June 30, 2011 Thursday

"Share each other's burdens..." Galatians 6:2a (NLT)

Dear Lord, we are grateful that there is no trench too deep, no place too dark that you can't reach us. It is because of You we are never alone. Thank You for Your care and faithful love. Help us to share in the burdens of another, and seek You in our greatest moments of need. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Hello Everyone, Today June 30th we got notified that Ashley's discharge date will be the 9th of July and she got approved for outpatient therapy here in Houston for about 4 to 5 weeks. This is very great news for her to have this opportunity to further her healing, learning and strengthening here in Houston before going home in early August. I pray that all goes well so that I may be able to go back to work on the 18th of July and David will stay with Ashley in Houston and take her to outpatient therapy. With me and David working it will be very difficult for us to have this opportunity again so we have been praying for the Lord to give us as much as possible and to keep opening doors for my Ashley and our Mighty Lord has been answering our prayers. We also thank the friends and family members that have donated to Ashley's healing benefit. We are in great need and you all have given to us and helped us so that we can continue moving forward with Ashley's healing. When I came to Houston, David had to go home to follow up with his doctor on his high blood pressure condition. Being in the hospital with Ashley was affecting his health condition. I don't know what I would do without my husband. We have met so many families that come to TIRR from very far away or other states that feel and say the same that we do "We Wish We had A TIRR back HOME!!!". Sometimes families are on a waiting list to get into TIRR and we may not get this opportunity again!! We look forward to going home and going back to work and seeing all our family and friends that have supported us from the beginning. I tell the families here that we have such a big group of family and friends back home that are constantly praying for Ashley and because of you all and your strong and faithful prayers Ashley is where she is at today. But we are not done, we don't know what lies ahead for us because The Lord is not Done! Please Keep Praying !!! Ashley still requires 24/7 supervision and full assistance with grooming, bathing, dressing, hygene, eating, safety awareness, short/long term memory, cognitive, motor planning, speech, etc. She is in good health and does not require any medications. Her Spirit is beautiful as well as her Smile. It's all in God's TIME and We Trust in HIM!! Love The Olivarez Family. PHIL. 4:13/P.U.S.H.

"As my ChildHood Girlfriend, Lupe Johnson in Turlock, California told me, Lulu Live By IT!!

(I Can Do All Things Thru JESUS CHRIST who Strengthens ME!! PHIL. 4:13)

June 30, 2011-Thursday. Big Doggy! Very friendly n well trained.

June 30, 2011-Thursday. Too CUTE!!

June 30, 2011-Thursday. "Woody" sitting pretty for the camera and waiting for his treat all dressed up for the 4th of July.

June 30, 2011-Thursday. Ashley gets a friendly paw shake from "Woody".

June 30, 2011-Thursday. Every Thursday Ashley gets a visit from a group of loveable and cute therapy dogs. Here Ashley is holding "Sassy".

June 30, 2011-Thursday. Im so proud of my Ashley she gives me such strength because she shines with the Lord's Love. I am so thankful for this opportunity, we have seen great progress. She loves to talk on the phone, dance, laugh, smile, says HI to everyone and puts a smile on their face. She is eating very well. NO MORE G-TUBE feedings!!. She is making great progress on dressing and putting on her socks and shoes.

June 30, 2011-Thursday. Ashley here is pushing the wheel cart full of hand weights. This was good for her legs, motion control, arm strength, determination to complete the task.

June 30, 2011-Thursday. Ashley got a SURPRISE visit from her good friend from back home, Tori Garza. Tori spent the day with Ashley and got see the great things and hard work Ashley is doing at each of her therapy sessions. Thank you Tori for Ashley's gift and your special time with Ashley. She was really excited to see a familiar face.

June 30, 2011-Thursday. Ashley is getting into the pool for aquatics. She really enjoys this session.

June 30, 2011-Thursday. Here is Ashley with Laura Garza a graduate student from the 2009 Edinburg High School class. We met Laura at Aquatics therapy and she is here at TIRR as she is continuing her studies to become a therapists. We were so excited to meet someone from back home. Good Luck to Laura! We know she will do a great job with everything she experienced and learned here at TIRR.

July 4, 2011-Ashley continues to work hard!!

"Elisha said, 'Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few.'" 2 Kings 4:3 (NIV 2011)

Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I've kept to myself, believing I have everything necessary to solve my problems. In doing so, I may have missed Your plan for meeting my needs through others. Help me to identify pride and submit it to You. Help me to have a humble and teachable spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Repeatedly, God has called me to a place of greater interdependence with others. He's worked miracles in my life when I've humbly asked for prayer. He's broken down walls of distance when I've allowed people to see the real me. I've seen His hand move at the request of my godly friends.
It's now obvious to me God designed us to work together. We are pieces of the same puzzle, and life makes more sense when we are connected.

God often plans to meet my needs through others. Yet if I keep my problems to myself, I might hinder His plan to bless my friends and broadcast His faithfulness. I'm learning to deny the lies of a prideful spirit in exchange for a humble plea for help. I'm trading my fierce independence for God's plan of community.

June 29, 2011-Wednesday. After all the therapies its our time. So take Ashley for walks. Here we are the Green House watering the plants that other patients work on during the day.

June 29, 2011-Wednesday. Now they change it up and have her do the bed.

June 29, 2011-Wednesday. They interact other activities with one. Here she is working on leg strentgh, posture, extending, coordination, memory etc.

June 29, 2011-Wednesday. Ashley working her knees exercises during PT. Was able to stay for about 30 minutes. Great job BABY!!!

June 28, 2011-Tuesday. Me and Ashley off to do the laundry on the 3rd floor. She took the suit case from my hands and said I will take it MOM.

June 28, 2011-Tuesday. Ashley in the Aquatics therapy. Doing leg exercises. She cannot go under anymore! Look how her hair is all wet. She really had fun. I wish we had a pool back home. They told me this is great therapy for her.

June 28, 2011-Tuesday. Finally Ashley gets back into the pool!! She really enjoyed this. She got in the water and started walking around. She had several objects in the pool that she had to reach for. As I looked at her I noticed she walked to the corner and suddenly went underwater to reach and grab one of the rings at the bottom. She did it so naturally, went under and stood right back up. Of course I was surprised and happy and she had a big smile when the therapist told her not to go under again. Ashley I guess remembered what it felt like to be in the pool and naturally get her hair wet.

June 28, 2011-Tuesday. This painting is on the wall in the main gym. I read it everyday and look at all the people around me working so hard to make this message so TRUE!! One step, One jump is a huge accomplishment!! Talking about jumps, Ashley was able to get two small jumps. TINIESTS STRENGTHS FOR A GREAT PURPOSE. Imagine me seeing my Daughter struggle daily when she was once a powerful strong MVP athlete.

June 28, 2011-Tuesday. Ashley playing bowling with PT-Lisa. Ashley has to aligned the poles as to where the ball will best make contact with the pins. She had to take two to three large steps with the ball in her hands and stand still and extend to release and push off the ball. It's a Lot harder than it looks for someone with this injury but Ashley did IT!

June 27, 2011-Monday. After every therapy session the therapists write down the activities that were worked on in Ashley's Red Binder. This also contains a monthly calender which the therapists review the month, day, year, place etc. at every session to help her with her short term memory.

June 27, 2011-Monday. Ashley working with OT-Lisa pulling bands wrapped on a cup. Hands strenghtening.

June 27, 2011-Monday. Ashley now working on pushing marbles through a small opening in a container. This helps with strenthening her fingers and hands.

June 27, 2011-Monday. Ashley here is working with her Occupational Therapists Lisa. Ashley is working on her hand, wrists strengths while standing and keeping her posture. Ashley has to scoop up wooden pieces and transfer them to the next container. This was very hard and took some time for Ashley but at the end she did IT!! This will help her when she is also learning to feed, groom, brush her teeth etc.

June 27, 2011-Monday. Ashley is with her Speech Therapist Rachel. Doing money strategies.

June 26, 2011-Sunday. As we were in the room I went to the window and kneeled on the chair to look out the window and then Ashley walked over and got on her knees on the chair next to me and started looking outside as well. I started asking her to tell me the colors of the cars she saw outside as I took this picture because being on her knees was something Ashley could not do a month ago! Can't wait to see her join us kneeling at Mass back home. Right in front of her is Our Blessed Mother Mary holding the Rosary that David bought at the Gift Shop. It's BEAUTIFUL!!

June 26, 2011-Sunday. My beautiful Ashley. She has such a sweet heart and is always smiling. Going down the hall ways everyday everyone she passes either smiles, says hi, gives her a high five, hugs, stops to see her nails, and she always says thank you and wishes them a great day. In her eyes she sees no suffering, problems, pain or evil. Its all smiles, laughs and determined to work hard and does as the therapists ask. She is just a sweet heart with Angels all around her. She is always at PEACE.

June 25, 2011-Saturday. Ashley with Scotty Thompsom who is also a part of "THE CLIMB" group and who suffered an Anoxic Traumatic Brain Injury from a Heart Attack about four years ago. He came to TIRR and started his recovery and healing. He is currently driving and a retired CEO of a large company and now volunteers at TIRR. His picture in the back made the famous miracles wall at TIRR. This is him in his vacation home in Colorado after his recovery! He has been a great motivation for us and says Ashley is just a CUTIE!!

 June 25, 2011-Saturday
Steve and Ashley after "THE CLIMB" Support Group Meeting.

June 25, 2011-Saturday. Every Two Weeks the support group for Traumatic Brain Injury families get together at TIRR. We have met many beautiful families from everywhere who are currently at TIRR or former patients of TIRR. Trauma can come to YOU, anyone, unannouced and at anytime in our lives. We met Steve who suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury a few years ago. He has a powerful story. He was not suppose to be alive today but he is and he is just about to finish his Masters and has a great talent on the piano. What has kept him going was his families & friends prayers and FAITH!!

Love The Olivarez Family. Phil 4:13