Group Therapy

Lisa's Pot - promised to grow by Sunday :)

I was fortunate to get the chance to walk in on "Group Therapy" during Lisa's OT time. What fun everyone was having! Today, a group of 8 Acute Therapy patients were painting flower pots. Lisa's pot was the best! It matched her toes and nails! She was quite proficient in painting her pot. She did not get a single paint stain on her. After her pot was painted, she had to fill it up with soil. The Therapist asked Lisa to mix the 2 different soils. She took a spoon and mixed it all up. I told them she makes the best mac-n-cheese from scratch, so she did just that, she got out all the clumps and stirred away. After the mixing, the seeds were added. She wanted grass, they found "Oat Grass" which should grow by Sunday (I'm watching), then she wanted sunflowers, so we added that. Then the fun part came. H2O... I asked Lisa if she wanted me to pour it, she said "YES", the Therapist said, "NO", "she can do it"... ahhh.. I'm so glad they were listening, my motherly instincts kicked in. I saw how tired she was and I was so eager to help her. Or Not!

We had fun today. An official "Volunteer Poodle" came to visit, I swear I knew the parents, but was having so much fun watching Lisa enjoy the poodle, I didn't get the chance to ask where we knew them. Lisa loved that poodle! Then I found out a Therapist/Intern who lives in the Champaign/Urbana area, babysits for a good friend of mine. So Wendy B., if you are reading, I met your babysitter! She was awesome! She's moving out of state, but loved babysitting your kids until she had to work(commute) 6 days a week!



Back to Lisa... You are getting stronger everyday! YOU WILL get stronger everyday! You didn't have a fever today and you were able to go potty ONCE w/o catheterization. You ate more today than yesterday and you drank more fluids. You may/will have set-backs, but we will be there for you for every victory and set back. I enjoyed watching Wheel-of-Fortune with you (Vanna hasn't aged a-bit, well a little, but I hope to age like her) and I enjoyed giving you a facial and back massages. You're the best sister ever! You have taught me compassion to the fullest extent. Mom always told me "Never feel sorry for Lisa, she can do more than anyone you know"! I'm holding on to that with tears in my eyes. It's been about 25 years since I have felt sorry for someone(Lisa), and Moms words are still a driving force for me. She didn't say much, but when she did, it was GOLD!

The best motto ever "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt!" Special Olympics Motto. Lisa, you are a champ in everything you do. The nurses are rooting for you, the Doctors, your friends, your aunts, your uncles, your nieces, nephews, and your family! You do have the best room ever and everyone who visits and cares for you feels it too!

I would not be able to spend the time I have been with Lisa these past days if it wasn't for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law Kevin & Renee. Renee has always asked me me to allow my kids to visit for an extended period of time with her in Memphis. Caleb and Olivia are having the time of their lives and creating the best memories ever. Thanks Renee and Kevin! Just remember, call when you want me to pick them up :) They love you dearly and so do I!

CARD(s) of the Day

Peek-a-Boo

Lisa is s l o w l y gaining her strength. She was able to hold her neck up today without much help. She still needs reminders to sit up, but she is getting stronger! I was able to get her to breath in her pin-wheel quite a bit today, and give her lots of massages. She loves her back massages! Needless to say, I need one after all that. I worked alot on her left eye. It doesn't seem to open. We played Peek-a-Boo with it. I would open it up with my fingers and say "Peek-a-Boo". By the time Dad came about 7pm, she was able to open it 1/4! GO LISA! Man I wish I was here EVERYDAY to help her. She didn't eat too much, but she did get down alot of liquids. She loves Strawberry Ensure Shakes. We are trying to wean her off Diet Pepsi except for special occasions, like finshing her Ensure!

Dad brought lots of cards which she LOVES! Click here for address! She opened every card by herself. Picture it this way. She uses her right arm(which isn't moving yet) to stabalize the envelope, tears the envelope with her left hand, pulls out the card with her left hand, holds it up, looks at it very intently, and finally hands it to one of us to read it to her. Her OT today said she is not recognizing shapes yet, which means her sight isn't improving. We had a heart-2-heart about it. She told me(again) when her eye starts working, she won't be so tired. I told her "Lisa, that may be true, but remember when Mom went blind in one eye?" She said "yes" and had a tear in her eye. I told her, "your eyesight may or may not come back, but we want you to try to get eveything else working in spite of that, so if it does come back you will be ready!" She totally understood and promised that she will continue to try.

The nurses are amazed on how much prayers and support she is recieving. Everyone is rooting for her and she feels it. Her room is filled with cards and gifts.

Watch Out!

When one decides to visit Lisa, you don't know what to expect. Ron and I had "feisty" Lisa yesterday. (Urban Dictionary Definition: Excitable, spirited (can sometimes mean irritable or easy to anger) From the German 'fist' which means a small, aggressive and lively dog.) Of course she was happy to see us. Yes, like always, she tried to ignore us, but when I announced I brought her some cards, she was more receptive and clearly thrilled! Ron gave her a squeeze ball. When squeezed, it laughs really obnoxiously. She laughed too. She enjoyed it(at first). She put it in her right hand (to hold it so it wouldn't squeeze), then I squeezed it. WATCH OUT! She QUICKLY grabbed the ball with her left hand and threw it across the room aiming towards Ron and laughed! She loves Ron :)

She is improving everyday! I was fortunate to be present to watch her walk w/assistance on the parallel bars. She really wants it! She wanted to try again, but was quickly tired out. Ron and I were thrilled to see that determination! She is able to sit up with a neck brace pretty comfortably for an hour or longer. When she is sitting up, she is encouraged to eat which also tires her out. Her room is decorated with butterflies, cards, balloons, and flowers that she has graciously received from everyone. It's "The Happy Room" as the nurses call it.

Good luck tomorrow Lisa! I can't wait to hear how many steps you took! Just one step at a time! Just one day at a time!

Just one corner of Lisa's Room....

Cover Girl 1979

Lisa was very fortunate to achieve "Cover Girl" status! The year was 1979! I was 9! She had only just begun! By the time she retired, she set new records and achieved more than anyone could imagine! With this determination, she can only set new records and we truly believe that! Thank You Heather and so many others for helping her and all Special Olympic Athletes reach all that potential!

GO LISA!!!!