Hello everyone - Sorry it has been a few days since we posted but Mandy has serious internet problems at home and can’t get on the web. I just spoke with her and said I would do the update from here tonight. Tonight was the big focus group dinner with the head administrator. Mandy said the food was quite good and the conversation very lively. They had the opportunity to give feed back on all aspects of their Kessler experience. I understand that Rob had to remind Mandy that there were others who wanted to speak as well as she had quite a bit to share with the group. You go girl! Rob has gained significant movement in the thumb, index, and middle fingers of his right hand. Mandy feels that she can see slight movement in his left thumb, somewhat dependent on wrist movement, but that is how the right hand started also. He is also very close to being able to manage a weight shift on his own. For those who don’t know what that is, it means he must lean all the way forward in his wheelchair, taking the weight off his rear end. Leaning forward is not so difficult but getting back up has been the challenge. He started out needing someone to really lift him back up and now can lift himself up almost without any assistance. Mandy also told me that Rob had to shower in the girl’s bathroom tonight! I will let her fill you in on those details when she gets back on line. She also has some new pictures for the gallery which she will post as soon as possible. That’s all our news for now. Keep sending messages. Rob really gets strength and motivation from all of you.

Rob was in good spirits today as he anticipated his first session with his new occupational therapist who interestingly enough bears a striking resemblance to one Kevin Byrne. Word in the halls at Kessler is that this therapist is the cream of the crop. Hopefully, he will meet all of our expectations. My grandparents visited Rob this afternoon for lunch and shared some photos of the 450 pound bear that my grandfather is feeding in his backyard as well as some new lifesaver candy which he found on the market. For those that don’t know, purchasing a candy other than tootsie rolls is a remarkable feat for my Pop Pop. Both Rob and myself enjoyed the much needed break from warm tootsie rolls fresh out of his pocket. Anyways, Rob and I were invited to a dinner with the president of Kessler on Thursday. Apparently, she invites a select few patients and their guests each month to enjoy a ‘formal dinner’ and participate in a focus group about the care Kessler provides. Luckily, I have a training to attend Thursay in the morning which frees me up in the evening. I am anxious to see what ‘formal dinner’ means exactly.... I will certainly let you know. Until then....