep sending those pictures.... we really enjoy seeing how well you are doing.
Fondly, Betsy,Mark & Lauren Davis
Hey Forrest! It's MJ :) I read your blog every day, and usually more than once a day just to make sure I haven't missed a new post. I love you so much buddy. The pictures and videos have made me smile, cry, and laugh... especially the video of you rolling down the hall in your chair haha. I'm so happy you're doing well and that you are still your goofy self :) Know I'm thinking and praying for you out here in Colorado! XOXO
ReplyDeleteMac 'n cheese!!! That's fantastic!!! Forrest, you amaze me!! Can't wait for the next Rancho eval and the permanent removal of the feeding tube.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling I'll be providing that dinner I promised you sooner that I thought! Remember to let me know what you like.
Wow Forrest,
ReplyDeleteYou are truly amazing, awe inspiring, brave, courageous and so much more. You have made a mole hill out of a mountain – HECK, YOU ARE MOVING MOUNTAINS! It is so exciting to see you improve by leaps and bounds. My entire family follows your progress and every day we all cheer your successes. Keep up your hard work, it is really paying off.
To the entire Team Forrest – your dedication, endurance and perseverance are greatly admired by all of us but the ultimate reward is in seeing Forrest’s incredible progress. May you all continue strong and united!
God Bless you all!
Gaby
Check your blog every night to see how much you have accomplished that day-------am so thrilled when there is a new blog with positive news. THANKS for the directions-----now to see if I can "join" the blog! Old people have trouble doing new computer programs! pam Chauvin
ReplyDeleteWOW! I bet this is better than the first time he started walking. Its great to see that video!!
ReplyDeleteForrest, keep up all the hard work! Its paying off!!
The Selfes
Hi Forrest,
ReplyDeleteWe're catching our breath just looking at he photo of you walking, wow! Your determination inspires us daily. Team Forrest we love this blog, especially in the way it measures, often in 12 hour segments, Forrest's progress, the support that continues to grow, and now Sundance's training! I need to call your Aunt Tricia today. Last I spoke with her, she was working with Prana and Jade on a new trick. But knowing Tricia, watching you from afar, Forrest, is probably one of the hardest things ever!
Katt & Kim
Forrest, the news and photos/film today are just absolutely incredible! The huge grin with Aunt Lynn and taking steps with just a hand on either side!!.....you are amazing. We love the blog - love hearing of your progress and reading every thoughtful word - love the pictures of you and yours and the comments from others - and we send our love and continued support from afar to you and your Team! You are, without a doubt, a shining star for all of us. The Shermans
ReplyDeleteGood morning Team Forrest! Wow! What an awesome blog to wake up to today. :). Each of these incredible accomplishments are like answered prayers. Walking? Stairs? Eating solid food? This old nurse is happily blown away. Truly. We love your words, your pictures, your positive spirits. We are insprired by your devotion.
ReplyDeleteWhat a start to the day.
THANK YOU.
Love and continued prayers cover all of you,
Shannon and the Davis family
Such wonderful news and exciting video footage! Keep it up! Your progress is phenomenal, but i think we all knew you had it in you! It always brightens my day to read your blog!
ReplyDeleteLove and continued support to all of you,
Michele Hobson & family
Yay for mac and cheese! Forrest, you are truly amazing. I'm always thinking about you and I am so happy about the incredible progress you've been making everyday. Keep smiling in all those blog photos, it makes everyone's day so much brighter. At this rate you'll be home in no time! I miss you buddy.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Madi
OK, so the walking video made me cry. Seriously Rae you must have been elated! Forrest, I had no doubt that you would attack these challenges and that YOU have! Your progress is inspiring to all of us. Love to you, Rae, Kent, Austin, Aunt Lynn and Uncle John...Barbara and the gang at Rabbit Hill!!
ReplyDeleteGO FORREST!!!!!! You continue to inspire....the progress you have made is nothing short of a miracle. I don't think anyone doubts for a second that you will make a full recovery!
ReplyDeleteJennifer Mutchler
Okay, okay.... so, the video of you cruising down the hallway under your own steam made me cry, as well! What an amazing and welcome sight. I rejoice at every step (no puns intended) you have made back in this unexpected journey and am thankful every day for your incredible, swift return to us.
ReplyDeleteLove to you and your incredible Team Forrest!!
xx
So glad the food is becoming more appealing so you can get some meat on those long bones, Forrest! We love your posts, Rae and Austin, and are waiting for more of Austin's observations about the cute nurses. Great progress yesterday and we expect more big steps in the days ahead. We love you guys!
ReplyDeleteDiane & Jay
WOW!! You aren't walking...you are speed walking! Looks like your partners are trying to slow you down, typical. It is really amazing how far you have come and how hard you push yourself every day. Keep up the amazing work Forrest, you are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteGail Rousseau
Hi Team
ReplyDeleteEach morning I read the blog and marvel at the progress. I can imagine keeping Forrest in bed is the hardest part of the day and night.
THe slide show just emphasizes the importance of animals in a magical life. Dogs, horses, dolphins, no wonder the therapy dogs cheer everyone up.
Walking without casts yet!
Each day is a huge miracle.
BTW I will deliver some cookies for DAD
Sally O'Connor
The walking video was soooooo amazing!!!!!!!!!Yay Forrest and Team 44:):)
ReplyDeleteWow! I just had the opportunity to catch up on yesterday's and today's postings. Forrest, you inspire all of us as does your team who is there supporting you. I have shared your story with so many family and friends, all people you do not know, and they all want continual updates of your progress. You are all amazing and creating quite a ripple effect of inspiration and hope to so many others. Keep up the great progress, Forrest! - Debi Clark
ReplyDeleteForrest, I have been keeping up with your progress and I am so proud of you. You are such a fighter! I emailed with Austin a few weeks ago and told him about the Christmas ornament you gave me when you were in the third grade. I still hang it on our tree each year. Every time I put it up( It's a dolphin, Shocker!) I think of all the fun we had at Hill. Keep up the hard work and you'll be running circles around us before you know it.
ReplyDelete-Beggs
Hey Forrest! I just watched the video of you walking tall!!! Way to go, buddy! I am so happy to see the progress you're making, this is great. By the way, excellent food choice, LOL, you can't go wrong with Mac and Cheese. I remember when I used to make dinners for you and Austin and the first thing you'd ask for is Mac and Cheese but I also had to make sure that you ate some veggies so I'd mix in some green peas too(sorry, there were your mom's orders) LOL... missing you a ton and I am very happy to see you back on your feet!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mita
P.S. Rae- I loved hearing your voice in the video. :-)
Gooooo Forrest! Richard and I are amazed at the progress you have made in just a few days! WOW.... The video made us grin. Will you be ready to take the dogs for a walk this weekend? hehe
ReplyDeleteSee you in a few days.
Hugs
Colleen and Richard