A New Chapter Begins!

July 20th starts a new school year for me and a new chapter in our lives. Caitlin has a new schedule with a Personal Care Assistant every morning from 8:15-12:15 and therapies M, W, F afternoons from 1-4. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons will be a variety of events for Caitlin but I am returning to school working full time. I think we can do this and deal with the snags as they occur without too much stress! I am the eternal optimist on this note! We are very, very fortunate that Kim, a CNA who took care of Caitlin in the hospital, will be able to be her Personal Care Assistant for part of the week. A comfort for us and fun for Caitlin to have Kim to laugh and joke with as they go through her morning routine a few days of the week.
Caitlin has gotten to take the brace off her left leg and is quite proud of this. Worthy of a celebration and a clean, silky shaven leg! Caitlin continues to gain muscle strength and last night's visit from Karen and Lisa, co-workers from Sierra Eye, was a testament to the visibility of this strength. They hadn't seen her in about a month and they were obviously impressed with Caitlin's ability to get up from the wheelchair and just stand by herself. She has a Statue of Liberty pose to keep her balance and does look rather statuesque. This week Caitlin is going to get an adapted bicycle that she will be able to ride outdoors. She rides a recumbant bicycle in therapy with minimal assistance so she should be able to ride this other bicycle too! Her persistent mother read about it in the newspaper, just happen to have a connection with Susan Richards, a physical therapist affiliated with the bicycles, and made the phone call. Lo and behold, Susan was a miracle worker and made her connections to get Caitlin a bike to try. I am so appreciative and excited to think Caitlin can motor around on a bicycle. I am hopeful we can put it on the wheelchair lift and take it to various places to ride. Wouldn't that just be so neat to have new adventures! Check the bikes out on ambucs.org so you have an idea.
Life continues to have many blessings as well as many struggles but Caitlin keeps smiling with a lot of determination and persistence. Her "particularness" in how things are done has always driven me crazy and it continues to do so. When I told her she was making a "mountain out of a molehill" her response was "When you can only do the molehill stuff you better believe it is important!" That said and done, I continue to be as patient as possible but when I get that mother look of glared eyes, finger shaking, and total frustration on her face I know it is time to take a very, very deep breath and be thankful we can start all over again!