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| Jaks greeting Daddy!! |
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| Puppies keeping an eye on Daddy! |
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| BBQ |
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| Looking at something funny Jeff sent them. |
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| Looking good! |
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| Jaks didn't get his nap in so sleepy:) |
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| Working on the patio |
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| Progress in the Bathroom |
Enjoying our first trip to Lake Martinez, AZ "the river". Good times! Finding our new normal.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Work Day - Thanks for All the Help and Support!!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Road Trip!
Jeff is headed out on his first road trip this morning to his doctor's office in Poway - For you non-CA folks that is about 25 minutes from the rehab center. When we talked last night Jeff was excited for the adventure and was getting ready to hang out with Shamu for the occasion - getting spiffy!
He has been working his butt off and can do much more than when he first arrived. His tests are going well and everything seems to be working.
Last week was quiet here because Jeff was busy learning and had some difficult days of pain in his back. As he heals and the nerves start to react, he experiences pain and spasms. But, he is pushing through and staying on focus for going home in early March.
Speaking of spiffy - Jeff got a much-needed haircut Monday night. Oh what a feeling?! They made him a happy guy.
Of course, my first question when he mentioned the adventure today was..."Are you going to stop at In-and-Out for lunch?" Funny, Amanda suggested stopping for lunch, too.
Healing is the key word here. Let's hope the pain stops soon, but it's good to hear he is healing. Today's checkup is with the Dr. that did his surgery, so it'll be good to get his perspective on the progress Jeff is making.
He has been working his butt off and can do much more than when he first arrived. His tests are going well and everything seems to be working.
Last week was quiet here because Jeff was busy learning and had some difficult days of pain in his back. As he heals and the nerves start to react, he experiences pain and spasms. But, he is pushing through and staying on focus for going home in early March.
Speaking of spiffy - Jeff got a much-needed haircut Monday night. Oh what a feeling?! They made him a happy guy.
Of course, my first question when he mentioned the adventure today was..."Are you going to stop at In-and-Out for lunch?" Funny, Amanda suggested stopping for lunch, too.
Healing is the key word here. Let's hope the pain stops soon, but it's good to hear he is healing. Today's checkup is with the Dr. that did his surgery, so it'll be good to get his perspective on the progress Jeff is making.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Outpouring of Kindness and Support
OK, now that I have you all singing It's a Small World, I want to tell you about Jeff's gratitude for all the love and support coming his way.
From the donations and gifts to the blog messages to the flood of visitors, Jeff is overwhelmed by all the amazing people that they have in their life.
In addition to all his friends and family who are by his side, Jeff has received messages from co-workers and old pals in Michigan that he has not talked to in years. He has had visits from co-workers at his current company that he barely knows.
One guy from another department came by with his wife and offered to help with anything he can - he said, "I'm handy and I have a truck - Just let me know." They just stayed and chatted for a while, too.
The warmth and kindness is inspiring to Jeff and he is so appreciative.
Speaking of friends and loved ones...where are those pictures I told you to send?
From the donations and gifts to the blog messages to the flood of visitors, Jeff is overwhelmed by all the amazing people that they have in their life.
In addition to all his friends and family who are by his side, Jeff has received messages from co-workers and old pals in Michigan that he has not talked to in years. He has had visits from co-workers at his current company that he barely knows.
One guy from another department came by with his wife and offered to help with anything he can - he said, "I'm handy and I have a truck - Just let me know." They just stayed and chatted for a while, too.
The warmth and kindness is inspiring to Jeff and he is so appreciative.
Speaking of friends and loved ones...where are those pictures I told you to send?
Monday, February 6, 2012
It's a Small World After All
So, this guys rolls into a wheelchair class...
OK, I'm not a comedian. No really, Jeff had a wheelchair class last week to learn some tips and tricks for maneuvering and getting around in his new vehicle. Amanda went along to observe and just provide support, but the instructor had other plans and put her in her very own wheelchair!
How cool is that?! They both learned the tips and tricks and were wheeling around together.
Oh, but this story does not end there...
The instructor has been in his wheelchair for 38 years after being injured while retrieving a frisbee from a tree in PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN. Get OUT! So, he and Amanda sat chatting about MI for about 20 minutes.
"There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware..."
OK, I'm not a comedian. No really, Jeff had a wheelchair class last week to learn some tips and tricks for maneuvering and getting around in his new vehicle. Amanda went along to observe and just provide support, but the instructor had other plans and put her in her very own wheelchair!
How cool is that?! They both learned the tips and tricks and were wheeling around together.
Oh, but this story does not end there...
The instructor has been in his wheelchair for 38 years after being injured while retrieving a frisbee from a tree in PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN. Get OUT! So, he and Amanda sat chatting about MI for about 20 minutes.
"There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware..."
Sunday, February 5, 2012
First Week Down - Topped Off with a Special Visit
Jeff said this week "flew by." There were good days and bad days, but he made a lot of progress this week. Activities included:
A surprise visit from the kids - Ally AND Jacks got to visit Jeff on Saturday. Amanda surprised him, coaxed him outside and there were the pups. They were both so excited to see him - Jeff said Jacks was so excited it surprised him. They made Jeff cry - so overjoyed to see his furry pals...Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.
The trainers told Jeff that he made so much progress in the first week! Let's all wish Jeff an even more successful second week. Go get 'em, buddy!
- practicing transitions from bed to wheelchair and back again - Jeff can do this all on his own power now.
- balancing practice on tables with mats - one day he could hold himself up for 17 seconds and the next day for 1 full minute!
- weight training of various sorts - strengthening his arms and upper body.
- a day in the kitchen learning how to navigate around a kitchen from the refrigerator to the stove. I was surprised that Jeff even knows what a stove looks like.
A surprise visit from the kids - Ally AND Jacks got to visit Jeff on Saturday. Amanda surprised him, coaxed him outside and there were the pups. They were both so excited to see him - Jeff said Jacks was so excited it surprised him. They made Jeff cry - so overjoyed to see his furry pals...Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.
The trainers told Jeff that he made so much progress in the first week! Let's all wish Jeff an even more successful second week. Go get 'em, buddy!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Chairs and Freedom and Grants, oh my!
Jeff got a new wheel chair - it's fast and furious. Vroom, Vroom.
The new chair is smaller and very mobile. He can easily reach the brakes and control his own comings and goings.
His afternoons and evening are filled with freedom to zip around the facility, socialize, entertain visitors and just be himself.
Head North , an organization dedicated to helping individuals with spinal cord injuries, came by to visit Jeff and Amanda on Tuesday. At 1pm, the representative showed up and conducted a brief interview before granting Jeff $1000 to help out. They also have plans to pay him a visit when he gets home and consider him for an additional grant.
The new chair is smaller and very mobile. He can easily reach the brakes and control his own comings and goings.
His afternoons and evening are filled with freedom to zip around the facility, socialize, entertain visitors and just be himself.
Head North , an organization dedicated to helping individuals with spinal cord injuries, came by to visit Jeff and Amanda on Tuesday. At 1pm, the representative showed up and conducted a brief interview before granting Jeff $1000 to help out. They also have plans to pay him a visit when he gets home and consider him for an additional grant.
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