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Tim and Maria went to visit 2 places this morning in Provo. The IHC Utah Valley Hospital Rehabilitation center and the 'East Lake' Center across the street from it.

The Center attached to the hospital is fairly nice. With only 18 beds and 1 nurse for every 5 patients, it seems to offer the highest level of attention of all the centers Tim visited. There is one technician assigned for each nurse. So basically, 2 people of staff for every 5 patient. They have availability and would be able to take care of Tori.

It is located 10 minutes from Tim and Maria's house and only 5 minutes from Maria's office.

After touring the 2 facilities, we stopped at a french bakery and loaded up (again one may add). The 3 of us ordered probably 8 or 9 pastries. We took them to go and then ahead to Starbucks Coffee on University Parkway in Orem. With 2 Grande Caffe Late and a hot chocolate, we were set with our breakfast of champions.

While discussing over breakfast, we commented about Tori's friends nicknames online. Something that Maria said made me somehow manage to spit a mouth of hot chocolate all over myself (Tori, you are not the only one).

It is now 2pm and she has been awake for a few hours and off the respirator since 9am.

She has quite a few visitors today. Jim Norman, his spouse and youngest daughter are here visiting her. Tina, her husband, Russell and Ashton are here. And finally, Ryan, his wife and 2 boys are here as well.

Tori was watching Shark Tale earlier on TV and, as I am sending this, is getting repositionned and released from air-pressured socks and shoes.

Love,
-Guy

Hi again,

Tori seemed to spend more time today resting when compared to yesterdays activities. When she is awake she continues to be aware and responsive of sights and sounds. We have also noticed that she is raising her arms much more lately and resting them on her chest. Her reaction to the decreased Keppra has been very good and the doctors would like to decrease it to zero if she continues to respond well over the next wo days. The zero amount of Keppra step does make us a bit nervous... If she can avoid the Myoclonic seizures with no Keppra administered they will look to decrease the Depacone next. Tori also spent 6 hours or so breathing on her own and her cough is very, very strong!! She does have to be suctioned frequently as her lungs are filled with mucus right now. That is actually a GOOD thing because it shows her body is fighting off the bad stuff in her lungs. Maria and I have been doing alot of the suction ourselves. Tori still doesn't like it too much though... We believe her throat is still very sore from having the ventilation tube in her mouth for so long.

Tori had many visitors today including Mike, Tina, Russel, Ashton, Melanie, Brandon, Deanna, Mark, Julie, Shaid, Grandpa and Grandma Schmanski and I think that was it.

I spent my morning today near home visiting and touring about 7 health care facilites and the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center (UVRMC) Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center. Maria and I also visited the Health South Hosptial in Sandy Utah which is about 30 minutes away. I have found that Rehab Centers which are tied to a hospital are cleaner and provide a more 'professional atmosphere' than the private Rehab Centers. Having actual doctors and some serious medical equipment nearby is also more easing in our minds. This is only my opinion and it's based on everything I've seen to this point. Maria and I will probably decide on one of those two hosptials after we visit the UVRMC again tomorrow. It is about 10-15 minutes away from our home and that alone would be soooo great!! :-)

I would like to thank Robb Perry for designing a new look for Tori's site. In the first days of the site, I wanted to make that the content would be able to get there and now it seems that it is. Robb, a designer in the company I work for, offered to stay a little later on his Friday evening and help with his artistic skills. The result is simply gorgeous and humble, like ToRi.

He was inspired by the stories and photographs. He particularily liked the yellow ribbon and decided that we should try to re-use it. Another thing Robb mentioned was how Tori 'lights up' on her pictures with Jake (used on the upper left-corner)...

Again, thank you very much Robb and Ryan for your help in dressing up the site. If you see robbsterino online on the site, maybe you will be able to thank him yourself.

Love,
-Guy

Tip: at any point in time, you can click on the top logo to go back to the home page.

Since the accident, Maria, Tim, Guy and I have been eating out at restaurants in Salt Lake City...
Yesterday, we went to a cool deli/restaurant, italian/french style. It is called Avenues Bakery.
After dinner we ordered:
-3 pistachio eclair
-1 chocolate eclair
-1 carrott cake
-1 rhubarb crisp
-1 bread pudding
-1 creme brulee!!!

I blamed it on the sugar craving and all the pain to see ToRi in the hospital.
But that's what Tim and Guy are eating EVERYTIME we go out !!!
Then, we went to see ToRi. Her new room is cool, with a sofa and it's much quieter.
She was awake. So we talk to her, it was nice...
She looks like ToRi again.

Maria and I are leaving for NYC tomorrow night.
I miss Whitney and I cannot wait to see all the dances...

Voila,

Sophie
Je t'aime ToRi

What wonderful news you have shared with us! And thanks to Guy for sharing the NY Time article as well. We are all so proud of the dance team and the dedication to their dance and to Tori. We missed Good Morning America so I am not sure the team was able to get a "spot". Hopefully they did. Tim and Maria -- be sure to take good care of yourselves. Thanks again for sharing with us. All our Love, Auntie Jill and Uncle Donny

I have been a friend of Tori's for as long as I can remember, I live just a few houses down from Russel's house. I havent seen her much lately. But she is a really special girl, and I can tell that she is really loved by alot of people. I think that this whole idea of this website is great, it makes me a little more content knowing how she is doing everyday, and I thank Tim and whoever else is doing it. I was one of the emergency personel on the scene. I was on the second ambulance, and I had not realized that Tori was even involved. But when we arrived at the ER, and I saw Tori, I really didn't know what to think. This whole thing has been a real testimony to me for the power of prayer, and the power of the holy Melchizedek preisthood. When Mike Neilson,his sons and other people (I can't really remember everyone) gathered to give a priesthood blessing to Tori, it was a very spiritual experience for me. I think that she is a very special girl, and with the power of prayer, she will recover. I am praying for you Tori, and for your family. You are an awesome girl with awesome parents, I hope the best for you. Love, Cayson Staples

Hey everyone this is Kara Hill on Teen Company at The Dance Club...in New York. I just wanted to give you an update on how we are doing here. Today, the juniors did their number (that Whitney is in) called 'Numb' at the Junior and Mini Gala. They won the Mini Critic's Choice award for 2005!! The Sr.s number "Hernando's Hideaway" made it into tomorrow nights gala. The Teen and Sr.s number "No Strings" made it into tomorrow nights Gala also!! Because Numb won tonight, it means that we won't be able to win tomorrow night, because there is a rule that the same studio can't win twice. We love and miss you Tori!!

WOW!! Did I mention yesterday that today should be an interesting day?!?! I am creating this update early tonight since there is alot to elaborate on.

Today began when I told Tori "Good morning Tori it's your Dad" while she was in a complete sleep. Tori immediately opened her eyes very widely then proceeded to cry very hard with that absolutely anguished look on her face. She cried uncontrollably for 20-30 minutes as we tried to calm her and it was another one of those so hard to witness diplays of emotion. Tori had Maria, the nurse and I in tears right with her and I just don't know how many more times I can see her in a state like that... I very badly wish I knew exactly what she is feeling, but I don't.

The rest of the day was a treat compared to the morning!! First off, Tori breathed on her own for at least 8 hours today and was awake for almost the entire day as well. Secondly, Tori gave us some of the big smiles we have been waiting for!! And better yet, she did it in an unsolicited fashion meaning we didn't ask her to smile for us - she just did it on her own :-) When Shaid Depalma approached her and said "Hi Tori!" an immediate grin and smile appeared on Tori's face. We realize those smiles are very small things in the BIG picture but they sure do HELP ALL OF US to see them!!

All in all, Tori is soooo much more active and awake with the 50% Keppra reduction. She also has had NO Myoclonic seizures to this point and if she can go another day or two they will cut the Keppra even further. They might also begin to decrease the Depacone which Tori is taking as well.

Tori was also mentioned along with Whitney in the New York Times today!! Guy posted the link in another BLOG entry so everyone please read it. From what I understand it is the first article of a 3 article series so there should be more. I believe some the Dance Club team members are going to try to be in the crowd for the Today Show on NBC tomorrow morning. Keep a good look out for the PRAY4TORI Signs!!

Erika Kinetz, for the New York Times wrote an article entitled Budding Dancers Compete, Seriously on July 7th.

...And so it was that Whitney went on stage without her big sister to compete...

You can read the entire article here: Budding Dancers Compete, Seriously.

There are several great pictures as well posted with the article.

well i just thought that it would be funny to add this in. when i was in 8 and tori was in 7 one day at lunch we were really hyper and we were running around with eachother we stopped and were talking to some boys. when we were standing there i pantced tori thinking she would have bikers on, but she didnt! it was the funniest thing in the world. she just kinda stood there looked down and picked up her pants and continued with her conversation! i want tori to know that i love her and cant wait till she is better!