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Old 01-24-2013, 01:39 PM
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An update from Brooke is below. Keep up the great progress Brooke, we're thinking about you and wish you the best! Have a blast diving and please post some photos.


"One week ago today...
We left our "Shepherd Bubble"... We did break our drive up with a stay in Savannah and Melbourne. In Melbourne we stayed on the beach so we could both soak up some salt air. Much to Brooke's surprise (and I wasn't sure I was going to convince her to go) there was a big Welcome Home Party for her at Ohana! We drove straight there- right past our house! She was a little overwhelmed for the first few minutes, but all the love calmed her nerves! It was amazing to feel so many people continuing to cheer on Brooke's recovery! Thank you to Jordan and Tara for hosting and for everyone who was able to attend. When we arrived home we had an excellent dinner ready for us from our neighbor Anne- one of the best cooks I know! (And GG made yummy Million Dollar Spaghetti as well). That night Brooke REALLY wanted to sleep in her own bed upstairs! And of course there was no way her Daddy was denying her that! Since the Soch's came over we had lots of strong men (Bryan, Kyle, and Ted) to get her safely (the way Shepherd taught us) to check out her room. After such an emotional day we both slept great! The rest of days home have been filled with figuring out where to continue rehab. Searching for a new place to live in Stuart. Trying to organize all the "stuff" we brought home from Shepherd. A few doctor appointments or figuring who will be Brooke's new specialists now that we are home! It's been an emotional rollercoaster, so Brooke and I have spent time with our friend Susan who helps us work through these emotions! We installed an electric seat in the Sequoia so we can transfer Brooke safely- it's very cool! Thanks to all our friends who brought us dinners this week- each meal was so yummy! We actually don't even have leftovers! It has been a tremendous help not worrying about what we were going to eat! Thank you- Thank you- Thank you! Jordan, Tara, Jenna, and Curran stole Brooke away from us Wednesday night and took her to dinner, the mall, and a movie. It was great for her to spend time with them. She has been smiling ever since! Thursday we found the place for Brooke to continue her rehabilitation. We are very excited! It is called Neuroexcel. Check out their website! She will participate in the CAST program. It will be intense, but she is ready and excited! We start Monday! Two brothers own it- one of them is a C6- Brooke's same level of injury, also a diving accident. They used to live in Boca near our house! They are also SCUBA divers and can update our certifications for us to meet Brooke's needs so we can all still dive safely! We can't wait to get back into the water! Brooke loved diving in the Georgia Aquarium- she said when she is underwater she doesn't feel injured! Looks like the Thabit family will get to head back to Keys and continue to enjoy their love of the Ocean!! Kevin and Tom of Neuroexcel lectured Brooke that her chair DOES NOT define her! She needs to hang with all her friends from before the accident and continue to do the things she loves! Even if it is a little different! She is hesitant to surf on her belly- but they told her what great practice in balance!!! So it is time to get the Mermaid actually back into the sea!! AND we came a step closer to that last night!!!... One of Brooke's best friends from Boca, Sophie, drove up to give her a surprise! She won a beach wheelchair for Brooke!!! This was one of the those pieces of equipment we knew we would need to purchase without the help of insurance. This is such a blessing! She came up and recorded Brooke's reaction to send to the show. Who knows they may end up on TV too!!! This is Sophie's Facebook post about it: Today showed me that miracles do happen! I want to give a special special thanks to The Buried Life and Ms. Gross for making my best friend's wish come true! Brooke, I can't wait for you to get your hippocampe! You're gonna be the coolest girl on the beach! I love you so much! Keep your head up! You have great things ahead of you! Today we will need to get her a bone density scan and a Dr's note allowing her to participate in her rehab on Monday! We have our appointment at 1pm! Thank you for the continued support during the next phase of Brooke's recovery! We couldn't do this without all of you!
We are truly learning that Life does indeed ROLL ON!"




https://www.facebook.com/TeamBrooke
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transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
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