Gracey and Lane came home today from Kennedy Krieger in Baltimore! They didn't get in until late afternoon and although excited to be home and see Holly and Laurel and Maddie, they were really tired from the long trip.
While at Kennedy Krieger, Gracey's miracle began! She was taught to "walk" using braces (that go from her waist to her toes) and a walker. Each day she got up, dressed herself, and put the braces on and pretty much moved around throughout the day with the braces. The therapists at Kennedy Krieger want her to be in the braces and not in the wheelchair! How exciting this is and what a wonderful little girl Gracey is!
Gracey is a brave, strong, determined little girl. Her Grammy calls her a little Steel Magnolia Bud! Everyone who meets her sees that special spark in her and realizes that Gracey is the type of person who will go far!
At Kennedy Krieger Gracey was able to meet other children with spinal cord injuries and was in therapy with a little girl her age with the same type injury that Gracey has. They are both paralyzed and have to wear a TLSO (upper body brace) and are both in wheelchairs. It was good for Gracey to see that there are other children out there like her.
We are so grateful that there are places like Kennedy Krieger where Gracey can go to receive state of art therapy and we are grateful that the funds are there to pay for this excellent care. We are thankful for the excellent nurses, doctors, and therapists at these institutions who dedicate themselves to children like Gracey.
Therapists at Kennedy Krieger have been in contact with Crossgates Methodist Children's Center and Gracey's teacher, Miss Cheryl, and the Program Director, Miss Beverly, and the school is working hard to be ready for Gracey's first day of pre-school on Monday. Another thing we are so thankful for is this wonderful school and these wonderful educators who so willingly have opened their hearts and their program for Gracey. Both Cheryl and Beverly came to see Gracey the week of the wreck and assured her that she still had a place in Miss Cheryl's class this Fall.
Holly continues with therapy, and although she still has a long recovery before her, she is doing remarkably well. She is able to walk on level surfaces and get around the house without the wheelchair.
Please continue to keep Holly, Lane, Laurel, Maddie, and Gracey in your prayers.
We thank all our friends and family for their loyalty, love, prayers, concern, and support (both emotional and financial) during the past 4 1/2 months. We could never have made it without our faith that God is always with us even through the valley of the shadow of death, our family who has been so loving and been with us every step of the way, and our friends who have been devoted and caring.
God bless you all.
Rhonda (Gracey's Grammy)
