JULIA COMES HOME

Julia was released as an in-patient from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Friday. During the week, Julia met with the Lab School High School Principal and two members of the faculty and was able to watch her soccer team win a game. She was happy to be mixing with her friends. Monday, May 10th, Julia will be returning to school part-time every morning Monday through Friday. Three afternoons each week, she will be going to a branch of the Rehabilitation Institute for out-patient Physical and Occupational therapy. She has decided to do the summer job the she got to before her accident. Beginning mid-June she will be working as a Summer Day Camp Co-Councilor for 15 first graders. I called the Day Camp Director this week to notify her and she was thrilled to hear the news. Although Julia can move her fingers and wrist of her left hand, she still has very little movement in her left arm. We visited with a neurosurgeon on Tuesday to discuss surgical options, if the condition of her left arm does not improve in the next six weeks. Most importantly, Julia has maintained her up-beat attitude. She continues to be an inspiration to Wendy and me.

Sincerely,

James

PROM?

"Yes, of course!" It's official--Julia and Ben are going to Prom. As the senior, and therefore the one obliged to issue the invitation, Julia sent Ben the proposal on Monday in the form of an elaborate digitally transmitted picture of many delicious candies, cookies and other yummy edibles spelling out "Prom?" with a request for a response by Tuesday. When she saw him at school on Tuesday and no response was delivered, Julia admitted to being "confused" by Ben's silence. However, the gallant Ben had a plan. He was able to arrive back to the hospital first and surprised a delighted Julia with a newly decorated room full of balloons and a huge poster announcing his definite and affirmative response. Now it's time to think about shopping for "the dress." Julia admits with some relief, that many other people still don't have their dresses, so she'll no doubt find hers and have it posted on the Facebook group with all the others sometime in the coming weeks.

School Visit

The High School Graduation from Temple Sholom was indeed a moving event. Much to her parents' surprise, Julia joined her fellow graduates and delivered a brief speech to the congregation. All of the seniors included a tribute to Faith in their talks. On Friday, several of Faith's friends joined together to celebrate Faith's 18th birthday. They invited Faith's mother, Michele, to join them for breakfast the following morning and Michele asked Julia to join her. It was Julia's first opportunity to see many of her classmates. Julia visited the Lab School over lunch-time on Tuesday and was met by many of her friends in the Senior Lounge who were delighted to see her. Julia is still scheduled to be released as a full-time patient of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago next Friday, May 7th. Her mental and physical condition continues to improve. She can walk unassisted, she has regained some feeling and movement in her left arm, and her sense of humor is back full swing.

James

4/24 Update from James

Julia made steady progress this week with a few set backs. We discovered that she had broken the ring finger in her left hand during the accident. We had a specialist from the University of Chicago look at it on Tuesday and he said it should be reset in the next few weeks but the was no immediate urgency. He also said that the nerves in her left arm should continue to heal in the next couple of months and he will advise us what to do after that point. Until then, Julia continues to heal on her own. Her spirits have remained up-beat and she continues to be an inspiration to both of her parents. On Wednesday she went on her first public outing to her final class at the Temple. She was warmly greeted by her many friends there. Friday she attend her High School Graduation from Temple Sholom. It was a moving event. Friday 4/23, was also Faith's birthday. Faith was a member of the Temple Sholom High School as well.

Sincerely,

James

Weekly update

Julia made some rapid improvement last week. The family decided to hold off on repairing the knee. She is now walking with a cane and support. She still has some serious limitations in the use of her left arm. Her memory scores really took a leap forward so that she has remembered more about the accident--reasons for the despair. Julia was told about Faith and had a visit from Kaia on Sunday. While the news about Faith was very difficult for her, she continues to maintain a positive attitude about her own recovery. She hopes to visit her classmates at school next week and return to school for her high school graduation. Faith's birthday is April 23rd, a date which Julia recalled and which prompted answers to her questions about the accident. Once again, Julia's effervescent personality and optimism will help her get through these difficult days. Julia is expressing interest in seeing friends and even going back to school, but the therapists and doctors are still very cautious. She can't do too much too soon. All of this activity and 'rebooting' of memory is exhausting and she still needs lots of time to rest....more to come.

Challenges

Julia continued physical therapy last week, making improvements in small ways in spite of being sidelined a bit with her knee now immobilized. She had some more speech/memory therapy where she talked about home, family, birthday celebrations, including her last 18th celebration in December and some other parties she'd been to in February. She also expressed some interest in Prom plans, asking if there were any official dates yet. Maybe some comments can be posted on that...Your emails, cards and gifts are always met with smiles and expressions of gratitude.

The weekend wasn't quite as sunny for Julia as it was outside. She was more tired out and still doesn't have much of an appetite-although chocolate and Odwallas went over well. A decision is pending on whether to have surgery to repair the patella fracture sooner or later. Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.

Visitors are still strictly limited to immediate family and with prior clearance from Wendy and James.

Running Hurdles

Julia said today that she "likes running hurdles" and it's a good thing, because her current challenges are like that. Everyone is so pleased at the solid progress she is making. Her days are like school--but maybe harder work! Starting early, she has a full day's schedule of physical and mental therapy exercises, which can leave her exhausted at the end of each day. She is able to feed herself and although doesn't have a huge appetite is eating well. We enjoyed chatting about friends and teachers at school, and movies she hasn't seen--and she expressed interest in seeing The Blind Side. She still has a lot of pain from the broken bones, but you can see that familiar Julia determination as she fights through it. Even with all those challenges, Julia's hurdle crossed today was walking with a walker and some assistance--no mean feat with a broken patella (kneecap) just discovered today. No wonder her knee hurt!

It's difficult for the family to respond to all your kind communications and thank you all personally for the many gifts and cards, but they are appreciated. We continue to read notes from all Julia's dear friends which always bring signs of recognition and a smile to her face and now the lovely cards from the art class and friends are brightening up the room.

Even though Julia is remembering many things, doctors are advising it is still too soon for visitors. Please keep the cards, emails and letters coming. The email address is: julia.baird.get.strong@gmail.com