Ari is finally back home for the first time since October 5th. He had a grand send-off from the medical team, therapists, hospital staff and patients of the 4th floor at Brooks. It was really moving to watch him ring the discharge bell while everyone lined up to cheer him on and get their hug in. Not a dry eye in the house. He really cherished his time there and it's apparent the cherishing was mutual.

We are thankful for everyone at Brooks for helping get Ari and us to the point that he’s confident enough to have these couple of days at home. A little scary, yes. Lots of learning and figuring things out ahead. Mom thankfully has the nursing skills and experience built in, Brooks provided caregiver education to fill in the gap for the rest, and plenty of makeshift home adjustments are happening on the fly already. A superhero in our community just moments ago showed up with a ramp for one of the entrances. 

Ari was over the moon happy getting home. He is enjoying some love from his pets that he’s missed dearly. And, also, those moments have already come that hit harder, as a familiar setting begins to adjust its shape to fit a new context post-injury. Transitions can be a doozy. It's natural to miss all the structured and known elements of 4th floor inpatient life at Brooks. During this next couple of days, this sort of interlude in his initial rehabilitation, undoubtedly we will learn things to make his eventual long term return even better. For now, we are thankful to have him back here so soon. Ari's fortitude has strengthened with each new challenge before, and this is no different. Wishing all of our #LionStrong family near and far a very happy Thanksgiving!