Day 319 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

We are nearing the end of our second week with Grayson home with us. Regina continues to keep Grayson busy and traveling around town with her as she is ticking things off of her to-do list and continuing his routine of daily chores at home.

After two nights of difficulty with Grayson going to sleep, we let him say up and watch the Science Channel tonight until 10:00 and we put an audio book on instead of music. We'll see how this experiment works on both ends of the night!

Pax!

Brant

Day 318 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

We continue to adjust to our new life with Grayson. Adjustment is difficult but we are making some progress. We are starting to establish some routines and some common "language" on dealing with Grayson. Using the same words to describe expected outcomes is very important so as not to confuse him. We have also learned some tricks – how to successfully keep him from struggling when taking his blood pressure and how to get him to swallow all of the meds he now is taking. We continue to grow and learn skills that we never thought we would need.

I reported last night that Grayson was uncharacteristically unable to go to sleep and kept walking out of his room. That continued until well after the blog posted and I wound up dozing on the couch in there until around 4:00 AM when I woke up and was sure he was asleep. Tonight he also kept walking out of his room every 10 minutes or so. Regina recognized that it was important not to "reward" the behavior with attention so she stood in the hallway. Each time Grayson got up and walked to his door she asked him where he was supposed to be. His answer was always, "in bed". She quietly and firmly directed him back to bed without the usual affection of tucking him in. After several times he finally got back in bed and stayed there – just before midnight. Her patience and persistence paid off!

Adjustment continues…

Pax!

Brant

Day 317 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

The heat wave broke and we were greeted with uncharacteristic humidity. At least it wasn't 113° - only 100°!

Grayson and Regina spent a lot of time with Lauren today. Grayson was alert and listening intently to Lauren as she talked with Regina all afternoon. They ran errands then I joined them for dinner. We had a lovely meal and then I took Grayson home and Regina and Lauren had some fun and relaxing time together getting a pedicure.

Grayson and I did chores when we arrived home – it is trash and recycling night here. Grayson and I went through the house collecting and delivering the refuse into the containers – great exercise as we went up and down the stairs a bunch! We did so much stuff that we didn't have time for TV, except as a distraction so I could take his blood pressure.

Grayson was unusually active and alert this evening. He was quicker to walk, more adept on the stairs and far more alert than he has been since he has been home. The downside is that here it is 11:50 and he is still getting out of bed – most unusual as he normally goes down around 8ish and does not get up. I fully expect him to be the morning zombie again in a few hours!

Pax!

Brant

Day 316 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was a good day – if you like it hot! Los Angeles set an all time record of 113° - the highest temperature ever recorded here since they started keeping records in 1877. I stayed inside – Regina and Grayson ran about a hundred errands – fortunately most were inside air conditioned stores. There were those hikes to the car, however…

Xixi came by this evening to escape the heat, and we had a fabulous visit. She joined us for dinner before going down to pick up Austin after practice. (Yes he is still playing rugby while in grad school!)

Grayson was well tempered and content traveling, shopping and visiting today. All in all, Grayson spent over 2 hours walking (not strolling!) Regina keeps him on his toes by making him talk and keeping him "in the game". A good day for Grayson!

Pax!

Brant

Day 315 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

We had a great family day today. We started with church and it is so great to see everyone regularly again! After church we came home to have a quick lunch and then we went over to Rita and Richard's house (Regina's sister and brother-in-law) for an afternoon in the pool to escape the 100° plus temperature. (And we thought Bakersfield was hot!)

It was a perfect afternoon – conversation, swimming, sun, snacks and dinner. An unexpected surprise, Austin and Xixi came by for a while on their way home from a rugby match in Las Vegas. (USC won!)

The day was wonderful and relaxing. It was exactly what the doctor ordered for my weekend!

Pax!

Brant

Day 314 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was a nice day. Regina made us all blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Following this yummy breakfast we headed out to Lowes to buy additional items for the house based on what we have learned so far. (I suspect that additional purchases will be required!) We then had lunch before making a Costco run. Finally we headed home to catch the final quarter of the USC-Washington State game. Fight On! It's too bad that my parents' alma mater (Oregon State) didn't have as much success on a blue playing field.

We have reached the end of our first week with Grayson living at home. 30 hours of the week were spent in the hospital but the entire week he was in our care. The new reality is starting to sink in. After a career of working and saving for retirement we expected to experience our love of travel, and restart a social life that went mostly on hold while we launched our kids into the world. It would appear that God has other plans for us!

Pax!

Brant

Day 313 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

I'm not quite sure how they accomplished it at CNS but it is amazingly difficult to get Grayson going in the morning. Not like a sleepy and uncooperative teenager but like someone who has been on anesthesia. He is slow to rise, and he finds it close to impossible to do anything even though he wants to – like sit down or stand up. You can slowly get him to do something but it takes many cues and hands on prompting. It is actually a bit scary, but it is like this every morning. By mid-day his energy and alertness improve significantly.

The safety issues Grayson presents are becoming clearer. We have rapidly concluded that more grab bars are required in areas of the home for safety – especially in the morning when he is so unsteady.

Grayson and Regina ran several errands around mid day – it's a good thing given what I described above! They were gone about three hours and made several stops. Regina turns everything possible into an exercise for Grayson – mental, physical or verbal. Late this afternoon, Grayson joined me to return the rental car and pick my car up from the repair shop. This hour that we were gone was the only break that Regina got all day from her RA duties. It has been an exceedingly tough week on her. What a woman!

Pax!

Brant

Day 312 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was the first "normal" day that we've had with Grayson since discharge. I use the "we" term rather liberally – Regina spent the day with Grayson – I was at work.

Grayson accompanied Regina to the grocery store, drug store and home store. He got a haircut, they went to the post office, went to lunch made dinner and went for a 45 minute walk after dinner. After the walk he watched the Science Channel before taking his meds and getting ready for bed.

Regina shared that having Grayson in his current state home is about the same level of work as having three little ones running around again – only harder. We're not in our 30's any longer either! The amount of laundry is unbelievable. Every waking moment requires vigilance. It would be so much easier and faster to do everything for Grayson, but that would be irresponsible. For his own quality of life he needs to be able to at least attempt the activities of daily living (ADLs). So we have him wash his sheets and make his bed and mop up spills and do his laundry and take out trash and vacuum – just like he has done for the past 8 months at CNS. We just need to be with him the whole time and sometimes his efforts require a lot of help.

We continue to adjust to a new reality. Blessings sometimes take on unusual forms.

Pax!

Brant

Day 311 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Everyone is back home tonight. Given Grayson's fundamental condition, when he goes to the hospital, he needs to bring along a caregiver. Regina was that caregiver for the 30 hours they were in the hospital. He was discharged at 3:30 this afternoon and the two of them came home. The source of the bleeding was determined to be treatable, and we will monitor to see if it reoccurs.

Austin and Xixi came by this evening before I arrived home from work. According to Regina, it was so wonderful to have adult children talk about how they want to come by and help with Grayson. Regina was moved by the offer of help by people that truly know Grayson. What a blessing in our lives! I know that others of you are wondering how you might help and at this point we are trying to determine how to accept it. As we spend the next week or two determining his needs, we will create a training program and resources so that we might start enabling "help"!

Tonight everyone is showered and in their own beds – truly one of life's greatest pleasures!

Pax!

Brant

Day 310 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today Grayson and Regina spent the entire day together. They planned on getting Grayson a haircut, doing some laundry, doing some shopping, doing some home therapy and having some fun. Instead Regina and Grayson spent the day in the hospital. Grayson had a fairly large amount of blood in his stool so, not wanting to take any chances, she took him to the emergency room. There he was admitted for a few tests to determine the source.

9 ½ hours later, they were still sitting in the hospital room without food or drink, when a physician finally came by. He took a history and did an exam. He put Grayson back on a regular diet, then ordered some tests for tomorrow – morning hopefully! So, after only being home for three nights, he spent another night in the hospital. That also means that Regina spent the night at the hospital too, as they were not equipped to have a sitter overnight. Grayson was in a private room, but since they had a two bed room open, they relocated so Regina could sleep in a real bed next to Grayson tonight.

Quite a first week at home so far.

Pax!

Brant

Day 309 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today Regina and I took Grayson for an evaluation at the CNS day clinic in Encino. It is our plan, should the insurance approve, to have Grayson participate in several hours of therapy like he has been receiving at their Bakersfield facility during the day. We should know in about a week if he is approved. In the meantime, Regina will be staying home with Grayson to get a better idea of his needs and what kind of help we will need. He is tentatively scheduled to begin the day therapy program next Monday.

To get to Encino by 9:00, we had to leave the house at 8:00. We pushed it and let Grayson sleep in until 6:30, and it was a race to get out the door on time. Somehow trying to get a reluctant Grayson out the door on time is a challenge. Add the need to keep a calm and quiet exterior while patiently delivering cues and instructions and you now know our morning! Today both of us were here. I could watch Grayson at breakfast while Regina showered and she watched him get dressed while I showered. The biggest challenge when pressed for time is to allow Grayson to complete his own tasks instead of doing things for hm. It is SO much faster to do it yourself rather than wait for him but that is the point of a therapeutic program.

We saw the clinic and met the staff today. One of Grayson's favorite occupational therapists is relocating from Bakersfield to fill a shortage locally. This is great news for Grayson as she worked quite well with him, and she will be in her new position on Monday to greet Grayson when he starts! Added bonus – she is a Trojan!

This afternoon Grayson and I did some household chores, before going to the market to get food for the week. He prepared his dinner under the watchful eye of his new "RA". We are figuring out new routines!

Pax!

Brant

Day 308 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

This could also be called "Day 1 of Grayson at Home!"

This first day officially home was a good one. Granted, we have not yet started a full weekly routine, but the drill today was similar to the past few weeks of weekend visits. We got up in the morning, did our morning routine, went to church and then went to lunch. The last few weeks, we got in the car and drove back to CNS in Bakersfield. Today we went home.

Home for a few minutes anyway! Grayson and I went out to go swimming and let Regina get some work done ahead of some time off the next few weeks. When we returned from our outing, we prepared a quick dinner (not quick enough!), watched one TV show then helped Grayson get ready for bed.

Grayson is sleeping peacefully in his bed upstairs. Should he get up in the middle of the night and attempt to leave his room, alarms will sound alerting us to his potential danger. Forever on duty!

Pax!

Brant

Day 307 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson is home!

Regina and I went to the residence to pick up Grayson this morning after what promises to be our last day to sleep in irresponsibly. We packed up and had breakfast at our hotel much later than we thought we would. We savored our time together this morning, as we did after the farewell dinner last night. (Here is a belated picture of Grayson with the staff at dinner last night.)

I was not nearly the emotional basket case that I'd thought I would be. I only lost it three or four times – emptying out his room, cleaning out the food from the kitchen, hugging some of the staff as we signed him out permanently (and posing for a picture with Grayson), and that most poignant moment when we drove out of the gated parking lot for the last time. Farewell CNS Centre Village – what a blessing you have been!

We stopped for one last treat at Cold Stone in Bakersfield before hitting CA-99 for the final trip home. It felt kind of odd really. We have spent so much time in Bakersfield that we felt a bit like locals. We racked up over 7000 miles since January driving to Bakersfield, and spent 30 hotel nights sleeping there. I learned that SW Bakersfield (where we spent most of our time) is a pretty nice place. I must admit that I never did get used to the speeds – who ever heard of a boulevard with a 55 MPH speed limit? White Lane, Ming Ave, Rosedale Hwy, Stockdale Hwy, Gosford Road, Coffee Road, Truxtun Ave, Panama Lane, Stein Road and New Stein Road are streets that I won't soon forget! And thanks to the wonderful congregation at Redeemer Lutheran for making us feel at home in worship on our Bakersfield weekends.

10 months and two days after he left for work that fateful morning, Grayson is now home again. I wish things were different, but I am grateful that Grayson is still with us at all. He came perilously close to death and even closer to living a life on tubes. He was spared that fate and his life does have quality. He is forever changed in some pretty significant ways. Our lives are forever changed also. We are in this together with God.

Pax!

Brant

Day 306 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was a big day for Grayson – his last full day at CNS in Bakersfield. Regina spent the day with him at the clinic shadowing every therapy session. This was to complete the handoff, receive last minute advice from each therapist and counselor, and transition Grayson to home care.

When we arrived this morning, the receptionist welcomed us, and then pointed to the wreath hanging in front of her station. She said that this was a gift from Grayson who had made it in his occupational therapy sessions. She said that she would reluctantly give it back to us, but that she really liked it. That was an easy decision – we let her keep the wreath.

The day was an emotional one, as person after person came up to Grayson, wished him well and gave him a hug. There was a farewell party for Grayson at the clinic that was attended by the staff and patients toward the end of the clinic day. There was a special cake and ice cream for all, and Grayson received a card signed by the therapists and staff as well as the gift of a USC sweatshirt.

Grayson went for his last bus ride back to the residence while Regina and I met with the staff and case manager to receive our discharge package. We caught up with Grayson, tonight's RA, and the activities director at a restaurant for dinner. Rounding out this evening's group was Grayson's primary RA who was on her day off. She attended the dinner on her own personal time. It was a heartwarming evening, complete with balloons and another signed card. It was our last time to break bread together with these dedicated individuals after so much shared experience.

Grayson was well liked and well cared for at CNS. Perhaps even more important, he was treated with respect. The experience we had here was truly special given the circumstances. We were led to the right place, and we trust that we will be led again to the right place for us to continue the journey.

Pax!

Brant

Day 305 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

It hardly seems like it but today marks 10 months since Grayson's incident. Those months have seen lots of changes for our family, and more changes are in store.

Grayson didn't have much time at the residence tonight. When he arrived back from the clinic he did a few chores then prepared and ate dinner. After that he took out the trash and picked up the mail before taking a walk around the grounds. Everyone now knows that he is being discharged on Saturday, so staff and patients called out to him during his walk and wished him well. According to his RA, he passed out at least 10 hugs during his short walk this evening.

His RA and the activities director took Grayson out for ice cream and a movie tonight – another special evening out! This is turning out to be quite a week for Grayson.

We drove up to Bakersfield tonight so we could participate is a series of discharge meetings tomorrow. We will stay tomorrow night then take Grayson home on Saturday for good. And good it is.

Pax!

Brant

Day 304 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson had a great day today! After his chores and dinner, he had the opportunity to go out and do some shopping with the activity director and one other patient (and his RA). They actually made a run to Cold Stone before heading to Target. At Cold Stone, Grayson ordered for himself and paid for his ice cream with his outing money. He was calm and patient – not something that we can always say about Grayson these days!

After Cold Stone the group made the hike to Target. Grayson spotted a CD and said out loud, "I want this." He bought the CD! Next he found a shirt on sale for $4 and bought that too.

When I talked to Grayson this evening he was in bed listening to his new CD. His caregivers have become quite attached to Grayson and I expect that the "opportunity" to go out was a way to show him some special attention. The gesture overwhelmed me. Only three nights remain before we leave this oasis. What a blessing it has been.

Pax!

Brant

Day 303 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Music therapy is back! This is great news for the patients at CNS. While it is too bad that Grayson won't be able to benefit from the program, I am grateful that the other patients will have the option of participating in this activity. Grayson did participate this evening for a bit. He became frustrated and agitated after 15 minutes, so he went back to his apartment to relax.

Grayson did pretty well today. He did his chores, which included vacuuming, taking out the trash and collecting the mail. He prepared his dinner and cleaned up afterward before going to music therapy.

I forgot to mention something on Sunday's post. When we pulled in and parked in the lot at CNS Centre Village to drop Grayson off, I asked him where we were. Grayson looked at me and said, "Home." For almost eight months this has been home for Grayson. What a wonderful home this has been!

Pax!

Brant

Day 302 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson had a good and busy evening tonight. He arrived from the clinic and did his cleaning chores, took out the trash, picked up the mail, prepared dinner and cleaned up afterward. After dinner he went to the store to do his grocery shopping for the week that he was unable to do on Saturday. This was the last run to Winco Foods for Grayson – a weekly activity since January. From now on his weekly grocery runs will be to the Ralphs in La Canada.

Grayson is now alone with his RA in his three bedroom apartment. The other remaining roommate was relocated over the weekend in anticipation of Grayson's discharge on Saturday. Sadly, this chapter is quickly coming to an end.

Pax!

Brant

Day 301 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today we had a good day with Grayson. We started by getting him up about 8:00 and it was 10:45 before we left the house. We managed to shave about 15 minutes off of last week's experience. Things move slowly when you have a brain injury. We need to be there the entire time to help him get ready – brushing teeth, shaving, showering, making breakfast – all of it. He knows how to do many of the tasks, but without cueing he doesn't know how to start or the tasks are done poorly or not at all.

It was a full day, but a short day. Church was fun and many people came up to see and talk to Grayson. After church we ran off to lunch then beat feet for Bakersfield to drop Grayson back at CNS before running back to the Bob Hope Airport to drop me off for a flight to Seattle. 200 freeway miles followed by 936 air miles – planes, trains and automobiles, without the trains!

This was a bittersweet stop at CNS, knowing that we will be picking him up for good next weekend. It actually hit me emotionally today, something I didn't expect. This has been such an oasis of love and care far beyond that which we could ever have imagined. The army of caring and knowledgeable staff here is not something that we could ever replicate (though we will try)! It has been a blessing to be here for such extended therapy and we see clearly the benefits in Grayson's progress.

Pax!

Brant

Day 300 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

It is Day 300. We are now accustomed to the new "normal" for Grayson and we are learning what our new roles will be as Grayson transitions home in just a few days.

We had a good day with Grayson today. We went to the Farmers Market in La Canada in the morning and bought a feast of fruit, vegetables and some yummy baked goods. We also went to Costco to purchase some household items. After returning home, Grayson went for a walk, played dominoes, watched House, took out trash, cleaned bathroom sinks, washed laundry and read. It was a slow and low-key day, and probably typical of what we are to expect in the future.

Grayson is in his bed here at home again tonight. He made it to midway through the 2^nd quarter of the USC game tonight, so he missed all of the scoring. Fortunately his Trojans won – barely!

Pax!

Brant

Day 299 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson arrived at our home today thanks to two wonderful folks at CNS – his occupational therapist and his primary RA. Grayson led them on a tour of the house and we had a wonderful visit. As part of the discharge planning, the staff comes by to assess the readiness of the caregivers (us) and the facility (our home) to care for someone in Grayson's challenged condition. We were also given some very practical advice on caring for him and continuing the superior daily therapy he has been receiving. It was a wonderful bonus to have him "delivered" to us as that saved us the 200 mile round trip to bring Grayson home.

This afternoon Grayson and Regina went grocery shopping for the weekend. After we prepared dinner together we watched Marmaduke – the first time for us, but the third time for Grayson. It was a great family movie night!

Grayson stayed up extra late – 9:30 tonight! Tomorrow we'll be up and off to the farmers market in the morning to finish shopping for game food (USC vs. Virginia). I love the college football season and tonight we have another Trojan home!

Pax!

Brant

Day 298 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson had Art Therapy this evening. Something about the assignment bothered him so it didn't go well. His ever-alert RA whisked him out to let him chill for a few minutes then he was fine. He went back into the session and had a delightful evening chatting with two of the residential treatment coordinators until the session was over.

When I talked to Grayson this evening, it was almost time to get ready for bed. We talked about coming home for a visit this weekend and he was excited about it. In fact, we get to have him for two nights this week. His occupational therapist will be driving down to do a home evaluation for the care of a significantly disabled brain injured patient. She agreed to bring Grayson with her, saving us the trip up to Bakersfield to get him!

How cool is that!

Pax!

Brant

Day 297 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

It's Wednesday – Order In Night! Grayson had his favorite meal from Chipotle – burrito bowl with steak and all of the goodies. Order in night is always extra fun because it leaves time for more fun and less work!

Grayson was well behaved today and did all of his chores early. I spoke with him at 8:00 right when he went to bed. I reminded him that he was coming home again this weekend, and he said, "Cool!"

Pax!

Brant

Day 296 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

I don't have a lot to report tonight, as Grayson's primary RA was sent offsite for another assignment. I do know that Grayson went to a Town Hall meeting of all the residents to talk about what things can be added or improved with the program. More interesting than the meeting was the ice cream that was served! Grayson did remember that Mike ran the meeting, and that was huge considering that it was an hour or two since the meeting when I talked to him about it. Good news indeed!

Pax!

Brant

Day 295 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Labor Day 2010! A holiday intended to celebrate the emergence of American worker and labor unions in the late 1800's, it is now considered the end of the summer holiday season, even though there are several weeks of summer remaining. Labor Day 2009 was the last major holiday that Grayson experienced before his incident.

Grayson had a quiet Labor Day today. He did his chores and collected the mail left over from the past few days. He and the other residents celebrated the holiday with a BBQ. Grayson enjoyed the BBQ and had a good day today.

Pax!

Brant

Day 294 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today we went to our home church with Grayson – and we were overwhelmed with the emotional outpouring that we received. The love that we felt today was salve to our wounds.

Things that we learned this weekend:

1. Getting ready for church now takes 3 ½ hours
2. Allow extra time at breakfast for a zillion meds – and make sure that they are all swallowed!
3. Brushing teeth requires lots of supervision, IF you expect a decent job
4. Grayson is content to go to bed and lie there for 2 hours before falling to sleep
5. Our washer and dryer are going to be working overtime

We had a delightful day today. After church we had Thai food for lunch at Min's Kitchen – the site of Grayson's 19^th birthday party. We then went home to pack his things before heading in the general direction of Bakersfield. We stopped for about 45 minutes to explore the Visitors Center at Pyramid Lake and were fascinated by the story of the California Aqueduct.

Tonight Grayson is back in his bed at CNS in Bakersfield. I think that Regina and I each learned something about caring for a severely challenged family member but there were no major surprises. We will certainly have our hands full when he arrives home permanently in a few weeks.

Pax!

Brant

Day 293 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson is home tonight and now in his own bed. This is the first time since the morning of November 16^th that he has slept in that bed and the world – his world – has changed forever.

We picked him up this morning and he was very excited to see us since he had been told that he was coming home for a visit. His morning RA said that he had been very good and in the CNS vocabulary that means that he was cooperative, did his chores and had no bad behavior. We headed south for home stopping for lunch along the way. We made a grocery list in the car for the meal he has been asking for since he could talk again, and then went to the grocery store before going home.

He explored the house and his newly refurbished room and bathroom. He was pleased – especially with the couch in his room – but he was a bit confused because it was not nearly the wreck that he remembered. A much simpler room is in order these days.

Austin, Xixi, Lauren and Jason (Lauren's boyfriend) joined us for dinner this evening. Grayson didn't say much, but he followed the conversation and was laughing at some of our goofy stories. Here is a picture of the whole family home for the first time in over a year.

Grayson helped to prepare dinner and set the table tonight. We watched a few minutes of TV before meds and getting ready for bed. He was happy to climb into bed at 8:30 having had a full day with way more excitement than he is used to. Tomorrow we go to church and I know that there will be lots of people happy to see him. We'll take him back to CNS tomorrow afternoon and then bring him home for another visit next week as we adjust to full time custodianship later this month.

Pax!

Brant

Day 292 – Grayson’s Journey

Our dear family and friends,

Tonight Grayson is at the movies with his RA. Brant and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner together, a glass of wine and an old Star Trek episode.

Tomorrow morning we will pick up Grayson. He will walk in our front door for the first time since he left for work on November 16 last year. There are no words except "Thanks be to God".

Grace and peace and abundant thanksgiving.

Regina

Day 291 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

It was a normal day for Grayson today – chores, picking up the mail, taking out the trash, preparing and cleaning up after dinner. These are the routines that he has and that keep him comfortable, under the watchful eyes of a caring staff.

This weekend we will throw off that comfortable routine for a new experience – an overnight visit home with us. When I talked to him tonight I asked if he remembered what we would be doing this weekend and he said, "No." I explained it to him again and he said, "Cool!"

We finished putting away all of Grayson's things as we watched the opening USC football game tonight. Fight On, Grayson!

Pax!

Brant

Day 290 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Grayson had another good day today. He is breaking in a new residential assistant (RA) and Grayson appears to be OK with him. They worked together tonight making dinner, doing chores and the therapeutic home program. Grayson had no behavior problems and had a generally good evening.

When I spoke with Grayson this evening, I asked him what special thing he was going to do this weekend. In spite of the fact that we have talked about it every day since Sunday, he responded, "I don't know." I said that we would be going home for an overnight visit on Saturday and he said, "Cool!" The weekend is rapidly approaching!

Pax!

Brant