Sunday, December 4

Incredible updates to share since the last post!! Today was an amazing day for Richard, as he is really beginning to come back to us. Although he is still unable to speak, we believe he fully understands what is going on. He recognizes all of us and is trying to interact.

Richard spent a couple of hours sitting up in his Neuro chair in the lounge area today. He likes watching all the people come and go and the nurses hard at work. When his daughter, Ashley got to the hospital he and Molly were sharing a McDonald's soda. Every time Molly would hold up the cup Richard's eyes grew big and he slowly opened his mouth. Molly would give him a couple of drops from the end of the straw... just enough to get his mouth wet. He thoroughly enjoyed every single drop. He is showing a lot of interest in bright colors. The visitor name tags were neon green today... he couldn't take his eyes off of the name tags, maybe a little mesmerized. When his sister, Lisa and youngest daughter, Megan showed up the nurses were putting him back in his bed. Once he was situated back in his room we all joined him there. Being himself, his eyes are constantly fixated on the TV now. He has found the remote to his TV and is very protective over it (naturally!) He is beginning to grasp things and using his thumb a lot. He is holding onto his remote and squeezing our hands when we ask him to. When his mom and dad, Sidney and Richard E. arrived tonight Richard slightly held his hand up to shake his father's hand and it looked as if he mouthed the word "Momma." Happy tears for all of us. The Jelly bean trick continues to work as well. We flattened out a jelly bean and told Richard to stick out his tounge. He did, everytime. We would rub the jellybeans against his tounge and then tell him to close his mouth so he could taste it, and he did, everytime. When we asked if he wanted more he would tap his foot against the bed.  Obviously he is missing his sweets :)

Such great relief seeing him make these amazing advancements in his recovery. Everyday he gives us more reason to have hope. Richard is a man on a mission and he'll continue to fight. We couldn't be any more proud.

We hope to see you all- new and old friends, family, and strangers at Richard's benefit on Saturday December 10 from 9am-5pm. If you need more information please leave a comment and I will respond as soon as possible.