Run While the Coast is Clear!

I'm tired and off to sleep shortly, but wanted to add a quick bit about the day.

Jason's schedule was pretty typical: six therapy sessions (PT, OT, and cognitive), about every hour beginning at 8:30am.  But the highlight of today was a trip to the Carousel Mall.  I couldn't believe it when the recreational therapist told us this morning.

In the late afternoon we boarded a van for the mall, Jason and I along with another patient and his mother (Jason did complain about having to take the wheelchair lift the one step it would have taken to get out of the van).  We had some goals--get a map, go into some stores of Jason's choosing, and eat dinner at a restaurant, all in an hour and a half.  Walking through the mall was pretty uneventful.  We went to the Apple Store and Ritz Camera.  Although he struggled a bit Jason was able to successfully navigate us to those stores and to dinner.  When we got change back at Starbucks he mistook 30 cents for 80 cents, but was eventually able to come up with the right amount.  He also handled the escalators beautifully!  I did notice he has a little trouble keeping his attention focused.

We ended up having a wonderful dinner with Paul, the recreation therapist and a brain injured person as well.  When the bill came Jason made a few tabulations on his napkin and was successful in determining the final price with the tip included.  He said it was a fun afternoon, and a really nice escape from the hospital.  He said, "It's like real life again."

Isabel