August-October 1999 Update


Jason Wise from Woman's World, took this photo on July 13th of Catherine's large support group.
Woman's World didn't use it, but we were happy he shared it with us and we could in turn post it.

Catherine and her Great Aunt Katie from Michigan who stayed with us for a night after attending her grandparent's 50th anninversary.
Catherine with Grandma Bessie who was celebrating her 80th birthday.

Phillip and Sarah Losh visiting Catherine at Barrow.
Friends gathered at our table to work on scrapbook pages for BNI.
It was a bee of activity and we enjoyed working on this project.

In August Catherine's cousins, Phillip and Sarah Losh visited from Louisiana for two weeks. It was fun for Catherine to see them in Flagstaff and in Phoenix where they stayed at the apartment with us for a night. Sarah spent the day with her and was glad for the opportunity to see the program as she is studying to be a physical therapist.

Another highlight in August was inviting a fellow patient/friend, Shelly (her picture is on the April update) to come to Flagstaff for the weekend. The girls went to an art festival that was taking place that weekend and they enjoyed an evening of games and fun on Saturday night.

Included in the program at Barrow is a daily cognitive group session. A different subject was studied for several weeks and then a test was given. This group most resembles a classroom and is very beneficial to all those who desire to continue their education. Catherine was very worried about the test and was very pleased when she received a 94% on it. That added to her confidence that she can study and retain and do well on a test. The hard part is her speed in writing answers to the questions that aren't multiple choice (lefthanded retraining due to the ataxia in her right hand).

Catherine had wanted to leave a parting gift with the Barrow Neurological staff and she thought a scrapbook would make a nice chronicle of her time there. Following are 2 of the 7 pages that were part of the finished scrapbook that was presented to the staff on Catherine's last day. They turned out very nice and the scrapbook is something that they can continue to add to as people come through the program.


While in Texas visiting, Angela took pictures and on the last night Catherine was there, used her computer to scan and create scrapbook pages for Catherine to bring home with her.  She made up 4 pages and we have included 2 to show her activities while there. She and Kathleen went to an Astros game, buying matching hats beforehand. On Oct. 3rd, they celebrated Catherine's birthday a month in advance calling it a happy "un-birthday".



Catherine making copies on her "first day on the job" at
Flagstaff Roofing where she is volunteering 2 mornings a week
Joshua, Neta, Catherine and Wesley
Catherine admiring her new little nephew, Wesley.

The last two months at Barrow were spent wrapping up projects, completing goals she had set, discussing and planning for her return to Flagstaff without the structured environment that she had successfully adapted to over the past 6 months.

Catherine had decided that she wanted to go to Texas the day she was done at Barrow to spend a week's break with her Aunt Angie and family as well as Kathleen, her good friend who has been there for 6 months. This was a great decision and the trip to Canada prepared her for the flight. She flew alone this time and did very well.

The end of her time at Barrow marks another chapter's closing. We all feel that the time spent in Phoenix was worth the sacrifices and inconveniences. Catherine learned much about herself and brain injuries and has put this knowledge to use. She made gains physically also and learned compensations. She continues to grow and to work through problems. There were many wet eyes when the goodbyes were being said. I commented to one of the therapists who told me it was hard to see Catherine go that they are constantly saying goodbye to some and welcoming others. She said that there are just a few patients that are special and hard to see leave the program and Catherine is one of those special ones. Since returning to Flagstaff she has begun volunteering in a business office of a friend two mornings a week, having outpatient physical therapy once a week. Mary Jane, the cognitive retrainer who worked with her before we went to Phoenix, has resumed working with her at home twice a week.

While Catherine was in Texas, her sister Neta gave birth to a baby boy making Catherine an aunt for the fourth time. This made her return more exciting. We spent time traveling back and forth to Camp Verde to see the baby and help out.

Catherine continues to keep a good attitude and pushes herself to be as independent as possible. She is working to finish up her high school subjects which mostly involves completing her book for her English grade. She completed her Arizona history with the speech therapist at Barrow. She has many goals, driving being one of her priorities. She also wants to take a college course next semester. She is feeling more and more comfortable in group settings and enjoying choir practice. When she returned to the local hospital for her physical therapy after being gone for 6 months, she was pleasantly surprised to have so many people stop her in the hall and compliment her on her progress. This was a great morale boost and made her feel somewhat like a celebrity. We have much to be thankful for and want to focus always on that. Continue to remember her in your prayers.

Cynthia