School is in session

8:20pm

x2/j=z......or something like that

Today Taylor started back at the Lakeland campus of Polk Community College/University of South Florida. He has signed up for 4 classes and goes 8am - 12noon, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Later this year, he'll transfer from PCC to USF. Fortunately, he'll be able to take some classes at the Lakeland campus, but will later have to attend the campus in Tampa.

Taylor has never been known to be very studious. He has always been able to show up for class and leave with an A or B. Rarely in high school did I ever see him study. He may be the only student to graduate with honors and make a C in a customer service class. He took one his Senior year to a) fill an hour in his schedule and b) get an easy A - or so we thought. Somewhere along the way, he figured out he could slip away unnoticed and take off on his motorcycle for a little ride while he was supposed to be in school. The principal told us later that he knew Taylor was doing it, but could never catch him. He said he'd put a rock on Taylor's rear tire so he at least knew what days Taylor had bailed out - he was just too sneaky (or lucky) to get caught.

For the past couple of months, he has talked a LOT about wanting to go back to school. He hasn't said it, but some of his desire probably has to do with getting a change of scenery. Before the accident, he was always on the move. But, since he came home in late July, he spends the majority of his time at home. He has friends over every day and evening, and goes to friends houses or meets them for dinner, but I think he's just ready for a change.

This afternoon he picked up his new glasses that have corrected his double vision. He'd never pose for a photo, so I'll have to get one when he's not looking.

Yesterday was the 10th month anniversary of Black Tuesday - the day Dr. Campanelli did emergency surgery to save his life. A lot has happened in 10 months. In the early days, we didn't know if he would live, if he did live if he would completely recover from the brain injury, or if he would have full use of his body.

Now we know that Taylor has gotten almost everything back. Mentally, he is Taylor. Same intelligence, same sense of humor, same personality. Physically, he's lost the majority of hearing in his left ear and the left side of his face is paralyzed. But, surgery later this year will hopefully help with movement in the left side of his mouth. Double vision is still an issue, but is still slowly correcting. He's still using a cane, but his walking is gradually improving.

In the grand scheme of things, those are all very minor issues. There is not much he can't do. Surfing and skateboarding are out for now. And, he's not able to drive a car (not that he or we want him to anytime soon). He'll again be able to do some of the things he can't now. None of those issues, however, effect his ability to enjoy life. And, we ALL are enjoying his life!