Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

******* June 16, 2009 *******

There's a lot to update, all of a sudden! First and most important, above all else, Kenneth's right leg decided to move on Sunday!!!!!

Myself, Vinny, and our friend took Kenneth to the movie theatre on Sunday. This is his first time out to do something fun and this is is very first time out without my parents -- they suggested this so that he can start getting a sense of some independence back. He was happy to just hang out and go see a movie with people his age. I was nervous but it went very well - he was definitely ready for this step. We shared pretzel bites and went to see 'Land of the Lost'. I think Kenneth's first choice was Terminator but I'm too afraid to see that LOL and my husband and our friend already saw it so we figured Land of the Lost was a good pick. Kenneth and I used to watch that TV show when we were little. I remember it quite vividly.

Well, Kenneth loved it - he had such a great day and we laughed at the movie. He really enjoyed himself. I don't think my parents knew what to do with themselves without him at the house lol! When we came home Kenneth got into his recliner to relax a little. He put the TV on and I sat across from him in the den while I told my parents and Jenn how much he liked the movies and how he FLAT OUT refused to go to the bathroom in the public restroom HA! Typical Kenneth. He gave us a look like, 'I'll wait until I get home, thank you very much'. Well, he was sitting there and I looked over at him and noticed his right leg MOVE. So, I said 'Ken! Your leg moved' and he kind of chuckled like, wow it did.

It has, on RARE occasions, moved out of reflex but even that is very rare. But this looked different to me. However, before I got too excited I said 'can you do that again?' and he looked down at his leg and concentrated -- and BAM! It moved!!! He kind of raised it up just a little off of the recliner foot rest and moved it left to right. Well, we were screaming like we had won the 200 million dollar powerball lottery! So, again, we asked him to do it. And, again, he looked at it and BAM! It moved!!! He did this about five or so times and we were beyond thriled.

The following day, on Monday, he did it for the physical therapists at Southside where he goes for Outpatient Therapy (no more negative St. Charles!)... They were thrilled because they told my mom only the Friday before that they were going to put a call into his Doctor from Kessler to see if MAYBE something in the leg was damaged as a result of the crash (tendons, nerves, etc). They said that typically that comes back first and then the arm. So, since we have had a lot of movement in the hand and arm in the past two weeks (which is another great update) they were wondering why the leg wasn't coming since usually THAT comes first. I mean, sometimes it happens the other way around but not usually. They no sooner questioned that with my mom and he started moving it on Sunday - two days later! He didn't hear what they said so I don't think it was spite lol.

Monday (yesterday) was a great day for us on a lot of levels. Kenneth did fabulous at therapy (Southside) and I have seen a whole new side of him come out -- almost like a re-birth of how hard he would try at Kessler coming out again. I think he started to give up a little because St. Charles had given up on him. Southside reminds us of Kessler with their upbeat attitudes -- so, we are just thrilled and Kenneth couldn't be happier. He does speech, occupational, and physical there. Then, he does that special feedback and speech on Tuesdays and Thursdays in NJ so he is going, going, going and the improvement is really remarkable. Monday (yesterday) was also a great day because we got our verdict... the person that hit Kenneth and caused all of this was found GUILTY on ALL counts. We were relieved, to say the least. Jenn, Vinny, and I went out with some friends to celebrate. It was nice to see my friends that I haven't seen that much lately because the trial took up so much time/energy.

We are happy to have that phase of it be over. I already wrote my victim impact statement lol put the cart before the horse on that one but I wanted it done. I will be delivering that on Wednesday July 22nd during sentencing unless something changes. Kenneth will be there to see him sentenced.

So, back to a more normal life -- back to work, back to focusing on school, back to having more free time, and back to focusing on Kenneth's recovery first and foremost. I'm glad that this is over and I'm happy that justice has been served. The Judge made it clear to us that he intends on giving him the maximum sentence which I hope he does -- I know it is not enough, as it never will be enough... but, it is the highest punishment that our law allows and at least he is getting that. Kenneth will be satisfied. He was very pleased when we told him about the verdict. He looked relieved, also.

In terms of speech, we have been improving well -- he now has to say EVERYTHING he wants. If he wants water - he has to say it. If he wants a pudding, he has to say it. Even if he doesn't get it perfect - he has to say it. Kenneth is the type to not want to say something until he knows he is going to say it perfectly -- he does this with writing and answering when we work together. So, I tell him all the time it doesn't matter if you make a mistake - we will correct it and make it right! Just go for it and be confident - 9 times out of 10 he gets it spot on. So, he is now talking a lot as a result -- everytime someone comes in he has to say hi and then by when they leave. He has to say how are you? and when I ask him back he has to say 'i'm good or I'm fine'. He has to say please and thank you or you're welcome for everything and whenever he wants something he needs to attempt the word of what he wants. It can get exhausting by the end of the day for someone who isn't used to talking this much but we have been doing it for about five days now and notice a great improvement.

He is no longer requiring as much prompt, if at all. He says things much better and more clearly -- and some words seem effortless, just like regular speech. We still have a long road to go as he lost his entire vocabulary and word bank but we are getting there and his brain is re-training and re-learning. It is comforting to see this process take place.

Aside from that, we are enjoying as much as we can -- Kenneth is going to Christopher's Little League game tonight! I didn't know if we would ever get here - I always felt in my heart that he could overcome and he will continue but when doctors tell you he'll never be able to do anything aside from blink and just lay there it just astonishes you as to what the human spirit can overcome and accomplish.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

What an amazing update! Glad to hear about the verdict, but more importantly, glad to hear that he is continuing to improve everyday. Your whole family is truly inspiring

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

This is such great news. I hope he continues to improve every day until he is 100%.

Re: Updates on DaniRella's family

Yay!!!!...for everthing. I was just speaking with my friend and telling her Kenneth's story and all the progress he has made. She is a speech patholigist so I knew she would find his progress interesting and astonishing. She absolutely did!!