Happy Halloween!

Jeff came up with another great idea this year!! 

 Geico Money Guy and Flo from Progressive

Lokomat Therapy

 

Jeff does Lokomat Therapy twice a week.

This is another example of a major out-of-pocket expense for us.

 

What is robot-assisted walking therapy?

This patient is walking on a unique apparatus, something with an exoskeleton, that's moving his legs, which he can't move himself. It is simulating normal walking. Robot-assisted walking therapy is a form of physical therapy that uses a robotic device to help a person whose ability to walk has been impaired as a result of stroke, spinal cord or brain injury, neurological or orthopedic condition, learn to walk again.

How does the robotic device work?

The person is suspended in a harness over a treadmill and the frame of the robot, attached by straps to the outside of the legs, moves the legs in a natural walking pattern. A computer controls the pace of walking and measures the body’s response to the movement.

How does robot-assisted walking therapy help a person re-learn to walk?

The exact mechanism for walking is still not clear, but it is believed that the repetitive walking pattern helps the brain and spinal cord work together to re-route signals that were interrupted by injury or illness.  With robot-assisted walking therapy, the robotic device does most of the heavy work, the pattern and pace are consistent throughout the session, and the exercise can be sustained over longer periods of time.

Are there other benefits to robot-assisted walking therapy?

In addition to training the brain and spinal cord, robot-assisted walking therapy may help strengthen muscles and improve circulation. Also, the weight bearing nature of the exercise may help strengthen bones at risk for osteoporosis (the loss of calcium from bones that makes them fragile and easy to break) due to lack of use.

Here's a link to the website where he does this therapy: http://www.vipneurorehab.com/dr-bradley-marcus.html

Wheelchair Challenges

Most people probably don't give much thought to things like opening and closing doors, but in a wheelchair it can be a challenge.  While leaving for his acupuncture appointment on Tuesday, he got hung up on the little 1" lip at our front door while trying to get out of the house and close the front door at the same time and ended up flipping backwards in his wheelchair.  Unfortunately, no one was home at the time.  As you can see from the photo, he cracked open his head and was laying there bleeding.  Thankfully, he had his phone and was able to call 911.  After several CT scans, 9 staples + stitches and 9 hours in the hospital we were home again.  I'm thankful that he didn't lose consciousness or bleed to death, was able to call 911 and that all arm and hand function are still the same.  Now to figure out a solution so this doesn't happen again!  

 

Trying out Andrew's Segway for the First Time

Now that his core is firing up he thought it was time to give the Segway a try.  He did much better than I thought and I'm glad I wasn't there to witness this.  I think he really wants one, but we'll see.  Everything is so expensive!!

 

Let's Raise Some Fun! 2013 Benefit for Jeff Adkins

Don't miss out on the fun!  Bring your bail money and a chair if you want to watch the live music on the lawn!!  Hope to see you there!

Upcoming Fundraiser Aug 17th

Save the date!  More info to follow.

Summer Update

We are long overdue for an update!!  Its been a busy summer and time has gotten away from us.  We’ve had two more successful fundraisers – The Fun Guy Fundraiser in San Diego and the Justin James Concert to Benefit Jeff in Detroit.

The Fun Guy Fundraiser held at the San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club was an amazing event and we had a wonderful day hanging out with all of our friends and supporters.  Your support keeps us going when we are having a bad day!  Thank you to everyone that helped put the event together and that attended!  We were truly overwhelmed with the outcome.  Everything turned out so amazing!!

Jeff got thrown in jail

Sheriff keeping the peach

Kalli and Kendra working the craft/bake sale table

Amanda, Toni and Rene checking our bidders in

Fun game created by Andrew out of one of his old wheelchairs

Chris and Lisa drawing tickets for prizes

Crowd of supporters

We pulled off the travel Band-Aid and made our first trip back home to see our family and friends and attend the Benefit concert featuring Justin James that our family hosted.  Again, another amazing event!  So wonderful to see our family and friends!!  Words are powerless to express our gratitude!  We truly appreciate everyone coming out to see us on a work night!!

Hanging with Uncle Ronnie and Lori

Benefit flyer

Justin rockin' it out

My Parents:)

With the Chevrier Family

Natalie, Ava and Jeff

Stacey, Dan and Melissa

Joan and family

Julie, Jeff and Joan

We found that traveling was actually easier now because we don't have to wait in line for security.  We are first to board the flight and last to get off which means our bags were waiting when we get to baggage claim.  Overall traveling wasn’t too bad, but we found that we really missed our adjustable base bed.  It really helps when getting him up!  It was great for our family and friends to get to see us and see that we are okay.  We are survivors!!  

What a great trip!

Jeff getting a ride in a Cobra Mustang signed by Bill Ford

Leo Birthday Celebration

Niko enjoying a gluten free cupcake

Show me all your teeth Natalie

Leos

Dena and Niko

Niko hanging with Uncle Jeff in bed

Day on Orchard Lake

Parents going tubing

Let's go Tigers!

Fun Family Outing - where is the one with Ryan??

Love

Band of Brothers

Being silly

Jeff and the girls

Family time:)

 Jeff completed drivers training and is back behind the wheel.  Thanks to everyone’s generosity we were able to purchase a van for Jeff and have it modified for him to drive!  It's so nice to have a lift to pick up the chair!!

Driving his new van for the first time

New van

Of course he had it tinted out

And of course a fox sticker there is also a light up Michigan logo in the back window that turns on when it senses motion

We also purchased a Firefly that has given him more freedom especially when a lot of rolling is required.  Now he doesn’t have to burn his arms up pushing at sporting events, concerts or even the Grand Canyon making it easier on everyone.  Again, due to everyone’s generosity we were able to afford this purchase.  Thank you!!

Firefly at the Jason Aldean concert

Firefly in the Grand Canyon

Kunu likes to ride on his lap when he's tired

As you all know, we experienced major heartache when Ally & Jaks passed away this year, but after a month of no pitter patter of little paws in the house we decided to get a new puppy to keep us company.  We now have a new little guy named Kunu.  He’s a Finish Spitz / Pomeranian Mix that weighs 15 pounds with a big personality.  We love this little guy already!!  

RIP Jaks 4/29/12 the "Little Man"

RIP Ally 6/10/12 our "Pretty Girl"

New addition to the family Kunu

Kunu enjoying his first boat ride

Kunu in the Grand Canyon

In an effort to continue doing one of our favorite things that we can still do we put our boat in a slip to make it easier for us to enjoy.  We now keep our boat at Campland on the Bay and we love it!  We took a sunset cruise last night!  And did I mention that it’s just a short walk to the boat club.

Nice little Sunday out on the boat with friends

Paddle boarding with Kunu at Campland

 

We took Joan on a road trip to show our appreciation for staying with us for so long and helping us so much.  We wouldn’t have been able to do all of this without her.  She has been our rock!!  We took her to Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon.  We had a great time and Jeff drove almost the entire trip!!  So great to have him behind the wheel again!

Joan and Jeff at the Grand Canyon

Taking in the view

Kunu traveled well on his first road trip

Amazing

Harvest Moon

 

Next on our list is Project Walk.  Unfortunately, they don’t accept insurance and they are pricey so this will be a costly out of pocket expense, but we are hoping this will really build his strength so he can continue to gain his independence.  He has also been doing acupuncture, which is also an out of pocket expense.  Again, we are able to do all of these things because of your support and generosity!!  Thank you!!