Today marked Day 31 since Chelsea has been hospitalized, and the day centered on therapy, structure, and steady routines. Therapy sessions remained the primary focus.

Speech Therapy: Chelsea worked on structured speech and language tasks, including respiratory muscle training and targeted speech exercises. She also continued reading and language activities such as identifying letters, reading words, naming objects, and writing. Therapy is currently progressing from word‑level tasks toward short sentence‑level activities, with support as needed.

Occupational Therapy: OT focused on balance, coordination, visual tasks (including color‑based activities), puzzles, and problem‑solving exercises. Chelsea has always enjoyed problem‑solving, so these activities felt right up her alley.

Physical Therapy: Chelsea participated in PT activities in the pool, working on balance, walking, jumping, and running movements. While it wasn’t the pool experience she typically enjoys with lounge chairs and sunshine, she was engaged and is looking forward to going back again on Friday.

Vestibular (Vertigo) Therapy: Chelsea continued vestibular therapy today to address vertigo symptoms. Today’s session suggested things are close to where they need to be, though one or two additional sessions may still be recommended.

Recreational Therapy: Chelsea spent time playing ladder ball during therapy and enjoyed the activity, and may have shown some of her competitive nature. We continue encouraging Chelsea to eat what she feels able to tolerate and enjoy, focusing on flexibility and adequate calories, and meeting her where she is each day.

As we move through this week, we are also coming up on Chelsea’s 16th birthday this Sunday. This year’s celebration will look very different from what we’re used to, as we are keeping things calm and low stimulation to best support her needs right now. When we asked Chelsea what she wanted for her birthday, her answer was simple and immediate: to go home. Anyone who knows Chelsea knows she’s had a birthday list in progress since Christmas…or maybe even before. Hearing her ask for something so simple, yet so meaningful, stopped us in our tracks. It was a powerful reminder that it’s not about the things we have, but the people we have. “Sometimes the smallest wish holds the most meaning.”

As always, we are deeply grateful for the continued prayers, messages, and support. We are taking this one day at a time and staying focused on the work in front of us. We continue to ask for patience, understanding, and space as Chelsea participates in her therapies and continues healing. Thank you for walking alongside us.💗