HAPPY 4th OF JULY!
Greetings to all of our dear friends and family. Again, I apologize for the long periods without an update on Stacey, but honestly, the days are just sailing by so quickly. Stacey was at Kennedy-Kreiger a few weeks ago and saw her favorite physical therapist from last summer, Jenna. Jenna told her to tell her mom that spring is over already and it's time to update the caring bridge site!..So Jenna, this one's for you!
The one year anniversary of Stacey's accident came and went on June 21st. We decided not to make a big deal about the day and its' significance. We spent the day doing family things and it was nice. Of course I relived that day several times in my mind and reviewed the past year, I'm sure Stacey did the same, but we really never spoke of it.
Stacey has made such progress. It is important to remember back to the days when she couldn't sit up, scratch her face, brush her own hair..and so many other actions we all take for granted. She is currently involved in physical therapy with Jin, her wonderful PT Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. She works with Dr. Lindy five days a week now - every afternoon we travel down to Gaithersburg to work with her, she's truly a gifted, generous and wonderful doctor, Stacey loves her too. Then on Friday mornings we travel to KKI in Baltimore for four more hours of PT and OT with Jessica and Kim. I'll tell you that nobody works harder than Stacey when it comes to her recovery. In between all this, she spends hours on the stander and the bike, it's pretty amazing to see such a dedicated kid. She now can stand up to three hours!! I remember when we were hoping for 20 minutes! "Baby Steps"...that's what our dear friend Peto says all the time...."Baby Steps". Jin has been working with Stacey on making a fist. Last week, we all witnessed her make a fist with each hand....it took tremendous effort and concentration on her part, but she did it!
Tomorrow we leave for Oxford on the Eastern Shore to spend the fourth with my wonderful sister Soozoo and her family. It feels good to get back to some of our traditions. We always spend the Fourth of July down there with them and missed it terribly last year. Stacey was very determined that we do all the usual things....swim in the pool, go for long walks, enjoy the tasty cookout, go out on the fifth to the Town Dock in St. Michaels, ride in Uncle Steven's boat (it it's ready!), and just laugh until our stomachs hurt! She's even looking forward to our long standing tradition of having to listen to my sister and I play our piano duet "Stars and Stripes Forever"! Yes, each Fourth of July, Susan and I relive our childhood by playing this famous duet (it sounds just terrible!) for our families. And this year we will have one more captive guest...Stacey's best friend Tiffany will be there - it doesn't get better than this!!
When I think back to last year's Fourth of July spent in Stacey's hospital room....well, let's just say "Life is Good". The Shumaker family wishes each and every one of you a happy Fourth of July as you celebrate your traditions with your friends and families.
As always, thank you for keeping Stacey in your prayers, we know He is listening!
Love, Janice
