Great gains

Dad had such an awesome day today! He practiced stairs for the first time and did great, then walked back to his room from the gym (one side of the building to the other). Later he practiced getting in and out of the car so he'll be ready for us to take him to visit Mom on Sunday, which will be their 48th wedding anniversary (before you applaud, we met a guy here in rehab who's been been married for sixty years!).

I have to tell you that this past week Dad has truly made some amazing gains. It's like all the little pieces of his therapy are coming together in a big way. From something as simple as being able to reach over and grab a drink off the table (and get the straw to his mouth and put it back on the table!) to needing only a light hand under his arm to stand up with his walker, I tell him every day he is awesome and amazing, and he is. And that's just the physical stuff. Any short term memory issues Dad has had seem pretty much gone and his ability to focus and problem solve is improving, too. Every day I think he can't get any more fabulous, but the next day he's even more fabulous!

Today we went to a group get-together with some other patients. We heard some amazing stories and it was very encouraging to see what others are going through and hear their struggles and triumphs. I've seen so many people here on this floor go from wheelchairs to walkers to canes to walking out to go home. It's profoundly touching to know we are just one of so many miracles.