August 1st was a bittersweet date for our family as it marked the one year anniversary of Kyle's accident. We were fortunate enough to spend that week in the Outer Banks of North Carolina with our dear friends the Grants, the Goods, the Drurys and the Schwendemans. While the accident last year was certainly a turning point in Kyle's life as well as the family, we are so proud of him and what he has been able to achieve in 12 months!
Kyle graduated from North Stafford High School in June and participated in the ceremony at the school. It was so wonderful for him and for us to celebrate his remarkable achievement and finish up his last three classes that year, mostly from a hospital bed. This could not have occurred without the assistance of Barbara Smiley, Susan Weber, Mrs. Gingrich and the rest of the faculty at North Stafford High School. They did everything they could to make sure Kyle had all the resources he needed to finish up and get his diploma. Kyle worked very hard and at times it was very tough, but he accomplished his task and everyone is so very proud of him!
The "man cave" is finally finished and Kyle has moved into the basement of his dreams. Like we promised, a 52 inch flat screen HD television was installed on his wall (we would get this for him only if he graduated on time...amazing was electronics can do to motivate a kid!), furniture, wonderful new bathroom and all his gaming tools are now in place...and we don't see him much upstairs! He's very comfortable down there and is happy to have a place where he can entertain his friends and spend some time with them.
He continues to work hard on keeping his body in shape and taking care of himself physically. He begins an extensive aquatic physical therapy program for 4 weeks at the National Rehabilitation Program in Washington, D.C. on Sept 10th. This will allow him to get familiar with mass transit and testing out everything he has learned from months of therapy and support from some of the best in the field. He's nervous but excited at the same time that he'll be able to explore on his own again. After this therapy, he will continue PT in Stafford and build up more strength to get ready to begin college in January.
While at the beach, we reflected on the past year and Kyle was able to talk openly and candidly about it. He continues to ask questions about what we remember when we first saw him in the ICU at Mary Washington and he talks about what and how he felt during the weeks after the accident. He is of the mindset that yes, this happened, and yes, I am in a wheelchair, but I am still alive and thankful for that. He just wishes that others will learn about what has happened and what something like not getting enough sleep can do to do and those around you that love and care for you. We are very proud of Kyle, what he's been able to accomplish but yet at the same time, scared for what the future may hold for him. You only want what's best for your loved ones, and we have never wanted less for Kyle. We are sure that he will overcome his future challenges and use his experience to help others....we couldn't ask for more.
More soon!
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