UPDATES
April 2006 Update
Spring of 2006 - it’s hard to believe how time flies! Marla continues to keep herself busy. She continues to drive the automobile independently, transporting herself to her volunteer jobs at the Valley View Hospital Gift Shop, and the For You Shoppe (a secondhand store) in Glenwood Springs. She continues to swim avidly, as a form of occupational and physical therapy now that her formal therapy sessions with a professional have ended due to insurance limitations. Of course, she crafts, stamping, scrapbooking, and cardmaking, at every opportunity. Holidays have been valuable time with family–with Christmas at Leo’s sister’s home in Tempe Arizona, with grandparents Howard and Mary, as well as Marla’s cousin Nicole. During her trip to Arizona, Marla also got to visit her Aunt Anita (Mary’s sister), and Uncle Ray in Green Valley, and her friend from Malley Elementary School, Sylvia Lemmon, who has retired to Silver City, New Mexico. Marla got to celebrate Easter in Montrose Colorado at the home of her grandparents.
In early March, Marla decided that although it was hard let go of her aspirations of teaching again soon, she decided it was time that the vast array of children’s books, art supplies, and learning materials, that she worked so hard to acquire and develop during her teaching career again benefit as many students as possible. Towards this end, she donated these materials by holding an open house for teachers at Sopris Elementary, welcoming them to sort through the educational materials to use them as they see fit.
But the biggest news is that she will be going to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for a 6 week intensive Residential Aphasia Program. She will be completely on her own! The program will include around 5 hours of speech therapy a day, as well as outings and activities. The intensive program includes individual therapy, group therapy, computer therapy. Marla is excited about being on her own, but also a little bit nervous too. She leaves May 10 with Leo for an orientation, and then will return home June 24. Marla would love to hear from everyone while she is there–please feel free to leave her a message on her messages section, or to send her an e-mail. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll be sure to post updates soon about Marla’s amazing experience on her own out in Michigan!