May 30, 2021: Reclamation Day! 

That is what we are calling it: Reclamation Day. It sounds much better than “Stroke-iversary” and is intended to capture what Eleanor wants today to symbolize – the reclaiming of her life and celebration of what she has achieved in the year since her stroke.  And we have much to celebrate, as Eleanor has continued to make progress and the horizons of what she can do are continuing to expand. 

In the last several weeks, Eleanor has been going to the gym to lift weights and get some cardio; swimming with Sheltering Arms (pictured); and bicycling (pictured) and playing pickleball with Sportable (https://www.sportable.org/), an amazing Richmond-based adaptive sports club that enables people with physical disabilities and/or visual impairments to play many different sports. More recently, Eleanor returned to the beach and saw the ocean for the first time in over a year. With the help of a beach wheelchair, she got down right next to the water and put her feet in the sand (pictured). And, with the easing of COVID restrictions, we’ve been able to attend church (without the wheelchair). Eleanor is even giving the church choir a go!

While the journey is far from over and Eleanor still has a few more mountains she wants to climb, today we pause to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and to thank the many of you who have been so supportive of her (and us).  Eleanor is the first to say that she could not have gotten as far as she has without your constant prayers and support. They have been both humbling and overwhelming (In a good way). 

THANK YOU!, THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!!!  

Words are nowhere near enough to express our sincere and eternal gratitude. 

The one year anniversary also seems like an appropriate time to put down the pen.  I have appreciated the ability to share parts of Eleanor’s story with those who care for her, and I have sometimes needed this as a cathartic outlet, but I am ready to return to my haughty disdain of social media.  If you want to catch up on the latest chapter, please stop by the house, give us a call, or send us a text or email.  Until then,🤙.