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An open letter to the fearful...

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We have been home from Texas for about a month now. We are doing our best to continue the 4+ daily hours of therapies that we learned at NeuroSolutions 3-5x a week. Brian continues to improve and make gains. His wakefulness throughout the day is longer, he's getting physically stronger, his head control & tracking is excellent, he has new responses to commands, and stem cells will continue to regenerate for up to 6 months. Dr Crawford would like to have us back by end of year for round 2! I had the great honor of sitting and podasting with Dr Brandon Crawford while we were there. You can watch and/or listen here: WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFF-3RYJXG0 LISTEN:   https://www.drbrandoncrawford.com/podcast/episodes/strength-in-silence-the-unspoken-journey-of-tbi-caregiving I have zero regrets about getting Brian to Austin for the treatments. But I would like to talk about the hard stuff that really attempts (and sometimes succeeds) at weighing me down. It is important

NEW FUNDRAISER INITIAVE: Brian's Journey to NeuroSolutions in Austin, TX

Big news! Brian has been accepted into Dr. Brandon Crawford's clinic, NeuroSolutions, in Austin, Texas. He wants Brian for a minimum of two weeks to begin treatment, so we will be making the trip down this spring (late March). We have appreciated all of the continued financial support that has helped us to make Brian's recovery as comfortable and as efficient as possible. I've used funds to purchase and renovate a beautiful, ADA / accessible home, obtain state of the art equipment to make his care easier and functional, bio-hacking devices to aid in his day-to-day healing, insurance on the handicap van, and to 'keep the lights on' since I am still unable to work or be reliable enough to obtain a job. Arguably the greatest gift of all is the opportunity to stay by Brian's side and continue to search for solutions to help him heal and emerge so we can have him back fully. Thank you *all* for making it possible. I don't think I will ever had adequate words of g

2nd Annual Bowling for Brain Fundraiser & More!

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 A few things in the works for Brian's birthday month if you're looking to support his recovery fund, or get out of the house for an outing or two. See below for details: Blue Line Roasting is donating 50% of net proceeds from ALL purchases site wide for the month of October to Brian's recovery fund. Stock up on your coffee stash (and maybe get a few extras for holiday gifting)!  https://bluelineroasting.com/product-category/coffee/ Saturday, October 14th: Got Your Six Foundation hosting the 4th Path Trail Run/Hike in Lemont. 10:30am meeting at Pollyanna to walk to trail head together Pollyanna Brewing is donating proceeds from beer sales after the walk to Brian's recovery. If you can't come to hike, come to raise a glass to Brian for his birthday! More info at link below:  https://www.facebook.com/events/975623716879860d Sunday, November 12th: 2nd Annual Bowling for Brian Fundraiser @ Lisle Lanes. See event flier below to reserve your tickets today! If you or som

Court Hearing // My Impact Statement

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There is no sentence or judgment that can be made that will change where we are today or what we have been through. The judgment today will not bring Brian back. So - I’d like for you [Angel]  to listen to how your actions have impacted our lives. Today is a day I’ve dreaded the most because it is forcing me to look back. To grieve what once was, and to relive the most painful and scary moments of our lives. It pains me to have to do this today, without Brian whole, when deep in my heart I hoped and believed he would be the one to speak today.  Before I share how the crash has affected us, I just want to say to Brian, that caring for you and speaking for you has been my greatest honor. You are not a burden to me or to any of us who care about you. The things I'm going to share are difficult to communicate but important for the court to hear today. The things I share are to help convince the court that you receive some measure of justice for the joy stolen from you in your role as a

Public Gathering Locations for Brian's precession

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If you want to watch Brian's precession home, here are the locations for Saturday morning. We are departing Marianjoy around 10:30. 

Brian's coming home!!!

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April "Plank for Frank" Challenge

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See below for information for April's fundraising efforts from my very lovely and amazing personal trainer (and friend), Jodie Needham: ------- "Coach Jodie here with a new challenge!  Plank 4 Frank - April Challenge. Let's Help Lauren Get Brian Home!!   Lauren is coordinating the final logistics to get Brian home safely and seamlessly...securing the van, having the medical equipment installed, home health caregivers trained, and final inspections.  Unfortunate timing of the sentencing hearing surrounding Brian's crash will end up being around the same time as the discharge, so it'll be a full mixed bag of emotions and they will need to  feel the strength of the army now more than ever!! The challenge donation is $30 for 30 days!  Every day in April we will be planking!  The full details are in the flyer.   Please register here:   https://jodie-needham- fitness.square.site/ If you don't already follow me on Instagram, please do  @jodieneedhamfitness   I'll