John Ephraim Versluis

Yesterday Steve and I were there while the speech therapist worked with Dad. He did pretty good. She explained a lot to us. He is very impaired but is making progress. She would sing a song to him like jingle bells and leaves out words for him to fill in the blank, like- jingle bells, jingle bells- jingle all the ____. And he would say- way. As far as us goes he remembers things and people and then sometimes he doesn't. He never can remember why he is in the hospital. She said Grandkids seem to be the one thing he remembers and to keep bringing them in. She also said when you visit, challenge him. Ask him yes or no questions. Or have him repeat something you do. They really want to try and keep him there. Today they had him exercising on a leg machine. When his left leg got tired they asked him to use his right leg and he did. That was huge!!

Tahna