Thursday's Heroes - BYU football

October 22nd was a day that won't be forgotten soon.  As not many people know, Cassandra was nominated by some family friends for the Thursday's Heroes program that is sponsored by the Mendenhall's and BYU football.  The vision of the program is as follows: Thursday’s Heroes began in 2006 and is sponsored by The Holly & Bronco Mendenhall Foundation. The aim of the program was to provide support, encouragement, and in some cases,financial aid, to children & families that are facing significant life challenges.

We had waited and waited to see if she had been chosen for the program.  Word came, probably a month ago, that she had indeed been selected and would be a Thursday Hero.  We were all super excited.  As many have seen on Facebook, the Kieffer, Holt and Lilly family joined together to celebrate this event.  

Anyway, the actual day of was great.  We gathered at the student athletic building on the BYU campus, were shown around the football lobby, the coaches' offices, and the playing fields.  Because BYU was going up to Boise State, they were practicing on the astro turf in the indoor practice facility.  After the practice, the team huddled up and then approached us like a massive army, Bronco with his arms outstretched.  He gave Cassie a hug, introduced the team, and then Andrew Mikkelsen (#29 freshman kicker) and Craig Bills (#20 senior defensive back) gave her a bunch of gifts (T-shirts, jersey, hats, football, etc.) and a flag and football with player and coach signatures.  Cassie also was able to sign the flag that the team carries with them to games, so she will always be represented at BYU football games no matter where it is.  Pictures and additional video are pending.  Below is the video that was presented to the team before practices, as read by Greg Wrubell the "Voice of the Cougars" (he has been calling play-by-play for the BYU Football team for many years).

All in all, it was a wonderful experience, with so much love and joy to be had.  Thanks to all those who came physically (Cassie and Chris Holt; Cathy Holt; Troy, Amy and Ethan Lilly; and our cameraman Travis) and those in spirit.

P.S. There are some neat perks to being a Thursday's Heroes not mentioned: we get to go to a game, so we chose the "blackout" game against UNLV on November 15; we get to enjoy the pregame practice and meet the team again for pregame ceremonies.  There is also an annual banquet for all heroes to return to and meet others.  In short, Cassie will be a part of BYU forever.

Submitted by Christopher

An Eventful Saturday

October 12th was an exciting day! It started out with primary practice, and I figured out how to put up folding chairs! In the middle of the day we had Gramps' 80th birthday party and I talked with several people. It's a small world, because I remember my conversation about Dr. Edgely that I had with Jen Holt (that they are cousins)! I said I saw him last month at his office, and I was very impressed with him, because he had a stroke when he was 27! The last thing was a dinner, with the Kieffer family, Holt family and my family! So we had dinner and we sat around talking a bit and I knew my mom was going to get up and give Mat a thank you gift from BYU for working there for 15 years. But I didn't know he was going to present me with an award too ... I am a part of Thursday's heroes! This means that I can go and meet the team after the football practice on October 22, and I get to go to a football game. On top of that I also get to go to BYU every year by BYUs invitation for a Thursday's heroes banquet!

Saebo Videos + School Again + New Job = Many Changes

I am going to start school again in 2 weeks.  I am really excited but also nervous.  Pray for me as it will be a new experience for me.  I have always done so well in school and never have had to depend on anything or anyone to get me by.  Sure, I've asked for help before - but nothing like this.

Chris started a new job at Qualtrics, after over 4 years at Convergys.  He is excited and also nervous!  Looks like we are sharing many of the same feelings.  More to come as we learn more.

Here are two fun videos showing the Saebo device on my right arm:

Vacation and lots of stuff!!

We went on vacation to Idaho and visited Mike and Ashley Clark! We played games and went out to eat, watched movies and talked! We had a great time! Here is my only picture!

We had my Ultraflex hand brace casted and here is a video! 

My whole family went to the Strides for Strokes activity on May 31, and Ariana and Ethan ran the 5K and everybody else walked the 1 mile victory walk. We also went to Ashley's baby shower! Kaitie was there and she is in last two weeks of her pregnancy!

I got my Saebo device, which is what I have been waiting for!!  This device uses springs and helps me use all of my fingers and not just my hand.  I filmed the Saebo the first day I got it!

UVU Graduation - May 1-2, 2014

Yesterday was a monumental day.  It was commencement at Utah Valley University for me.  I finally made it.  There were so many ups and downs in me getting to this point.  All of those struggles are not over yet, as Cassie and I have yet to embark on many more adventures in our life together.

It was such a blessed event.  I could not believe that I was actually there, graduating with my bachelors in science degree in International Business.  It was surreal and I had not realized how much I would actually miss walking the halls and participating in all of the student events.  Who knew that after 5 years of going to school that I would become so attached to the place?

The commencement speaker was Wes Moore, who wrote a bestselling book called The Other Wes Moore.  He thoughts were short and straightforward, and the biggest question that he raised was something similar to this: “How do you make it matter that you were here?”  In other words, why did I attend UVU?  He said that it would be a mistake had it only been for a degree, diploma or certificate.  That is not the end game plan.  Indeed, it is to do something with that.  He said to appropriately represent the Wolverine spirit in the world and to fight for someone and some worthy cause.  There were other noted guests.  I thought to myself about how I would need to change in order to reciprocate their dedication to bettering others around them and focusing on the more important things. 

So now Cassie has the goal of auditing a class this coming fall semester at UVU and, if she feels ready and capable, to actually take the class for credit next spring in 2015.  We sure hope that she does well and continues to thrive and progress!

Easter

Chris showed this video to me last night. I hope that you will watch it too!



Yesterday was my grandma's birthday and Easter! So we went to her gravestone! I am so happy that we will someday get to be with her again!

Birthday

Last week it was my birthday and it had a busy weekend! It started off on Friday which was my actual birthday April 11! I had therapy and I didn't expect anything, but they got me a big basket of candy from my therapy team! Afterwards my mother-in-law took me to get balloons and flowers for my friends baby shower the next day! My family, Sydney and Brooklyn came and helped me get it ready! It went off very well! After everybody left then I took a much need nap. After we went to my parents-in-laws house for presents and cake! The next day was Sunday and it was a much need break too! My family spent their time getting ready for my birthday and it went off perfectly- I have bunch of pictures from this whole weekend!

Yay!!

We got the Saebo and the Ultraflex approved by Brain and Leslie and they are going send a letter to my insurance to say that I need both of them!!! Thank you! So many people have prayed for me!!

I heard about some news from my therapist....

This week I haven't been good at journal writing! I haven't written about strike for strokes! We had a good time of it! Chris and my mom and Chris's mom went! Chris won. We still had bumpers on but I beat my mom!  Even though I bowl with my left hand now and even though I am slower I beat my mom!

I heard about the Saebo device from Leslie, my occupational therapist. I looked at it, but that device needs to be okayed by a saebo technician. It's been two weeks and she has tried to get ahold of saebo in Orem but no luck there. The next step will be to get ahold of the main office, so cross your fingers and pray!

I put a video here if you would like to look!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gIzDsKSEZOw

Hindsight + Foresight

I wanted to take some time and express some feelings of mine on the blog.  So many people have reached out in love and concern, wanting to help Cassie and I regain our footing.  Now that is has been more than one year again, hindsight serves us best in recognizing that all is possible through Jesus Christ and His proffered Atonement.  I am a witness of His mercy and power.  Though this has befallen my wife and I, I would not want it any other way.  She is a sweetheart and a joy to be with.  I consider myself fortunate and quite richly blessed.  It's so wonderful to hear all the good news about our friends, those that are married and having their first new additions, to those who struggle just like me, etc.

I cannot believe that it's almost time for my brother to come home.  He has been out since August of 2012, so time is waning.  I am thankful that he decided to serve a mission.  It has been fun too share my experiences and insights with him.  I enjoy looking back on my own times in Pennsylvania, to see how my testimony grew and the lovely friends and people that I met.

Cassie is looking to start school again.  The plan, after meeting with the accessibility workers at UVU, is for her to audit a class first.  To audit means that we unfortunately still have to pay while not worrying about the grades.  She is in her upper division classes so nothing is going to be simple or easy.  I know that she will work hard and that no matter what she is still intelligent and strong.  So though I graduate in May, I will still be very much involved in classes and homework!  We hope that she is comfortable enough with the audit that she can return slowly to obtaining that degree she wants.  Unfortunately, because summer semesters offer less than the mainstream ones, she won't start to audit a class until the fall. That will give her time to continue to heal, develop her communication and understanding, and her schooling processes. I am amazed at her determination and grit in recovering and regaining what would be deemed a normal life. I don't think that things will ever be normal, because I think the story is too extraordinary for that. 

Anniversary

Today is my one year anniversary of my stroke. I have gotten this far with my family and friends! We still have a long way to go!!

Major accomplishment

I have been doing my arm lifts with my moms or sisters help. I found out that I can do it on my own! I have been doing my arm lifts for a total of one years straight!! And if I can do my arm lifts standing up, and it takes me one year, then so be it!

This year I have been accepted to the BYU speech clinic!