I decided to call Patrick's parents, give them an "update" on tomorrow's plan, and ask his dad about the conversation with the professor.

He mentioned that he initially had concerns about Patrick becoming dependent on a speaking device or slowing his speech progress. After reading studies and literature about the different devices used, he understood the purpose of them for Patrick. He also had always believed that knowing Patrick, it would not be in his nature to use a device to replace his own speech. He asked the professor what devices she would be having Patrick work with, and his father had been reassured that she would find the one that was the best fit for Patrick and his level of auditory comprehention.

After he had told me what he found out, I told him to please let me know anytime he was having concerns. I told him my opinions on the devices, what I had learned from the speech pathologists and the professor. He then told me he didn't really have conerns, more so just wanted to be informed when he went to the speech clinic tomorrow and be able to ask intelligent questions.

Overall, it went well. I feel better and I didn't *beep* anyone off. (YEAH FOR ME!)

On another note...

Patrick's one year anniversary is Friday. It's an odd feeling, remembering this time last year. The cold air and gray skies with spring just around the corner. Was there a spring last year? I don't remember it.

I remember sleeping on hospital floors in the corridors because there were no cots avainable, using a coat as a pillow. Sleeping might be an overstatement.

I remember being in the cafeteria, eating cold food (seiously, I never got a hot entree there), and hearing all the chatter of what was going on around me as if life was still moving. It was for these people, for me, my heart had been ripped out of my body.

I think I will end it there. Maybe I will blog a bit more about it on Friday. Maybe I won't. We'll see.

Kristen