Hello Hello!!

Brett Report - He continues to work hard each day and night to make the very most of each and every muscle he has at the current time.

There was a motivational speaker and former Craig Patient Jason Reiger, that spoke to patients and staff in early July. Jason was a member of the 2008 Gold Medal winning Wheelchair Rugby team at the Bejing Paralympics.

http://usparalympics.org/athlete/athlete/2031

I took away an important piece of advice, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

I can assure you all, Brett is making the very most of what he does have, at this point. He has been dealing with a skin issue for the past week and has been confined to his bed. He has spent the time in bed working to improve his wrist extensors that he just started to feel last week. He has been working to stretch his arms straight to help push the manual chair. Yesterday he was able to get into his wheelchair twice for two hours each. He quickly rolled to the gym to say hi to his therapists and friends.

This week in bed has been a set back, and mentally frustrating, as Brett counts the hours that he is not in therapy. However, he has been surrounded by wonderful people at Craig Hospital. Patients roll in his room to say hi, check in on his condition, and give him a pep talk when he needs it.

Brett also had some very special visitors last week. Uncle Rod and Kayo Trepanier drove out from Yakima, WA. These guys spent hours and hours at the hospital following Brett to his classes and therapy sessions. They were able to see him pedal the stationary hand bike. He used his arms to pedal further, with more resistance than he had done before. As Brett describes, he felt he really needed to "show off" around these two guys. They both played football at Montana State with Brett's Dad Wayne, "back in the day." That night he fell asleep mid sentence while talking with the kids.

My Mom also was in town last week, and brought my cousin Cindy's daughter Chelsie. Chelsie is now 14, and was one of the flower girls in our wedding. Caroline and Cole loved her! Mom and I were so happy to have an extra set of hands around. My Mom has been at my side at the very dark days of this journey. This visit, Mom saw Brett in his chair one evening, then he was kept in bed because of the skin issue. With the continual change in antibiotics to treat his infections, he has been suffering from nausea and pain and stiffness from being in bed for days. Hopefully next time she can see more of his shining smile and real progress.

We are still working toward a mid September release date from the hospital. There will be a move from our home in Stapleton to a wheelchair accessible home. Lots to plan and do in the coming weeks. We are excited to have our little family under the same roof again and begin to establish our own routine and new normal.

Much Love,

Kelly