Back to School

Hi All,

For those of you still following Dominic's recovery, we've been in the process of trying to find a program suited to help get him up to speed with his academics so he can eventually transition back into Charter School with his old friends and classmates. It was very difficult at first. The classes we visited early on were structured for severely impaired children. Many of the kids were unable to communicate verbally and were confined to wheelchairs. It was a sobering reminder of just how lucky Dominic is to be walking and talking so soon after his accident.

Ultimately, we felt this was not the proper environment for Dominic. While he is physically impaired to a degree, his mind is clear. His speech is still a bit labored, but he has no problem communicating his thoughts and feelings. We're finding that Dominic is just as sharp as he ever was (and that's pretty sharp). However, he's still contending with some of the same academic obstacles he was attempting to overcome prior to his accident.

Yesterday, Kim and Grandma Loperena visited a class that seemed like a much better fit. Dominic even made a couple of new friends during his visit. He will likely be attending this class for a 30 day evaluation period. After which we will decide whether this program is "the one" for him.

Wish him/us luck!

Thanks,

David Loperena & Family

Welcome 2009!

Hey All,

Dominic's Christmas was a happy one. He really enjoyed his presents (almost as much as we enjoyed watching him open them). 2008 is finally behind us. While it was a tough year for us, we have not overlooked the fact that we were fortunate enough to end it with our family intact and whole again. Dominic continues to make strides towards his recovery. Over the Christmas break, he told me he had something he wanted to show me. I sat and watched as he steadied himself and then... jumped! It was a little jump, but it meant so much to him. He was so proud of himself. He stood there grinning from ear to ear. It was amazing. Less than 6 months ago we were unsure if he would ever regain consciousness. To see him jump was like watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. It's a moment I will never forget. I'll try to get some new photos posted in the days to come. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

Peace,

David Loperena & Family