Bermuda! - Update 6/10/2014

For three years we have dreamed of getting Forrest back in the water with dolphins.   This week, that dream will become reality.  To celebrate his graduation and other accomplishments, Forrest and team have journeyed to Bermuda to enjoy a week of sun, sand and dolphin time!  Yesterday we went to the most gorgeous beaches. Tom, Austin and Forrest enjoyed some frisbee and Toliver, the only dog allowed in the nature preserve or on the beach, splashed and ran with Austin in the waves.   Forrest walked further than he has since his accident! At one point he and Toliver headed off alone to the opposite end of the beach where it ended in a staggeringly beautiful cliff.  So many months we dreamed of this day.  As we watched, suddenly at the same time we all thought, knowing Forrest, OH NO, Is he going to try to climb the  cliff ??? But as he neared the end of the beach, he slowly reached out his hand touched the cliff wall and turned back with Toliver at his side, and slowly but steadily started making his way back to us.  

Thank you all for helping make this week possible and for your belief and support in Forrest.

Graduation!!! 6/6/14

Yesterday at 6:00 pm Forrest and 263 other young men and women graduated from Kettle Run High School.  This was such an amazing milestone filled with overwhelming joy.  

Forrest and his faithful companion Toliver lead the graduates onto the track. We had a section in the stands filled with Team 44 members. We even came equipped with 2 banners, which Forrest noticed instantly and shared a smile! Forrest and Toliver were second in line to make their way across the stage, the stadium cheered in excitement.  As Forrest accepted his diploma from Principal Major Warner he recalls thinking “ I can’t believe this is happening!”  

Following the Graduation Team 44 members stormed the field to find Forrest & Toliver. Forrest’s mom was first to congratulate Forrest on his accomplishment. His proud mum shared with joy, “Forrest no more classes! You’re done with school!” Forrest shook his head no & said,  “Mom I still have college!”  Forrest you truly are a champion! We are so proud of your accomplishments! Onward & Upward!

Shayna

Graduation tonight!!!

The Kettle Run High School graduation ceremony will be outside tonight, so Forrest is able to have an unlimited number of family, friends and supporters in the stands.  Please join us if you can!  6pm, Kettle Run football stadium, Nokesville, VA.

6/4/14 Graduation is this Friday, June 6th! And "44" Rocked!

Forrest will graduate from Kettle Run High School this Friday 6/6 at 6:00 pm. The weather forecast is promising and the Ceremony is likely to be held in the Kettle Run football stadium.  IF it is held in the stadium, there will be plenty of room for all of Forrest's fans! Forrest, with Toliver at his side, will be first or second in the procession. The whole ceremony is expected to only take a little more than an hour.  We will confirm that it will be in the stadium tomorrow so please check back.  If it is moved inside there is only room for family :-(

When Forrest began at Kettle Run in 2012 he could not speak, stand up or walk unassisted.  He could only indicate yes or no  with one finger or two.  He could not yet type to communicate. But Kettle Run embraced his journey  and he embraced the goal to graduate from high school.  He could not have accomplished this without the faith and support of his friends and fans.  We hope that you will join us in the celebration, in person at Kettle Run High School or in spirit! Presents aren't necessary.  Your love and support are the gifts he treasures. 

Kettle Run High School

7403 Academic Ave

Nokesvilke, Va 

The first workshop reading of Forrest's musical "44" was a huge success last Sunday.   It is still so hard for Forrest to enunciate clearly and to  project his  voice. But with the encouragement and camaraderie of his cast members and Tom's coaching, he rose to the challenge and sang with gusto and joy.  The song Forrest wrote for his amazing brother, Austin (performed by Nathan) brought tears of gratitude; tears  for their special bond, Austin's unwavering devotion, and Forrest's hard won battles. 

We are overwhelmed by the talent, generosity, and compassion of Tom and his team at A Place To Be.  We hope that we can help give back by making the Kickstarter campaign for High Notes a huge success and sharing their amazing work with the world.   Here are some images from "44" : 

You are Invited!!! 5/25/14

“Just like Superman, you are made of steel!  No doubt about it, that’s the way we feel!"

- From the musical “44”

We would like to invite you to a very special event!  With help from his music therapist Tom Sweitzer, Forrest has written a musical telling his story.  “44” makes its debut this Sunday, June 1^st at 2:00 at The Hill School in Middleburg.  Forrest and a group of talented performers from A Place To Be will perform a staged reading of the show which includes six original songs written by Forrest and Tom.   If you are in the area, you do not want to miss this 25 minute amazing show!  There will also be a sneak preview of the Documentary Film "High Notes" trailer featuring Forrest's journey and others touched through the power of Music Therapy at A Place To Be.

Also among the exciting upcoming events is….Forrest's GRADUATION!  Forrest would like to invite all of you, his faithful supporters to attend the Kettle Run High School graduation ceremony on Friday, June 6^th at 6:00 - 7:00pm at Kettle Run in Nokesville, VA.  And Toliver has permission to walk with Forrest to receive his diploma! The ceremony is scheduled to be outside, in the football stadium, weather permitting.   If rain is in the forecast, the ceremony will likely be moved indoors and unfortunately, there will only be space for family members.  We might not know until the morning of the 6th, but we will update the blog as soon as we know if it is outside or not and if so, we would love to have a big Team Forrest cheering section to help celebrate this monumental occasion!  Pray for sun!

Forrest Receives Principal's Award 5/18/14

Today Forrest was honored by Kettle Run High School Principal, Major Warner, with the First Ever Principal's Award for Courage, Character, and Citizenship.  Forrest has been blessed throughout his life with wonderful, inspiring, and dedicated teachers. Each of Forrest's teachers have challenged him to be his best, shaping his character as he grew.  The courage he has mustered day after day as he battles to regain his strength, his independence and his life leaves us in awe. As he regains his life, he is drawn to share his story with others, and hopefully through the act of sharing his journey, he will bring hope, encouraging those struggling to overcome their own obstacles to never give up.  Today Major Warner told those gathered for the Senior Awards Program, "For Forrest, quitting was never an option.  There is much for us to learn from his tenacity and resiliency, his character and commitment to being the best person he can be." When Forrest, accompanied by his faithful friend Toliver, went up on stage to accept his gold medal proclaiming him to be the Champion we all know and love, he received a rousing round of applause and a standing ovation! Forrest was completely unaware that he was getting this award, and his surprise and evident joy added to the magic of the moment.  Here is the YouTube link of Major Warner presenting this special and final award of the ceremony to Forrest:  http://youtu.be/SczdOWVHOOY

Grateful for this blessed day,

Mum & Pops

Forrest, Toliver and KRHS Principal Major Warner

Showing off his medal!

Kettle Run and Gold Cup 5/8/14

Last week was a great week! Mom and I took Forrest to Kettle Run High School to talk about logistics for his upcoming graduation. While there Forrest also took part in an English class with some great students, said hi to past teachers and classmates, and participated in Senior's mock-interview day.

I sat in the back of the room as Forrest did his mock interview with a principal from a nearby middleschool. Forrest rocked it. He had great composure, articulated himself well, and enthusiastically talked about his goals of going to college and becoming a veterinarian. He answered some tough questions, and by the end of the 15 minute interview he was asked "how do you interview so well?" Forrest replied, "I think of the interviewer as already being a great friend." The interviewer said he'd have to pass along that great advice to his kids!

After all that work, we were ready for the best day of the year.. Gold Cup. The rain cleared and it was a glorious day with our 50,000 closest friends!

Love from Austin, Forrest, Mom and Dad

Soaking in the sun at the Gold Cup races!

The most popular people at Gold Cup!

Forrest, Nick, and Toliver making the rounds