Wow! I can't believe how time flies now...it seems like a whirlwind, this past year. It sure didn't seem to fly when we were in agony, waiting for her to awake from her coma! I'm happy to report that Kimmie is doing wonderfully in her recovery. She still isn't married (though she and Joel are still together and still very much engaged) and still not back to teaching full-time (she is taking a break for now, but does plan on going back into the teaching profession in some capacity later on), but there's plenty of time for both of those things! Right now, she's concentrating on getting her life back in order and putting the finishing touches on her speech and gait. She's doing absolutely great! She sounds wonderful. She called me last month to wish me a Happy Birthday! That was the best birthday gift I got this year. :) 
Her going home on my birthday was last year's best gift! :)

Her speech is still a problem for her, but some days are better than others...for the most part, she is understandable and confident in speaking. She is still a bit on the awkward side when it comes to her walking, but not so bad that it hinders her in any way...just probably makes strangers wonder if she's been drinking. *chuckles* Actually, she walks fine but with a sort of deliberate rocking gait. She has a slight tremor in her hand that gets noticeably worse when she's trying to do something that requires fine motor coordination, but she usually can control it enough to manage things such as writing, typing, etc. She is fully independent once again, living on her own and driving on her own. That, in itself, is miracle enough! She's actually had a fender-bender accident since starting to drive again...a woman in the city hit her Jeep from behind. That was awhile back when she first started driving again on her own and hadn't come as far with her speech and coordination, mind you. When Kim got out to discuss things with the woman and swap insurance info, etc, the woman was alarmed at Kim's inability to walk or talk right...she was worried that Kim had sustained a head injury in the accident. *shakes her head* Poor woman - it was a sight, I'm sure, to see Kimmie trying hard to speak clearly enough to explain to the woman that it had nothing to do with that particular accident!

Her recovery continues and probably will for some time yet. The doctors average it out to about 18-24 months after the injury for a "plateau" to occur in recovery, but some will continue on past that time period. I have a feeling that Kimberly will be one of those. She is still showing improvement and it has now been 15 months since her accident. My sister reports that Kimmie no longer has the problem dealing with groups of people...that apparently was only temporary in her case...for some, it never eases, so we feel lucky and blessed once again for that since it will make her teaching career possible once again.

She and Joel were all set to build their dream home and finally begin their new life when Joel's company suddenly went under. They now can't afford to buy or build, so that will have to wait, I suppose. Other than that, life is going well for Kimmie now. She tells me that things get easier and better all the time. She and Mary spent quality time together this Summer, mostly fishing! To show you all how great she looks now, I'm including some of their photos here. Doesn't she look wonderful?!
 
 

She caught that one herself :) Nice catch!
Mary and Kim - Summer 2002	Kimmie - Summer 2002
My proud sister with the catch of the day!	Kimmie with the fish they caught! They were good, too!  Mary brought them down here when she visited and we  had a fish fry. :)

 

Thank you to all who have sent e-mails and prayers for Kimberly!! It really does help and each one is appreciated!
...the Drs said it would take a miracle...our miracle has happened!!

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