The good news is that this is my last post. I say good news because it means Taylor is moving along so well that a site dedicated to her recovery seems out of place. Kit and Taylor may still make a post every now and then, but this is MY last post. Indeed, the biggest challenge now for her, and everyone else, is to move past what I call “Brain Injury Taylor” and back to just plain “Taylor.” For sure, she has a long way to go. She works very, very hard to relearn her ADLs (Activities of Daily Living), but she will definitely get there; it is just a matter of perseverance.
Of course, it is not easy, and I don’t want to diminish the hard work Taylor is still doing. To relearn how to put on a T-shirt, Taylor worked every day for about 30 minutes for three months. Struggling for thirty minutes only to have it end in total frustration again and again every day for three months. But at the end, she got it, and every day she learns a little bit more, gets a little bit faster, and sees a little better on her way back to a total recovery.
Total recovery seems inevitable now, but that was not always the case. For sure, there were some dark days that made this idea seem ludicrous. When we first went to Craig Hospital, they assembled a team and had a meeting with us and asked what we were expecting. I wasn’t prepared to answer this question and just blurted out “Total Recovery.” They were all too professional to roll their eyes, but I’m sure they were thinking this idea was a little nuts. Then there was the time at MGH in Boston where one of Taylor’s friends was in the room, Taylor was unconscious and had been for several weeks, and I was saying to her, as I often did, that she was going to come “all the way back.” This made the friend sad. Like all of Taylor’s classmates, he was too smart and logical to buy into such a fantasy. Nowadays, this idea gels more with logic, and it’s a lot easier to hold this view, but I always knew it would happen.
Here is a new video of Taylor walking:
Although it is hard for those that see her everyday to notice the improvements she is making, a look at a prior video (http://taylorisperfect.org/?p=658) reveals a startling difference.
It is so incredible and so relieving to know that Taylor will make a full recovery. Taylor’s often in my thoughts and I’d love to come see her when I arrive back in Los Angeles! What an amazing recovery, this is truly fantastic!
Yeah Taylor!!!!! <3 Love you and so proud of you! You're incredible!!!!!!
John, I confess I was scared for you in the earliest days because your expectations for Taylor seemed unrealistic. However, I never have been so happy to have been wrong, wrong, wrong! Taylor’s progress has been astounding and I see the hand of God in Taylor’s labrorious efforts and determination. Congratulations to Taylor for all her hard work so far. She surely will continue to progress. Thank you for having kept us up-to-date along the way. It has been a privilege to follow this story. I’ll continue to pray for Taylor! All the best always, Mimi
Taylor, you and your family, have been a lesson in love, patience, and perseverance. I am so proud of you, and have been given hope and strength by your recovery. I cannot wait for the post that states you are back at MIT.
I live in Santa Monica (close to SMC) and have lots of free time. Email me if you ever want company, help, or want to play with a puppy – he likes to play fetch 🙂
Taylor,
You are amazing! Thank you for sharing your story of hope, determination and hard work. I always look forward to your updates. Positive thinking is a powerful tool. I wish you the best in anything you decide to.
Nice job, T-Bone. You’re so trendy and smooth!
Fantastic! Taylor, we are delighted! What an amazing year for you and your whole family. Thanks for sharing so much of a very determined and gutsy journey. Our thoughts will remain with you.
Taylor is amazing and I can’t wait to see her back at MIT 🙂 Reading all the updates over the past year was inspirational. Thank you for sharing so much with us. You are a wonderful family.
WOW Taylor, you’re looking absolutely bootiful. Jump in some puddles tomorrow – just because you can!
Thanks John for the updates. It’s been quite a journey and I appreciate all the posts from you and Kit, I can only imagine how difficult some of them must have been to write. They have been inspirational and a wonderful insight into Taylor’s recovery which has and continues to be amazing.
So proud Taylor! Been thinking about you all day 🙂 You will never cease to amaze me!