Hello Ardith,

   AH> I realize there are other people in this echo who can probably
     > help & I trust they will. However, my heart goes out to you & I
     > feel called upon to do whatever I can ASAP....  :-)

    That's very kind of you to say, and it reinforces my general
feeling that Fidonet (some echoes especially) is more of a community than
it is a lump of technology.

   AH> My aunt had essentially the same problem... and so did one of
     > our daughter's room mates in rehab. Both of them were unable to
     > speak at first but were able to comprehend what others were
     > saying.  You may find it necessary to explain to others that
     > your daughter is able to understand, for two reasons.  One is
     > that there are variations between individuals depending on the
     > extent of the brain damage.  The other is that people tend to
     > assume lack of speech means lack of comprehension.  (You may
     > have some experience with the latter already.)

    The head of her hospital's rehab department was dismissive when I
suggested that at least some of her receptive language capability was
intact.  My daughter has continued to exhibit comprehension of things that
are said to her.

   AH> Hope this has been of some help!  Take care & keep in touch....
     > :-)

    Thanks, it has been.  As yesterday she has shown some gradual
improvement in moving her right arm and hand.  She clearly expressed
frustration at being "nil by mouth", which I think is another
sign of her own personality showing through.  Hopefully tomorrow she'll be
able to work more on eating...I know she enjoys that! :-9

- Andy Ball

--- BBBS/LiI v4.01 Flag