Adventures in Utah

My name is lighting up the marquee!!!

And this is what I found in slot 48:

A red mustang convertible!!!

I don't think I'm cool enough to drive a car like this.  In fact, I didn't even take time to figure out how to take the top down.  This car was definitely wasted on me.  But I took Michael outside to take a look at it and I'm pretty sure he was impressed.  This is the kind of car he used to drive (sans convertible).

Thursday was his birthday so I took a couple days off work.  It has been a while since I got to celebrate a birthday with him and we had a great time!!!  You can read Lisa's version of the event here

We arranged an outing out of the facility. This is no small feat...trying to find a company that can transport a wheelchair bound adult. His wheelchair is particularly large and heavy so that adds to the predicament. Anyway, we got it all arranged and took him up Provo Canyon to Bridal Veil Falls...one of his favorite places.

 We left early in the morning before it got too hot.  

I know you can't tell, but Michael was very excited about this trip!

Later in the day, many of his friends and family members stopped by to wish him a happy birthday.  He loves having visitors and always perks up when they come.  We took pictures but not with my camera :(  

He was also quite excited to open his presents...he's still a kid at heart.  Besides the obligatory clothes everyone gets for their birthday, he had two favorites:  an air hockey table and a punching bag.

Here he is practicing his punching.

Look at him give those Avengers the ole' one-two.

Seriously though, I have never seen him work so hard.  He worked at this for over an hour and could really sail it across the room.  Michael  was really worn out when he was finished but it was so good for him.

Katie's boys sent him some silly videos.  He really got a kick out of them singing happy birthday to him.  See the look on his face as he watches the movie?

All in all, it was  a great birthday.  I have seen progress in Michael that I haven't seen in a very long time.  He is definitely more present and aware of his surroundings, can follow commands, and is putting forth an effort that is amazing.

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The most amazing part of all of this is that ANYTHING we see in Michael is more than the doctor told us he would ever be able to do.  The prognosis was that he would be in a bed throughout his life using a respirator to help him breathe and his trach to suction his secretions.  He wouldn't ever be able to communicate in any way, show personality, move on his own, or have any sort of productive life.  So much of his progress I attribute to Lisa's love for him and his for her.  They are a remarkable couple.