A Birthday Weekend In The Best Of Company

                                Happy 17th to my shining star!

Being here in Atlanta was certainly not the way Kyle anticipated spending his 17th birthday.  But we made the best of it.  The two of us went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner to celebrate and then we walked the mall.  He picked out about 7 new pairs of the coolest Nike and LaBron socks to go with his fabulous shoe collection.  Just a simple present till we get back home, but non the less, it made his night.

We spent his birthday weekend just the two of us.  Neither Greg nor Alex could make it down, so I worried how we would fill the weekend without losing our minds to boredom.

We did a good job just the two of us.  In addition to the birthday celebration, we filled our time with simple things.

We went to the gym where Kyle was anxious to try running.  We ran a few laps around the indoor track but his left arm just made it so awkward and uncomfortable.  So we finished up on the treadmill instead.

We went to the park and walked two miles.

We ate nachos and watched football at our favorite sports bar.

We ate ice cream at Baskin Robbins.

We hung out on the roof late at night.

A side note about the roof that night... we've seen people come and go since we've been here.
And this night we happened to meet a new arrival while on the roof that evening.   At the late hour that it was, she thought she would be alone up there. She was embarrassed because she had come out in her pajamas. We invited her to sit and chat with us.  Her 17 year old son broke his neck on a rock while floating in the water along side his pontoon boat. We shared our stories, we gave encouragement, and then she headed to the other side of the roof to be alone.  Hopefully, Kyle and I will take the compassion and empathy that we are learning here back home with us.

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The highlight of the weekend was the zoo.

The zoo was a great place for Kyle to continue working on his walking and balance.  It was also a great place for us to really enjoy each others company.  It was a beautiful day, and it being late in the season, there were no crowds!  And I got to enjoy some much needed artistic expression (other than Shepherd Center!).

I think Kyle's favorite by far was the "budgies".   One can walk right among them.  They allowed Kyle to stroke their feathers, and me to get this "bird's eye view" for some photos!

The Silverback

Another favorite was watching the gorilla training.  They first use a clicker for reinforcement and then reward with grapes.

And what's a trip to the zoo without a visit to the Pandas!

                                  

Out And About In Atlanta

I have heard people have been asking about the blog.  I must apologize for being gone for so long.   We have had so many ups and downs, and we've really been here way too long, so, I just lost the desire to write.  Time to start catching up!

We had a wonderful weekend when Greg flew Lucas down here with him three weekends ago. Our big adventure was going to the Aquarium.  It was the first big walking event for Kyle. And even though in therapy Kyle was still required to wear his gait belt, Greg and I like breaking the rules sometimes and let Kyle ditch that thing. Thanks for keeping a good eye on him, Lucas!

So cool!  If you are SCUBA certified, you can dive in the aquarium!  Not sure what effect that would have on Kyle, if any, but I must find out!

After the aquarium, we headed over to Peachtree St, downtown Atlanta, and found an outdoor seating sports bar to watch the Crimson Tide/Gators game.  Yes we are in a different neck of the woods down here.

Next, goofing around back at the apartments, in the family lounge.....

Then out for dinner at Ted's, Greg's favorite "Cheers" hangout.....

And last but not least....

"Caution!  Lucas is visiting for the weekend!" The two boys headed to the rooftop to spend some quality bro time on a nice Georgia night. I was not sure I left Kyle in the safest of hands, but when this is how Kyle came back,  I just knew Lucas would always have Kyle's best interest at heart. Thanks for the updated gait belt and the laughs, Lucas!

Just Keep On Truckin', Kyle!

I don't think it would surprise anyone if I said that on Monday and Tuesday of this week, after returning from our jaunt back home, Kyle and I were in similar low spirits, depressed would be more accurate.  Thinking we have six more weeks to go seemed unbearable.  Yes, it was a rough two days.

But something changed in Kyle come Wednesday.  Since he had three "group" therapies in a row, of which I am not allowed, I took the opportunity to get some things done back at the apartment.  It was not pleasurable, mind you.  I was still quite down in the dumps, it not being the therapy I was hoping for, time by myself.

Then that evening came a much needed change in Kyle.  After making a nice dinner for us at 6:00, and expecting Kyle to be ready for bed around 8:30, instead, he got an unusual burst of energy.

"Mom, you know what I'm craving?  I'm really craving some Chick-fil-a."

"But we just ate dinner two hours ago, and I am tired.

"But I'm really hungry, and I need something to do."

 So I took this opportunity to getting him walking more, and we took a lovely 8:00 pm evening stroll to the local Chick-fil-a.  Little did I know he would be a chatterbox, and much to my delight, he filled me in on all his group therapy sessions of the day, of which he said were really enjoyable.  Well, that's a first!  And his memory recall was an added bonus to the walk.

This morning, another walk to Chick-fil-a for breakfast was in order, and this evening, a walk to dinner.  Then a walk around our rooftop to show him the views ended a most delightful day.  I'm hoping this is the new trend in Kyle, because it sure makes life here a whole lot more bearable!

Balance therapy from last week

 Kyle worked on a lot of balance exercises last week.  The treadmill was also added and a little bit of jogging up and down the halls.

Kyle's weekend therapy per his request, was to ditch the wheelchair in Atlanta airport.  I must admit I was a little apprehensive, but it turned out great!  His balance and walking has so improved this week that I have caved in and allowed him to take off the much dreaded gait belt when we are out in public. But shhhh, that's our little secret.  Yeah, rules are sometimes meant to be broken.

Electro stimulation continues....

This contraption is allowing Kyle to play video games with his left arm. It serves as strength training without it feeling like just exercise. He must move his shoulder from right to left and back, twist his forearm, and squeeze what he can of his fingers.

Kyle's sweet thought for the day....

Since I took off yesterday from Kyle's therapies to get things done, he asked me if I was coming to all his therapies today.  I said I was going to, even though people tell me I shouldn't.  I asked if he minded.  He said no he didn't mind,,,,,, I make it more fun. 

Laughter And Home Sweet Home, The Best Therapy Of Them All!

Trying to sit and write when you are no longer on cloud nine is a feat in and of itself.  If I had only just written yesterday, it would have been so much easier.  But yesterday I was too busy having a delightful evening with good friends, and enjoying laughter from the funny things Kyle would come out with.

Herbie:  "Kyle, tell us a good joke."

Kyle:  (thinking....thinking...)    "My life."

This may have been one of those moments you had to be there for, but it really cracked us up.

Today, as you can imagine, starting our travels home was such a different scenario.  For most of the plane ride, I listened to Kyle continuously bemoan having to leave home and his friends.  I understood completely.  I too was in a bit of a funk, but I had to keep a chin up.  At times he got his quiet, angry voice on (I believe that's an oxymoron for Kyle),    "Mom, I hate you.  I will always hate you for this.  How do you not understand that I am fine."  

I've learned a lot of patience through all this, and sometimes, I've realized, no answer is the best answer for Kyle.

Upon our descent into Atlanta, Kyle was able to talk me into not using the assisted wheelchair after we deplaned.  At first I said no, just for my own well being, but then I was up for it.  It went well, but of course, I had my hand on his belt the whole time, which prompted  Kyle's favorite mantras,  "You don't have to hold onto me."  and  "Why don't you understand that I am fine!"  
oo)

It is getting late and I am in bed, my eyes closing now and then.  Before I fall asleep I will post the few photos I took (and from others)  that will speak for themselves as to the wonderful therapy it was to bring Kyle home.  Thank you to all Kyle's friends who stopped by to sit and laugh with him.

    "I can't imagine how hard it's been on you,    'cause I can't remember it, and it's hard on me!"

    ~   Kyle Pinelli  (to me, his mom, in a moment of true sincerity)