Hi friends and family, the Chao family have been enjoying a low key summer here in Connecticut and I hope this message finds you very well.  We'll share a few messages over the next few days so you get a flavor of what we've been up to.

Youn Su continues to press forward with recovery, with good readings from recent heart, CT scan, and blood checks.  Sleep, though never long, has been more consistent and restful.  She attends therapy locally four times a week, working with the same therapists on her speech/communications and bringing the right hand back to life.  

Youn Su has made great strides though speech is most apparent.  Although conversations are rarely long, she is increasingly confident and expressive.  We recently visited downtown Westport, an outdoor mall/high street I generally steer clear of, not being the target demographic of such establishments as not just one but two Blue Mercury shops, at least three blow dry bars, Tiffany's, Peloton, and our two most popular, wait-in-line to enter retailers: Brandy Melville and lululemon.  We nevertheless entered such a store, beckoned by the chalkboard sidewalk sign "cute, local shop", in search of a gift.  Finding something promising, Youn Su approached a young shopper and asked "would you have this as a graduation gift?".  As it turns out, the Gen Z'er was an actual recent college graduate and affirmed our selection.

We've also taken first steps getting Youn Su back on the road, literally.  After demonstrating her driving chops by successfully pulling our Honda Civic in reverse, out of our tight garage and down a long driveway, we decided it was time to officially check whether she could get back behind the wheel.  We made two treks to Easter Seals in Waterbury, CT for assessments.  First, she underwent a battery of vision and cognitive tests - think of pressing a clicker when flashing images show up in the periphery of vision, and mental arithmetic like what's 58 divided by 2?  Although she passed the first round, and lasted almost an hour and a half on the driving exam, she didn't get the all-clear.  We are now in the process of submitting reports from her physicians and optometrist to the DMV with the intent to kick-off driver training and installation of a knob to give her left hand greater leverage over the steering wheel.  We are eager to see this happen soon so she can start feeling like a true suburban American again!

We've had a truly wonderful great crew of friends and neighbors who have generously given her rides to the therapists, Aldi, and other spots around town.  She has been so blessed by this help.  If you are local and are able to volunteer to give Youn Su rides from time-to-time, please do get in touch via email or text msg, and we can coordinate.

In the meantime, you might see Youn Su around our neighborhood on two wheels.  Riding can be a little challenging as she needs to rebuild coordination and strength on her right side.  But it's been a good way to get some fresh air, facetime with neighbors, and a taste of navigating around cars and pedestrians.