It is hard to believe that this year is already gone! This has been such a hard year for us. I pray that Holli will have a great year in 2010 and continues to heal and improve to get her life back. She got her new custom made wheelchair today. It gives her good lateral support but she does not have the head support. She can hold her head up straight when she wants but it only lasts a few seconds and then she lets her head drop. We are also going to find a neurologist to take Holli for Botox injections in her right arm so we can really stretch her arm out and be able to leave on a sustained brace to get her arm straight again. Both of these is an expense out of our pocket. I am so thankful we still have some funds left to help out. If it wasn't for friends and family and even strangers that have helped us we would not be able to give this extra medical care that Holli really needs. Thank you so much. I also want to thank you again for all the love and prayers for Holli and for me this past year. It has really made a difference. Happy New Year!!!

Diane

Today marks the 10th month anniversary of Holli's accident but today we also celebrate Christmas Eve. Holli has started the last couple of days to move her left leg really fast, like she is shaking it. Yesterday she was doing this while in bed and fell out of bed on her knees. There was no one in the room with her at that time. The nurse heard someone yelling "HELP" and came into the room to find it was Holli!!!! Thank goodness she was not hurt but it is also great to know that when in distress that she was able to call out and SAY help!!!! She is also getting into the agitated stage of her injury. She seems to loose her patience very easily and will definitely let you know she does not want to be bothered. Thank goodness you can still get her to smile and laugh when she is not tired or agitated. My mom and dad, sister, Joy and niece, Jill with her two boys are coming up from Mississippi on Sunday for a couple of days to see us. It will be great to be with family and I know Holli will be glad to see them. I wish all of Holli's friends and family and all that have sent their prayers and thoughts to Holli this past 10 months a Very Merry Christmas from the both of us. God bless each and everyone of you.
Diane

I am so sorry I haven't updated this blog since Thanksgiving. Holli has been in good spirits this week. Her sister, Heather decorated her room with a small Christmas tree and red garland. I am enjoying it since I have decided not to do any decorating at home this year. Since I will not be home but with Holli this year I just can not bring myself to put up a tree at home.
Holli has been sitting up in the chair for longer periods of time this past week. She has tolerated it well. She usually dozes in the chair each day. We are getting her a custom built wheelchair that will give her better lateral support. She has been measured for it but I am not sure when it will be ready. It should help her build up her core strength. She is getting more muscle movement in her right leg. One of our main concerns is her right arm that still has alot of tone in it and she is unable to straighten. She is also making more "sounds" with her mouth instead of nasally when she laughs. She tries really hard at times to speak but it is hard to understand what she is trying to say. We had the Salvation Army and children come by last week to sing carols and bring Holli a Christmas stuff animal. There will be several Christmas activities here the next couple of weeks that I hope to get Holli involved with them. On Christmas Eve Santa will be visiting each room and bringing presents from the Angel Tree. I hope that everyone is enjoying the Christmas season.
Diane