Mel is doing  well ... therapies including   OT/PT have her working exceptionally hard several times a day.   Speech is still on board assessing her cognition/attention which they state she is doing amazingly! She is improving in all areas greatly and progressing exceptionally well with slide board transfers.  Her daily living routine has become more structured and solid which is helpful for her and everyone involved in her care.  Medically she is doing well, still in the neck/chest brace for many weeks but her incision is healed well, infection free and pain is managed appropriately.  We call this a WIN! We are working on getting psychology to help with the processing of the trauma of the accident.  The auditory sound of motorcycles ripping up and down the streets are very triggering.  Naturally the sound of a motorcycle is very difficult at this time, especially when working with PT outside close to the street.  We are hopeful to get these services started this week to help decrease anxiety so she can continue to focus on the physical rehabilitation.   I am researching what modalities may be best for this kind of trauma. I can assume they will try CBT and DBT but I am wondering if they will try EMDR? As a MT I am definitely interested in more alternative cafes for her too but that is yet to come. 

Besides Mels physical care,  we have had more supportive care including case management.  The  paperwork trail is a mile long already and there are packets of paperwork flying through every door and mailbox with every discipline we see or talk with.  I am doing my best to spearhead all of this and we are staying on top of it as best we can.   I can say I am grateful for my professional knowledge in disabilities to help us navigate these rocky times.  I may not have all the answers but I am doing my best to find Mel the best place to rehab  and am using my resources  around the nation.  Tomorrow I will be talking with Senator Gabriella Giffords Music Therapist who was instrumental in her rehabilitation.   I am exploring all options for Mel to see what will be the best place for her to continue her physical, emotional and social rehabilitation.  We are looking at a few places around the region but most that are specialized Spinal Chord Rehabs are several hours away.   Ultimately the choice is Mel’s and we are here to help make her journey less bumpy.

Many of you have reached out to ask how we are doing as a family... well Yes some days are harder than others.  Yesterday was one of those.  Mom (Helen) was hit by another car leaving from the hospital.  Thankfully mom and the other driver are Ok., no injuries sustained.   Just her car, that’s ok it’s replaceable. We  have a rental on the way tomorrow, just more paperwork (this is simple compared  to SSI and MA though!)  The funny part was this happened right outside the front doors of the rehabilitation hospital and moms car wouldn’t drive after being hit (bent axel) .  
I was behind her thankfully,  but we had to wait for Police for 25 mins in the middle of university Ave.   This was a challenge bc we were trying to divert traffic (LOL) and we also were hoping to get the car out of there before Mel had PT and would be coming down that stretch of sidewalk! We knew she would want to get out there to help us direct traffic.. thankfully the tow truck arrived just in time! We have to laugh bc if we didn’t we would be puddles by now. When  it rains It pours ...We are hoping for a quieter end of the week. 

Grateful,  Thankful and Blessed. 

Praying for Grace, patience, strength and continued good health. 

With Love,

Emily and family