Scott’s Story

Site created on September 13, 2019

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Linda Barkalow

Dear Friends,
It's been so long since I have posted.  I couldn't believe it when I looked at the date of my last post.
Please let me bring you up to date on Scott's progress.  In September he was set up to do aquatic therapy
at Bronson Health Club.  We were so excited for him to get in the water.  When we arrived and looked at the
facility, much to our dismay, they showed us the chair to lift him into the water, but they had no way to get him in the chair.  They said he would have to stand to get in the chair.  Scott does not stand yet - so we asked if they had a lift and they could place him in the chair.  The answer was No, we do not.  So any therapy at Bronson was out of the question since they informed us they do not have any hoyer lifts throughout all of Bronson's rehab facilities.  So being pretty disappointed, I tried calling a few other rehab places in Kalamazoo - all with the same result - no lifts.  Later on my friend, Pat, and I were talking and she said to me " I just think Scott is capable of so much more."  This made me think more seriously about getting outpatient therapy for him.  I prayed diligently that God would open a window for him.  After Pat's comment, I called Hope Network in Grand Rapids.  We had been introduced to them while Scott was in the hospital in Grand Rapids.  They told me they have a neuro rehab facility in Kalamazoo.  Wow.  I talked with Scott's doctor and she sent a referral to Hope Network for Scott for physical therapy, speech and occupational therapy.  We went this week for his evaluation on Tuesday and back today, December 1, for his first sessions.  He did wonderfully well.  We are so grateful for him to have this opportunity, and things look good for some software assistance and other exciting possibilities they have in mind for him.  The window opened.  Scott has been remembering a lot of things - like he remembered the accident - not all the details of course.  I asked him what color his motorcycle was - and he wrote "red."  He remembered his cell phone number from 3 years ago.  As I ask him questions, he writes the answers on the ipad.  He doesn't talk but we communicate - and that smile of his warms my heart everyday.  So this was a Thanksgiving praise and is now a Christmas joy going forward.  Thank you for always remembering Scott and our family.  I will try and keep you more up to date on this amazing journey.  Wishing you Peace and Joy this holiday season, and special thanks from the Barkalows.

 

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