From the Ritchie Family...THANK YOU!

[Libby Ritchie]

As most of you know, my children (Taylor..age 11, and Ryan...age 8) and I were in a serious accident on April 8th. Hannah and Jenny (team 234) printed off the post of well wishes from the FIRST family and I have to say...it meant so much to us!

As my wonderful friend Ken Leung, has pointed out, keep things in perspective in life! I have had to learn this the hard way. I have had to watch Taylor go through two surgeries to repair her intestines and see her in so much pain on a daily basis. I have had two surgeries myself in the past two weeks. I have had to watch my son go through a lot of emotional pain. And, I have had to watch my husband, Scott (234), run from one hospital room to another to do what he can to take care of his family. I have learned that life is short and you cannot take anything for granted. You think nothing will ever happen to you...and within just seconds, it all changes.

For now, we are simply just trying to get through each day and continue to pray for healing. However, we know that in the long run all will be well and these injuries will heal. God has been good to us and we are so thankful.

The FIRST family is amazing and I cannot say thank you enough to all of you for your support, prayers, thoughts, well wishes, flowers, gifts, "get well Taylor" pins, etc. Wildstang...you guys probably wouldn't know my daughter if you saw her walking down the street. Even though Taylor's mom runs team 393 and her dad runs team 234...her favorite team has always been 111! She loves your shirts! Dan Green was kind enough to send a team shirt home to Taylor via David Kelly. Taylor's eyes truly lit up when David pulled that shirt out for her. She has it hanging in her hospital room! Little things like that have meant the world to all of us and it just goes to show you how many wonderful people there are in FIRST!

Thank you all so much for all you have done during this really difficult time in our lives. We appreciate it all so very much!! And to the parent crew/engineers of team 234 and 393...along with David Kelly and Sarah Everhart....thank you so much for all of your kindness and help!

I hope everyone is able to now get some sleep now that it's all over for the year...and make sure you mark your calendars for IRI!! The Ritchie family will be there with walkers and wheelchairs...ready for another GREAT competition!!

THANK YOU!!

[Josh Hambright]

Libby I am glad to hear things are working out for you guys, I knew they would. Good luck on a speedy recovery, and I hope too see you guys real soon. IRI will be a blast, as always. You guys are still in my thoughts.

[IMDWalrus]

Originally Posted by Libby Ritchie

I hope everyone is able to now get some sleep now that it's all over for the year...and make sure you mark your calendars for IRI!! The Ritchie family will be there with walkers and wheelchairs...ready for another GREAT competition!!

I think that's both the most depresssing and the most uplifting thing I've read on CD to date.

It's great to know that you're all recovering, though. I've got no idea what our plans are yet, but I'd love to have 818 return to IRI this year simply for the sake of seeing you again.

Keep us updated, and keep bringing us good news.

[Dorienne]

Oh Libby I am so thrilled to hear you all are doing better. I was waiting for an update from you all personally to see how you were. Thank God you're all okay now. Be sure to keep us all posted on Taylor, yourself and Ryan! I think many of us want to know specifically what to keep in our prayers...

Thank you for posting, it really has lifted my spirits.

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

I'm so glad you and your family are recovering! I'll be sure to pass on the word to my team. On behalf of the West Lafayette/ Lafayette community, get well soon and stay healthy!

We're thinking of you.

Sincerely,
Genia Gabrielov

[Kyle Love]

Its GREAT to hear that you guys are doing better. It was a great thing that 234 handed out "Get Well Taylor" buttons. If we saw a drive team with out the buttons on we either gave them some that we had, or them to get some on. You guys were sorely missed at nationals. But look at it this way, we can make IRI like nationals for you guys! I hope you guys all heal up ok, take care!

Sincerely, Kyle Love

[Ellery]

Libby!

Get well soon and God bless from our teams to yours!

Ellery & the whole Xerox FIRST program (191 X-CATS, 1126 SparX, 1450 XQ Robotics)

[David Kelly]

I've got some GREAT news! Taylor was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon and is now back 'home' staying with all the family at her aunts house. She is doing very well as well as the rest of the family. There is still a long road to recovery for the family and they are going to need the continued support from everybody! Thank you for all that everybody has done for this awesome family. I know they greatly appreciated it and it means a lot to them!

[Katie Reynolds]

Originally Posted by David Kelly

I've got some GREAT news! Taylor was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon and is now back 'home' staying with all the family at her aunts house.

That's WONDERFUL to hear!! Thanks for keeping us up to date!

[Kyle Love]

GREAT news to hear, thanks for keeping us up to date David!

[tiffany34990]

this just makes my day!! thanks for keeping the cd community updated!

[KathieK]

Good to hear! The Ritchies are still in our prayers!

[Lisa Perez]

Awesome to hear!!!

[StephLee]

This is the best thing I've heard in an otherwise crappy day!! Thanks for the update, and I'm still praying!!

[Beth Sweet]

So fantastic to hear that things are looking up for your family Libby. You guys have gone through so much, I'm just waiting for the good stuff to shower down on you!