Hello all! It’s been a long time since we have posted an update for Andrew. We have been busy with lots of appointments, playing corn hole and cards and lots of church activities.
Doctors and Therapy: Since the end of January, Andy has been under the care of a new neurologist (Dr. Lynch) and a new neuropsychologist (Dr. Frye). We feel that he is receiving excellent care now. This past week, Dr. Lynch told Andrew that he is his poster child as far as TBI patients go. He told Andy that he has progressed further than any of the other TBI patients he has had with this severe of an injury. PRAISE THE LORD!!! A few weeks ago he started a new occupational and speech therapy program in Akron. He has also started to attend a day program for brain injury survivors called “Ability at Work.” The program is run by a speech therapist. Andy seems to really enjoy his new social network with other survivors at the day program. The program has him doing different things each day and works on social skills, coping mechanisms and utilizes role playing to prepare for common situations in the “real” world. Yes, we spend a lot of time in the car – about 300 miles each week.
Spare Time: When Andy is not at therapy, doing homework, at the doctors or at appointments with MRDD, BVR etc., he enjoys playing games. . .lots of games. . . cards, corn hole, what ever someone will play with him. He wanted to get his fishing license and has been out a couple of times on the lake. He has chores to do around the house and cooks dinner one night a week all under the guidance of his occupational therapist. A schedule is really important to him so we are trying to get our lives more scheduled to help with this. Andy really enjoys all of the activities and people at church. He spends a lot of his time helping out however he can. He plays the drums every Sunday and helps clean each week. His favorite thing to do is socialize with the people. We have many WONDERFUL people at the church that have been key to his recovery.
Future Plans: Andy still has a ways to go cognitively before decisions regarding school can be made. He would like to go to school for business in the fall starting with a class or two to get his feet wet. The scores on his neuropsychological evaluation are too low to consider college at this point. It is still early so we are still hopeful. We still have a couple of months left to expect continued progress; the one year mark seems to be the magic milestone.
Other Lawrence Family News: Jessica is almost at the half way point in her master’s program. She has accepted a second part time position at the university for the summer months. She is anxiously anticipating moving this summer to room with one of her best friends from college who is moving to Cincinnati. Rachel and Jake will be graduating with their bachelor’s degrees on Saturday (on Rachel’s birthday). Jake has accepted a management position at Applebee’s and Rachel has her first post college interview coming up in a few days. We will be spending the weekend in Cincinnati to celebrate all of these events. Mom is quite excited to spend Mother’s Day with all three children this year; it has been quite some time since she has had all three children together on Mother’s Day.
Prayer: Andy is living proof of the power of prayer. We thank all of you who continue to pray for our family. Our lives are changed and we know God is taking care of us every step of the way.
John and Joyce
