Dear family and friends
Today was a big day!
Road trip!
After 10 weeks in the hospital, Grayson has been discharged. With much fanfare, and a big farewell from the staff at the hospital, Grayson was wheeled out the door. He was wearing a t-shirt that all the staff had signed, and he promised to come back and visit them. It is hard to believe that he had been at this facility almost 5 weeks!
Today we moved him to his new place – a residential post acute rehab facility. We had a lovely drive over the Grapevine through the snow. Grayson didn't sleep a wink and enjoyed looking at the surrounding countryside. If you know Grayson, on a long drive (greater than 10 minutes) he always fell asleep, so this was unusual.
The facility consists of a residential campus, and a clinic located at a separate site. Last evening we got him settled into his new residence – an apartment that he shares with 2 other young men – and several staff members that watch over them.
The focus at the residential campus is activities of daily living, or ADL as they call it here. The residents are encouraged to do as much for themselves as they are able, including getting ready in the morning, preparing meals, doing dishes, shopping for food, homework, laundry, etc. The staff will do as much, or as little as needed to help them accomplish their tasks. Grayson helped prepare his dinner, helped unpack his belongings, and got himself ready for bed. When we left last night, he was curled up in his bed ready to go to sleep. It had been a big day.
Tomorrow we will go to the clinic to complete the check-in process, and see him at work there. The facility consists of a therapeutic pool, a physical therapy area, an occupational therapy area, a speech therapy area, a nursing area, and a counseling area. I'll share more about it in tomorrow's blog.
Tonight is a bit scary for Mom and Dad, as we are leaving him in the care of new people once again. This time, we have to trust the staff to make sure that they keep him safe. I'm sure that they will, as he is hardly their first patient, but that doesn't reduce our anxiety. Once again, we place Grayson in God's hands for more healing and growth.
Pax!
Brant
Off to school once again! Probably harder for Mom and Dad than it ever has been or will be for Grayson. Placing him in God's hands is the only good strategy there is.... and you are employing that strategy. We're rejoicing over every new step.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Robin G.
Know driving away was one of the hardest things a parents has to do. We hold you in our prayers and hearts. For Grayson, it will be an adventure and yet we don't want him to feel alone. So may we send him funny cards? Like at camp, he will want to get something at mail call. So let us know what is appropriate. Loving you, Mary and Steve
ReplyDeleteWill Grayson have access to a computer and email at some point so we can send him our love and suppport directly?
ReplyDeleteHi Brant and Regina:
ReplyDeleteI've been in Honduras for the past week and haven't been able to log into "Brant's Blog".
So, today I got to read through what has been going on with Grayson over the past week, and I am just so happy for the terrific progress!
And, now in a new location. Wow! I look forward to hear of his continued progress, and I will be praying often for him, and for your whole family.
I enjoyed all of the pictures.
In Him,
Doug
It sounds like an entirely pleasant place. Grayson's resourcefulness is going to make quick work--well, as quick work as can be made--of the rehabilitation process. Much of the neurological battle is won simply by the system retraining itself, and when you get someone who is as dangerously inventive as Grayson "behind the wheel," it's a story that can only end happily.
ReplyDelete