Day 127 – Grayson’s Journey

When Austin was playing football in high school, he had a team t-shirt that read "On this team we fight for that inch".

When I called Grayson this evening there were several inches that made my heart sing.

First I asked what he was doing. His usual answer is "not much". Tonight, however, his answer was, "the TV is on". I asked if he remembered going to the doctor with us this morning and he not only remembered but he told me it was a cardiologist. He also remembered that there were tacos made for dinner. (In actuality he had fish but his roommates did have tacos.)

To someone else this may seem a mundane, insignificant conversation. I, however, am celebrating!!! These are all accessing short term memory - from an hour ago to 12 hours ago. Additionally, they were accessed with the distraction of the TV being on (no small feat for Grayson). This is, indeed, cause for celebration. As Brant has mentioned before, accessing the short term memory is a critical skill in the ability to build any kind of meaningful new learning. These pathways are being exercised in countless ways each day during his therapies at the clinic and at his residence. We also make sure to exercise them during our weekend visits and our daily phone calls. Thank God for caring, educated, devoted and patient therapists and staff.

His RA mentioned how cooperative he was this evening. Not only did he make his lunch but vacuumed his living room and bedroom with very little encouragement. She also stepped up the difficulty of his home therapy questions from yesterday. Yesterday's questions were of the "If this, then what?" type. For example, "If food is left in the oven too long, what happens?" His answers were usually one or two words ("Burned food"). Tonight he was given situations and asked what HE would do. For example, "If you ordered books on the phone and they delivered the wrong ones, what would you do?" He gave appropriate and thoughtful answers ("I'd call them and get the right ones"). This required more than just one word answers. Another sign of improvement in thought processing AND verbal response. Day by day, inch by inch progress continues to be made.

Please join us in thanking God for inches.

Grace and peace.

Regina