5th week completed

We are rounding third base and heading for home...literally. We are in the final stretch of this session. Josie had a good day at therapy not award winning. She actually did a lot more walking with the walker today and less cane work. It is hard to find the perfect focus by Friday so Sylvia decided to go for gaining more strength then having disappointment with the canes. She ended up walking about 6 rounds by herself with the walker. She is very proficient in this now. I think she was disappointed in herself for not doing better with the canes. She broke into tears when I walked in saying she didn't do well today. She is obviously putting a lot of pressure on herself. I don't want her to get discouraged for one moment. She is a champion. We worked on the positive spirit at the mall and out to dinner. She was thrilled to do something different tonight. I am so proud of her. She fell asleep tonight feeling good and happy.

She was hilarious with her new sunglasses. She was acting like a rock star and saying "Good night Detroit" like the Jonas Bros. She keeps me smiling. Good night to all, Jenny and Josie

PS. Check out the fashion accessories ie: sunglasses and head band. All picked out by the Diva herself.

Thursday of week 5

Good evening- Well with heavy hearts Josie and I had to put Grandma Carol back on the plane to LA. It was so great to have her here. It was a relief to have someone else to help and to carry her. Here we are all the way in Michigan to learn to walk and I am not allowed to let her walk outside of therapy or use her legs accept to swim for the most part. It just means a lot more lifting...she has so much muscle = heavy...but not complaining. Basically just saying thank you Grandma Carol!! We loved having her here for the birthday, chickadee performance, Jonas Brothers concert,therapy and most of all for the company.

Today, Cousin Suzy Hull came to her mom's (Aunt Harriet). It was such a treat to catch up for a moment with her and to have her meet Josie. We are fortunate to be here to see the cousins that we would normally not see so often. Suzy's son Tim fought cancer for the past 3 years. It returned for a second time and he was fortunate enough to receive bone marrow from his older brother, JT. It worked and he is cancer free. What a journey that was for them.

Josie had another great day in therapy. She is moving forward everyday which is so impressive. Her therapists are happy with the pace in which she is improving. We got to hear about what Przemek's new goals are. When we return at the end of August he hopes to be using the canes as just practice and gaining strength as he is using the walker now. He anticipates by October to be moving to "next stage" that is independent steps. This is so far out but it is fun that it is even being discussed. Trust me, we haven't begun to master the canes but in Przemek's words we have turned a corner and a very large one.

During therapy today, mom and I ran out to the PGA Tour event that is here in Flint this weekend. We didn't get to stay but long enough for a quick hello to some of our friends. Josie and I will go back out this weekend to see the ones we know who make the cut. Fun to be back in that world for a moment. It seems like a life time ago...but a great one.

One last thing, Jeanie and I went this morning to enroll Josie with the school district here today to get a teacher to the house in the fall and also for first communion classes. It makes staying so official. Thanks Jeanie for going with me.

Hope all is well with everyone. Thanks for your support. Jenny and Josie

Another great day

Przemek, Josie and Sylvia = The Dream Team

Jenny, Josie, Mom, Aunt Harriet, Roger and Jeanie at The Hill

Hi All- It shocks me that Josie's therapy days keep getting better. You can't believe how hard she is working and what is shocking is that she can keep up the intensity that she is. For her to walk just inches it takes the most extreme concentration and focus. She can't waiver for even a moment. After her workout today we (my mom and I) asked to see just 2 steps. She was tired today and had already spent 3 1/2 hours working so hard so this was asking a lot from her. Well we got so much more. I will post the video. Please understand that the harshness coming from Przemek is not meanness. He has to cue her rapidly to get the muscles to fire. Please don't be alarmed at his tone of voice. He does make her correct her step if it is done wrong. If he doesn't the brain will train it to take improper steps instead of perfect steps. We have to retrain the brain and do it correctly. Focus on the sheer concentration and determination in her eyes. This therapy moves inch by inch. It takes guts, focus, concentration, determination every second not just during the walking portion in order to achieve these small milestones. This intensive therapy is considered to be therapy at warp speed and as you can all see warp speed is measured in inches. I was impressed today to see her actually catch herself when she started to fall. She is able to do this because of all the strength she acquired during her 4 1/2 weeks here. You also see Sylvia reach to catch her when she starts to fall and Przemek gets made because he is teaching her to catch herself.

After therapy tonight we got to go to The Hill restaurant with Jeanie, Roger, Aunt Harriet, my mom, Josie and I. We had such a nice time visiting. Josie loved her new sweatshirt from Roger and Jeanie. It happens to be bright pink...I bet no one saw that coming! It was fun for her to realize that every ones last name at the table was Hull. Harriet is Josie's great, great aunt. We are now staying at Aunt Harriet's. Always a treat to be with her and at her lovely house. Harriet goes up to her cottage up north on Friday and Josie is sad she is leaving. We will get to see her again in the fall.

Thank you to all that are taking time to read this blog. We are grateful for your interest and support. Lots of Love, Jenny and Josie

Week 5 Monday

Josie is back at it for week 5. She had a strong start to the week even after a way to big of a weekend...birthday, swim performance, Jonas Bros yikes. She is back with Silvia for the next 2 weeks. Przemek did come in to do the cane walking with her. He said she took 12 steps and then stood for 20 seconds by herself. He thought these steps were so much better then the ones last Thursday. I hope to be up to at least 25 by the end of the week. She really wants to walk off the plane next week to Aunt Steph and Grandma. Maybe too lofty of a goal but worth shooting for.

We got to go at Aunt Harriet's for a wonderful dinner and visit tonight. Always a treat to be with her.

We are all really tired tonight so I am going to keep this short. Miss everyone and looking forward to coming home for a quick rest before returning. Love, Jenny, Josie and Grandma Carol (Thank goodness she is still here!!)

Jonas Bros Concert

Josie with the Jonas Brothers

Josie Screaming and Dancing

We just got home from the Jonas Bros in Detroit. Who knew that we would see them outside of California...felt like a groupie! Thank you a million Scot Finck for getting us the tickets and meet and greet. That was a special birthday present for Josie. She was so happy to meet them and take a picture with them. Kevin Jonas even held her for the picture which made it even better in her opinion. You Rock Scot! It was fun to take Grandma to her first JB concert. We introduced her to the world of screaming teenage girls...ears are still ringing.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Love, Jenny and Josie

Birthday and Chickadee Performance

The Swim Chicks

Josie the Chickadee

The Chickadees

The Coaches - Charlotte, Katie, Colleen, Elyse with Josie, Ava and Robin

What an remarkable day. It was jam packed with a great performance by all the Swim Chicks and birthday celebrations. Josie had such a great time being apart of the Swim Chicks. A special thanks to Robin Hartnett who not only said yes she could do it but having faith in Josie's ability. Thank you Colleen for taking such great care of Josie and to Ava, Elyse and Katie for your excellent coaching. To be apart of a team was one of the highlights of being here in Michigan.

I will put up the video of the big show (or just the Chickadee part). After the show we had a team dinner and everyone sang happy birthday to Josie. It was fun to have Roger, Jeanie, The Savages and my mom there to celebrate with us.

One funny thing...apparently Josie is feeling confident in her new strength and ability. As my mom and I were unpacking the car this morning we walked back out to get her out and she had taken off her seat belt and was standing up holding on the back of the headrest. I nearly fell over. I was both happy and scared. Later this evening I was inside the party and my mom was helping cut the birthday cake. Josie was outside with some of her friends and the Savages opening gifts. I walked out and she was standing at the table barefoot. When I commented on it Fay Savage said she was doing that earlier. OK new rules no standing without mom, grandma or a therapist there. I never thought that would be a rule and delighted it is.

Enjoy the pictures and videos. It captures the day better then my explanations.

Happy Birthday to our friends Hillary Raulli and CJ Crawford. We miss you!

Love, Jenny and Josie

Happy Birthday Josie and Teresa

Happy Birthday Josie and Teresa. You have amazed and dazzled us for 8 years. We are so incredibly proud of you girls. You show the world love and teach us about the human spirit daily.

Grandma Cris and Robyn- Without you we wouldn't be celebrating these wonderful girls. There aren't enough words to tell you how thankful we are for all you have done for the them.

To all the Doctors, nurses, therapists, teachers, friends and family, it is with your great dedication and support that we can sing a victorious birthday song today. You all have a part in keeping them healthy, striving and fill them with joy. Thank you a million for all you love and support.

Love, The Hulls, The Cajas and The Alvarezes