Dearest Friends and Loved Ones,
It has been a while since our last update about our daughter Kris, and I do apologize. Many people have been asking! Computers are wonderful but, when you mess up one thing in a computer, it sometimes mushrooms into a gigantic goof-up. I had just such a situation when I tried to re-vamp my email data base and ultimately had to recreate it completely. (It pays to back up more than two years back!!!) 
For those who are just now receiving their very first update from us about Kris, she is Major Kristine Ratliff, RN, USAF, our 46-year old daughter who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) April 21, 2010 in a horrendous auto accident. Following several weeks at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, she has spent nearly two years in rehab hospitals and a health care facility up until about one month ago. At that time, she was admitted to the beautiful new Audie Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio where they hope to teach her to either speak or communicate in some fashion with a speaking device. She is trying very, very hard and we truly believe she will speak one day soon. They are also working diligently with her eating (hopeful that she won’t be PEG tube fed forever), with her walking and with other activities or daily living.
There have been numerous other complications and several major surgeries over the past two years, but her stay now at the VA Hospital seems to be the key that will unlock the doors. The weekly progress meetings (held every Friday morning) have been full of wonderful news and positive updates, and my daily phone calls to her nurse, to her husband, Russ, and/or to Manuel, an old family friend who visits almost daily, have also been full of hope and exciting news. The attached photo is an indication of how good she looks and how well she is doing. The staff at the VA Hospital are dedicated and they are wonderful in communicating Kris’s needs.
We have known for some time that her mental capacity has been extraordinarily good and sharp. Her marvelous sense of humor prevails, and she laughs and smiles and has the most pleasant personality. But, then, she’s always been that way! Now, with the help of a Dynavox speaking device, it is truly hoped that she can learn to communicate by typing words on the keyboard and having the device speak the words to her (and/or to anyone nearby with whom she wants to communicate).
Well, there is much more to tell but I want to save the rest of it until I return from my next trip to San Antonio. Kris’s case manager with the Air Force contacted me a week or so ago and asked if I might be able to come out again. Are you kidding me?!!!! Just say when, was my reply!!! The date is set for Thursday, March 1st and I’ll stay with Kris at the VA for ten days. And... the military powers-that-be have once again made this trip possible by paying my airfare because they feel it might be helpful to Kris. She still has periods of depression, it was explained, and another visit might help spur things along. It seems they do this sort of thing when a patient has extenuating circumstances and perhaps Mom might help. So, of course, I will be on pins and needles until next Thursday when I’m on that plane. George, bless his heart, will hold down the fort here in Sebring and continue with the house renovations (yes, we’re still doing them!!!).
In the meantime, our son, John, is still recovering from his surgery to remove a “lump” from behind his ear, and seems to be finally on the mend! There was no more cancer and we are praising God for that!
Someone emailed and said they believe 2012 might be a good year. Well, we have prayed mightily as to whether we should do another summer show tour this year. Financially, it would be a great help if only to allow us to travel home to Pennsylvania to see the rest of the family, but I wasn’t sure it was the right time. God swiftly answered those prayers by filling our show schedule from the end of June to the end of September almost completely. There are two Sundays open in August! I think God is letting us know it’s okay... go ahead and spread “the Good News!” Praise the Lord!
So your prayers are still so necessary and appreciated. Your faithfulness in doing so has sustained all of us. Kris’s husband has been so faithful to visit Kris and keep in touch with us. She is doing, truly, far better based on the depth and seriousness of her injuries, and we are at last much more at peace with moving ahead with our lives.
However, we will start the summer in Texas visiting with Kris by mid-May... just in time for her birthday!!! Please pray, however, that gas prices don’t go sky-high!!!
Blessings and love,
Carol and George
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