Back to School 8/19/13

It's been an incredible summer, Forrest. One filled with good friends, long sunny days, and many hard won battles. This weekend you celebrated In great style at Jim and Shannon's sendoff back to school pool party for you and your friends. It's hard for you and your family to say goodbye to your awesome friends as they head back to colleges across the country. It's been fantastic having many of them here this summer. Creating fun games in the gym or outside, while getting the hard work of physical therapy done, sharing their laughter and optimism with all of us, and celebrating each of your milestones.
We're counting on FaceTime, phone calls, and messages until they are home from school again.

And today you also started back to school at Kettle Run High School, to complete the two remaining credits you need to graduate from high school . After two years and seven months of grueling work, you are strong enough, you are ready. Your enthusiasm was palpable this morning. What others might take for granted; the opportunity to attend school, to grow, to learn, to make new friends, is an extraordinary victory for you...opening new doors and a whole world of possibilities.

It will be hard, Forrest. You still struggle daily with your short-term memory, tire easily, and get understandably frustrated when the simplest things seem so impossibly difficult. But you always find your sense of humor, crack a joke, and manage to have us all laughing before we even realize what has happened.

We are eternally grateful for your unsinkable spirit and for the family, friends, teachers, mentors, nurses, aides, therapists, doctors, prayer warriors, and pets, who have all helped make this miraculous day possible. Now the real work begins… Homework!

With Love, Faith & Joy,

Mum

There's nothing better than chill'n in the pool with great friends!

Celebrating my last night of summer with Liza, Shayna, and Giovanni!

Forrest Rides Outside 8/14/13

Forrest had his fourth lesson at Sprout today, working on endurance, strength, balance, coordination & memory, with his favorite equine therapist, "David". After all that work, he and "David" celebrated their progress with some time out in the fresh air! And Forrest made a new friend, Ben, pictured here riding with Forrest. Forrest said tonight, "it was lots of fun and encouraging to be outside on horseback again. "

Forrest will be riding in a demonstration at Sprout's open house this Friday evening! This is an incredible therapeutic riding center with great horses, riding instructors, physical therapists and amazing volunteers. Check it out at www.sproutcenter.org.

With gratitude for all of the talented and caring folks at Sprout,

Team 44

Kicking it into High Gear 8/12/13

Forrest, you have been working so hard getting strong and ready to start school next week.  We traveled last week to Richmond and spent three days of intensive work at Sheltering Arms outpatient clinic (pictures and a video link below!). Your therapists were excited to see you and were thrilled by your progress since your last visit. In some of the evaluations your scores revealed 400% improvement over your results from February!  The results this time give us specific areas to focus on to continue improving your balance, coordination, speech and memory.

We also saw your surgeon, Dr. Ramenini, in DC again and he is pleased with the way your wound is healing. We celebrated by walking across the street and into National Rehab Hospital where you had spent more than six months in rehab and left on a gurney. This time you walked into the ward and were met with cheers and warm embraces.  Your physical therapist, Erik, told you that you are proof that persistence pays off!

As well as things are going now, you still struggle almost every day with the emotional frustrations of your physical and cognitive challenges. Sometimes you just need your space.  We try to give you as much as we can and still keep you safe. We've found the best remedy is to count today's blessings, focus on the limitless possibilities in your future, and then get busy to make them your new reality. As you say, "tough it up"!  I don't know anybody tougher...

With love and gratitude to your many therapists, nurses, doctors, teachers, prayer warriors, and above all else, your brother & friends who have stood by you and helped you Keep the Faith.

- Mum

The video and photo captions below were written by Forrest. 

Me with Mr. Woodruff. We played lacrosse together this last weekend.

I went peach picking with Shayna Rice a few days ago

Me with my speech therapist Preston at Sheltering Arms

It was great to visit with physical therapist Erik from NRH last week

Guy time with Sundance, Matt, Nick, Gio and Ben

Here is a link to me running at sheltering arms lastweek.  http://youtu.be/kh--4-pqL7E

Beach Week Rocks!

Oh Forrest, we have surely learned that life brings us both incredible highs and unavoidable lows, but throughout we have been truly blessed. Last week was a High, one of the best weeks so far.  We reached one of our major goals of getting you back to the ocean you and your brother have loved since you were both small.  The only thing missing was Austin!

As is your style, we traveled to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with an entourage. With the exception of hospitals in Georgia, this is the furthest you have ventured since your injury. The incredible Medical Team nurses, Michelle and Dawn, came along to ensure your safety, Tami was Chief of logistics, and our good friends the Selfes added all the adventure and spice imaginable!
It was an incredible magical time filled with beaches, waves, sunshine, good friends, camaraderie, and challenging PT with Sundance!  (check out the YouTube link and Photos and captions written by Forrest below)

This week we are back at Brightwood and dealing with another breakdown of the fragile tissue surrounding your scalp incision. Yesterday we traveled into DC to see your surgeon. He examined the area, treated it topically, and applied a bandage.  So once again you are sporting another version of your many turbans.  And we are facing another series of surgeries to replace the devitalized areas that have been traumatized by so many prior surgeries with healthy scalp. You impressed Dr. Ramineni with your progress and strength and joked with him about your noggin!  Together, Team 44 will clamor over this small bump in the road...already we are plotting new adventures to come!

With joy and gratitude for Forrest's magical beach week with the Selfes,

Mum & Pops

Me, Sundance and my mom and dad at the beach.

Having fun playing putt putt golf with my parents, Tami, and the Selfes 

With one of my nurses, Michelle.

Me reading Calvin and Hobbes at the beach with Tori.

Sitting with Tori on the deck of the Beach house.

The whole group of us (minus Tami and nurses) on the beach for a picture.

Playing corn hole with Tori, Tyler, and my Mom.  Mom and I won. 

Dr. Ramineni looking at a spot on my head.

Nurse Gayle and I playing with Silly putty while waiting at the Doctors office.

- Click on this link to see me playing with Sundance at the beach: 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyh9tU5hsyM

Summer update from Forrest! 7/20/13

Hello everyone, this is Forrest Allen. Here is an update of what I have been doing recently.

This fall I will be attending Kettle Run High school to take a US history class. This past week I visited the High school to meet with the people who work there and see my classroom. It was great to meet the new people at the High school and I am looking forward to taking the class soon. The Principal Mr Warner is cool. My PT Cara, OT Brian and I took a map to figure out how to move around the school.

I have been swimming with Del my physical therapist with his help I am gaining strength to do 3 different strokes and snorkeling. Thank you to all of my friends who are letting me swim in their pool. I am happy to be back in the water and swimming again.

Recently I have been learning and practicing playing the ukulele for fun and to work on being able to play it well. Its great to practice it because I have gotten better at playing it the more I have tried to play it. It is fabulous to be able to play during my free time from school and sports. Here is a YouTube clip of me playing ukulele with my friend Ben.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hnabcP-cBA


I used to have trouble with my left hand and it was tough to have happen and a bummer not to be able to use my left hand. I worked hard to get my movement back. Now it feels good to have the use of my left hand back. I like to play with Gio and Ben

​Thank you all for your help and support in the past. It means a lot. Hope you’re all doing well.

Thanks from Forrest Allen

Dog Days of Summer 7/11/13

Your work continues Forrest, through the heat of the summer. And as your endurance increases and you get stronger, you're able to take joy in playful activities that have been absent from your life for so long.

Your extended school year includes Studying US history in preparation for returning to KettleRun High school in the fall. And you work so hard each day on your memory and brain games, with Tami encouraging and coaching you.

Between your lessons we look for opportunities to continue expanding your world with motivating and fun activities. Last weekend old and new friends gathered to pass the lacrosse ball around with you and to enjoy your Pops grilling! With visiting cousin Cailin, you shared in some wonderful horse time grooming Thunder Jam.

And finally you got back in the water at our neighbor Catherine's pool! We laughed when we realized your entourage for the first swim included Dr. Lee, two Physical therapists, your RN, medical student Megan, and two parental veterinarians! It was a magical afternoon filled with aquatic therapy of the best kind, laughter, sunshine, warm water, and good friends!

We give thanks every day for your growing strength and joyful spirit, loyal family and friends, amazing Medical Team which allows us to stretch your boundaries safely, physical therapists Del and Valerie who took you for your first swim, generous neighbors, and talented teachers.

Wishing all of your faithful followers a safe and healthy summer,

Mum

 

YouTube link of Forrest swimming:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwDxtky2M9U&feature=youtu.be

The Impossible Dream 7/1/13

From the moment of your injury in January 2011 we knew life would never be the same again. Through the darkest times we dreamed and prayed together that somehow one day you would live a productive, joyful, and independent life. Through sheer hard work on your part and the love, support, and faith of so many, our prayers are being answered and our dream for you is coming true.

Months ago your music therapist, Tom Sweitzer, told you he wanted you to be in their production of "The Little Mermaid". Even I wondered exactly how this could happen. You had barely begun to speak. Just two weeks ago, I watched in awe on the first day as A Place to Be music therapy camp began. A troop of 72 people, made up of children and young adults with a variety of special needs, their volunteer mentors, and therapists came together with a focus and determination I have rarely witnessed. And right in the middle of this troop you sat, with your shadow and mentor Ben, and an enormous grin on your face. Ben, Tami, Shayna and your nurse in the wings were all there to make sure you were safe. In my mother's heart I knew it was time to step away and let you tackle this challenge. And did you ever. This weekend along with all of the amazing talented and determined actors you put on three performances of your life. The last performance was a special fundraising benefit for A Place to Be. In the preshow, several of the students came onto the stage to share their inspiring stories. Then Tom introduced your story and showed a video collage of the last six months of your struggles to regain your voice. As I watched the images on the large screen, I found it hard to relive those terribly difficult months. And then the most miraculous thing happened, you walked onto that stage and joined Tom to sing for everyone "The Impossible Dream". I think I held my breath the entire time. Your voice was clear and strong. Your father's hand was on my shoulder and the only thing missing was your brother, Austin. I so wish he could've been there to share the magic of that moment with you.

You have a long road ahead Darlin, and life will never again be "the same". But you are already living a productive and joyful life. And with your spirit and hard work, along with the love, support, and encouragement of faithful friends, you will one day regain your independence too. The difficult places you have been are unimaginable, but you are on your way now to re-creating a wonderful life.

With love and gratitude overflowing for Tom and his amazing team at A Place to Be, Mum

Here is the link to Forrest and Tom Singing "The Impossible Dream" :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHuFUNbgIEs