8 days

Hello all! I'm sorry for my recent scarcity. With my stay in Atlanta and a conference when I got home, work and household things have been consuming me. I do want to keep you all informed though, especially as Trevor (and Mom's) time at the Shepherd Center is nearing it's end.

Trevor when first arrived in Atlanta wasn't sure why he needed to be there. The room was less private and his friends were much further away. Also, he liked the staff at Parkview and had made several friends there that were hard to leave. Though after some time at Shepherd we all knew that he was learning things there and was connecting with opportunity he wouldn't have known about had he not been there. Support groups, team sports for those in wheelchairs, and meeting people with a lot in common just to name a few.

The latest things he's working on are transfers into a car, then taking apart his wheelchair and putting it in the seat beside him. Not an easy task, but something he has to be able to do all by himself before he can be licensed to drive a car with hand controls. He hopes to be able to do that before he leaves in 8 days. Ü Last week his biggest excitement was to transfer himself on to a four wheeler (all by himself) and drive up and down the parking garage, as long as his Therapy time would allow. He was so excited! His therapist said Trevor did so well, he could have been on the "How to video."

We are hoping that the weather stays nice and Dad will be able to finish up his crops early this week and drive down to Atlanta with Kalyn and Ethan to visit during the last part of Trevor's stay. Then they will all drive back to Indiana on the 24th, in time for Thanksgiving at home. There's a few things left for Trevor to check off in order to be ready to come home, but he's very close. In preparation for his move, several ladies from our church helped us move 3 bedrooms around so he will have a down stairs bedroom until we get a lift for the stairs. There are just a few more things we need to change in the house, and a ramp for the front door, and the house will be ready for him to come home.

Thank you to all of you that are supporting the events going on to help out with Trevor's medical expenses. The Lion's Club in Portland is holding a pancake breakfast on Saturday Nov. the 28th, there will be a Silent Auction on Dec. 3rd in Berne, and some friends are putting on a dance in the Decatur area on Dec. 4th with the benefits going towards helping out. (Let me know if any of you would like more information on those events.) Thank you all so much for your love, support, and hard work to put these things together!

As we know, often as we are nearing the end of a race endurance and strength are most needed. We are almost there! Thank you for your continued prayer and support.

In grateful love,
Carly~