Tuesday, August 23, 2011

the determination continues...



"When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~Author Unknown

"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did." N.Gingrich

I cannot help but rave about Ben. Although his progress may seem slow to both of us it doesn't mean that his courage, determination and strength to get better! He continually asks, like I have mentioned it before, "when am I going to get out of this situation, when am I going to be my old self again and I just want to walk on my own again?!" I don't have the answers for Ben although I wish I could. I too would like to have these answers. But what I do know and tell Ben all the time is that he is amazing, he is strong, he is a man, I love him, I respect him, I am SO proud of him, I see his hard work and so does God. I also tell him not to give up, to keep on going strong! Ben of course says that he will never give up until he is 100% and then some! I am so proud of him!

A few things (videos) I wanted to share with you on just some of the things that Ben has been working on! Before I do that here is a bit of his therapy schedule.
Mondays - Combination of (ST)Speech Therapy (1.5 hours) and (OT)Occupational Therapy (2 hours)
Tuesday - (RS)Rehab Specialist (2 hours at gym in the morning) (PT)Physical Therapy (2 hours in the afternoon)...afternoon may change
Wednesday - Combination of ST (1.5 hours) and OT (2 hours)
Thursday - same as Tuesday
Friday - Combination of ST (1.5 hours) and OT (2hours)

ST and OT come 2 days each and go between M,W,F...
When Ben is not in therapy he is kept busy by me, has massage appointments, we are running errands and getting some rest! Busy, busy, busy!

Tree squats


Transfers

(yes, the landing was a tad rough but this was a good one!)

Push-ups


So, my mom got Ben into playing Sorry when she stayed with him a bit ago. This is a very good game for Ben and so I pulled it out the other day and we played a few. I have to say that I did win two times (no I didn't cheat, I was nice and yes I am competative) but the second game was super close as you can see in the bottom photo!
I text my friend the first photo and she said she was rooting for Ben! When I told him what she said he responded, "good, cuz I'm in a bind!" Hence the second photo! I was thrilled that Ben realized this and that he was able to use new verbage! :)




Seriously I think I am going to buy stock in Nature Valley's Oats and Honey granola bars!! Ben is addicted to them! Every time I ask him if he needs something it is always a granola bar! He liked them pre-accident and the liking continues! I guess I forgot how much he did like them! Ben likes them to the point that if I give it to him with the wrapper he will eat it and then dump all of the crumbs into his mouth...same as if I break it up and put it in a container for neatness! The crumbs always go in the mouth...just like he aways used to but again I forgot! :)



Good thing Costco sells these bad boys come in a box of 96 rather then the general stores box of 12!

Awwww, maybe another Ben favorite item I may buy stock in is these bad boys...



Again, thanks to Costco for selling a huge box with three individual bags instead of the small bags in the regualar store! Ben even wrote a song about it! I have him remembering the first few lines and I am sure the rest will come! All you Ranger boys should know what I am talking about when it comes to his goldfish!


The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running. ~Author unknown, in reference to Ecclesiastes 9:11, "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Loved the videos and the opportunity to see the physical work/exercises Ben is doin. WOW!! Ben is doing amazing. Daily prayers going our fo him to reach his goal of complete recovery+

When my Phil was in chemo, chemo days began at 7:00a, and ended around 8pm or sometimes later. I lived on the honey & oat granola bars, and I too ate the crumbs in the packaging bag ) Those are the best granola bars--I just wish they were healthy, but they taste good and that is what matters most of all!

A couple of weekends ago we were admiring Mt. Rainier and we said a prayer for Ben asking God to please heal him so he could climb the mountin again. Keeping the prayers coming with all the assurance that God is hearing the calls out for Ben's healing.

Blessings, Mari

Jane said...

Your journey with your husband is so inspiring. It looks like he is doing so well. I'm sure you're incredibly proud. And seriously, those granola bars are amazing!

Anonymous said...

You could just see the pride in the therapist's face as Ben did the tree squats. Too, he was very good in how he encouraged Ben in the transfers. He told him what needed to be changed, yet gave Ben the feeling of accomplisment. Oh, my, Katie, I am in awe of what Ben goes through in his therapies. He truly is amazing....as is his wife. I love you both and continue totrust Father for you. Marion

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Wonderful progress!

I especially love what he said while playing Sorry. ;)

Also, we love the granola bars. My husband eats them for breakfast every morning. Our Costco also sells the dark chocolate ones. Our top faves are the Roasted Almond (tastes like vanilla!) and the Peanut Butter. But we always have the trusty Oats & Honey on hand.

Thanks for sharing all that wonderful progress... and those quotes/verses. I need to hear them as much as Ben/you do.

Laurel said...

Just gotta say ... those are my favorite granola bars, too. (And, I just might empty the package of crumbs into my mouth, as well.) :)

I drove through your town yesterday and thought of you. Wished I'd had your number because I would have loved to stop and meet you.

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine!

:) :) :)

jacin {lovely little details} said...

i am always so inspired, not just by ben's courage, but by yours as well. you are so strong and i know that must give ben strength too. my thoughts and prayers are with you guys!

Julie @ The Smitten Mintons said...

I've never commented on here before, but I just had to say how much you and Ben amaze me. Y'all are such a beautiful couple and your strength in the Lord is so encouraging. And that picture of Ben smiling on the last post made me smile so much!!