Reconquering the written word one book at a time
And I don't just mean "Good Night Moon" and "Horton Hears a Who" either (although they have been a crucial stepping stone). Today I completed reading my first "grown-up" novel since my brain injury (Guardian of the Horizon, but Elizabeth Peters, for those who care). It took about four months, but I did it and I'm ready to start the next one (One of Our Thursdays is Missing (thank you Weasel2000).
My speed is still not what I would like, though It has gotten much much better (I'd say it's a bit better than half average adult reading speed - I can almost keep up with congregational readings in church now whereas I totally could not as of a few months ago), and I'm only 6-months into my recovery (all told improvements can be made at least for the first year and sometimes beyond). The best way that I can describe what it is like for me is that I don't necessarily take in written words as passively as I used to be able to. I have to sort of kickstart the appropriate neurons and say "ok brain - read!" And, while I do not have to read aloud... I do sort of have to say the words in my head... which tends to slow me down.
So that's the recovery status and celebration moment for today. Little Dumpling continues to be a wonderful child. Generally happy and almost too cute to be allowed. He has rolled over from his tummy to his back a few times now, but he is not doing it consistently (apparently he must be in his crib, in the morning hours, and I must be the only person watching). We think he is teething (mad drooling and occasionally he gets quite cranky for no apparent reason, though this is rare), but nothing's coming through yet.
My speed is still not what I would like, though It has gotten much much better (I'd say it's a bit better than half average adult reading speed - I can almost keep up with congregational readings in church now whereas I totally could not as of a few months ago), and I'm only 6-months into my recovery (all told improvements can be made at least for the first year and sometimes beyond). The best way that I can describe what it is like for me is that I don't necessarily take in written words as passively as I used to be able to. I have to sort of kickstart the appropriate neurons and say "ok brain - read!" And, while I do not have to read aloud... I do sort of have to say the words in my head... which tends to slow me down.
So that's the recovery status and celebration moment for today. Little Dumpling continues to be a wonderful child. Generally happy and almost too cute to be allowed. He has rolled over from his tummy to his back a few times now, but he is not doing it consistently (apparently he must be in his crib, in the morning hours, and I must be the only person watching). We think he is teething (mad drooling and occasionally he gets quite cranky for no apparent reason, though this is rare), but nothing's coming through yet.