Yesterday was Taylor's last day at the ESTEEM program in Winter Haven. He's not back to 100%, but he's as far as they thought they can get him for now. They are holding 5 more visits in case he needs them later. We hope that as the brain continues to heal, and he exercises at the local gym, he'll continue to improve. His right side is still very weak compared to his pre-accident strength. He's unable to break the seal when opening a soft drink, but compared to where he was when he first went to FINR, he's improved dramatically. During his initial assessments there, he was unable to draw a circle or square on paper. Now, he can write as clear and as quick as he ever did.
Although he still uses a cane, it's used for security now more than to actually help him walk. He is a little more dependent on it when he gets tired. When that happens, he gets pretty wobbly. Then, it's compounded by the double vision, which sometimes puts him a little off target from where he's headed.
Last week some friends of his went to the local skate park and Taylor went along to watch. He told his friends he'd probably never be able to skate again. He was an avid skater until a couple of years ago when his mother bought him something with a little more speed and thrills - a Yamaha "crotch rocket motorcycle. It was part of a secret pact they made. He graduates high school with honors, she buys him the motorcycle. It was an arrangement I wasn't thrilled with, but the vote was 2:1. Before Taylor came home from FINR, our friend Daryl Hershey came to pick up the motorcycle and took it to his shop. Even if Taylor ever got to the point where he could ride a motorcycle, it will have to be one he purchases when he's living on his own. This one is gone. I think his interest in it is gone as well. When I told him I had gotten rid of it, he said he figured that would happen. He was OK with it.
Even if Taylor could get to the point where he can skate again, I hope he never tries it. You can tell from the photo that appeared in The Ledger newspaper on opening day of the skate park, he has to all the acrobatic stuff, enhancing the chances for injury. This picture was taken when he was 17.
But, that has always been Taylor. He has the distinction of being the first person at Bartow Regional Medical Center to have a cast put on a broken bone - he did that the first day they opened. Before the accident he had sliced his head to the bone, twice, and has had more staples and stitches to close wounds than any other kid I ever knew. He has more scars than some Gangbangers. He has always been 100% all boy.
Although he still uses a cane, it's used for security now more than to actually help him walk. He is a little more dependent on it when he gets tired. When that happens, he gets pretty wobbly. Then, it's compounded by the double vision, which sometimes puts him a little off target from where he's headed.
Last week some friends of his went to the local skate park and Taylor went along to watch. He told his friends he'd probably never be able to skate again. He was an avid skater until a couple of years ago when his mother bought him something with a little more speed and thrills - a Yamaha "crotch rocket motorcycle. It was part of a secret pact they made. He graduates high school with honors, she buys him the motorcycle. It was an arrangement I wasn't thrilled with, but the vote was 2:1. Before Taylor came home from FINR, our friend Daryl Hershey came to pick up the motorcycle and took it to his shop. Even if Taylor ever got to the point where he could ride a motorcycle, it will have to be one he purchases when he's living on his own. This one is gone. I think his interest in it is gone as well. When I told him I had gotten rid of it, he said he figured that would happen. He was OK with it.
Even if Taylor could get to the point where he can skate again, I hope he never tries it. You can tell from the photo that appeared in The Ledger newspaper on opening day of the skate park, he has to all the acrobatic stuff, enhancing the chances for injury. This picture was taken when he was 17.
But, that has always been Taylor. He has the distinction of being the first person at Bartow Regional Medical Center to have a cast put on a broken bone - he did that the first day they opened. Before the accident he had sliced his head to the bone, twice, and has had more staples and stitches to close wounds than any other kid I ever knew. He has more scars than some Gangbangers. He has always been 100% all boy.
1 comment:
Congrats on finishing rehab Taylor. It is so good to see the word "finishes". You are awesome.
Love,
Aunt Mel
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