Sunday, June 7, 2009

Rocking out in a chair!

Andrew's second day at RIC was a little more eventful than the first. He got out of bed and rocked out in a wheelchair for over an hour - he even got a pair of gloves to help him wheel himself around!

Andrew had his occupational and physical therapy evaluations today. His upper body is up to par but still needs to work on the dexterity of his hands. We are seeing a lot of improvement in his right hand. He continues to work hard on learning to move his legs. The physical therapist said she could feel some nerves responding in his legs - still a lot of work ahead.

We believe Andrew's therapy schedule will vary each day so a phone call in advance would be helpful for visitors. Depending on his busy day visitors are allowed between the hours of 8am and 8pm.

Chicago is a beautiful city and RIC is right by the water - plenty of attractions to keep you busy if you need to wait to see him.

Keep praying and thinking about Andrew.

22 comments:

  1. hey hip,

    sounds like you were busy today. i was reading about how you have a lot of improvement in your right hand and was wondering how it is that your right is so much stronger than your left??? me, clay, and alex had a laugh about that while we were at st. elizabeths when they said the right side of your body was stronger. we had a feeling we knew what you'd attribute that to. ;-)

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  2. Sarah Hippert (sis)June 7, 2009 at 9:03 PM

    I love you sooooo very much little brother and miss being able to see you on a daily basis. I have been dreaming lately about going to SD to sail with you and Kalli and having great nights out on the town. The last few days I have been calling Jack, Andrew, and man, I just got over that about a year ago. Now I'm doing all over again because he reminds me so much of when you were little. The gestures he makes and the faces he makes at me. I hope he grows up to be just like you. I would be so very proud. A true HIPPERT thru and thru. I hope to get to Chicago to see you Thurs. or Fri. this week and see you rocking out in that chair. You are such an amazing young man. Lots of hugs and kisses to you and Kalli as you start this journey of faith, courage and strength. Know that I am with you all along the way.

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  3. Andrew,
    Good to hear your nerves are responding. Good luck with the rehab. We're all still thinking about you here in Diego. Watch out for those Bear fans out there. They're no good. Keep it up, dude.

    Brad

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  4. Hey Hip,

    Sounds like things are coming along. I am excited to come and visit you in a few weeks now that you are settled. I am excited to hear that your nerves are responding well, all good signs.

    Mike

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  5. Andrew glad to hear you are doing well sorry to say I don't get close to Chicago often Gary won't let me near Michgan Ave.:) something about shopping. good luck stay strong

    Tha Longs

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  6. hippert,

    glad to hear you're getting settled in at RIC. it sonds like you're making great progress. houli and i hope look forward to visiting you soon! keep up the good work!

    xo - mary beth

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  7. Hey Andrew -

    So glad to hear that you made it Chicago & RIC safely and that you are "rockin' out" in your wheelchair!

    Keep up the hard work - I know you have strength and determination and a wonderful family.

    To all of the Hipperts & Kalli - my thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you. Wishing you all much hope, peace and blessings ~

    Jill

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  8. Hey Andrew,
    thought I'd stop by and let you know I keep having dreams that you're back in SD and walking around like nothing happened. Last night, I had a dream that you were not only walking but back to your old self and tripping and tackling me. It was awesome. Hope you're liking Chicago. We all miss you in SD! Take care of yourself!

    Love, Stef

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  9. "He did not stay you would not be tested...
    He said, "You will not be consumed".
    Trust in the Lord and all will be good.
    Seek, and ye shall find, knock, and the
    door will be opened, ask, and it shall be
    given....and the love comes trickling down.

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  10. Hippert, I got this e-mail today and had to pass it on. Lots of good advice...

    This is something we should all read at least once a week!

    Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

    1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

    2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

    3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

    4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

    5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

    6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

    7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

    8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

    9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

    10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

    11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

    12.. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

    13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

    14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

    15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.


    16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

    17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

    18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

    19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

    20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

    21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

    22.. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

    23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

    24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

    25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

    26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

    27. Always choose life.



    28. Forgive everyone everything.

    29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

    30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

    31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

    32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

    33. Believe in miracles.

    34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

    35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

    36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

    37. Your children get only one childhood.

    38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

    39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

    40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

    41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

    42. The best is yet to come.

    43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

    44. Yield.

    45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

    As always we are praying for you and watching for more positive updates on you.

    Tari Van Hoof

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  11. morning hip,

    i'm sure you've been up for hours rehabbing and practicing one handed wheelies but i just wanted to wish you good luck in the coming weeks. i have absolutely no idea what you are going through or how insanely difficult this strectch of your life is gonna be but what i can do is offer my support when you need it and be here for you and kal whenever you need anything. i know that's not much compared to what you're doing but i'll keep up my end if you keep up yours. i have all the confidence in the world that you of all people can do this. in fact i'm going to vegas this weekend and i'm betting the nest egg that within a year you will be doin cartwheels off a sail boat. miss you bud, hopefully i can get out there in a week or two and we can catch up. blog posts are a poor subsitute for shootin the shit with you man

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  12. Hippert,
    Have a good day!
    Luke

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  13. I hope you had enough practice growing up playing in wheelchairs (Mark's house??) to make this whole process easier! But don't get too comfy in that chair, sounds like there's plenty of hope you won't be in it for long!

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  14. Andrew my boy, I am so happy to hear that you are doing so well. You have made remarkable progress over the past few days and I pray that you continue to get stronger. I am happy that you are fairly close to home, as I think you said that you might be going to Denver. How is Kalli doing, I am sure that she gives you a lot of stregth. What a wonderful girl she is.

    PLease know that we continue to Pray for your full recovery and I am sorry that we don't live closer, so we could come and visit. I hear that Chicago is beautiful in the summertime.....NOT!

    I love you big guy and please know that you are in my thoughts every day. Please let me know if you are able to receive phone calls between you therapy workouts.

    Papa Mike DeVore

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  15. Hey Hip,

    Your nurses name is really Bruno, that is awesome!! Are his sponge baths as good as I told you they would be...

    So have you tricked out the wheel chair yet? I remember that motorized one you made, that was hilarious when you drove it to school. You should actually bring that one to Chicago, I am sure everyone would love that horn in the hospital. Anyways it is great to hear you keep improving, I’m sure with your willpower you will be on your feet in no time. But in the meantime keep rocking the wheel chair because I want to race you when I come visit this week, and let me know if you want me to bring anything.

    Keep up all the good work!

    Ronnie

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  16. hey hippert!! Glad to hear that everything is going well for you! Keep up the good work!
    Kiara

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  17. Hey Hip,

    I hope that rehab went well today buddy.

    Mike

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  18. Hey Andrew,
    I love that every time I log on to your blog, I hear good news of renewed spirit, hope and progress on your part. Stay strong! Fight the good fight!
    Amy Peters

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  19. Hey Hip,
    omg! Anna, Steve and I laughed so hard Friday night when you told us about the time in college when you found a wheelchair/scooter at Goodwill and decked it up with airhorns, etc. Then, you decided you just couldn't walk to class one day, so you took the wheelchair! Will RIC let you 'personalize' this one? Probably not, because it's only temporary! You'll be up raiding someone refrig down the hall soon. Keep your chin up! Love ya, Buddy! Barb

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  20. Hippert,

    Hope things are continuing to go well at RIC. I'm bummed that I won't be able to see you everyday anymore, but we both know you'll be making quick work of rehab.

    That is a pretty damn good record, going a week without pants, I don't even think Luke could beat that, but it is time to put on some pants, pants of progress!!

    Keep up the good work. Hopefully you were able to keep the same PT?

    Mark Lee

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  21. Captain!
    We are glad to see you making progress! We´ll go down to the bay tomorrow to check out the sailing one so its still aflote! Keep on fighting brother!
    Jonathan and Marcus

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  22. hey hip,

    hope your first full day at RIC went well. i was gonna mail you some stuff but i want to make sure that it would be useful and you won't hate it so hit me up whenever you have a chance, i know your phone hand works just fine :-) oh hey if kali's gonna keep her car out here i'm thinking of coming out july 4th weekend. i was hoping to drive back and see you next week but if it's easier to keep the vehicle up at my place for now july 4th will be the soonest i'm back kickin it midwest style. i was also thinking maybe we can get a big crew together and roll down to chitown since it's a holiday weekend and the brewers are playin the cubbies at wrigley. u down for a group of visitors? also i know that's very very soon but is there any possiblity of a field trip one of those days for you? if so your ticket behind home plate is on me, i've never sat there at a ballpark before. if it's not an option yet we'll definitely have to hit up a packer game this season.........before snow falls, i'm done getting arrested doin shit with you :-)

    i know it's only day 2 of fulltime therapy but remember man you're running a marathon here, don't get discouraged, don't let up. although by the pace you're setting these first few weeks i'd swear you're half kenyan

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