9/25/21 update

Everyday now, we are focusing more on all that falls into the category of “after”.

The first transition will be moving Mom and Dad into a Craig apartment and out of Kevin’s old place early next week. The week after, Kevin will move into that space with them. 

These apartments are on the same Craig campus but do not have a medical team. They allow Kevin to attend classes focused around his goals while offering the freedom to go out at the end of the day. We hope this time will allow them to adjust to operating on their own and acclimate to a new kind of normalcy before moving home to Florida. 

This weekend, Mom and Dad will begin doing all of Kevin’s care 100% themselves while under staff supervision. This is meant to prepare them for taking over care when they leave and I know they will do great. 

Kevin has been working hard to prepare for “after” in many ways. He has been working on his arm movements everyday and finding relief from shoulder pain with massages and cupping. He has also been spending time in the therapeutic pool which has been fantastic. 

The pool sits at body temperature to help those with spinal chord injuries as they aren’t able to regulate their body temperature. The time in the pool focuses on physical therapy that benefits from the weightlessness of the pool. It feels special to see Kevin in that space where he is significantly unburdened and yet pushing himself in therapy. 

Kevin was able to request an outing and he chose to go to Red Rocks park during the day. It was a great opportunity to take the first trip in the van and navigate a public place. 

Earlier this week, Kevin received a very special video this week from our family friend Karen Wilson. The video is from Tim Tebow. In it, he wishes Kevin well and says he hopes he gets to see him! For the kid who had Tebow’s jersey painted on his wall growing up, this was an incredible message of encouragement and we are so grateful.

On Tuesday, Kevin had a visit from my longtime friend Lily and her sweet dog Marvin. A goal Kevin made with me was to get his arms strong enough to pet a dog. When Marvin visited, he did just that.

We are learning that Kevin making obtainable goals at this stage is so crucial to his mental and physical recovery. As his family and friends, it is important to support him in these goals and in help to always find the next ones. It is just as important to not suggest goals that create pressure and anxiety from being too grandiose, all-encompassing or vague. Moving to a hand operated chair, eating his favorite banana bread himself and yes, petting a dog – these are all the types of things he can see the process and the finish line within. 

We are all more proud than we could ever say that Kevin keeps fighting the good fight. The road ahead will not be easy, but with the future outside of the hospital beginning to materialize as nearly-tangible we are all feeling the pull of hope.

Kevin’s Donation Fund:

If you wish to make a donation to Kevin’s fund to assist with the cost of a power chair, beach powerchair, new adaptive vehicle, assistive home features, medications and other tools for his life ahead please select Kevin’s name on the drop down menu at the link below: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/t4f

All our love,

Katie and the Cavanaughs