2yrs; Day 776 – 1st flight
The Eagle has landed!
Our trip was seamless. We left the house on time, arrived at the car valet service that drove us to the airport. US Air has four terminals. We were supposed to leave from one that was located at the international terminal. When we arrived, our flight was switched to the domestic terminal – a 10 minute walk. It actually was perfect, we went through security at the international terminal and we were literally the only passengers there.
Jamie went through the usual security inspection first to receive all our carry on bags as I stayed with Corey. She met Corey at a side entrance to a secure area as I went through the regular checkpoint. Corey still has severe stranger anxiety. The TSA officers couldn’t have been nicer or more patient with her. They verbally explained and visually demonstrated their procedure before they began her pat down. Once we cleared security we headed to the domestic terminal.
The plane was on time. We were the first passengers to be boarded. The airline uses a special aisle size wheelchair for passengers with disabilities. We transferred her from her chair to theirs at the mouth of the plane. Corey did not like the transition; she couldn’t see me behind her and she didn’t like being strapped in to the narrow chair. The airline steward allowed me to get in front of her and she calmed down immediately.
This might sound silly but my biggest worry was how she and I would fit if she had to go to the restroom. I was thankful we were only 2 rows away and that both of us are thin! I think the 15 rows behind us were not only surprised to see Corey and I walk there but then we both fit in that tiny room with the door closed! Pretty sure the guy in Row 31 lost his bet.
It was a beautiful day so take off, landing and the flight was very smooth. I was especially grateful there was no turbulence when we had to use the restroom! We arrived 30 minutes early. Papa met us at the gate and our only glitch; Corey’s bag arrived but Jamie and I shared a duffle bag and we’re still waiting for it to arrive as I type this update.
Once we reported the luggage missing we were off to find the handicapped van we rented. This van has a side electric ramp. We took a mini-tutorial and off to Papa’s house we went.
I can’t believe we’re really here. Who would have thought 2 years ago we’d be traveling on a plane? Jamie and I kept thinking we were forgetting something because we packed Corey in one bag. She no longer needs the oxygen tank, suction machine, feeding pump and stand or a dozen bed pads. All her medications were in a small bag for carry on, her daily necessities are in a backpack that hangs from her chair and her clothes and accessories were in one duffle bag. What a pleasure it is to travel “light”.
Tomorrow is the first day of vacation ~ We are so happy to be here! xoxo
2yrs; Day 775 – approved to fly!
Hi Everyone,
Now that we’ve seen all of Corey’s doctors we can tell you she’s been approved to fly!
That’s right; tomorrow we’re heading west to spend Thanksgiving with Papa in Arizona.
This trip has taken almost two months of preparation and would never have happened without the initial help of a friend that is a travel agent (thank you Carol) and my sister Diane as my personal assistant/travel agent in training. Diane and I tag teamed to make it happen (and by that I mean I would delegate and Diane did the phone and research work).
The preparation included; arrangements for our nurse Jamie, (approval to come with us and arrangements for a temporary AZ nursing license), arrangements with the airline and the TSA (airport security) for escorts and clearance procedures to get through the security checkpoint in both Philly and AZ, (Corey can not go through the metal detectors due to her VP shunt), arrangements for an on-board wheelchair, letters from her Neurologist and Seizure specialist for oxygen if needed and approval for her medications to bring as a carry on, rental of a handicapped van for transportation and contact with the local hospital in Phoenix.
Once we arrive Papa’s home is a single level condominium that has an elevator and handicapped bathroom. Jamie and I will be Corey’s PT/OT and Speech therapists over the next week and we have many activities planned to keep her working. We are anxious to try Papa’s pool for some aqua-therapy too; it’s been averaging 80 everyday!
This is a brand new adventure. I’m not sure what to expect. It feels a little like traveling with a newborn. I’m hoping the pressure change at take off and landing doesn’t bother Corey and I’m also hoping her stranger anxiety is manageable.
As usual, I’m thinking of every possible scenario that might trigger an issue and mentally preparing as to how to diffuse it. We have a carry on with plenty of magazines, music, her IPad and snacks that should keep us all entertained until we land.
I will be bringing my laptop and a camera so we can share the next big step with you!
Better go finish packing…xoxo
2yrs; Day 774 – visit to the neuro-surgeon
Hi Everyone,
It was a big day for Corey but an even bigger day for Caitlin! Happy 23rd Birthday! Although Caitlin worked today we managed to have a little cake to celebrate the day.
Now back to Miss Corey;
Her CAT scan and visit with Dr. Yalamanchelli went well (it took me months to properly pronounce his name! Yal-a-man-chelly). For those of you who haven’t been following our carepage from the beginning, he is the neurosurgeon that not only advocated for Corey’s extended rehab hospital stay, he also agreed to be filmed on the national Fox News piece last June (clip is posted on You Tube).
We have not seen Dr. Y or his PA, Shakira, since March of 2011. I remember sitting down with Shakira looking at Corey’s CAT scan, firing multiple questions; “looking at the scan which part of her brain was most affected? Can you tell if one side was more damaged than the other? I know you said it was going to be a long recovery but compared to other scans you’ve seen, is it 6 months, a year?”
Shakira looked at me like a deer in headlights. As I asked questions that I thought were appropriate, I could sense her panic. She was looking at me terrified. I knew by her expression she was thinking, “This woman has no idea the extent of her daughter’s injury”. She couldn’t answer me. I heard her silent thoughts and my last question faded, hanging in the silence between us. Shakira wasn’t saying anything. I looked at her, tears welling up in my eyes and stated, “You have no idea do you”? “You don’t know if she’ll ever come back to us”? She didn’t have to respond, I knew ~ no one could give any prediction. We had a diagnosis, no prognosis. The only positive comment was “Corey is young and we’ve seen progress with young patients”. That feeble attempt to console me wasn’t accompanied with the smallest hint of what the progress was or how long it would take. We left with the ambulance transport team and I cried the entire ride back to Bryn Mawr.
Today’s visit was much different. First of all, we drove ourselves. As Corey would say, her last visit she was a “lump of love”. She couldn’t walk, turn her head, speak, sit up or barely give a thumb up. Today she walked to the CAT scan machine and we sat in the waiting room snacking on apples as we looked through magazines.
We met Shakira first. She shook my hand but couldn’t stop staring at Corey. “She looks like a different person”! Corey looked at me, smiled and turned back to Shakira, “thank you!” Shakira was amazed. “How are you”? Corey confidently replied, “Great”! We caught up on her rehab stay, our move home and her recent progress as an out patient. She moved her arms, hands, and legs and told Shakira what hurt and where to find it on her head. Shakira was listening but couldn’t stop staring or smiling at Corey.
Dr. Yalamanchelli couldn’t wait to come in to see Corey. This is a man that is all business. I know the 5 times we’ve met, he never smiled. He took one look at Corey and couldn’t stop smiling. He was almost giddy! She answered all his questions appropriately and without delay. He looked at me and told me that seeing Corey today is exactly why he fights for rehabilitation. He was thrilled to hear her therapy schedule, diverse selection of therapy (including our music and cooking therapy) and amazed to see her move and hear her voice. The thanked us for coming in.
The clinical result of the visit;
Corey has a gap along the incision line. It is feels “sunken” in spots, the size of your fingertip. On 10/3, almost 24 hours after the accident, the bone flap (skull bone) was removed to allow the brain to mushroom (swell). December 10th it was surgically replaced. During the course of natural healing, the bone flap has ‘settled’ and there are several gaps. The CAT scan showed that there were 4 clips that keep the bone in place. The clips are still securely placed despite the gap/shift. This is very important and downgraded the urgency of any type of surgical action. If Corey continues to complain of pain and/or increased headaches and/or we notice the gap getting wider, Dr. Y can remove the clips, replace them with larger clips and fill the gap with ‘bone cement’. This would require a repeat surgery and we definitely DON’T want that, so let’s hope the gap doesn’t get bigger and Corey’s pain/tenderness improves!
PS; there was no sign of Hydrocephalus, a build up of cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull, which lets us know the programmable VP shunt is working and set at the proper functional number. The CAT scan also showed very little change to the initial damage sustained from the accident. That friend’s is an amazing statement. It means that Corey’s brain is reconnecting and creating new pathways to recall her long term memory, speech, ability to walk, swallow, etc. Prayer and the natural course of healing is certainly part of the answer but it is also due to the consistent stimulation/retraining she has received from the acute level of therapy post inpatient stay.
Dr. Y commented that there aren’t enough long term studies completed to prove to the insurance companies that this “theory” works. The studies often are not completed because most patients can’t/won’t or are aware they can appeal the denial decisions. Just imagine if every TBI patient could receive 15 hours of professional therapy per week with an evaluation of progress once a year instead of once a week. Most insurance plans cover 60 days length of stay for inpatient and 30 hours out-patient therapy. The brain controls every aspect of our ability to function. It is the slowest organ to heal. Our fight is to not only bring awareness to TBI but stop measuring a patient’s recovery with a stop watch!
Thank you for the added prayers and positive thoughts. It was a good visit and I think tonight I can sleep with one less worry trying to keep me awake! Happy dreams, xoxo
2yrs; Day 773 – It’s important to write it out…
Hi Everyone,
We received an interesting email today from a very close friend of ours. She shared Corey’s carepage with her daughter, who in turn passed on her story and carepage link to a family that is one month into their new life living with TBI.
The email talked about never knowing where your gifts of grace come from. Sharing our daily challenges as we learn to cope with our “new normal” has in turn helped someone else.
My reply was a thank you of my own. It was a timely gift of grace for me. I have been struggling over the last 2-3 weeks with the reality that Traumatic Brain Injury is a slow recovery and I’m feeling the fatigue of just what living it, 24/7, truly means. A nurse sarcastically commented ‘it only took 2 years’!
I have been thinking of this new family. There may be 2 years difference between our start dates but the last few weeks have felt as if there hasn’t been a time lapse.
We all face challenges and each challenge is multi-faceted. Each decision and/or response leads to more choices, concerns and questions. Many people turn to their faith to gain strength. I’ve frequently mentioned that has been a difficult concept for me ~ it’s hard to believe in something that doesn’t have skin. Accept, Believe and Trust; 3 additional words that require the willingness to open your heart and let go of the worry, fear and resentment. If you can do it, your reward is Courage. Once you’ve secured your prize it will allow you to forge a path regardless of the obstacles that try to block the direction you’re meant to follow. Even if you can’t maneuver the hurdles, courage gives you the ability to keep trying. Unfortunately, there are day’s you can’t find your track shoes.
My friend reaffirmed that it is as important to write about “the hard days” as it is to share the best of the “good days”. We can learn how to cope from the details of both.
I went searching for my words; not on my favorite websites, but in my books. I stumbled upon a small journal I used to keep in my handbag. The pages are filled with quotes, messages revealed within conversations and affirmations recorded over 4 years. The pages were well worn, dog-eared and highlighted. Despite reading and rereading the entries over the years, I always manage to find something new between the covers.
Tonight’s inspiration
April 2007;
~ Commit to find ways to grow within the complications and use those times to move closer to God. ~ Author unknown
July 2007;
~ How I come to understand God is not nearly as important as knowing that God understands me.
March 2008;
~ Clear my mind of all the fears and worries – sit still and look for the joys in today. Everything else will take care of itself.
January 2009;
Be with me.
Take my hand.
Give me strength for today’s climb.
Protect me from sliding into self pity.
Help me to get up if I should stumble.
Keep your eye on me.
…I AM with you.
November 13, 2012 ~ A prayer request
Tomorrow Corey will have a CAT scan and visit with her neurosurgeon. She has been complaining of headaches and we’ve discovered several indentations along the scar line of the craniotomy. It’s rare, but not unheard of, that the plate can slip (10/3/10 skull piece removed to allow the brain to swell then 12/10/10, replaced when the swelling decreased). The indentations could be a sign that the body is trying to reabsorb the plate. It could also be a sign that the VP shunt is set to high.
Corey’s headaches and recent fatigue associated with the days she has headaches are a concern. Everything could be fine but it’s best to be safe; the mom/caregiver is worried.
Please keep Corey in your thoughts tomorrow and please send up an extra prayer for “Katelyn” and her family as they try to find their Courage. It gives us all comfort to hear we’re not alone as we keep looking for those track shoes, xoxo
2yrs; Day 771 – Life doesn’t follow a straight line
Hi Everyone,
I have been getting several phone calls and emails checking in on us. Evidently several of our posts haven’t been notifying all of you. Many people have called to ask why we haven’t written this month! I wrote to the carepage support team to alert them and hopefully you all will be able to receive your notifications. The daily entries have posted if you want to look back.
I continue to be surprised not only by how many of you are following Corey daily (for 2 years) but this past week we have 8 new carepage friends; 1300 strong! Seeing your names, reading your notes and watching new friends join the page means more than we can tell you. We are truly grateful for your friendship, prayers and support.
Corey and I have been reading articles and books about TBI survivors for a few months now. She enjoys hearing everyone’s story. She doesn’t comment or ask questions as I read but if we get interrupted, she reminds me of the sentence I left off at ~ verbatim. I asked her what it’s like to listen to the stories. She told me, ‘I like them. Someday I could be like them’. I asked her what her goal would be. She told me; “to be alone”. Surprised I repeated, “To be alone”? She clarified her wish, “to not have to depend on you for everything”. I assured her, “it will happen, it’s a Matter of Time”.
Although we read the carepage everyday, Corey’s short term memory loss causes her to respond to the page as if she’s heard about it for the first time. If the reading describes her daily activity, she comments; “I did that?” She’s often surprised and elated; “I did not know”! She’s very excited to hear about herself.
This weekend we not only read back pages, we went into the archives of videos. The majority of videos have not been published. It was fascinating to watch her watch the clips. She repeatedly asked, “Who is that” as she pointed to herself. “That’s you”. She watched a person she didn’t recognize and couldn’t connect with. It was as if the person in the video was a stranger; in many ways she is. We were both searching for the words to describe what we were internalizing. She has come so far yet her observations were unsettling for her. “Why am I like that”? For me, I was not only reliving the excitement of discovering the ‘movement of the moment’ but watching her clips seemed like it was filmed a lifetime ago. I was in awe of where she was and how far she’s come. When you are living through a change you think to your self, ‘I will NEVER forget this’. It’s true for the milestones but the videos reminded me of many forgotten moments.
Corey I once heard ‘Life does not follow a straight line’. We have learned ‘any minute life can change direction’. When your accident occurred, I couldn’t comprehend the why’s. I’m not saying that two years later it’s now been revealed but I can tell you that had we not gone through each moment we wouldn’t be where we are today; working with The Brain Injury Association and beginning to work with multiple families as they navigate their new changes.
When we were reading the carepage you asked me; “Can I be like those people”?
I didn’t make the connection, “What people”?
“The people in the stories, when can I help someone else”?
Honey, you help us every day to remember what’s important. To take time to give a “stand up” hug, a smile, a laugh, to appreciate what we have, to work harder when we want to quit and never give up and never give in.
You look back but you never stop moving forward…that’s how you have helped me! I love you, xoxo
2yrs; Day 768 – Life is NOW
Hi Everyone,
Today was a tough day for Corey. She introduced a new personality to us ‘Nervous Corinne’…I’m in trouble, not only because Nervous Nelly and Crazy Corinne arrived together but now she’s creating names for outbursts. Humor aside, it’s very encouraging that she is trying to express her emotions with the character names we’ve created.
We worked with Elaine, OT, and showed her a game Corey played at home yesterday. Corey cups her hands; fingers intertwined and fully extend her arms into a volleyball “ready” position. We toss the ball and she pops it back to us. She has amazing eye hand coordination and she can raise her arms from her lap to waist height. Elaine was very impressed.
Lokomat update; Marketing has our email requesting they film Corey. Keep your fingers crossed this will happen soon. I can’t wait for you all to see her in action; she walked another 5 football fields.
The machine initiates the movement of Corey’s legs. Natalie is beginning to dial down the computer to see what Corey is capable of doing. The machine is normally set at 100 when it is “doing all the work”. Today Corey’s right leg came down to 70 and her left leg came down to 85. The exertion accelerates her fatigue and you can truly see it in her gate. Natalie dials it back up and she finishes strong. This is completely amazing to watch!
We happen to run into one of Corey’s roommates, Samantha. She was 2 years older than Corey, hit by a drunk driver on her way home from work. 2 years later, Samantha is back to work 12 hours a week, she is walking without a limp, she has function of her right arm, her speech is no longer slurred and she remembered our names and greeted us with a big hug and smile. Sam commented on how great Corey looked and shared her mother’s words of encouragement. “My mom tells me Keep Going and I say why wouldn’t I; I’m alive”!
Corey and I enjoyed our visit and headed to lunch. The cafeteria keeps a television on for general interest. As we sat at lunch the news reporter for CNN announced the story of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords facing her shooter today in court. Corey was focused on her lunch; or so I thought. She was listening as intently as I was but didn’t appear interested.
Corey randomly asks questions about her accident but recently is recalling details that only she would remember. After Mark Kelly’s statement Corey looked at me and asked if the person that hit her and Shelly knows how much he hurt them. I told her I didn’t know. She was quiet for a few more minutes when she looked at me and asked if I knew who he was. “I don’t know him”. She was silent but I could see she was thinking. “Did he come visit me”? “No honey he didn’t”. She continued pushing the food on her plate with her fork but had no interest in it. She looked up at me again, “I get to start over. I think he is stuck”.
For most of the day I replayed Mark Kelly’s final statement, “From this day forward Gabby and I are finished thinking of you”. Tonight I heard Corey’s words. I wasn’t going to write tonight. I have been having difficulty processing another challenging week let alone the difficult day. I’m very tired but can’t sleep. But I know the words are out there that help release the minute, the day, the week, the month; you just have to keep searching. This is what I found:
Life is now, so be here now and give your focus to what you can do with now. Life is now, so live it now without being weighed down by what has already come and gone. Be truly thankful for what has brought you here, whatever it may have been. Then let the past go and let yourself soar into a magnificent, fulfilling future ~ Ralph Marston
I am thankful we get to start over, xoxo
2yrs; Day 767 – flight of the buffalo
Hi Everyone,
As you know we commute to Bryn Mawr Rehab for out-patient therapy three days a week. Corey’s accident occurred one month into her senior year of High School. That is very sad but also fortunate for her. Because Corey didn’t graduate, the school district will provide PT/OT/ST, Cognitive, Behavioral and Academic services through her 21st year. Her district therapists and teacher come to our home two days a week. The combination of Bryn Mawr and our school districts services is how we’ve been able to get Corey the acute level of rehabilitation hours she needs for her recovery. I am so grateful to both these teams. We try to coordinate both the clinical and academic models to give Corey a comprehensive approach which we hope will assist her towards a full recovery.
Today was a great day. I believe her greatest accomplishment was her ability to express her frustration when we were talking to her teacher Beth.
Beth and I were discussing the goals that were set for Corey. I have been instinctually feeling that she has felt uninspired by some of the tasks we have been working on. She does not need developmental learning strategies. Corey’s accident wiped out her short term memory and we are slowly discovering what she has stored in her long term memory. TBI is very complicated. Corey had a full life of learning prior to the accident. She is an intelligent woman that is college age yet we often have to use some elementary exercises to discover what she remembers. Our greatest challenge is to find the age appropriate lessons that will direct us towards what she has retained versus what we need to help her rediscover. This is not an easy task. Corey has often said, “I’m not a baby. Why do people treat me like one”? I try to explain to her that we all recognize her as a 20 year old, but (as an example) sometimes the use of alphabet flash cards is necessary to find out if she knows the letters in order to read. She’s trying to understand and accept the process but it’s also maddening as she clearly has higher cognitive recall for certain lessons.
Beth and I were discussing her progress when she began an outburst of hitting and kicking. (Until she learns how to verbally express her emotions, the primal instinct of ‘fight or flight’ is the default reaction) I sat beside her to ask her what caused her to be angry. Initially she couldn’t label it. We explained that we were trying to brainstorm on activities that would give her the opportunity to show us what she remembers. For instance; shopping, we have been browsing through the newest holiday magazines looking at clothes, boots, shoes, and of course culinary accessories. As we browse, we discuss the retail price, what’s on sale and recently added what the percentage of savings is if it is on sale. Corey inconsistently recognizes numbers and letters however, given the information verbally she can do the math ~ and she’s quick!
Corey you are constantly changing. Your recovery requires constantly thinking of the next exercise, the next strategy, how to use what we have, how to adapt what others have found successful and on some days try to accept that everything we’ve utilized up to that moment is now passé and we need to find something new. You have days that cause you to struggle and so do we. The stamina to stay creative and motivated is not easy.
James Belasco and Ralph Stayer say in ‘Flight of the Buffalo’, “people overestimate the value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.”
This is a great quote. I look back at where we were before October 2nd. We thought we could adapt to change and “go with the flow”. Since the accident we could choose to hold onto to our memories but that’s all we would have had. Instead we practice accepting the changes, letting go of what we knew to constantly think of how we can create what we need to keep moving forward together, as a team.
Honey, you have a lot of courage to let go and embrace your new life. Most people are afraid of change but you are always looking to move forward. You keep challenging us to keep up with you ~ KEEP PUSHING Corey, we’ll try to follow your lead! xoxo
2yrs; Day 766 – a diagnosis isn’t a prognosis
Hi Everyone,
Today we saw Dr. Sperling, Corey’s seizure specialist.
You may recall our last visit in May. Corey’s cognitive development, awareness and behavior began to spiral downward from February. When we saw Dr. Sperling, his first question after hearing our observations was, “has anything changed”? The only change I could report was the brand drug Tegretol was put on permanent backorder so the pharmacy switched us to generic. Dr. Sperling confidently announced, “Oh, that’s it; she’ll be fine”. We had been watching Corey’s progress regress for four months and I was shocked at his reaction…but that’s why he’s the specialist ~ he insisted we switch her generic Rx to Teva Pharmaceuticals and she’s been back on track cognitively as well as improving behaviorally.
Dr. Sperling’s resident was charged with writing up the clinical history over the last 6 months. She was unaware that Corey was in a car accident. As she proceeded through the interview, she asked more detailed questions about her current physical function. As she administered the standard neurological and physical exam, she was surprised by Corey’s strength and accuracy. She asked me if any Doctors have given a prognosis in regard to the delay of her left side. She was wondering if it could continue to improve. I told her I didn’t have a prognosis but the movement on her left leg began in March and her left arm just began moving within the last four months.
I wish I had a camera to capture this young resident’s facial expression. It would be an understatement to say she was stunned. She looked at me with shock and disbelief as she told me, “Are you aware that if a patient is immobile on one side it’s nearly impossible for them to re-engage their muscles especially after 2 years”. Unaffected by this clinical fact, I assured her “we received a diagnosis but no one could give us a prognosis because, as you know, each brain injury and recovery is different. We push her therapy as if there are no limitations”.
Dr. Sperling joined us for the second half of the exam. The last time he saw Corey her left arm was immobile and she couldn’t speak in sentences. She used her whiteboard to respond to his questions. Today she asked him how he was, commenting that it was good to see him again. He was very pleased to see her progress.
We are considering an ambulatory EEG. Although Corey hasn’t had a grand mal seizure since March (I’m knocking on wood as I write this) she appears to continue to exhibit silent seizures. Rather than admit her to Thomas Jefferson for 2-3 days, we may go in to have her “wired” and bring her home. If we think she’s having a seizure we can press a button which will trigger a notation on the recording. The record will be analyzed and hopefully indicate how many seizures she is having. I’m not sure when this will happen but I’m sure the exercise will be useful.
Happy dreams, xoxo
2yrs; Day 765 – Defying Gravity…again!
Hi Everyone,
When Corey was 3 years old, she was playing in the backyard on the swing set. Our laundry room had an outside entrance to the side yard so I could run in to switch the laundry and still keep an eye on the kids as they played. Of course, I was inside for less than 15 minutes when I heard Corey calling for me. As I looked out the door I saw her walking across the top of the swing set as if the cross bar was a balance beam. My heart was in my throat but I calmly and slowly started to walk towards my little gymnast.
There was a young couple looking to purchase the house behind us. They were watching Corey from their driveway afraid to charge up the hill in fear that she would be startled and lose her balance. Corey was very confident as she proudly stated, “look what I can do”. We; the potential homeowners and I, held our breath until she walked the length of the swing set, reached down to grab the fireman’s pole, flipped off the top and spun down to ground to a perfect dismount. By the time she hit the ground I was waiting for her. I knelt in front of her, put my hands on her upper arms and gratefully said, “Honey that was great” (increasing my grip to get my point across) “BUT DON’T EVER DO THAT AGAIN”! Tati and Andy bought the house despite the crazy neighbors!
I have often said that Corey had no fear. No fear of gravity or consequence. That fearless determination is what drives her every day in her recovery. Today we read about a woman that had a similar injury as Corey’s. It has taken her 6 years and 3 months but she will be running an Ironman Triathlon this weekend. The doctors at University of Pennsylvania and Bryn Mawr rehab couldn’t predict that she would be capable of completing the simplest daily tasks and yet today she has exceeded everyone’s expectations.
The most difficult part of our new life is wondering if Corey will overcome her limitations and live independently. Will she go to college? Will she have an apartment, a boyfriend, a husband, children, travel, become a Chef and fulfill the dreams she had. The truth is, she doesn’t remember what she used to dream but she is beginning to dream new dreams.
Nothing gives me greater satisfaction then having a follow up visit with a Doctor that hasn’t consistently seen Corey. Today we saw Dr. Long, her neurologist. He hasn’t seen Corey since the height of her tantrum stage. We discussed the behavior plan, how it was working, how we are training the Bryn Mawr team to utilize the strategies and reviewed the team’s documentation of her progress. He was speechless and so proud of Corey. He was also intrigued asking detailed questions about our concept and execution. Dr. Long attended our presentation at the BIA conference in June. At the end of our visit he looked at us and stated, “I think you’ve written your next presentation, you need to share this”. Corey was delighted.
On the ride home from Bryn Mawr I thought of Melody Gardot, the Ironwoman article written about Candice Gantt and a few other TBI survivors we’ve met that have surpassed everyone’s expectations. I kept replaying Corey’s first 17 years in my mind. How many times did she drive us crazy because she was fearless, stubborn and determined to do what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it; now those character traits are at the top of our gratitude list.
I told Corey we were going to post a few new video’s of her progress. I wanted to shoot a new video of her left hand. She asked me what song we should play. Of course I could only pick one…Defying Gravity ~ Again!
We hope you enjoy the following video updates, xoxo
Corey Beattie working her biceps
Corey Beattie left handed cheese grater
Corey Beattie Defying Gravity ~ Again!
2yrs; 1 month – 6 football fields
Hi Everyone,
It has been a week since our last visit to Bryn Mawr. Corey did well but she was very stiff. We can only do so much at home and today’s therapy sessions with OT and PT validated how critical the acute level of rehabilitation is to her recovery.
Despite needing extra warm up time, Corey exceeded her Lokomat record. She walked the equivalent of 6 football fields ~ including the end zones!
Our conversations and videos of Natalie, Kate and Elaine are proving to be invaluable for overcoming her anxiety. The ride up to Bryn Mawr and the transitions from one therapy session to the next are significantly less traumatic for her. “Nervous Nelly” still escorts us throughout the day but “confident Corey” attends therapy! (We’ll deal with the psychiatric counseling for multiple personality disorders later).
I’m hoping to post a few new OT videos tomorrow so stayed tuned for your visual progress update on YouTube.
Happy dreams, xoxo