Time for an update: It's been about a month since Rick and Stacy have been back in St. Louis. And it has been wonderful to be home! Van is a St. Louis resident this summer and has played a huge role getting the house ready and training to help with Rick's physical therapy. Amanda and her husband Ed are also in town escaping the Texas heat for a few weeks. So the gang is literally all here!

Recovery is our priority, so the most important part of the transition home has been to keep up Rick's intense therapy schedule. Rick is part of a five day-a-week, five hour-a-day program at the SSM Day Institute. Lucky for us, Rick is one of the first patients at their new Chesterfield Valley location, just a few minutes from our house. They are pushing him hard and we've already seen a big improvements in his walking. Rick mostly relies on a wheelchair to get around, but each day he spends at least some time walking on his own with a cane (and a spotter right next to him). Rick has us all out in the heat while he walks back-and-forth on the sidewalk in front of the house to build his endurance. Shout out to our neighbors for being his cheerleaders.

Beyond therapy, Rick has enjoyed seeing friends for short, socially-distanced visits. Our backyard has become a great spot to sit and catch up on all we have missed over the past few months. It really makes Rick and Stacy's day to see everyone, even if only for a short time. Rick is working hard on his speech, but conversational communication is a struggle. These visits actually double as great therapy.

Our house is still a big work in progress, but the basics (wider doorways, ramps, a more accessible bathroom) are there. These changes have had a huge impact on Rick's ability to be independent and there is really no way to describe just how important that independence is! Thank you to everyone who helped make these improvements possible.

Hope to see you all (from six feet away) soon. :)