This girl is awe inspiring! To watch her progress over the past three weeks, since she has emerged from an almost three month long coma, is to see firsthand what incredible strength and determination children have. I have never doubted their ability, to both understand complex issues and to problem solve, I have seen it time and time again with Ella. That is one of the reasons why I have always been honest and open with her about many subjects most people would never attempt to explain to a child, because they’d fear it too complex for the child to grasp. My theory has always been that the child certainly won’t be able to grasp complex ideas, unless you actually take the time to explain it to them.
Ella has always had a keen grasp of complex ideas, that I’ve seen most children become confused when confronted with.
This hospital experience and her illness are no exception. She fully understands where she is, why she is here, and although she is frustrated because she isn’t able (yet) to do the things she was able to do before the surgery, she is working hard and completely understands that the payoff to this hard work, is that she will get some of those functions she has lost, back. She knows that speaking slowly and taking a breath before each word, will enable all of us to understand her more clearly, and this will avoid the 100 questions we ask her when she tries to speak too quickly, which only frustrates her more and moves her farther away from getting whatever it is she is in need of. Although we now have it down pretty well-cold, wet, new movie-these make up about 50 percent of the communication. The other 50 percent is her playing tricks on us.
In the video below you will see Ella playing a game of go-fish with Alycia and Deb, during rehabilitation. For some of you it may be emotional to see her in her current state. Because we see her everyday like this, it does not affect us in a negative way, on the contrary, we see daily progress and we are uplifted. Before you start to cry (and you will) remember to make those tears of joy and not tears of sadness. Ella will never be the little girl who sang at her school talent show, some seven months ago. But this new girl has the same strong foundation as that girl had. She’s still the bravest of the brave, tenacious as ever, and smart as a whip. So, her hands don’t move fluidly, and she can’t walk (yet), she can’t speak well and the right side of her face is paralyzed. These are simple things to overcome, when you have strength.
And this child has more strength than any adult I have ever met.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE, THANKS FOR YOUR DONATIONS AND SUPPORT!!
Ella is looking great!! How wonderful, am so happy.. i know it is a lot of work but you explain it so well on the blog that I feel as if I can get a good, honest and very real picture of some of the many things you are doing! go Ella!! ( and Go all of Ella’s 4 parents – you are all very inspiring!)
Good Morning Ella, After today, 2010 will over and gone, and 2011 will be the year you will shine, with so many doors of opportunity and strength. May you take full advantage of these two and make it YOUR year to be the very best that you can, One Day At A Time.
With Much Love,
Sara
YAY ella!!! how fantastic!!
xx
Woohoo!!!!!! Keep it up Ella!!!! You are a superstar!!
Good Morning Ella, From this day forward may your body and mind continue to respond in all the positive ways that it must, so you can take back and regain all that is yours!
Merry Christmas and Peace Be With You, sweetie!
Love,
Sara
WOW! What an amazing video. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It brings reality to our eyes. I, like everyone else, believe there is nothing that Ella will put her heart and soul towards to regain and relearn. Time heals all and with the love and support of her family and friends, she will stay bound and dertermined to gain back what is rightfully hers. Peace Be With You All, and Merry Christmas.
As hard as it is to watch, she’s doing better than I had expected. I could understand much of her speech and I can see that her mind is still very good. I’m so happy for all of your family. GO ELLA! What a great family she has.
That was AMAZING! Yay Ella! You rock so much. Glen, thank you for posting this video. It was amazing to see her talking and playing! What a wonderful, wonderful Christmas gift you’ve given all of us. Much love to you all!
What amazing progress since our visit to the hospital! Ella is going to be bouncing around here in no time. We can’t wait…. boy, the pressure is on to get that tractor in here quickly. She’s out pacing us!
Glen,
Wow. You’re an awesome dad.
So glad for Ella’s progress.
I refuse to believe there is anything Ella cant do.
so beautiful!
I’m sitting here crying as I watch this not because I’m sad, but because I’m so proud to know you, Glen. You are one amazing dad. Dad of the year award goes to you. I can’t say it is easy to watch Ella in this state (mainly because the last time I saw her was
a few days before her surgery), but I’m so happy to hear that she is progressing. She is such a strong, amazing girl. Go Ella! I’m so proud of her. And Deb! Glen is very lucky to have you by his side. What a wonderful, strong woman you are. I feel honored to know the stewart family.
SO much love and joy in that room!