Hi Everyone,

The sleeping medication didn’t carry Corey through but she did seem to doze off a bit easier than she has been the past few months. She slept soundly from 2:30-4:30. Lets see how tonight goes…

We began our morning with an unsettling event. I only have one rule for Corey; no choking. She is doing very well eating solid foods and has no restrictions. Her usual breakfast is “cheesy” eggs with a slice of buttered toast and Vanilla Nectar Milk. I cut the toast and eggs into 1/2” to 1” squares so the pieces are manageable for her to chew and swallow.

We didn’t have Bryn Mawr today due to a scheduling conflict with Dr. Ruggiero’s follow up visit. Our overnight nurse left at 8am and at 8:10 she broke our only rule; Corey choked on a piece of toast. For the first time in my life, I had to administer the Heimlich maneuver to another person. Corey never lost consciousness but it was truly terrifying. We’ve decided to pass on toast for breakfast for awhile. PS-if you haven’t been trained to give this procedure to someone, please make it a priority to learn. I was seconds from calling 911 when adrenaline kicked in to dislodge the toast. You just never know when you’re going to need it. Corey took an hours nap after her episode. I sat on a chair next to her watching her breathe.

This afternoon we headed to Paoli to see Dr. Ruggiero. We hadn’t seen him for 7 weeks. He was not only impressed with Corey’s range of motion in her ankles; he was clearly in awe of the progress she’s made with her speech. It still surprises me when people react to Corey after not seeing her for a few months. It’s actually good for me. I see the incremental progress while others see tremendous gains.

Dr. Ruggiero asked Corey what she’s been doing. She told him she talked to lots of people. I explained that she participated in a session at the BIA-PA annual convention. She shared, “I told everyone that my head used to hurt but now I am fine”. He looked at her, smiled and said, “Yes you are”.

He left the room but quickly returned carrying a medal. As he showed her, he pointed to the medal and told her, “This is the first medal I ever won doing something I never thought I could do”. “It was the first long distance run I ever signed up for; a 5K”. “I want you to have it because you are the real champion”. “You keep working hard and someday you’ll run in a race too”.

Corey strength takes time, practice and patience. Time for your muscles to wake up, practice with the exercises your coaches taught us and patience when it gets to be too much and you’re tired of people pushing you. Guess what? It does happen.

I love the word Champion. I see the image of a fighter that won’t give up and will never give in to a challenge; victorious and strong. Then I see your smiling face in my minds eye; confident, happy and ready for more. I’m so proud of you Corey. You deserve that medal and you will earn more! xoxo