Would You Dance With This Man?

Well several ladies did!  Neil had a wonderful time at the Prom a couple of weeks ago.

The pre-prom group.

Here's Mom with one last good-bye before the kids took off.

Riding in style!

Having a blast!

He's a What? He's a What?

He's a Music Man!

All those years of practicing and hard work have paid off.  Eric's audition for the school's Wind Ensemble was a success--he's going to be the bass trombonist next year!

As faithless parents, we promised that we would help him buy a new (used) trombone if he ever made it into that exclusive group.  We thought it was a safe offer.  Guess we'll have to pay up now.   

And I think we might have to create a decent music room in the house somewhere.  Looks like we have a serious musician on our hands.

Or maybe not...

Look Who Lives Under My Shed

He came out for a little sun the other day while his mother and sibling slept in their den.  I think he forgot that foxes are supposed to be nocturnal.  So cute!

Open For Business

Check out Neil's new Tshirt shop:

http://vismajor.spreadshirt.com/

He's using his Photoshop skills to help earn some money for college.  There are five designs on men's and women's shirts.  Some were created before the accident--some, after. 

Feel free to purchase, or just window shop.  I'm proud to show off his work! 

Who Is This Man?

Happy birthday to the man who took me camping and taught me to appreciate the beauties of the earth, shared his music and taught me the joys of song, built and fixed and worked and taught me to use my hands, bore his testimony of the Gospel and taught me to love the Lord.

I love you, Dad!

Fan Mail

It's coming in regularly and it's all electronic.  The best ones are the wonderful messages from family and his friends, sending their congratulations and promising visits in the near future.  They were coming in during the show, even.  ("Neil, stop texting and watch yourself on TV!")  Somehow, Neil's last name was leaked on an MTV message board (maybe even by Neil, himself) and now his facebook page has been located.  He's received several very kind messages of support from complete strangers.  What has me concerned, however, are the friendship requests.  There are 277 as of the last time he checked--just a couple of hours ago.  Who are these people?  I'm sure there are some very sincere individuals who were touched by Neil's circumstances and want to reach out to him.  But I'm not sure they all have good intentions.  So far he hasn't done anything but read the letters.  We're still trying to figure out how to help him with the friend requests.  How do we sort through them all?  He certainly doesn't need the complication of strangers reaching out inappropriately.

I was told yesterday that someone called Kessler begging Neil's personal information so that she could get in touch with him and swap brain injury stories.  This prompted a great discussion with some of the staff there about possibly trying to start a support group for young adults in New Jersey.  I can tell you there is a definite need for one.  We've been searching for months!  If some of these people reaching out to Neil are struggling from a TBI like he is, we could have a group all ready for when that support is up and running.  Then I'd have to reluctantly say, "keep those cards and letters coming!" 

Have I Got a Link For You!

Sure hope the commercials on this version are better than the ones I saw on TV last night!

True Life: I Have a Traumatic Brain Injury