Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - February 14th through 16th

Hello again,

Tori seems to be having the most difficulty adjusting to her home time zone which is 15 hours behind Hangzhou, China time. She is jet lagged for sure... I feel pretty good today but I was up between 1:00am and 4:00am earlier this week. Maria is also just about adjusted. But when you have to wake up and spend time with Tori in the middle of the night it makes it challenging... But Tori did sleep less than she has been today so hopefully she'll be adjusted within a few more days.

Even though I kept busy with work related items while in China I've still been playing catch up this week. Grandpa and Grandma Schmanski also headed south for warmer weather on Wednesday so Maria has been alone in caring for Tori this week. We are still in the process of lining up PT for Tori and are trying to find an acupuncturist as well. In the meantime, I'm trying to provide some of it. Only the PT though, I'm sure Tori wouldn't like me sticking needles in her ;-) Megan and Meredyth will start coming to the house again to work with Tori beginning next week.

Tori is continuing to progress!! Tonight I was working with her and motioning for her to raise both hands above her head in a 'touchdown' style and she did it rather easily. She even brought both arms extended outwards to me afterwards. The control on her left arm is still improving. When she raises her elbow above her head and puts her hand in front of her face she can remove it now if you demonstrate for her. In the past you would have to grab her hand and move it away yourself. Tonight she is in her wheelchair without pillows underneath her arms to clench. That means she has to control the position of her arms on her own and she is doing pretty well by placing them on the arm rests or across her lap. We will continue to closely look for more improvements over the next 6 months. Tori also received numerous Valentine's Day cards and gifts and thank you for that!! :-)

Now that we are finally settling back in again at home I wanted to specifically thank some individuals that truly made Tori's SCT trip a reality. First off, my parents Paul and Sandy Schmanski (Grandpa and Grandma Schmanski) for everything they have done for us and for caring for Brendan and Whitney during our absence. Honestly, we would have never attempted the trip without their support at our home. Secondly, Erick Caver, Keith Rossberg, Marilyn Hess and Becky Lunceford who made or helped make significant contributions to the Tori Schmanski Fund. And lastly, everyone else out there who has continuously supported Tori and our family in so many different ways. Thank you all and words can't express our gratitude to each and every one of you. We would also like to thank all of the medical staff at the Xiaoshan Hospital who were very professional, accommodating and most importantly caring.

In closing tonight, Tori was in the news again along with Kirk Green from Layton, Utah who was also in China for SCT. There was also more great news on the research front with this ABC News Story and this associated and very intriguing video about Terry Wallis.

Thank you for your continued love, prayers and support,

Tim, Maria, Tori, Whitney and Brendan