Its Friday morning...a big day in the Shepherd Center 3rd floor gym. The day is meaningful for many people..but especially for Dana. After spending 6.5 months in a hospital/rehab setting, graduation day is here. Dana graduated on Feb 29th from the Shepherd Center Day Program.
The last 7 months have been a journey. It is hard to believe the day is finally here. As we reflect back on the first week of uncertainity after the accident, the many, many surgeries and procedures that followed, the intense rehab...we can only say WOW! Dana you are an amazing person who has so much to offer. Inspiring can't even begin to describe! We look forward to August 12, 2008 a year later, when we can revel over the progress you continue to make. Congratulations on achieving such a tremendous goal!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to our family, friends, neighbors, supporters. We couldn't have done it without you! We will continue to post updates as Dana's therapy and progress continues in New York!
In the meantime, we plan to take a few days to get settled into our new routine. It will be great to see all of you, once we are settled!
For now...there is only one thing to say....WELCOME HOME DANA, WELCOME HOME!!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Day Program Weeks Six and Seven
Hi All...
This is an update of the last two very busy weeks. It was therapy as usual at the Shepherd Center. There were however a few high points to reflect back on.
The first one was during week six. A group of 3rd grade students from a local school came to the Shepherd Center for a tour. In addition to the tour they wanted to speak with a patient. I was the chosen patient to share my experience with the children. I spoke and then offered time for questions. As I am sure you can imagine...the questions held no boundaries!!!
I was also featured in an Atlanta Newspaper(Northside Neighbor). My story, experience overall, thoughts on the Shepherd Center and future hopes and dreams were mentioned. The story included several pictures of me,(one being on the front page). It is pretty bad...I have been in Atlanta so long, they featured me in the paper as one of their own!
Early in week seven, a procedure was done to the left arm in hopes of gaining further range. The minimaly invasive procedure paralyzed the nerves in the arm for a short time. Although further range was obtained, it was incredibly painful. It seemed as though something else was going on. Sure enough, an xray revealed that I have extra bone growing(HO)in between my elbow joint. This will be removed surgically at a later date.
On Wednesday of week seven, I pushed up the parking garage in a shorter time than previous. The strenght is increasing daily!
Thursday was perhaps the most challenging and rewarding day at the Shepherd Center. I started the day out bright and early on the LOKOMAT. The lokomat is a robotic device that simulates walking on a treadmill. I was harnessed in and started walking slowly with the robotic device. The speed was increased slowly, and I ended up walking a total of 3/4 of a mile, with the aid of this robotic device.
During the noon hour, I presented on the topic of pipelines and various new technologies in the industry. I enjoyed presenting to the group (there were about 10 people in the audience) and answering their questions. Of course I tried my best to answer the "why is gas nearly $4.00 a gallon" question. I believe the audience was enlightened with the answer.
The late afternoon was spent at The Lovett School in suburban Atlanta, where I met the track & field coach, spoke to the track team and helped with practice. I helped the coach organize and time intervals and even gave the sprinters a little Coach Gulden special on their last 200 meter speed interval (i.e. turned it into a 400m sprint unannounced) I enjoyed working with the coach and the kids and getting back onto the track again!
After a good Italian meal with family at the Brio Tuscan Grill, I was ready for bed! A good Thursday..."walking", presenting and coaching under sunny skies in Atlanta.
Friday was also special, but more on that later.
Good night to all. And thank you again for the unparalleled love and support.
Many Thanks,
Dana
This is an update of the last two very busy weeks. It was therapy as usual at the Shepherd Center. There were however a few high points to reflect back on.
The first one was during week six. A group of 3rd grade students from a local school came to the Shepherd Center for a tour. In addition to the tour they wanted to speak with a patient. I was the chosen patient to share my experience with the children. I spoke and then offered time for questions. As I am sure you can imagine...the questions held no boundaries!!!
I was also featured in an Atlanta Newspaper(Northside Neighbor). My story, experience overall, thoughts on the Shepherd Center and future hopes and dreams were mentioned. The story included several pictures of me,(one being on the front page). It is pretty bad...I have been in Atlanta so long, they featured me in the paper as one of their own!
Early in week seven, a procedure was done to the left arm in hopes of gaining further range. The minimaly invasive procedure paralyzed the nerves in the arm for a short time. Although further range was obtained, it was incredibly painful. It seemed as though something else was going on. Sure enough, an xray revealed that I have extra bone growing(HO)in between my elbow joint. This will be removed surgically at a later date.
On Wednesday of week seven, I pushed up the parking garage in a shorter time than previous. The strenght is increasing daily!
Thursday was perhaps the most challenging and rewarding day at the Shepherd Center. I started the day out bright and early on the LOKOMAT. The lokomat is a robotic device that simulates walking on a treadmill. I was harnessed in and started walking slowly with the robotic device. The speed was increased slowly, and I ended up walking a total of 3/4 of a mile, with the aid of this robotic device.
During the noon hour, I presented on the topic of pipelines and various new technologies in the industry. I enjoyed presenting to the group (there were about 10 people in the audience) and answering their questions. Of course I tried my best to answer the "why is gas nearly $4.00 a gallon" question. I believe the audience was enlightened with the answer.
The late afternoon was spent at The Lovett School in suburban Atlanta, where I met the track & field coach, spoke to the track team and helped with practice. I helped the coach organize and time intervals and even gave the sprinters a little Coach Gulden special on their last 200 meter speed interval (i.e. turned it into a 400m sprint unannounced) I enjoyed working with the coach and the kids and getting back onto the track again!
After a good Italian meal with family at the Brio Tuscan Grill, I was ready for bed! A good Thursday..."walking", presenting and coaching under sunny skies in Atlanta.
Friday was also special, but more on that later.
Good night to all. And thank you again for the unparalleled love and support.
Many Thanks,
Dana
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