AND WERE BACK Sorry for the delay

CHIE IN THE HOUSE

Well, I know it has been a while but we are back and continuing to keep you all up to date with Chie's progress. I am sorry for the delay. It has really been a handful keeping up with everything here at home. I have just been so busy helping to teach Chie all the new surroundings, routines, and just getting used to being at home, along with cooking, dishes, laundry, cleaning, prepping lunches / breakfast, appointments, work, etc.... that I have not been able to get the blog going. Now I hope to get back in the rythm and get you all updated.

Despite being transferred out of inpatient at the apartments for whatever reason, I have no idea!, Chie is doing really well here at the house. Happy to be home and happy to have gained some independence to do things on her own. We have tried to get the house fixed up as best we could for her return. We would like to especially thank DARS (Disabled and Rehabilitative Services) Margo and Kay as well as Chet and Cindy at Home Ready Rental for getting approved and finding so much of what we needed. She has a whole room with all her lotions and clothes on shelves where she can see and reach them. She prepares her clothes for the next day by herself every evening. She has all of her lotions and chip chap in order and put where she wants it to be kept. The bathroom door is widened and hand rails are installed, so she no longer has to wait on someone to take care of business. We have snacks out where she can reach them and keep food and drinks on the lower shelves of our fridge so she can get to them if she is hungry. She has even been able to use the microwave to warm something to eat up for herself. She loves the shower where she can sit until the hot water runs out. We use hands free two wave radios to communicate when we are not in the same room . She just starts talking and I can hear and respond to her every need, and they can be demanding at times!!! We are getting different stations in order so she will have a variety of things to occupy her time if she is left alone.

Now she commutes from the house and I am happy to say that she no longer uses her wheelchair when she goes to therapy!!!! Her goal this year is to walk so we decided that is just what she will do. She takes her walker to school and reserves the wheelchair for weekends and the house!!! Oh, and she did walk when we went to see the doctor. She wanted to show her what she could do, and she made sure to shake hands with her left, rememberring the day when nobody thought she would ever use her left arm again. Yeah Chie!!! Its a longer day for her and we were all worried about how she would endure, but she has managed pretty well. She has had a few slips and a couple of falls. They about scared me to death. She said she was ok though. I just cant be there 24/7. I watched her take the first fall while cooking dinner. She just got mixed up on how to transfer and stood up, lost her balance, and down she went. We are really working hard on stressing safety. One of her deficits is the ability to distinguish safe and dangerous situations. She is learning but has attempted a few not so favorable tasks. Twice while waiting for our driver she has gotten up out of her chair all by herself and walked to the door. The first time I caught her, she was halfway out the door!!!! I was shocked but she just smiled and said " I didnt think you would check. I am waiting for the driver." She got in TROUBLE for that one. The other time she walke to the door just in time to realize that our door opens inward and she cant back up in the walker! OOPS!! I try to stress the safety but not be too harsh, I have to respect the "FIGHT" in her and try to understand that she wants to do so much more. She really is doing a lot of work at home and just doesnt realize it. She wears herself out and has been crashing pretty early. This has begun to frustrate her and makes things harder for us to get dinner and bathed and ready for bed. We will see what we can do to fix that.

She misses many of you who came to see her at the apartments. We thank you so much for all you do and did for us. She hopes you will come visit soon to our house, but she knows it is far for you and understands if you cant come very often. We will be here and you are always welcome anytime you can make it.
Thanks and will talk to you all soon.