Thursday, November 8, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

I am sorry it has taken me so long to update the Blog this week but I have had an extremely crazy week. Anyway, Sarah, Keith and Kim, and I visited Kevin this past weekend. Everett, unfortunately, was unable to go as he had a project at work he could not leave. Monday we had a family session with Kevin's counselor. It was a difficult experience but profitable. Following that session we enjoyed lunch together before going to our family conference. This too was difficult. Of most importance we were given an update on his eye situation. The problem has been finding a neuro-ophthalmologist who would accept Kevin's Workers Compensation insurance. To make a long story short, the Centre is going to try again at the Doheny Eye Center to see if they can talk them into taking Kevin's case. Also, we learned that while he is blind in the right eye, he has also lost his range of vision in the lower quadrant of his left eye. This has multiple ramifications. First, this would keep him from driving. Second, this and his vertigo problems would keep him from doing his previous kind of work as well as using power tools for his job or hobby. His eyesight, vertigo, and being on blood thinners, makes using power tools a very poor idea.

Kevin is still having problems with swelling in his legs as well as numbness in his feet and toes. This has been going on since the beginning of his accident. They are going to schedule an EMG on his legs to see if there is any neurological interruption.

The Centre has a program for vocational training in which different businesses in the area allow the clients from the Centre to do volunteer work. Kevin, accompanied by an occupational therapist, would be placed in one of these business where they would access his abilities, his strengths, his weaknesses, and any other problems he may have. This would allow them to help troubleshoot any difficulties which could arise. Kevin should be starting this soon.

Last month we were told Kevin would be home before Christmas. However, this month we were told because of the difficulty resolving his eye issues as well as vocational training this will not happen. We are now hoping he will be home sometime in January.

We left the Centre Monday a bit discouraged. Kevin was visibly discouraged as well. So, we have many things to ask you to pray for. First, that the Doheny Eye Center would take Kevin's case and that something positive would happen with his eyesight. Second, that they can find what is causing the problems in his legs and feet and that it can be corrected. Third, that vocational training will go well. And last but not least, that ours and Kevin's discouragement would last but a moment and that God's presence and peace would permeate our hearts.

Thanks you for your love and prayers,
Tami