Dear Friends,
We have been so caught up with Melissa's constant progress, we just haven’t been able to update you sooner. Thank you for the love and concern you have shown for Melissa.
Melissa is now able to voluntarily lift her right foot up off the ground, and to move her right arm upward a little. It is wonderful see her be able to begin moving the right side of her body because this demonstrates that that her brain is adjusting to the damage caused by the aneurism and is shifting functions to other areas of her brain. Melissa is also starting to learn to walk again! For all of this we praise the Lord.
On Wednesday, February 25, we had second IEP (“Individual Education Plan”) meeting with her school. We did not know how long it would take before she could return to school as there were endless forms to fill out, and release statements from doctors to be obtained. Much to our surprise and delight, we have come to an agreement with the school and Melissa will be beginning part-time schooling on Monday, March 2.
This is not the only great news. Her therapy organization will be opening a new facility at University High School also on March 2, so now Melissa will be able to both attend school and receive therapy at the same place. We thank God for intervening to enable us to have this wonderful plan. University High and the Irvine School District have been very kind to Melissa, and are providing her with a special assistant when Melissa arrives campus. They also have made arrangements for transportation for her. Starting this week, Melissa needs to get to sleep early, so she can get up and be ready for the school bus to pick her up at 6:58 a.m. every morning. This is so exciting, so we’re pretty sure she’ll be too wired to get to sleep early the first couple of days!
Melissa has also returned to her weekly small group Bible study, which she really looks forward to. Being able to look forward to something is also a breakthrough because it means that she is beginning to remember more things in her routine schedule. She has been working at this during her therapy sessions and it appears to be paying off well.
On Friday, February 20, Melissa received a Bible and notebook from Becky Tirabassi. Mildred started reading book of Luke to Melissa. We can feel Melissa's faith being regained and revived. God's Word with all the stories of healing, miracles, and parables, have fed her Spirit.
We are also excited for another new milestone. She has been out of school for almost 13 months and during that time has become very fond of her home-hospital teacher Sharon Curl. Sharon is such a wonderful teacher and friend, and she will be missed.
Prayer Requests:
1. That Melissa will adapt to her daily routine at school, her physical capability will continue to improve, that she will be able to learn and retain what she is taught, and that the high school students will accept her.
2. That Melissa’s damaged heart valve can be repaired.
3. That Melissa will be able to walk by the end of March.
4. That her trachea hole can be closed.
5. That her spirit, knowledge and physical capabilities will continue to grow daily.
In Him,
Michael
Monday, March 2, 2009
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