Kansan Summer Weekly/Wednesdav. June 24, 1987
9
KU student continues recovery from Halloween night shooting
Thompson moved to Texas Institute for specialized therapy
By STORMY WYLIE
Staff writer
Staff writer
When Amy Thompson left for the Texas Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Houston on June 1, she told her family she would give it five months.
Thompson, 25, a former KU student, was shot in the back of the neck as she walked to a Halloween party in Kansas City, Mo.
The bullet ricocheted up through her neck and into her brain.
During the operation that followed at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., doctors removed part of her brain to relieve the pressure. They anticipated permanent damage to Thompson's coordination and to her ability to move and think.
Richard L. Scott, 17, 4238 E. 61st St., Kansas City, Mo., has been charged in Jackson County Court with felony criminal assault in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, Thompson struggles to become the person she once was
John O'Connor, Jackson County prosecuting attorney, said last week that Scott's trial would begin July 13 in Division 10 of the court.
Ann Thompson, Amy's sister, said the Texas Institute would be better for Amy because it specialized in physical therapy.
"She's only been there about two weeks, but the people there are very enthusiastic," she said. "They see Amy as a challenge, but they don't want to put boundaries on what she will accomplish."
Jeanne Thompson, Amy's mother, said her daughter was receiving more aggressive treatment at the Texas Institute.
"She is undergoing very programmed physical therapy," she said. "Every movement is choreographed. Each movement is important."
Amy is in therapy about five hours a day. She is able to move all parts of her body now, her mother said, but the movement is often disorganized. She also can sit up on the edge of a chair, and the doctors have been turning her on her stomach.
"She can put herself up on her elbows," Jeanne said. "I told her she looks like she tanning out in the sun, trying to get some rays."
She is undergoing very programmed physical therapy. Every movement is choreographed. Each movement is important.'
- Jeanne Thompson mother
The best news so far is that cognitive tests indicate that Amy understands everything that is going on around her. Jeanne said.
Amy hasn't been able to speak since the accident, but she now can open her mouth slightly, and recent tests have indicated that her vocal cords are intact, her mother said. Amy is being fed through a tube in her stomach.
The family has been using a homemade alphabet board to communicate with Amy. Amy picks out the letters to form words.
Jeanne said that Amy, who had been pursuing a master's degree in
education at the University before she was shot, was still a better speller than the rest of the family.
"I told her, 'See, you're still trying to be the teacher,' " Jeanne said.
Another obstacle Amy must overcome is that she is deaf in her right ear and has only 50 percent hearing in her left. She also is having problems with her eyes, her mother said.
Her left eye won't close all the way, but it can blink. Her right eye opens all the way but has no feeling and does not blink.
"She is so anxious to do well in therapy," Jeanne said. "She goes until she's exhausted, and we have to say, 'no more.' It's going to take time for her muscles to get stronger."
Amy will be at the Texas Institute about four more months. Her mother said Amy was improving a little each day.
"It's hard to see Amy in the midst of all this assault on her body," Jeanne said. "We all pray that she will get better."
Scott, the youth accused of shooting Thompson, also faces felony charges in connection with a robbery that occurred six days after the shooting.
O'Connor said that Scott, who is in custody at the Jackson County jail, probably would be charged with another robbery that occurred the same night and only a few blocks away from where Thompson was shot.
Each of the class a felony charges is punishable by life in prison, O'Conan's
COFFEEHOUSE
Open 8 a.m. - midnight
Mon - Sat
12th & Oread • 841-2310 • Above Yello Sub
SHOP TALK
Along with the increase in daylight hours during the summer comes an increase in physical activity and perspiration. In combination with the sun and bacteria, perspiration can be one of the most damaging elements to healthy hair. Surface active conditioners and rinsing well after exercising will help reduce any damage to the hair.
Ultra-violet rays from the sun increase the chance of hair deterioration. Protection from Ultra-violet rays can be the best defense. Ask your stylist about cellophanes, and how it it can help condition and protect your hair.
CELLOPHANES FOR EXTRAORDINARY SHINE
*Cellophanes condition the hair and enhances the existing color. A totally new hair coloring method that combines the latest developments in conditioning hair with state-of-the-art techniques for colouring. Packed full of collagen protein which helps restore the healthy sheen cellophanes for summer.
CELLOPHANES & HAIRCUTS reg. $35.00 until July 30 $25.00
Headmasters.
You'll Love Our Style.
843-8808
809 Vermont
--with this coupon
T. J. Cinnamons Original Gourmet Cinnamon Roll and Coffee or Milk only 99
limit one per coupon good only at T.J. Cinnamons in Lawrence not valid with any other offer
Computerark
Louisiana Purchase expires 7.12-87
23rd and Louisiana 841-1841
Service • Knowledge • Education
THE MITAC THE COMPUTER EVERYBODY ELSE WANTED TO CALL THEIR OWN
THE MITAC
---
512K RAM MONO GRAPHICS 4.77/100 MHz 6 MONTH WARRANTY AND COMPUTERARK SUPPORT AND SERVICE
For ten years Mitac has been making computers for other companies' labels. Now it's good enough to offer them. Mitac Mac PC Bg buy quality at a little guy price
Complete with mono monitor
American mitac
Complete with micro memory and mono graphics:
Single Floppy $ 895
Dual Floppy $ 995
10 MB/single floppy $1195
20 MB/single floppy $1295
30 MB/single floppy $1395
OSCAR MAYER
HOT 1 LB.
DOGS PKG. .99
Mon.-Thur. 10-7 Lawrence's Great Independent Computer Store
Fri. & Sat. 10-5
841-0094 Corner of 23rd and Iowa
SWIFT BUTTERBALL
TURKEYS .99
18-20 LB. AVG. LB.
HILLCREST 901 IOWA Prices good thru June 30
Open 24 Hours
GROCERY
DELI - BAKERY - SEAFOOD
WESTRIDGE 6TH AND KASOLD
KU
Inventory Clearance Sale
20% off all Jayhawk Gifts and Clothing Open 8:30—4:30
Today Only
KU Bookstores Kansas Union Burge Union
TWO LOCATIONS