Peace and Comfort

We're sending our thoughts and prayers to another BRHS family who is suffering tonight. God bless you.

Just Practicing

Spicy seasoned chicken, black beans, grilled onions and peppers, lettuce, salsa, and sour cream on a corn tortilla. A Tons of Tacos possibility!

Slán Laet Sarah

Although Neil has been watching his friends leave for college for the last month or so, Sarah's departure on Wednesday was especially painful. It's not just that she's been such a good friend for the last four years (and yes, she certainly has been!). It might have something to do with the fact that she's so far away now--Trinity College in Ireland! However much Neil will miss her, she's living out a dream and we are all happy for this opportunity she has. Thankfully, Neil and Sarah have worked out a way to keep in touch that won't break their respective communication budgets.

Go raimh maith agat!

Many thanks Sarah, for teaching Neil to snowboard, for being his listening ear, for your many visits to the hospital, and for starting his facebook page. Thanks for your countless acts of kindness and compassion. We love you and wish you all the best!

Maith thú!

Hitting the Books

First day at BRHS for the boys. Everything went according to plan. Everyone was happy. Looks like Eric will have a good year as a Freshman with some challenging classes and marching band. Neil is starting with just two classes: Literature in a small class environment, and Computer Repair. He'll be adding a couple more classes as he becomes ready--maybe in a week or two. He's been assigned an aide to help him get to where he needs to be and to assist in class if he needs it. I have a feeling he won't be needing this kind of help for long. He seemed more than ready for the educational and social stimulation. Even though he'll only be at school for an hour and a half, it's going to be very good for both of us. Wonder how long it will take for me to get over my separation anxiety...

Food, Glorious Food

In Neil's pre-accident life eating was a social thing. He could down a lot of hamburgers if he were with friends and he thought it would make them laugh. At home it was a different story. He often forgot to eat and had to be reminded. Even then, he'd only eat if I made him something. Laziness was more important than nutrition.

It's funny what can change with damage to different parts of the brain. Food has become important to Neil almost to the point of obsession. One of the first things he asks every morning is, "What's for dinner tonight?" He doesn't mind eating the same current favorite at every meal--in fact, he prefers it. He loves to get in on planning the week's menu with his dad and never hesitates to come shopping at the grocery store. Along with the planning and the eating, he wants to be involved in the preparations.

After spending weeks researching which computer component he wanted for his birthday, someone suggested a George Foreman grill and it suddenly became obvious. Now he loves to cook for friends, family, and of course, himself. Though he still needs some supervision, it won't be long 'til he's grilling on his own. Fortunately for Neil, he's got the metabolism that can handle his new penchant for eating. He burns a lot of calories in his physical therapy.

A couple of weeks ago Neil came into my room at 3:45 in the morning. He had heard me coughing so assumed that meant I was awake. Apparently he'd been awake himself for a few hours just waiting to share an idea that had come to him in the middle of the night: Tons of Tacos--a food stand that would sell delicious tacos for a dollar a piece. Who could resist? Neil's got a dream now and I dare anyone to stand in his way. Chipotle--look out!

A Public Life

I started this blog to share Neil's latest condition and progress with family and friends as he lay near death in the hospital and then began his long process of healing. It became a therapeutic tool for me as well, to put what was in my heart into words. As Neil has become so much more aware and cognitively coherent I have sometimes wondered if it's been fair of me to post his personal struggles in such a public forum. Will he ever look back at what I've written and cringe? At this point he seems happy with the attention his semi-notoriety brings him. These days I am eager to find ways to bring a smile to his face as he battles the loneliness of finding his pool of friends shrinking.

I guess that's why I consented to the camera and microphones that followed us around on Monday. A New York production company is putting together a short documentary on TBI and wants to include Neil as one of the participants. They came to our home and shot him and Eric and friends playing Wii "therapy" and filmed him cooking some steaks on his new indoor grill. After lunch they followed us to Kessler for his real therapy. Therapists and staff had been prepped in advance and did a marvelous job of explaining Neil's tasks as he toiled away. Everyone worked hard at acting natural while educating, though it was hard not to look at the camera! Unfortunately for me, I had a bad hair day and somehow gained an extra 15 pounds just before they arrived!

This week was just a test shoot. If all goes well, Neil will be featured on MTV's True Life Series. I will certainly let you know how this thing progresses--unless of course my hair just looks too bad!

Caught On Film - Revised

Check out the sidebar! If you click the picture of Neil in cap and gown you'll connect to the video shot by Artie's mom. Thank you so much Ali!


--Oops. Thanks to Nancy for the camera work. And thanks to Ali for downloading and copying the film to disk. And thank you Eric for helping me get it onto YouTube and linked to the blog. I love technology!