Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Dear Friends,

We had another good weekend visit with Kevin. However, Bakersfield is a tough town to find something entertaining to do other than wander around the mall. Also, with Kevin's limited eyesight, trying to keep focused on all that is going on around him fatigues his eyesight even more. If anyone knows anything about Bakersfield and has any suggestions for things to do there, please let us know as the mall is getting old real fast.

There is not a whole lot new to report as not much has changed since last week. Kevin is scheduled to have his checkup with the neuro-optometrist next Tuesday, August 21. We are still praying for a favorable report that his eyesight will improve on its own or that there will be something that can be done to help correct it. Kevin has also been experiencing swelling in his feet and legs ever since he became mobile and is having to wear uncomfortable compression stockings. Hopefully this condition will improve soon, too.

Everett will be the only one going to visit Kevin this coming weekend as Sarah and I really need a break. Sarah will be going by herself the weekend of the 25th to give Everett a break. I, along with the input of my doctors, have come to the conclusion that I cannot keep up the pace of weekly visits as it is wreaking havoc on my fibromyalgia and other physical problems. I will try and go approximately every other weekend. We will all go the weekend of the 31st as this will be Kevin's next family conference. Please continue to pray for the health and stamina of Sarah, Keith and Kim, and Everett and myself as we try to keep up with this hectic pace. Working, packing and unpacking every weekend, and trying to do our normal weekend stuff during the week is taking a toll on everyone.

Kevin is having a difficult time wrapping his mind around the idea that he may need to spend several months at the Centre. He wants to come home, which is understandable. He has it in his mind that other than his eyesight, he has no problems so there is no real need for him to be there. This, of course, is the brain injury talking. He feels all the therapy is a stupid and boring waste of time. We have gently tried to tell him the areas he is still having difficulties in but it just doesn't quite register. I dare say, though, that most of us would be having a difficult time adjusting to the life he is having to live. Kevin feels he is a prisoner (and in some respects he is) as he has no freedom to go where he wants to go or do what he wants to do when he wants to do it and he is followed everywhere he goes. Please pray he can adjust to all this. He really enjoys our weekend visits as this is the only time he can spend away from the Centre or the apartments, and he really doesn't care what we do or where we go.

Blessings to all,
Tami