Happy New Year to you all! As we begin our plans for 2006, Jay, Mom, Dad and I have decided to up our commitment level to Dave's website and update you once a month instead of letting it go for 1/2 a year or more with no Dave news. Our hopes are that Dave can get involved too as in 2006 we will try and get him online like the rest of the world. Video updates might make that possible since writing is still a challenge for him.
While he was out visiting us for Christmas, we spent a little time videoing him so that those of you that haven't seen him since his accident can get a sense of who he is now....five years later. He looks very much the same as his fall just damaged his brain and didn't take away his good looks. The far away look in his eye, that so many with brain injuries have, has gone away. I attribute many alternative therapies to that. He has that "connected" look now. His differences lie in his challenges with speech and his inability to use his right arm. Dave's accident took from him everything that meant the most to him....his precious sports: golf, squash, and skiing....and his ability to banter the most hilarious jokes and stories putting anyone he met immediately at ease. Spending time with friends was how he passed every spare moment.
Dave's life has changed significantly in the last five years since his accident and yet he remains positive and continues to work hard at rebuilding his life. To me it's hard to believe that five years have passed. My kids were just 2 and 4 when Dave fell and I remember being so overwhelmed with everything. Balancing time spent with Dave in the ICU and rehab up in Denver, with the hectic autism therapy schedule for Molly and the constant needs of my 2 year old son Jack. Poor Brooke didn't get much of me in those days but saw a lot of kid time as I ran around. What a good guy. Now that the kids are 7 and 9, out of diapers, can feed themselves, are at school all day 5 days a week, life around our household is certainly less stressful. Pair that with the acceptance of Dave's injury and knowing that he is in good hands in Charlottesville, we are in a really good place in our lives. Why do I feel the need to knock on wood?
As we begin the new year, we again look to you to help fill Dave's calendar with some fun events to look forward to. He loves his annual trip to Baltimore for a lacrosse weekend, he's up for anyone joining him at our Rehoboth Beach house, if you're in C'ville he loves to go out to dinner and a movie or to any UVa sporting events. We all have busy lives with the chaos of children and jobs so we understand that making time for an old friend can be hard. So when you call Dave and connect, it means even more to us (and to him).
I doubt that we can ever recreate the love and energy that surrounded Dave through this website during those first few weeks and months of his accident. But I must say that I miss the bonding and close relationships that I developed with so many of you at that time. I would love some pictures and updates on your lives 5 years later too!
Love,
Kathy
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