One year ago this morning I received the worst phone call of my life to date.  Nothing could have prepared us for what to expect minute to minute let alone a year later. 

Ryan has proven to be one of the most determined, stubborn, hard working, persistent people I have ever met.   

We were so fortunate to have the therapists that we had working with Ryan once he was released from Bryn Mawr.  Jared in PT, Bethany in Occupational therapy and Meghan and Liz with Speech Therapy.  We didn't know that Wilmington Hospital rehab rotated their therapists every 6 months between in patient and outpatient.  We were sad to lose Meghan, but when Liz told us that she specialized in patients with brain injuries we were excited to see what was coming. 

Liz was able to work with Ryan to get him ready for school, working with distractions, multi-tasking etc.  He finally graduated from speech therapy in May!  He was very excited to not have to wake up or go to the hospital.  I, of course, was a mess, but so proud of him, and so thankful for the treatment he received. 

Ryan has been going to the gym, moved out of the house and back on campus with Ben, Ellis and another friend and hasn't missed a beat working at Kates.  

He is taking a summer class to make sure that he is able to, and is scheduled to take fall and spring classes and hope to graduate in the spring.  A year ago, I wasn't sure that was going to happen.  We've met with Student Disability Services and have accommodations set up for Ryan going into the fall. I'm very impressed with what they offer, and Ryan is confident that he is being set up for success.  We both felt that it is better to have the accommodations and not have to use them, than not have them and need them.  He learns a little differently now, and UD had truly been amazing and giving him every resource that he needs.  

This is not to say that Ryan is “all better”.  We actually don’t know what that means for ryan.  He has deficits, and is aware of his challenges.  We don’t know what the future holds for him, but he will do whatever it takes to be successful.  

Ryan has finished driving rehab, and is getting ready to retake the driving test so that he can have his license back.  This is the final "normal" thing that we are waiting on.  

His executive functioning skills that used to be so easy for him, are not so easy anymore.  He forgets things, loses focus, can't always concentrate as well as he used to.  He does tend to hyperfocus on things now.  He has some depression and worry what his future will look like.  He is a bit more outspoken and less inhibited though - which definitely comes from the front temporal lobe injury.  He doesn't see this as a bad thing overall. Neurosurgery doesn't need to see him again unless there is a problem - which we don't forsee. 

Sometimes, I go back and read the documents and notes from the hospital and the doctors, and can't believe what was to what is now.  

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, there are simply no words to thank you all for everything you have done for us over the past year.  I will be forever humbled by the outpouring of love and prayers from my closest of friends to total strangers.  From fundraising, to food and lunches, to picking up kids and driving them places, to phone calls, to just sitting and listening to me, keeping me company etc.  The Martuscelli's, Klondike Kates, Jaime McCardle and the entire Kates team, Adele and DBI, Sharon Dorr and Newark Charter School, LocalLuv and Meghan, Lauren, Sarah, Marla, Michelle, Elaine all of Encore Dance Academy, my sister and parents... there are really just too many to name individually, but your love and thoughtfulness has NOT gone unnoticed. 

 Every visit, text, message, phone call was and still is appreciated.  This experience has changed our lives and made us truly appreciate second chances and made us see just how short life really is.  

I also very much hope to never have to start or write a caring bridge again....  Thank you all again.