Hello all, my bad, I took the summer off, we were just all sooo busy. I only have a moment, so in a nut, Dani is doing very well. She's far better off than any of us had hoped just under a year ago. The anniversary of her accident is coming up, October 30th.
She transfered to Capital High, but still has yet to find her place in the life of teens and she struggles each and every day. I don't want to down play how awesome she is doing and how great her recovery is, but also, the truth is that Dani has plateaued, she seems to be a 'stand still' in her on going therapies. She still struggles with her walk, the left leg & arm are not recovering at the rate that she'd like, and she is very frustrated, at times deeply depressed and it can be hard to help her find her footing, so to speak. It breaks HER heart that she can no longer play basketball, or Fastpitch like she used to, or at all. And going to Homecoming was a huge deal, she was a great dancer, and now can only slow dance. For her to go took courage, and we are so proud of her!!! She was truly had a great time.
Unfortunately, most of her friends and the girls from the accident have abandoned her, which breaks our hearts, but teens are an odd bunch by nature, and I believe they don't know how to cope with Dani's mood swings, her social filters aren't as they should be, and sometimes she's a little kid almost, and others she can be very, uh...how do you say.....hmmm....'street'. And I Dani can't go off and do teen things like others. She is very, very limited and teens move so fast, they do so much, and Dani seems to be getting left behind.
I won't even go into how the young ladies from the accident are treating her, it's scandalous, insensative and down right mean!! 'Nuf said for the moment!! Needless to say "Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...."
Dani was also talking non stop about horses as she healed starting at her stay in Ashley House. Now she's been able to start Hyppo Therapy, which is therapy on horse back. Once a week until the end of October she will be riding horses for an hour doing exercises and balance and other skill building. One surprise element, they shoot baskets from horseback! Dani was THRILLED to learn that, and yes, needless to say, she is the only one who can shoot a basket and MAKE it from the center of the ring!!!! Go Dani girl. She amazes me every day.
Got to run, I do promise to write more. Love to everyone who continues to support, inquire on, and to sign Dani's guest book. She and the family are very appreciative of all the support.
Almost forgot, Dani also welcomed a new baby sister in September, Samantha Miracle Jean Polk. I'll add a picture of her and Dani soon! She makes Dani very, very happy indeed!
God bless and love to all.
Shout out to our 'extended family' at Headstrong for Life. Love & Peace,
Auntie Tam
