Aidan and Roger have now hiked on the AT for 18 days! Aidan has posted quite a few pictures of the hike on Instagram (see the link to his account in my previous post) but I will attach a couple of pictures here. The report from Roger is that when they started, they were about at the same physical stamina level and pace and of course both have progressed but Aidan has gradually passed Roger in pace and energy. Although this was one of the goals of the trip (to help Aidan build back his previous level of stamina), it created a bit of a predicament a few days ago. Aidan got ahead of Roger, took a wrong turn, and ended up way off of the AT. By the time he realized it, he felt he was too far off and didn’t want to retrace his steps, so kept going until he crossed a road, then took the road to the nearest inhabited building, asked for directions, eventually found his way back to the trail, and 6 hours later hooked back up with Roger. Aidan was quite happy and proud of his accomplishment, while Roger was stressed and famished as Aidan had carried all the food in his pack that day. I believe they split the food packs from then on.😊 

It seems that the hike has pushed Aidan’s limits in good ways, helping him regain his confidence and conquer some lingering insecurities about water (swimming across a lake fixed that), heights (carrying a pack on logs high across rivers helped), and decision-making. They have picked up their pace and may reach their goal (NY city bound bus stop on the AT, where they can get to Amtrack to get home) earlier than planned, arriving back home within the next few days. 

It astounds me that today marks exactly 6 months from the day of Aidan’s accident. He is now legally allowed to drive again. He will have multiple doctor’s appointments in the next 3 weeks before flying to Japan, including the oral surgeon to decide when to remove the metal plate in his jaw, the ear doctor to determine if/when to do minor surgery to drain the fluid blocking the inner ear mechanism, the brain trauma specialist to evaluate for any memory accomodations needed moving into full-time college, as well as basic physicals and follow up rehab. Please pray for his prep and adjustment to handling these follow ups on his own from the fall with local friends’ support. We are super thankful for all of the people that are and will continue to support Aidan in Boston/Hamilton as his family moves back to stay in Tokyo. 

Our hearts overflow with gratefulness for all of you who have followed Aidan’s journey these last 6 months and wept, prayed, and rejoiced with us as well as encouraging and carrying us along the way. His journey is not over but he has come an incredibly long way. I will only post occasionally now as we return to Japan (Kaizen and myself on June 12th, Roger and the 3 older boys on July 6th), but will do so again when there are updates on the still-pending things like his hearing, the 2nd minor jaw surgery to remove the metal plate, and the big step back to full-time college at Gordon in mid-August. Thank you!!! Blessings. 

Also, Aidan’s email address for any who would like to stay in contact with him directly. 

lowtheraidan@gmail.com