Stryker Brigade News

I was unable to read your comments on strykernews.com today in preparation of the update because spammers (who should be used to clear mine fields in Cambodia instead of trained rats) have attacked the server. Maybe tomorrow.

Julie came with me this morning, but soon slowed down and had to return to the hotel. She stuck it out long enough to see Scott after Speech Therapy. Scott's therapist took us to the main speech therapy office to meet someone who would be using a computer speech therapy program to help Scott and another NCO here from a unit stationed in Germany.

After this we went to Occupational Therapy. Scott changed the diaper from yesterday on the stuffed panda (good thing the panda was stuffed or the diaper would have been). He also put one of Alyson's outfits on it. Scott did very well at both tasks. He then got to strap the panda in the stroller and walk around with it. No problems and he was very gentle with both hands. He had to repeat an earlier map test wherein he had to mark all the gas stations on a Swiss-made map of the Greater Philadelphia area (so now I know where Phoenixville is). He scanned the map very well and missed none of them. He was not worried about time as much as he wanted to be thorough. This sounds to me like the same person who was leading a patrol in Mosul, Iraq on September 14, 2004. The therapist liked my idea of map exercises using military maps. Nice to hear that since I've got some coming.

After lunch, Tiff took Aly for a follow up appointment. She's fine, but they want to run a test to make sure. Scott took a nap before he went to Rec Therapy as he was not feeling well. He woke up and went to Physical Therapy. He did the stretches and some work on the treadmill, but not much else because he wasn't feeling well. He went to the new speech appointment and came out feeling more energized. He wanted to run downstairs for "something." He got a soda at the cafeteria and then we went back for the Maury Show. I told him he couldn't watch it unless he could say the name of the host. Soon, he was clapping his hands and saying it, emulating the audience. He could keep clapping just fine, but after about five repeats of Maury it morphed into something Scott-ish instead. He said the show is "so stupid it's funny." I have to agree.

About the time his dinner arrived, I left to be with Julie. She's doing better and I hope this lasts.

Today's Weather: It snowed today in the mid-morning, but stopped quickly. The sun came out and it looked beautiful outside. However, clearing means cold, of course. I can tell it gets worse because the locals don't wear as much gear as I do outside. They're not foolish, they're acclimitized.

ST