Good Morning,

I know it has been ten days since my last update. Everything has been a whirlwind. Thank you to all that have reached out. I appreciate all the calls and messages. It is a bit overwhelming, but in a great way!

Here is where we are: 

1) On November 12th, Prince was moved to Winchester Rehab. He is excelling here. A couple days ago, he walked 30 ft with a walker. He is able to get himself in and out of bed, wheelchair and can now take a sit down shower. Of course being my kiddo, he is pushing himself to be where he expects he should be. His personal standards are high, but his support system is surrounding him with encouragements to take it easy. The therapists there are thrilled with his improvement. He did frighten them one day when he decided to levitate on his walker to relieve pain in his right calf. I giggled as this is a trick he taught his sister a while back. 

2) On Wednesday, he had follow-up appointments with is orthopedic surgeon and his plastic surgeon. He is healing exceptionally well. Staples were taken out of his legs. That was a first experience for both of us. To calm the nerves, we watched Dennis the Menace on Netflix as the tech zipped through retrieving the staples. After back to back appointments, being stuck in the car for a total of three hours, sitting sideways in my small SUV, Prince was ready to rest. His mood did change and has been that way for the past couple of days. As I said earlier, he wants to be further along than he is. I keep calling him Dr. Prince to remind him that the care of his physicians and therapists are the expertise we should take heed. He is a fighter and super strong. I believe he was a bit embarrassed to be pushed around by his mother and in public eye for the first time. People looked at him with pity and Prince was not too pleased with those stares.

3) His official discharge date is on Tuesday, November 24th. He is excited to be home for Thanksgiving. I will cook till my hearts content his favorites: smothered pork chops, mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. Of course we will have the regular dishes as well. 

4) He is remembering more about the accident, which is causing him to ask more questions. We did learn from his medical report that he was tossed about 20ft in the air. The angels worked overtime on November 4th, as they shielded Prince from internal injuries and allowed him to be alert to notify the paramedics where to find me, his name and birth date. “Go get my mom” will ring in my mind for a while. Folks are asking me about the accident, but I ask that you understand that we are in a process and cannot fully disclose all details. The focus the community can have right now, is why in the world there are only two crosswalks on the intersection of Fairfax Pike and Warrior Drive which is a school zone. We are petitioning the Frederick County Board of Supervisors to change this as we have learning Prince is not the only kid to have been hit at this intersection. The petition is attached, so please take a moment to help us make the school zone safer for our kids and pedestrians.

I cannot thank you all enough for your encouragement, well wishes, cards, packages and love. Hideaway Cafe raised over $250 from folks all across the community and our hearts are happy. It has been an adjustment and we are about to go through another one with his transition to home. Please forgive me if I do not answer right away or return messages or calls. I am also a business owner and playing catch up along with co-parenting a four year old daughter. Our worlds have flipped upside down, but the world continues to spin whether we stand still or not. It is affecting emotions and moods, but we are doing the best we can with the cards dealt. My son is my pride and joy. He knows this fight is not over, but considering how much he has accomplished in this lifetime already, he can do hard things.

On a lighter note, I have learned things about my son that I had no idea was happening behind the scenes. He apparently has a lot of elderly friends and has given his time, conversation, thoughts and patience to a lot of people. Learning these heartwarming affects my son has had on the hearts of people in this community is mind blowing. As a parent, you often wonder if what you are teaching your children will ever come to fruition. He is known as the Charming Prince that has a humble heart and is the gentle giant. Thank you for sharing your stories and thank you for loving him even in the absence of his parents. It means more than you could ever know.

Blessings to you all!