Picture of the Day 7/29/12

Forrest continues to make great progress using his hands to communicate and to answer yes/no questions with his fingers more reliably, displaying one finger for yes and two fingers for no. He still shows his same humor, Friday we were talking about dance parties and Tami asked him if he was a great dancer, and he held up one finger. Then she asked if his brother was a good dancer, with me standing a few feet away. With no hesitation he grinned and held up two fingers. He answered the same when asked if Dad was a good dancer. Same old Forrest. :)

The days are flying by, Aunt Trish is a godsend as she, Tami and I hold down the fort while Mom and Dad travel on business.

Love from Brightwood,
Austin

Pictures below: Tori and her Mom brighten up Forrest's day, Forrest does a Dr Evil impression holding his pinky up to his lips, with his reading glasses on (lens's covered one at a time to help train his eyes independently)

Picture of the Day 7/20/12

Tom Northrup & Forrest reconnect & share their own adaptation of the Secret Handshake that includes a brisk snap of the fingers! We are blessed that Forrest & Austin began their academic careers at The Hill School, a community of generous & caring friends that helped us through the dark days and inspire us with the healing power of lasting friendships.

"Think where man's glory most begins and ends, And say my glory was I had such friends." W. B. Yeats

With gratitude for the countless friends, angels really, that have offered their love to light the way, Mum

Pictures of the Day - 7/17/2012

Awesome friends Nick and Matt encouraging and supporting
Forrest as he prepares to stand and walk using his StarGait

A new and very important part of Forrest's day is maintaining
and following a visual daily schedule.  Forrest and Tami work on
checking off the first item on the list of his schedule today.

First Steps at Brightwood

Today with his characteristic courage and determination, Forrest took his first two steps at BrightWood since walking out of the house on the morning of January 14, 2011.  This miracle could not have taken place without Steve and Caitlin's custom welding on Forrest's "Star-Gait", Charlie's harness fabrication from Maine Anti-Gravity Systems, fantastic physical therapists Del and Erik, Aunt Tricia's MacGyver-style rigging, Sarah's pre-step pep talk, Nurse Gayle's careful monitoring, Nurse (and videographer) Johnnie's cheering, Tami's encouragement AND the love, support and faith of his family, friends and community!

With hope and joy overflowing,

 - Mum

Picture of the Day - 7/13/2012

The Plains Volunteer Fire Company crew members meet Forrest today during a fire safety inspection organized by retired Fire Cap'n Aunt Tricia! Many thanks to David, Fred and Tricia for helping to make Brightwood safer for Forrest!

Home!

Due to lack of internet at Brightwood, the update from Forrest's time at NRH will have to wait a few days to be posted.  In the meantime...enjoy the following pictures from today. 

There is no place like home!  Nick welcomes Forrest back to the ManCave.

In route from NRH to Brightwood today. Nurses Chad & Gayle keep Forrest safe & comfortable with Mum behind the wheel.