December 2003 Update
Marla enjoyed a wonderful holiday season, filled with friends and family. She, and Mary and Leo, were in Glenwood Springs from Thanksgiving through the month of December. Marla continued her therapies there, working with physical therapist Joe Mazzotta at Valley View Hospital, and speech therapist Trish Weitzenkorn.
Marla has re-gained almost full control of her right eye. Although a final evaluation of her eye’s progress and status will come from her eye doctor at an appointment in January, 2004, it appears that her October 3rd corrective surgery was a success! The surgery helped correct the loss of eye muscle control that resulted from the cranial nerve damage experienced in the accident.
Marla continues to make progress, both cognitively and physically. Her ability to use her injured right arm continues to improve. She has recently started to practice writing and drawing with her right hand. It is slow going, and very hard work, but a very impressive development in her healing. She continues to work hard at her speech therapy, and surprises Mary and Leo with new words, and even a sentence now and then.
December was full of activities. Marla enjoyed holiday quilt and craft gatherings, and a home tour in Battlement Mesa. On November 30th, the Kirk Jones Brass players held a benefit holiday concert for Marla and Luke Little at St. Barnabas church in Glenwood Springs. Marla also attended a performance of the Messiah by the Aspen Choral Society, as well as holiday concerts by the Symphony in the Valley and Mountain Madrigals. On the weekend before Christmas, Marla entertained visits from fellow Glacier Peak teachers Missy Marsh and Steffie Brouillet in Glenwood Springs, as well as her cousin, Alison Hickok and husband Steve.
The family spent Christmas at the home of Marla’s grandparents, Howard and Mary Williams, in Montrose, Colorado. Marla’s cousin Nicole with husband Nick, and her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Marty traveled to Colorado as well, bringing the whole Williams clan together for the holidays for the first time in over 10 years. The entire family shared a sense of gratitude for the light that Marla shines in our lives.
Marla, Mary, and Leo are returning to her townhome in Northglenn beginning January 5, 2004, at which time her twice-weekly therapies at Craig Hospital in Englewood will resume.
As always, thanks for checking in on Marla’s progress! We encourage you to drop a note in the Messages section, as Marla enjoys nothing more than hearing from friends and family. Happy New Year–we are excited for Marla’s continued progress and healing, and hope that the coming year brings fulfillment and peace to you.