Do it yourself therapy!

We keep learning new ways in which traffic can be slowed down between WS and Spaulding. Today it was incoming college students. Oh well. The only reason we were in a hurry is that Tim wanted us to take a training session with the E-Stem, a tool that uses NEMS (neuromuscular electrical stimulation) technology to move muscles in Tim's hand, wrist and triceps. This is a device that Amy & I will be able to use with Tim - we just have to the be comfortable with the proper operation of the device so we don't shock him. Today, we did fine!

After that, we had a nice time playing scrabble and looking for Conor in the crowd on the televised BC - Wake Forest game. We finished up the evening going through some cards and notes from Anne & Joe and their granddaughters Mary and Caitlyn, as well as Aunt Merilyn and Amy's long time pal Roselle.

Rubber Tree Plant

I just had a nice phone conversation with Tim - he's in good spirits and really beginning to take charge of his future. He met with one of the volunteers at the Spinal Cord Injury Association who shared some practical knowledge (hindsight is 20-20!) about living with his injury. Tim is beginning to put together a wish-list of equipment, modifications, services and treatments that will help him live a full and independent life, along with helping him reach his long term goal of walking. He's talking about volunteering his time, taking some classes at BCC and finding some part time employment. Sounds like he is making a plan. Wonder where that came from?

He spoke very positively about some "little things" that he has noticed that make his life a little easier than it was a few weeks ago. As mentioned earlier, he finds that eating is not much of a chore at all. He was able to bend over while in his chair and get something out of the bottom of his closet and sit himself back up - a function of stronger abs and improved balance. Adjusting his pillow to a comfortable position used to require calling in a nurse, and last night he was able to take care of that himself, due to stronger triceps and better coordination of his arms. Still, he is aware that his right side is not keeping up with his left. I reminded him that he first moved his right toe only about three weeks ago.

Back in West Stockbridge, Amy had an extensive meeting with a contractor and the woman from the insurance company as we start to plan for modifications to our home. Tonight, we'll pack and get ready to head back to Boston. This trip includes a Boston Red Sox game on Sunday. It's a fitting game - Tim's first major league game was an O's - Sox matchup at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Tim was 5 months old (1989) and we attended with Jefferson, Dick and Roger, who came to visit. George HW Bush through out the first pitch and Joan Jett sang the national anthem. We're looking forward to the game.

Lost WIthout my Daily Dose!

Now I understand my teens' addiction to blogging! Glad to hear of the punch to Amy...every child needs to be able to do that! But Brian...a bachelor party? At our age? Have a much deserved blast. Can't wait to read your day after blog. Surprised you weren't able to find a moment to stick it to all of us devastated Red Sox fans out here in Beantown. UGH!

Slow News Day

Well, I'm sorry to say that I don't have much to report today. Apparently it was business as usual at Spaulding. Tim did his 40 minutes on the Locomat and had his various therapy sessions. Amy began to receive training on a home use version of the Bioness (for hand development). I'm not sure if this is a good sign, but when Amy left today, Tim punced her, too!

John and JP stopped by for a visit before taking off for a long visit to Virginia and Amy came home to tend to the home fires, at least for a couple of days.

There won't be a post tomorrow, as I will be out of town for the evening, doing something I haven't done in years - attending a bachelor party. Until Friday ..........

Tourism Tuesday, Turtles & and Three in the Bronx

I'm testing out my multi-tasking abilities tonight by creating tonight's entry while a certain Major League ballgame is on TV. I know I won't be able to stay awake long enough to watch the whole thing, and I know that the outcome is irrelevant because the curse has ended, and the team from Boston is the team of this century. But still, I'm distracted.

Anyway, I learned from Tim that after his morning sessions, including one on the FES Bike, he was rounded up to join a few friends from the 9th floor and two therapists to go on a little excursion to one of The Hub's most popular attractions - the New England (oops - Jeter just parked one in the right center seats) Aquarium. So, Tim, fellow Berkshire-ite Dee (of Sheffield), Trevor and Andres piled in a handicap transport van and headed over with therapists Kasey and Lori. Amy and Trevor's mother Joyce chaperoned! When asked what he thought of the trip, Tim replied that it was a good challenge - tricky ramps and some tough slopes to negotiate. Uh, how about the Life Aquatic? Oh yeah, there was a huge sea turtle that caught his attention - over five feet long. So, he signed off with me and turned on the above mentioned ball game.

I then turned to my other source for some clarification (ooh - Manny just ripped one up the middle for a lead off single) and elaboration. Turns out that Tim spent time on the FES Bike, and more significantly stood for twenty minutes in something called a Standing Frame (4-6-3 DP puts an end to that) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_frame That's important, because Tim's blood pressure was maintained while he was standing, which makes other things possible. For one, it looks like he won't have to wrap his legs everyday as a preventative measure. On another front, Tim is now capable of eating his meals unassisted - another step towards independence.

I'm not sure of her decision making process, but Amy always seems to find a good reason to "run her errands" on Newbury Street. Today, that resulted in a celebrity sighting - Meg Ryan is in town working on a film (ouch, Manny just bobbled a pop single to left and Posada gets an extra base, but the Yanks can't do anything with it) called "The Women." I expect we'll hear more about that (Varitek lofts one just above the outstretched glove of Johnny Damon to tie the game up again) before the film is in the can.

Well, it's time for bed and Johnny Damon has made the most of a lead off single and sacrifice bunt by driving in the runner with a long fly that landed in the stands just past the 314 sign in right. 5-3, I'm out. Not sure what the morning report will bring, though.

Amazing photo

Hey, Tim, I totally agree with Carolann - a really positive message from heaven knows where. You walking. What a powerful picture. I didn't notice it at first, but was so charged to see it. Your path is paved with stars, to be sure. Great call, Carolann!

I was in both Village Oven and Baldwin's Hardware today. Tom and Henry say they are selling lots of bracelets. I am so moved by all of the people who are with you and supporting you. You have changed the weather here in West Stockbridge and around the globe and brought forth a lot of light and love. You are one powerful young man.

Lots of love to you as always,
Phoebe

White Line Fever

Looks like I'll be able to share the driving soon. Jancy drove the final thirty miles this evening, from Blandford to West Stockbridge. She did well - her first time at night on an Interstate. It seems that she had a great vacation at Hermit Island with the Ellings and Steadmans, and we're grateful that they were able to include Jancy in their plans so that she wouldn't miss out on this annual tradition. Now she's back to the real world with the rest of us and looking forward to my knock on her door at 6:30 tomorrow morning - it's back to work for the last busy week of the summer season. And a week 'til the start of her Junior year.

Another busy day for Tim today, but not too much out of the ordinary. Amy and I left him alone with Jance as much as possible so that they could catch up with each other and with Rescue Me. Amy worked on getting plans together to meet with the insurance folks and we sat with Tim's case worker to make sure our ducks are in a row for the day he'll come home, which is not yet set, but will most likely "all of a sudden" be upon us. I think we're in pretty good shape. It was a beautiful day in Beantown. The four of us had another nice patio lunch, with Amy and I enjoying burritos from Qdoba Grill, courtesy of Earl the Pearl. Muchas Gracias.

The day wrapped up on a great note. When saying goodbye, Tim shook my left hand firmly with his, and then he buddy punched me in the shoulder. His strength is coming back. As usual on Monday nights - I can't wait to see what the week will bring.

Follow the Signs!

Hey Tim, your Dad might not be used to the camera yet, but his photography is excellent. He asked what we thought of the last photo in this recent bunch...Talk about a brilliant subliminal message - Chalk it up to another reeeeally positive message from the ether!! Wonderful to hear of all your progress and how you are using it to... walk dogs, type emails, use your computer and eat hot dogs. More fine visuals for all of us to draw on. You are amazing!!! Lots of love, Aunt Carolann

Sunday Driver

"Lazy Sunday" used to have a different connotation - something involving no real reason to go anywhere soon, the Boston Globe, and a remote control. Today sort of unwound like that. We went to bed last night with a plan to "go somewhere" with Tim. We were down at Spaulding by 8:30, finding that Tim had already eaten, but was still tired, so he had slipped back to sleep. Amy found a spot to read the Globe and I sat down to pay bills (always multi-tasking, and now one less thing to do when I get home). When Tim awakened, we settled on going out to see a movie - something fun, and an activity that would put Tim out in the real world to deal with people, traffic, obstacles, etc. There were a few things that had to be fit in - a visit with my cousins Tim and Paul (a brand new dad, who would be visiting with his wife Christine and their handsome new son Hayden) and picking up Jancy at South Station. It seemed like a pretty easy day to manage. Well, being a lazy Sunday, we didn't get to the movie until 5:00, but we did have a nice visit with Tim and Andres, who came up to see us en route from Falmouth to DC, and then Paul, Christine and Hayden pulled into the lot about 5 minutes before we HAD to take off to make the movie.


In between, was just a great, nothing-special sort of day. We watched "Remember the Titans" on TV, spent a bit of time on the patio, I shaved Tim again, and while Amy went to get Jancy, Tim & I took a nap (his bed is very nice). Tim showed me again (because I asked) how he could tap his toe, and he also showed us an art project that the Fine Motor Skills Group had taken on - window painting in the cafeteria.

In these pictures you can see the traditional New England directional sign post directing you to various important areas at Spaulding. Tim painted the bottom two signs for his two favorite two activities, using a paint brush that he held in his left hand.











We did eventually get off to the movie - Superbad - which we watched at a huge 19-plex theater across the street from the Boston Common. The trip over and back went pretty smoothly - up to Cambridge and down to Tremont. I'm happy to report that, at least on this route, Boston is pretty accessible. Seating in the theater was easy and comfortable, too and was set up so that we didn't create any obstructed views.










So, here's a "Parting Shot" for you. I've started bringing Amy's camera because it's smaller and I don't have to worry about it so much. The downside is that it is nowhere near as good as Tim's so I get a lot of shots like the ones above - blurry. I also don't get as good a preview of what I'm shooting, and the results are sometimes a surprise. Like this one - I can't remember what I was trying to capture, certainly not what showed up when I uploaded the day's images. What do you think?

Audi Inspiration - #3

"Don’t wait for someone else to take care of what you can do for yourself."

** This is a direct quote taken from Tim's new book on the history and philosophy of Audi.