{Karlton Bontrager}

Karlton’s physio session was quite intersting today. The PTs told him to get into a kneeling position as he sat on a mat about the height of a chair. Ever so slowly and with much complaint about his quads hurting etc. he eventually got both knees in the right angle and the right place. He then had to move forward on his knees for about six feet trying to maintain his balance and not putting all the weight on his right side.

Next, he was asked to get down on all fours – hands and knees. He had a bit of trouble keeping his left elbow straight and had to be reminded constantly but he was able to maintain that position for quite a while, putting his weight equally on both hands. After he was able to maintain his balance, the PTs brought out a raised platform of about five inches. He had to put his weight on his left hand and stay balanced as he raised his right hand to put it on the platform, still in the hands and knees position. The PTs had him lower his right hand to the floor, then up on the platform several times and Karlton was able to do that. After that he had to get himself into a sitting position on the raised mat and then stand up. He even walked all the way back to his room after the session. Karlton is certainly getting stronger everyday.

After lunch Karlton walked with me to the computer room to check his e-mails. I can’t believe how much he is able to walk – he even walked with an aide to the rec room and back much later in the afternoon.

Even though Karlton seems to be functioning well most of the time, there are times when he just can’t remember or recall certain things. And today a funny thing happened. He was talking to his Dad on the phone in the rec room. After a while I went to ask if he was comfortable when he said he didn’t know why he couldn’t hear anything on the phone. Apparently he had put down the phone to do something and was holding it upside down. When I pointed that out to him, he just burst out laughing!!

Life goes on here at ISIS …and every day a little improvement. Karlton has a good attitude about the whole thing and he says he is ready to keep working. He enjoys hearing from his friends and appreciates all the e-mails and good wishes that are sent his way. Thank you all!