Day 60 – Grayson’s Condition

Dear family and friends,

Grayson's sleep pattern continues to improve and he managed another day of relative clarity. (Even though we couldn't wake him up this morning for speech therapy.)This new calm allows him to be more responsive to trying new things.

Today he started his day with a real shower – not a simple, hospital-type sponge bath but a real, stand and let the water rush over you kind of shower. Ahhhhh.

He battled his therapist in Wii bowling for several frames today and beat her!

His gait has improved so much that we rarely have to support him (unless he's tired). It seems now that he likes strolling around much more than riding in the wheel chair.

Communicating is still a major challenge. He's trying hard but speaks barely at a whisper. We sat together this evening and practiced increasing his volume. At one point I had him join me in do-ra-mi… an attempt to have him modulate his pitch. He joined right in with the words but the pitch remained the same. The real success was that he tried. It's easy to pile on praise when someone tries so hard, isn't it?

We got permission to use one of the computer terminals today. Grayson sat down and started typing away and moving the mouse. The underdeveloped fine motor skills inhibited much success and he quickly gave up but he sure enjoyed this first try. I promised to bring in his laptop so he could explore a more familiar format. These last few days his gross motor skills have steadily improved so that he's not just batting at things anymore even though his hands still shake.

Since the beginning of this journey Grayson has been surrounded by many of God's angels here on earth. Not just really good medical care but people who care about him personally. Grayson has become a real favorite of the nursing and sitter staff. His ready smile and unexpected progress have them all oohing and ahhing each time he passes by the various nursing stations on his walks. They literally stop whatever they're doing and cheer him on.

Several of the repeat "sitters" have become quite fond of him. Yesterday afternoon I came in his room and found him asleep wearing someone's watch. His sitter let him borrow it. Another bought him a bottle of "real" shampoo so that he wouldn't have to use hospital soap. They spend so much time with him, that he has developed real bonds with them. He hugs them, pats them on the head, and shakes hands when they leave after a 12 hour shift. They marvel at his improvements and call it a miracle. Even the housekeeping staff comes in and checks on his progress. Some call him "my boy". What impresses me the most is how many of them pray for him. What an army of love surrounds him.

It is a community of saints that is not afraid to let their light shine. What great examples to all of us.

Grace and peace to you this night. Good night, my friends.

Regina