Bill: Fri. Nov. 8: family training and visits

Bill is still getting all his therapies, and they are using the time as family training as well. Ayn got to be his walking assistant; he does the work, but she is there as his guard, checking the left foot to make sure it is pointed forward, coaching him (if needed) to straighten the left leg before putting weight on it, and how to control a fall if his legs buckle so neither of them get injured.

(Here's a pointer from my husband's experience: if you are with someone who falls, the most important thing is to NOT be in a hurry to get them back up. Once he is on the floor/ground, he is in a safe position. The first priority is to get him comfortable. For example, if he is outside on gravel, put anything under hands and/or knees, whatever is pushing into the gravel. Take off a coat, throw down a book or cardboard or cell phone -- screen side up! -- or grab the bucket that is nearby to lean the hands/arms upon. Just look around for anything -- pull the floor mat out of the car, for example. Then rest a minute; you both will have adrenaline pumping like crazy! Check for injuries: did he jam a finger, wrist, elbow, twist an ankle? Stop the bleeding if he has a cut. After all those steps, then you can start thinking about how the heck to get up.)

Bill's sister visited, along with her toddler, at lunch. "She talks a lot," Bill commented, referring to his niece, "And she's very determined." 

Bill's daughter "C" made chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon, all by herself from scratch, and brought them in the evening. They were perfect.