This Thanksgiving, we invited a few friends from CTCA, my Uncle John who just moved here from CA, Sandra, Ingrid, Mom, and Dad. It was my Dad's birthday so we enjoyed celebrating his special day. Juan was off of work and decided to participate since Sandra was coming. We made all of our traditional favorites and had a nice time. This was the start of some reconciliation with Ingrid since she moved out and Juan and Sandra even helped us decorate the tree after everyone left for the evening.
Kay Wing, the founder of my rehab center (SWAN Rehab), is also very active with the physical and occupational education doctorate program at NAU. Many years ago, Kay and several professors at the college started a stroke camp to help both stroke survivors and PHD students. It is a great opportunity for students to get real life practice and survivors to get inexpensive therapy. I had the opportunity to attend this 3 day camp back in 2008 before we adopted the kids. I decided to try and raise money for scholarships for the camp during May and October Stroke Awareness months and was successful in raising $1675. The camp was a great experience and I enjoyed meeting both students and new stroke survivors. I had the opportunity to share my book and story on the last day and encourage the students in their future careers. My therapists have helped me so much and I would never be where I am today in my recovery or independence without Kay and my other therapists. I wanted these future therapists to know how important there job is and that some of there patients will depend on them for physical help, mental help, and use them as their social outlet. I know at times, SWAN Rehab served as all three for me during my recovery.
