When you think its time to give up its time to never give up!!!!

Today I was really ready to throw in the towel. This weekend the stress of our life got to me so badly that I drove to the ER with such head pain even 2 shots of morphine weren't enough to calm the anxiety of our lives. And then today in the midst of total financial destruction, 2 cars dying, God once again showed me there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. After withdrawing the last of our retirement a mere savings of $3000, Patrick and I set out on one of our educational field trips in pursuit of a car for Kathleen. We were in a lot in Roselle and I helped him into the rear seat of a car and he went into a total melt downpanic attic. It took me 30 seconds or so to figure out he actually thought that I was putting him in the car and that the dealer was getting in the car to drive away with him. As horrible a those few seconds were for him, it was so wonderful for me to see he understood the situation and responded correctly. Patrick is understanding and responding as a young toddler would; this is amazing for my beautiful 14 year old vaccine injured son who was diagnosed with STATIC encephalopathy along with many other things. He gets it; he knows he wants to be with mom,dad,Sean,and Kathleen. Patrick loves us just as much as we love him; his hugs tell all. God bless everyone!

Functional Vision

Patrick and I have just returned from the eye doctor; a specialist in functional vision. It is now documented that Patrick's increase in functional vision since Ecuador is dramatic!!!! Functional vision level is determined by appropriate response to stimuli. In children with cortical blindness and cortical impairments, the eyes are fine and the brain is fine but the signals going from each is not received correctly. This new functioning is the result of the brain recognizing what it is seeing more accurately than before.
We noticed the difference immediately but wanted confirmation and now we have that. Patrick is starting to use his senses together correctly and it is time for us to concentrate on strengthing his visual skills. The more we focus on this the easier it will become for Patrick to grasp objects correctly, manipulate them, and enjoy life. As we return to Ecuador we have strength knowing that doctors here in America support the doctors in Ecuador and their treatments. His eye doctor believes this is only the beginning for Patrick.