We miss you, Santo! I bet you’re not all that upset about having two women fussing around you on Friday though. 
I was thinking of Santo recently! Has it really been a year? My prayers for his recovery continue. Best wishes to you SantoMom.
Ellen
SRM - It’s important that you don’t burn yourself out. I know you love Pat and work hard for him, but (as you well know), this is a marathon, not a sprint. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of Pat. Make time for yourself.
StG
I’ll second this! Even if you can’t get away for an overnight, go out to dinner or a movie, or treat yourself to a pedicure or something! You really need at least a little time for yourself!
I just wanted to say I was thinking about Pat today I hope you guys have a happy Easter and things continue to improve.
Happy Easter **familyRugger **. Thinking of you.
Just checking in to say hi to everyone.
Pat continues to make new connections from his brain to his body. Because we see him everyday we don’t always notice all the small improvements. He’s following commands more consistently.We think he is trying to speak to get our attention. It comes out as a cough mostly, but he’s learned that it is an effective way to get us in the room. The weather was gorgeous yesterday and his friends took him outside. We are lucky to have such wonderful friends and neighbors.
I’ve been putting the laptop in front of him and using a website that has a Speak n’ Spell (remember those?) emulator. It’s limited, but repeats the name of the letter as you push the key (in a creepy, computer voice - that alone should motivate him to speak up and say - stop already!). Pat had one as a kid; if only I’d saved it! Anyway, he’s not quite able to push the keys just yet, but we try to work on it every day.
Keep us in your thoughts.
Best wishes to all.
Happy to hear that Pat continues to improve - one day he’ll spell out “turn of this awful site and put me back on the dope”.
You are doing a wonderful job, SantoRuggersMom. Pat is lucky to have someone as dedicated as you. I’m sure that all your hard work will be rewarded!
Hi SRM, thanks for the update, it’s good to hear of Pat’s continued progress. 
Pat and your family are always close in my thoughts!
Thank you for your continued updates.
i’m sure we will be seeing his posts soon.
it is true the closer you are to the person the less you notice how far you have progressed. he really is in the leaps and bounds. just think of where y’all were 3 or 6 months ago. he has really come a long way.
hang in there and enjoy each new tiny step.
…and reinforcing - thanks for continuing to keep our little community appraised of Pat’s progress. It’s quite the journey you’re on, but we’re all there with you too, and updates help us to keep in perspective the distance travelled to date, and the road ahead.
Our most sincere best wishes remain with you and your family.
Long time lurker of the thread checking in… I’ve been following all along and I’m sure that I am far from the only one who cares enough to read, but doesn’t have much to say. Please know you are still in the thoughts and prayers of many. Whenever the thread gets bumped (because you or someone else has posted to it), I jump to check it. I’m sure, as I said, I’m not the only one. Continued strength and faith to all of you.
Pat is intentionally voicing according to the speech therapist. He definitely is making it known that he doesn’t like it when we move him too quickly! He is really working hard to follow commands. Looks like he’s starting to reconnect… It’s really exciting!
I’m a long-time lurker as well and just wanted to drop in to say how awesome it is to hear about Santo’s progress. Thanks SantoRuggersMom!
So glad to hear it. Go Pat!
This is truly fantastic news and a testament to the power of the Rugger family.
Great news!
Yay!
man that is great news! Very exciting to see the pieces starting to come back together for him.