Much earlier this year, I set three non-therapy goals. At the time, they were just dreams. I had no idea how I would accomplish them.

• Attend Deerfield Reunion
• Attend my niece’s wedding
• Do the Livestrong Challenge 5k

For the reunion my goal was simply to attend. Found a manual wheelchair for free. Got my son to agree to be my caregiver — a heavier load than normal at-home caregiving. I had been working on drafts for my SXSW proposal (sadly rejected yesterday, but maybe next year). My classmates let me do ten minutes at our class meeting and everyone loved it.

The wedding was the hard one. Rachel does not fly, so it had to be a road trip Austin to Portland, OR. We took it slow and visited Carlsbad Caverns, a beautiful loop near Taos, drove right by a wildfire, Arches, Rachel’s cousins and aunt, Salt Lake City, Idaho Falls, and Columbia gorge on the way up, Yosemite and Sequoia on the way back. It was wonderful getting to visit family with all my siblings and niblings.

Sunday, Spencer and I did the Livestrong Challenge 5k. I used my power chair and was second in my age group. It felt really powerful to do that. I still depend on caregivers, friends and family to do transfers and driving, but the 5k was all me.

I am also setting new PRs in therapy. Walked 235 feet in six minutes with rolling walker and knee ankle foot orthotic and zero assistance from therapist. Stood six minutes with no orthotic and just a railing for balance. Left arm mobility, strength, and sensation are all improving. Up to 4 (8 worst, 1 best) in CodeWars.

At home, I have started pool workouts with Sam, and leg strength seems to be improving dramatically. He is hard core. My last two sessions were so hard I could not move my left leg when we got out of the pool.

Today, I finally have my tilt table test review. I do not think we learned anything useful. Had the heart monitor during my last syncope episode and EKG was normal through the event. After that, I have a rehab doc appointment with one of my five neurologists. Next week, I get a Botox top off to help my tone.

This weekend, Spencer and I are headed to Charlottesville, VA, to attend Dawes as they perform the entire All Your Favorite Bands album plus some extras. They have been doing this after the tenth anniversary of album release and I attended the first two so I have a perfect record. Also, they are releasing a special vinyl release of the album. Probably will pick that up.

Rachel is still in the rehab hospital for 2-3 weeks. She is getting visitors every day. If you are local and want to see her give me a yell and I can send the care calendar link.