Sunday, September 28, 2008

Well, it has been a great weekend here. Richard and Peter arrived on Friday about noon and headed straight to see Mark. When therapy was done, he was sprung for the rest of the weekend and off we went. To avoid some of the rush hour and beach traffic we had dinner nearby at a restaurant Mark and I wanted them to try. After a wonderful meal, we headed toward the water.

The hotel was very nice and when we got to our rooms, they had a nice beach pail waiting for SGT Lalli filled with treats. We were up early on Saturday and had a great breakfast before heading off to the Clearwater Community Sailing Club where we met up with one of the Sailability of Greater Tampa volunteers and the guys got ready. Peter had to take a written test first which allowed him to take Mark out in the boat. They lifted Mark up and lowered him into his place, and then it was time for Gillian and the Skipper to take off. Rich and I were able to watch them from the top deck at the clubhouse and took photos with the telephoto lens. They were out for about an hour and really enjoyed themselves. Mark had never been in a sailboat and found it very peaceful and relaxing. I think he could be hooked despite his preference for mountains. He told Peter it was his turn to try rock climbing now.

After they returned we enjoyed lunch and then our beach adventure began. The hotel drove Mark down to the water's edge in a gator and then supplied us with a "dune buggy" wheelchair. It was fun when he insisted we take him in the water and the air wheels started floating. We thought better of it and just walked the beach instead. One little boy saw us and said "way cool" when he saw Mark's ride. Then we parked him on the lounge chair and we soaked up the atmosphere.Dinner was out at an historic Cuban restaurant here in the Tampa area, and after too much good food, it was out for the night. We started back a little earlier than planned, since it had clouded over today at the beach. We took Rich and Peter to our favorite gelateria here and enjoyed walking around a bit before coming home to the Fisher House.

Mark did so well the whole weekend. We really enjoyed being able to have him away for the hospital for the first time in almost a year. Just doing the usual family things and enjoying each other means more than ever now.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Well, it's been a week already since I've updated the blog and I had no idea. We have been busy with the usual routine of therapy, therapy, and more therapy. All of which is definitely paying off. Mark is doing so well.

He had new wheels put on his wheelchair which are easier to grip and push, then we added new bike gloves which he likes (and which work better) than the leather wheelchair gloves he had, and he is quickly becoming h*ll on wheels. He is managing up hills and ramps much better, and is starting to manuver down steeper hills better as well.

He is taking care of most of his personal needs alone, with little or no supervision now, and is transferring alone with supervision. He still has a fear of falling, but that's to be expected. He has really come leaps and bounds in the last couple of weeks. We had a team and family meeting today and the goal is for Transition around October 15th, provided the housing is finally finished and open.

Over the weekend we enjoyed a Tampa Bay Rays game where we got to meet some of the players. The Rays have secured a spot in the playoffs and are expected to win the American League Eastern Division. We were able to get photos with the players and then enjoyed the game, but unfortunately they lost to Minnesota. Pictured with Mark are Carrie, his recreational therapist who has become a good friend, and Akinori Iwamura who is the Rays second baseman. He was very nice, as were the other players who stopped to chat a bit.

We are looking forward to this weekend when Rich and Peter arrive for a long weekend, part of which we plan to spend at one of the beach resorts and where Peter and Mark hope to do a little sailing on Clearwater Bay. The weather forecast is great so we're keeping our fingers crossed that it stays that way.