Learning Stairs

The first day Kyle did stairs was a bit nerve-wracking for everyone.  He was light headed initially and needed to rest before actually getting over to the stairway on his floor.  The second time he did stairs was the day he was scheduled to go home to Pittsburgh, where he would have 13 stairs to climb in his parent's house.  Standing up and moving around very much caused pain for Kyle in his right leg because of the blood flow rushing down to it.  He was also a bit winded after a little physical activity because he had spent the majority of the last five weeks laying down.

Kyle gets out of his wheelchair at the base of the stairs while Joel holds the door and his mom, Elsie, stands nearby for support as well. 

Kyle starts his way up the stairs with Joel standing right by him for any support he may need.  "Send the good foot to heaven first," Joel told Kyle so he would remember to put his left leg up a step first and then use the crutch to move up with it. 

Kyle gets to the top of the stairs and turns around to head back down, and receives some advice from Joel for going down stairs. 

Kyle gets down the stairs smoothly and shows great improvement from the day before when he went up and down the stairs for the very first time.  He was much more stable and confident the second time.

Kyle wheels past the nurse's station with Joel where signs and work shifts are displayed and a large machine lines the hall way too. 

Kyle goes by the paper sign and flags decorating the nurse's station.  The sign reads:  "Our hearts are with you".  Kyle was headed back to his room to get his things packed up and out the door so he could head home to Pittsburgh.