March 2009 update:

* A new family photo was taken in March and is posted on this website.

* A standing wheelchair was purchased for Calvin this past winter. As you can see from the family photo, the wheelchair allows Calvin to be in his wheelchair yet also in a standing position.

* Family members also located and purchased a van with a wheelchair lift for Calvin this past winter. The van has a raised roof, which will work well for Calvin as he sits very tall in his wheelchair.

* Close to one year ago, Calvin moved from OnWithLife in Ankeny to the VA in Knoxville. Just before he moved, he was given a standardized picture vocabulary test. This test was given to Calvin to give family members an indication of Calvin's age in regards to his level of vocabulary. His vocabulary results placed him in the 12 years, 3 months age, and the test had to be given to Calvin over a period of several days due to Calvin's overall attention span being very short at that time. Jenn recently tested Calvin using the same picture vocabulary test (which only measures vocabulary levels, not reasoning skills, etc.). Calvin had the attention span to complete the entire test, and he scored in the adult range of vocabulary. This indicates some level of healing taking place in Calvin's brain.

* Calvin has had little use of his left hand since the accident. At OnWithLife, he was just beginning to give a "thumbs up", utilizing thumb movement in his left hand. As of March and when requested, Calvin is able to open and close his left hand and can move his arm (the elbow to hand part of his arm) from side to side. This also indicates healing taking place in Calvin's brain.

* Calvin is not able to complete much independent upper arm movement, but while Calvin had a physical therapist visiting once a week this past summer and fall, the therapist indicated that Calvin had torn muscles in his upper left arm.

* Thank you again for your continued prayers, cards, and visits!