Playing in the Snow

(a view from across the parking lot of Hayden)

It certainly feels like Christmas in New Hampshire today after another two days worth of snow flurries, Courtney broke out the snow pants again and we dove into the field outside. To balance the harsh winter season in New England, the first couple of storms are a beautiful time - there's a white silence outside, the snow is light, fluffy and clean, kids are excited to hear about the weather (albeit with the ulterior motives). We played outside until Court's face went frigid and dried off while watching some showshoers cross the field as part a rec program, which we may have to take advantage of soon. Not to say how long we'll be around, but Crotched Mountain also offers adaptive ski and snowboard programs at the nearby ski resort.

Although Courtney's had to take it easy on her left defibrillator-less arm, she's still working hard in physical therapy in walking longer distances, climbing stairs and standing. She began practicing with a walker last week and was pretty unstoppable, the plan is to upgrade to the walker and eventually weed out the wheelchair. As if training her body to walk again wasn't enough, having to do so with very limited vision is all the more impressive. But her vision is becoming less "limited" by the day, she has recognized large, bold letters on a piece of paper or computer screen a few feet from from her face, being able to make out my handwriting alone requires a hawk eye.

We went over Courtney's timeline of the past two years in speech therapy today and I was surprised at some of the details she was able to pick out from this past summer. She talked about seeing the demolition derby at the Champlain Valley Fair as well as cruising tourist attractions in Grand Isle County with me. She remembered the kissing donkey at Allenholm Farm, which I'm sure made for some interesting commentary in the therapist's notes.

It looks like there'll be a caravan of visitors to the mountain over the weekend and some coming for the holiday. I'll be home in Connecticut up until Christmas, with any luck finding my way to the Patriots-Dolphins game on Sunday, then coming back to ring in the new year with Court in Greenfield. It's ok for recent brain injury patients to drink champagne, right?

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-Sean