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Team Ripley, Willamina, OR (2026)

02/16/2026

2/15/26
Nightly Update
Yesterday was full of adventures, today we stayed closer to the hospital. After breakfast we walked the block and a half to the apartment to spend the day. Aunt Erica and her friend came to visit. Of course we had to order sushi and bubble tea. We also enjoyed working on a puzzle, watching movies, completing word searches, face timing family/friends and taking naps. Ripley got in 3 little cat naps. It was a perfect lazy day preparing for another busy week of achieving and working hard. Hope everyone is resting well ❤️.

02/15/2026

2/14/26
We had a great Valentine’s Day!! We started the day out of the hospital going to a new bubble tea store and then a little bit a shopping. Then we headed to our apartment to spend the next few hours. This was Ripley’s first time visiting the place. We had a nice relaxing time while watching some of Ripley’s favorite movies Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses and Lemonade Mouth. Ripley and mom worked on a jigsaw puzzle as well. After a brief nap (Ripley and Tim), we headed out for an early dinner at a yummy restaurant a Craig staff member recommended. It was Ripley’s first time in busy and loud place, and you guessed it she did amazing. After dinner we headed back to the hospital for a late family card game which Tim won 😡lol. We ended the night with Moana 2 and looking at photos from Ripley’s Disney + internship. Ripley had a busy day but she handled it amazing♥️

P.S. this is Evelyn and just letting y’all know my mother is a rockstar. She is the strongest women I know. I don’t know how she deals with a moody teenager and working while STILL helping my sister out the best she can. Just wow. She is my superhero ❤️

02/14/2026

2/13/26
Nightly Update
Ripley spent the morning baking her famous ginger molasses cookies during OT today. They have a mini kitchen where patients are able to rebuild practical skills. She had a great time and really enjoyed getting back into the kitchen. She’s looking forward to getting back her phone to update her Ripley Cooks! Later in PT she was able to walk around and hand out flowers and valentines to Craig staff. She was also able to channel her video gaming genetics and played a game where she had to control everything with her left arm/hand.
The remainder of the day was pretty restful with a few extra naps. They have been reducing her meds and decided to take away some sleep meds last night. Needless to say, she didn’t sleep very well, so getting in a few naps helped this afternoon.
Today was a good start to this Valentine weekend. Hope everyone’s weekend is filled with love and ginger molasses cookies♥️

02/13/2026

2/12/26
Nightly Update
Ripley had a balance test today in PT. Two weeks ago she scored a 14/56. Today she scored a 31/56. She is making huge gains! They also did a timed test to see how far she could travel in 6 minutes. She covered 715 ft. She had to turn around a cone every 100 ft, the turning slowed her down a bit. We are looking forward to seeing her clock a new PR the next time they test her. During OT they had her working more upper body movement, twisting and stretching. She appeared to like the newness of the activity.
However, Ripley would say the highlight of the day was having Tim push her a half mile down the street to get some bubble tea! He was much better than I with monitoring her intake. 🤣. Tim’s highlight was for sure NOT the half mile hike back up to the hospital.
She has one more final day of hard work before the weekend. Hope everyone else can push though tomorrow as well to enjoy the upcoming break. Much love Team Ripley ♥️

02/12/2026

2/11/26
Nightly Update
Today seemed packed full of walking for Ripley. She walked 3/4 of a mile using the robot walking machine, then later went outside walking up and down hills as well as inside the building. PT had her use orthotics to help improve her foot placement on the ground. This gives her ankle better support which allows her to walk more smoothly. She added another new class, aquatic therapy. This pool of body temp water allows for muscles to relax and stretch… and of course more walking in the water. For the most part she is also walking without a gait belt, though someone has to be next to her at all times just in case. She is really only using her wheelchair to travel between classes as well as rest while in her room.
While she continues to make huge gains physically, she still seems to struggle with retaining new memories. She continually asks the same questions throughout the day, though when put back on her, 95% of the time she answers it correctly. She also continues to struggle with retaining information or recalling what she did earlier in the day, even what she had for lunch 10 minutes after eating. Even when presented with a picture or video, she says she doesn’t remember that happening. However progress is progress and her brain is healing at its own pace.
Thank you Team Ripley for traveling along on this healing journey with us. And as always, for the continued thoughts, well wishes, healing vibes and prayers ♥️

02/11/2026

2/10/26
Nightly Update
Ripley started her morning off with a new activity. She was able to join a social group of late teens to early 20’s who also utilize services through Craig. They requested family/friends not attend. This is to help them learn to navigate social situations independently. We are assuming she had fun based on her bright smile afterwards. It’s still difficult to ask her questions how events went when she still struggles with retaining information (information that is not repeated multiple times throughout the day). Singular events she continues to struggle with remembering.
Ripley got in a good 45 min walk around her floor going on a scavenger hunt with her PT and Speech. She was also able to hide objects for the next person ♥️.
However, I think the highlight of Ripley’s day was being visited by Ollie who has come by before. Ollie gave Ripley extra attention tonight and she loved every bit of it. We are so thankful for the companion pets who come to visit Ripley and bring her joy.
Hope everyone’s dreams are filled with furry snuggles and puppy kisses 🐾

02/10/2026

2/9/26
Nightly Update
We were told months ago to expect to have some gains and some setbacks. What is remarkable (knock on wood) is Ripley’s recovery has been nothing but gains. Sometimes small, but always daily improvement of some sort. She is truly inspiring.
Ripley continues to work on navigating stairs, improving her breathing and gaining her muscle strength/flexibility/balance in PT and OT. She continues to improve her memory and focus not only in Speech but in every interaction and conversation she has with others. She was able to enjoy a Rec outing down to the nearby Starbucks and get one of her favorite drinks with one of her favorite people.
I was talking with someone today about the power of all of the thoughts, prayers, healing vibes and positive energy supporting Ripley and her recovery. I truly believe she would not have come as far so quickly without each and every one of you. Thank you all for your continued support ♥️

02/09/2026

2/8/26
Nightly update
Ripley’s day was about as eventful as the first half of the Super Bowl🤣. She said goodbye to Mom but within a few hours was able to say hi to Tim. Between our “shift change,” Ripley received Aunt Erica’s undivided attention. She got her nails painted and worked on building her lung and diaphragm strength. Due to the first 3 weeks or so of needing breathing support, her chest is still weak. She has been working on this by shooting Q tips from a straw and knocking down cups. Already within a few days she is getting stronger.
Prior to kickoff, Ripley was able to FaceTime her college friends and see many familiar faces. This really made her day. She also got in a few cat naps (again the first half) and is preparing for another week of huge gains and successes. Looking forward to another great week!!

02/08/2026

2/7/26
Nightly Update
Today was all about doing some of Ripley’s favorite things; bonus was having Aunt Erica join us! Ripley slept in until almost 10am. She woke a few times but was happy to stay in bed. Once awake we stretched her arm and legs and took her on a walk around her floor. She completed 5 loops, for I believe over 600 meters! Aunt Erica followed us with her chair for a few breaks in between laps. She was amazing. Not sure what I loved more, seeing her push herself or the staff members who would cheer her on when she walked by.
After lunch we got her out of her workout gear and into actual clothes! We loaded her up in the car and took her to Barnes & Noble! We spent some time looking at books, she picked out a novel and I picked out a few shorter books she is familiar with she can read in one sitting and not have to worry about remembering the plot. That trip, while fun, wore her out so we came back to her room for a hour power nap. We then door dashed another one of Ripley’s favorites, SUSHI. Thank you to the Creative Team at Disney + for the gift card that allowed her to have her favorite meal. Also Erica gave Ripley a late Xmas gift (notice the sushi plate.). No bubble tea tonight as it was already late and I’m a bit skittish about giving her some 🤣. One unexpected highlight was towards the end of the evening we asked Ripley what store we went to on the drive. A majority of time she would answer correctly. The true test will be when we ask her tomorrow.
We hope everyone else had a day spent enjoying favorites whether it was places, food or family/friends. Night Team Ripley

02/07/2026

2/6/26
Nightly Update
As expected, Ripley has no memory of getting sick or the Botox. However she does get a good laugh when I tell her all about it. She had a sub OT person who got her to try different skills to work on her breathing. She practiced blowing Q-Tips through a straw to knock down cups as well as blowing up a ballon. That was really hard for her having to coordinate the breath with pinching the balllon shut. Her homework is to practice those skills.
Today was beautiful, sunny and about 65 degrees… not typical February weather in Denver. However, we made to most of it by walking outside on an incline/decline for PT. Towards the end of session the therapist had Ripley walk back to her room. He took his hands away and she walked about 60 meters WITHOUT any support!! He just corrected her a few times and then took his hands away. She is a rock star! She received more dry needling this time in her left calf and hamstring. Hoping to get her muscles to loosen up to help mobility.
Since we were finished again about 2:30, we went for a walk down the street (we did use her wheelchair) and had some drinks and snacks at Starbucks. I learned my lesson yesterday and only got her a grande and watched to make sure she didn’t chug it 🤣
We spent the remainder of her evening looking at her photos on her phone (most recent going backwards) to help trigger/orgainize her memories. It’s interesting to understand her brain, she reports not having any memories about more tecent events but when shown people, she can then say this is so and so and they are from class, work etc. But when we say “oh you remember them?” She usually responds “I don’t remember them, I guessed.” However her guesses are usually spot on. The information is there, just have to figure how to access it as well as retaining new information. She will be starting some new meds to hopefully help her memory, though it will be a few weeks before we start to notice changes if any.
Tomorrow is Saturday! I have some things planned for us. Which everyone will just have to wait until tomorrow’s update to find out what we did. Ripley knows and helped plan it, though tomorrow she will have forgotten and will be just as surprised as everyone else 🤣. Happy Friday and enjoy the weekend!

02/06/2026

2/5/26
Nightly Update
Today had a lot of laughs and plenty of successes. She started the morning with PT and then bike. Our girl walked over a quarter of a mile with just being supported with a gait belt. She practiced her balance with double/single leg with her eyes closed. It’s amazing how much she has improved within a few days. We even received the go ahead to practice walking around her floor on the weekends as well as supported walking in her room (not using wheel chair to get her to/from bed and bathroom.) She also topped off her walk with a 3.5 mile bike ride, towards the end they even upped her resistance!
She continues to have spasticity in her left arm and we had a consult regarding Botox injections to help relax a few arm muscles. After weighing pros/cons we decided to get it done. We were able to get it done right then and there. Ripley was a bit hesitant about it hurting. I had to remind her that she has FIVE tattoos. A good laugh was had by all and we joked that she’s already getting Botox at age 21. The benefit of short term memory issues is that after 10 mins, she forgot all about getting the shots🤣.
With that being our last appointment for the day we door dashed some bubble tea and took it to the park across the street to enjoy. She really loves bubble tea and chugged it pretty quickly… which was probably the reason she ended up puking 30 mins later. Ok, so I should have paced her a bit more, I didn’t think she would have lost her bubble tea belly ache tolerance. She was a great sport about puking and again, bonus of short term memory, forgot it happened🤣. The rest of the evening she did fine and settled in for the night. Oh and she reports no pain from the dentist and had forgotten all about it.
We continue to show her pictures people have sent me via fb messanger. It has been helping trigger some memories and she enjoys reading what others write about how they know her. We have one more final day of appts then a nice weekend where we hopefully will take walks and maybe a drive. Hope everyone has pleasant dreams of Botox and bubble tea ♥️

02/05/2026

2/4/26
Nightly Update
Ripley started her day off working hard in OT, stretching out her left arm and shoulder. She had multiple therapies today (both OT and Upper Extremities) focusing on relaxing and stretching the arm muscles. However, there was a big adjustment to her usual schedule, heading to an outside dentist for a root canal. We are assuming, due to her accident, she chipped a back molar and exposed her nerve. So today we took care of that issue. She was a rock star! When we made the appointment 3 weeks ago, they were thinking she might need to be heavily sedated. However, being Ripley, she only had the local anesthesia for her gums. The dentist said her tissue was highly inflamed but no infection. They didn’t complete the filling due to how inflamed it was. So he is letting it calm down and we will go back in 10 days or so.
We got back just in time for lunch and 3 other appts. Needless to say she toughed it out and earned a hour and a half nap until dinner. The medical staff has been on top of her pain and she appears to be tolerating it well. Hoping for a good, restful night so she can continue to excel tomorrow. Please send extra restful vibes tonight♥️

Team Ripley

02/16/2026

02/15/2026

02/14/2026

02/13/2026

02/12/2026

02/11/2026

02/10/2026

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02/05/2026

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