09/25/2026 Update

Hello!

I hope everyone is doing well! And enjoying the cozy Autumn season. We have a lengthy (but good!) update so grab a cup of tea and settle in: 

A few weeks ago, we were encouraged by one of Paths PTs to reach out to a few other rehab centers for a consultation for Path. She mentioned a few options, including one in Chicago- The Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. 

The Ability Lab is the nations best rehab hospital and combines PT, OT, SLP and research. They have many specialties including Traumatic Brain Injury recovery. There is a focus on combining clinicians, scientists, and innovation in the treatment of each individual. 

We decided to pursue parallel paths forward to keep our options open for getting Path additional therapies. And to our surprise Path has been approved for a 5 day outpatient mini intensive program in Chicago. We are excited to work with such an amazing team and see how we can build on the progress Path has made. The timing for the program is still not certain - I am hoping October - but it depends on scheduling with their team.

Along with making progress moving her arms, some individual fingers, and settling into using her cpap regularly (despite her loathing of it) Path has said another word “no.” We expect she’s been wanting to tell us that for so long now.  

Lastly, we have received another incredible gift. A friend of a neighbor reached out to us and asked us if we would be interested in receiving a top of the line hospital bed and lift system for Path’s room. His child, Calvin, also had a lot of medical needs but had tragically passed away a year ago. He wanted the equipment to go to someone who would need and appreciate it. The bed itself rotates and is amazing and the track system is so helpful - unless you need to transfer someone in a chair it is difficult to describe how wonderful they are. We had hoped to have the bed delivered today but unfortunately that has been delayed but we are hoping to have it very soon. While the gift of this amazing equipment is gratefully accepted, I also wish that it wasn’t available and Calvin was still here.

During a crazy time of a lot of change - we are doing our best to keep things moving forward. As I’ve been telling my therapist: hope is defiant. ❤️🌈❤️

- Elizabeth 

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