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Day 132 - May 18

     We apologize for the lapse in our updates recently. Nevertheless, please be reassured that the Lord continues to bless our family daily.
     Stephanie continues to attend physical therapy three times a week and gains strength and balance with each visit. We are hopeful that she will be strong enough to finish sometime early this summer but we anticipate that she will need additional therapy when her back brace comes off late this year.
     We have had a second back brace made, as per the doctor's request, and she should have her final fitting later this week. Her first brace was designed before her spine surgery while she was still in ICU and, although it was adjusted when she was in Austin, it doesn't fit 100% perfect. This new brace will be much better and will be more water-worthy so that she can spend some time in the pool this summer. Generally insurance companies only cover one brace every 12 months, so we are hoping that with the doctor's recommendations this one will be covered as well. (Her first brace was $2400.)
     Though many of us complain about insurance premium rates, we are grateful for such a comprehensive policy. Each physical therapy session runs upwards of $270-$300, but our co-pay is only $20. With three sessions a week for two months now, this is truly a blessing! Similarly, when you think of the before-insurance cost of visits to the neurosurgeon, rehab doctor, orthopedist and trauma surgeons, our co-pay of $35 has also been a blessing. The medical bills continue to arrive, some with and some without insurance payments posted, and we pray for wisdom and discernment as we continue to balance these with our household responsibilities. With Stephanie's extended stays in the hospital, surgery, follow-up visits, rehabilitation and medications, the before insurance total hovers around $400,000. With a prudent insurance company that has certainly been working hard for us, we've had to pay only a fraction of that thus far.
     We are grateful, as well, for the many generous gestures that you have offered on Stephanie's behalf....if we only knew how to repay you. Our gratitude goes to an unnamed group in Lamar, Colorado, that contributed to the cleanup, towing and storage fees for Stephanie's car and the semi truck. Our gratitude to those who contributed funds while we were still in Denver to help cover our expenses. Our gratitude to those who participated in the Local 3404 Benefit BBQ. Our gratitude to the FBC Senior Adults for their more than generous love offering. Our gratitude to the Lord for providing Heather with the opportunity to substitute teach the past couple of weeks, for providing Bill with a full bus driving schedule on his days off from the fire department, and for providing Stephanie with a means by which to earn a little to pay off old college bills.
     But, above and beyond your monetary contributions, we thank you for your prayers, cards, calls, hugs, handshakes, and support during this time. We have not reached the end of the road...but your support has helped us round the corners without veering off course.
     May the Lord bless you and keep you as summer draws near. God Bless.
~ Bill & Heather Adair
     P.S. Please continue to pray for friends who are ill: Dana, Ashley, Cheryl, and Eileen. Thank you.