Dear Family and Friends, 

As we are upon the one year anniversary of Aaron’s stroke, we would love to share an update of his progress with you! 

We would like to start our update with our deepest thanks and gratitude for all the ways in which you have been there for us in this past year and beyond. We have been overwhelmed by your kindness, whether it has been through your huge generosity of time, visits, meals, prayers or financial support, we have been touched by and remember each and every beautiful person behind those amazing actions. We thank and praise the Lord for Aaron’s continued healing!! And his healing has been moved forward by your faithful prayers and each personal touch that has buoyed us up and sustained us in more ways than we can adequately express!!

On this journey we (of course) have been affected by the additional changes, twists and turns of Pandemic life. It has included many halts and delays in services and an eleven month wait to get county waivers in place to retain the help that Aaron qualifies for. 

Following his hospital stay, Aaron was actively doing PT, OT and Speech Therapy at Courage Kenny in Golden Valley, MN. He finished up with the prescribed number of visits right before everything was shut down in March but was able to continue with virtual doctor appointments. Aaron started a six month long Community Reintegration Program (class) the beginning of July that meets via Zoom three days a week from 9:00am-2:00pm. This has been an amazing and very comprehensive class designed to strengthen memory, organizational skills, critical thinking and all the pathways that were affected by the stroke (TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury). Aaron will complete this six month program on December 4th and I am incredibly proud of him for pressing into all the work and participation that is required for this course. He has been noticeably strengthened in all of the areas above and has gotten very good at articulating what he needs as well as advocating for himself if he has any questions. He will continue with a one day a week follow-up program when he is done with this class on December 4th. We are exceedingly grateful to the team that teaches this class and worked to make it possible on Zoom! 

Aaron’s left peripheral vision continues to be compromised though we have seen improvement. Much of it has been restored but there is still a residual vulnerability due to his field cut. We continue to make accommodations for things that may challenge him along the way.

We continue to navigate the emotional and mental fluidness with Aaron that is common to stroke survivors. As I write this, Aaron is experiencing much more stability in his mood and emotions which is a beautiful blessing to witness and has also brought him much peace!  

Aaron and I have been taking daily walks since April which has been a great source of physical strengthening for him and a great outlet for both of us! He is now often leading the way and walking way ahead of me!!

As of last week, Aaron is meeting with an ILS (Independent Living Skills) worker who will do anything from running errands, helping him manage bills, going on walks, or even exploring the zoo! We are so thankful for this opportunity to welcome John onto Aaron’s team of caregivers! 

We thank the Lord for each day and each step of healing on Aaron’s journey. And for all that is ahead for him! Throughout this trial and healing we have experienced God’s palpable presence, calm and protection over and over again. Overflowing hearts of praise and thanks to God for every single detail!! We also thank the Lord for each of you! Your love and kindness shown has been a balm to us over this past year and beyond. 

We are praying for exponential measures of peace, strength, comfort, strong health, joy and dear family and friends to surround you in this Thanksgiving/Holiday season!!

Happy and blessed Thanksgiving to you all!! We love you and are THANKFUL beyond words for your presence in our lives!! 

We couldn’t have done this without you! 

Love, 

Diane & Aaron