Picture of the Day - 8/29/12

Forrest impresses Del and Mum with his "bring it on" attitude and determination during PT today.

Picture of the Day - 8/28/12

Thanks to Nick for taking the time to visit
Forrest (and Ron Burgundy) before
heading off to school!  

2nd Picture of the Day 8/24/12

Forrest Gives his intrepid Transport Team & Johns Hopkins a spirited thumbs up after completing his Cat Scan this afternoon. We are on our way back now winding through Baltimore rush hour traffic. More later. Mum

In Route to Johns Hopkins

Forrest and his transport team (family + Tami + nurse Gayle) have just departed for a consultation with a specialist at Johns Hopkins. His spirits are high and we will be back this afternoon.

-Austin
Brought to you by Team 44 Medical Transport Division
(Click on image to see full picture)

Video of the Day 8/22/12

This Friday we will be transporting Forrest in his van, by gurney, with a nurse and family members present, to Johns Hopkins for a hydrocephaleus consultation. We will post an in-depth update this weekend after a successful trip. 

A big shout out to Aunt Tricia for helping me hold down the home front while Mom and Dad were away for the first time together! Thanks so much and we miss you(especially Sundance)!

Below are a couple of videos taken today that are just a glimpse of the amazing progress he has been making the last few weeks, through hard work and his indomitable spirit!

All the best from Brightwood,

Austin

PS: A big thank you in advance to Mom, Dad, and Tami for allowing me to head to San Diego for a couple weeks. 

With lots of hard work and practice over the last 3 months, today, for the first time, Forrest was able to advance his right foot 10 steps on his own

Many wonderful visits from his friends this summer while they were home from school have had a huge impact on his demenor and his progress. Forrest would like to say thank you in sign language to all his friends and supporters.

Picture of the Day (part 2) - 8/15/2012

Enjoying fun time with Sundance and Jackie after a morning of hard work!

Picture of the Day 8/15/12

Jackie shares the healing power of play with Forrest. Lining up the Lego pieces is hard work made lighter with a child's joyful encouragement.

Update: August 9, 2012

Today's blog is written by Giovanni and Shayna, two of Forrest's good friends from Mercersburg:

Hey Forrest,

           

You have come so far since the last time I saw you. Your quick responses and witty humor let us all know it won’t be long before you are running around and back to your energetic self. Tuesday was incredible, friends from Hill, Mercersburg and Highland gathered to give you a little celebration for all your hard work. If anyone deserves some appreciation and relaxation it is you.  Everyone gathered together for some burgers, stories, and to show you that we care. So many people are still supporting you and thinking about you everyday.

You were even a champ through the August heat, finding peace on the back patio while enjoying everyone’s company. As usual you spent most of the night entertaining and showing off your new improvements which included giving everyone fist bumps, high fives, hugs and peace signs. Everyone who was near you couldn’t stop smiling due to your high spirits and new accomplishments.

Coming home has been a great leap forward for you, getting back to a familiar place has really helped you to improve exponentially. However, nothing can compare to the therapy of having your friends around you just like the good old days. The memories and feelings that you have will last a lifetime and can help far more than any medication. You have people who love you Forrest, your Mum, Dad, Austin, Family members, friends, and of course Sundance. You are so close, Forrest! Keep pushing each and everyday and soon enough it is going to pay off. Even at the hardest stages in your life you continue teaching people valuable lessons, like never giving up or taking a day off. We are all so lucky to know you and even luckier to call you our friends.

Your friends,

Giovanni & Shayna 

Forrest is the center of attention yet again

Forrest gathers with a great group of friends

Update: August 6, 2012

Forrest, its your Mum. You are working so hard each day and making steady progress for the first time since last October. You are healing at long last. We know there are incomprehensible obstacles still ahead in your journey, but you are strong. You have proven your courage and resiliency beyond measure.  And your cadre of supporters, led with determination and grace by Austin will lift you up when you falter or grow weary.  

There are exhilarating and heartwarming moments every day now. Your amazing Aunt Tricia reassures me that working with you on a daily basis may be really hard, but it's great because she knows what she's doing really "MATTERS."  That clear sense of what really matters in life is a gift you have bestowed on everyone who has been touched by your journey. We continue to be blessed by friends, family and a community that offer support on a daily basis. Just this week Dr Gallegos graciously came to BrightWood to check out your teeth and advise us on oral care.  Drs Falkenstein and Lee have helped us through innumerable medical challenges and your core friends rally around you every chance they get. It's exciting now for them to see the huge gains you are making.  They have been by your side offering hope and faith when you couldn't respond. Now you can repay their devotion with a smile, a fist bump or a quick response. You soak in their energy and optimism and return it back ten fold. 

 The power of friendship and family, of that human connection we all rely on, I believe, is the real secret behind your ability to keep fighting day after day, to never give up.  No matter how hard the challenge is, you offer your crooked smile and a thumbs up, your way of clearly saying "Bring it On"!

With love and gratitude for all our Angels,

Mum

Forrest shaking Dr. Gallegos's hand

Aunt Tricia(dog trainer extraordinaire), on left, facilitates Forrest dropping the ball for Sundance to retrieve

Whitney & her Mom visit

Nap time