Last weekend was memorable for the Ramsey family. Patrick, Ben's younger brother graduated from the University of Wyoming. The university is 125 miles from where Ben is living in Colorado. The plan was to travel to Laramie and then to visit Ben. Snow and horrible weather shut down all roads out of Laramie. Driving behind a snowplow in May was definitely an adventure for this Texan

Next month will be the second year anniversary of Ben's accident. I have learned first hand in the last two years that the road to recovery for patients with a traumatic brain injury is often frustrating and long.  In the beginning when I didn't know if Ben would live through his injury, I read of the frequent problems of others affected by TBI. The list seemed insignificant at the time....after all we were in a battle for Ben's life. Now I "get it". We are smack dab in the middle of what seems to be common struggles for those recovering. Understanding the mental,  physical, and behavioral deficits, learning coping techniques and promoting improvement for these deficits, and looking for the tools to achieve a meaningful life are daily obstacles for us and for many others.

It has been over a month since my last post. I have been waiting for a moment of respite in Ben's story before bringing everyone up to date on his journey. There has been little respite, however. So begins my post.... with the good and the bad. Ben has been in Colorado for  a little over a month. Ben moved into a place designated as a home environment with a day programs on site for young adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Although there are cuts to therapeutic living environments for TBI patients everywhere, Colorado is better than Texas. The option seemed perfect and was definitely an answer to prayer.

The journey continues in Ben's road to recovery. I am so appreciative of everyone that takes the time to follow Ben's progress. Ben was discharged from the Pate Neurorecovery Center in Anna, TX on January 17th. Jim and I, after exhaustive research, decided that there were limited venues for living and recovery for Ben in Texas. Ben relocated to a living facility in Colorado that offered opportunity for the next step in supporting Ben in his progress toward independence. It is a homelike facility with younger people, specifically geared toward traumatic brain injury. Jim and I were very hopeful that this could be the next step for Ben. He was tired of living in a controlled therapeutic environment and was ready to move toward preparing for school or work. Colorado seemed to have the answers we were looking for after hitting road block after road block to anything even remotely appropriate in Texas.

 We hope and pray that the new year is full of healing and hope as Ben moves into the 19th month since his traumatic brain injury. Ben continues to work hard in the therapeutic program at the neurorecovery center. Although he is able to do many things well, Ben's significant memory, behavioral and anxiety problems are a barrier to him living independently.  Jim and I are currently being faced with struggles for appropriate care as the January discharge date from the neurorecovery draws closer. Ben was able to come home for Christmas. He had not returned home since the injury. It was a joyful time with many bittersweet moments. Ben wanted to stay home. He isn't ready.

Just for fun! Ben doing a parody of a TV cooking show. Love his sense of humor.

Ben continues to live and learn at the neurorecovery center. Jim visited him this weekend. He and Ben went to the movies and enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant. Chicken fried steak has become Ben's favorite meal. Today staff members from the neurorecovery center took Ben to church. Our cousin, Elizabeth, then took Ben to lunch and to the park. Ben sent pictures from his iPad taken at the park. he is "clowning" around. It is a beautiful day. There is pure joy written all over his face.