Kessler Staff.....

Left to right: Mike, Jill, Doug, Christy, Aaron, Beth, Pam & Erin. With heartfelt thanks to all of you and to the In-Patient staff that aren't in the photo!
Photo by Gail Solomon.

Six Months....

Click on letter to enlarge.

Peonies up close...

I haven't had much time for photography..thanks to Karen and Arthur...the flowers they sent are on the kitchen table....Paul was dozing and I got my cheapo faux macro lens and took some shots....

Trip to Dr Barrett....

May 26th 1pm...appointment with Dr. Anna Barrett:

Usually I scope out any place we plan on going...a drive by...making sure that I can help Paul inside.
I figure we're going to a Kessler Rehab Institute so it should be outfitted to accommodate someone with disabilities. We pull into the impressive long sweeping drive and realize we have arrived at a campus. The note from the Dr. told us to head to the Visitor parking.
We pass several drives and find a VISITOR LOT.
I pull up to the entrance...run in making sure I have the correct building.
Nope..."try down the hill at Out-Patient".
Drive down to first entrance....run in again. "Yes" right building.
"How far is her office from this entrance?...my husband is handicapped and I want to make sure he can make the walk". Pointing to the right she responds "down the hallway door on the right".
I calculate....total feet...700.
Piece of cake.
Heading back to the car I check out the sidewalk...one curb and two dips...seems OK.
In we go....head down the hall...get Paul in a chair.
Go to the desk.."we're checking in for an appointment with Dr. Barrett"......"Oh, Dr. Barrett is on the second floor".....me, "are you sure?".
"yep"...followed but an extensive set of directions.

Off we go....finding the elevator. Asking someone to hold the door....stepping off on floor #2, we proceed down an extremely long corridor...
400 feet...yes rehab will do that do you...everything measured in feet.
Vacant......
voices in the distance. We aim for voices. "Dr, Barrett's office?" "Dr. Barrett is on the floor below, floor #1....which is really floor #2".
(Note that is the European style of floor numbering. Ground floor... 1st floor, 2nd floor etc. Somehow I didn't think I'd find that in West Orange NJ.)

Heading back to the elevator I ask Paul if he wants to wait in a chair while I go downstairs to explore...double-check.... "No"
He's tough.
Off on floor #1....spot a chair...snag a guy to pull chair closer.
Paul sits
I head off to make sure we are in the right place.
Of course it's down the frickin' long corridor...through the open doors.
Back to get Paul.
He chugs along like a turtle swimming in mud....after all he has now walked 1000'.
We get through the doors and land in a chair.
Magazine in hand.
"Oh, you're here to see Dr. Barrett? Are you sure you're seeing her here and not downstairs in the clinic?"
"Loud groan" in unison from Paul & me.
I mention that Paul has now seen every floor of Kessler and that we can't go downstairs unless she is CERTAIN that is exactly where he needs to be.
Milly escorts us to the lobby level....slowly,
yes you guessed it we're back where we started!

I'm instructed to fill out 3 more papers and go to the door down the "long corridor" of course..."to pay your co-pay & return and I'll bring Paul to an examination room".
I return and Paul crawls to the chair....finally the correct chair.
I glance at the clock....12:57.
Three minutes early.

We are never late!!


more later....

Adler Aphasia Center

Here is a video explaining aphasia....the inability to speak!
Click on link.

Peony. . .

A few words...

Right...as if I can only say a few words.....or write without the dots separating my thoughts.
By the way...what are the dots called?...I remember asking Paul.... and he told me....but now I can't ask him and of course I don't remember what he told me.
A quarter for the first person to tell me....see I'm up to date...I'm not offering a penny for your thoughts!

We're still reeling from Monday night.
Paul has jumped a notch or two since then...all the stimulation was a real charge for him.
Most people recovering from a stroke find that crowds, noise, action etc are too stimulating.
I've noticed that Paul hasn't been affected that way...I think he is very unusual. Before the stroke he could write a column and carry on a conversation with me at the same time. He could handle things coming at him in many directions.
Well, with exception...computer or mechanical problems would send him into a woozle.

Physically Paul is really hitting his stride...making improvements daily. Aaron PT guru, is really pushing hard and Paul is responding.
Aaron sits on a short stool and has Paul pushing him down the hallway...."push...push right through me...go...go..."
I see them go by in a flash....almost running.
(Don't try this at home....it appears larger...faster in the mirror)

Paul is "talking" non-stop.
""Da da gla da til da when do a dat th when...when? Da ta ta mata ta la when do da....da?""
With tons of inflection...but no real words YET. I take that back...he does say NO & YAH.
It is very frustrating at times....really...really frustrating....
and heartbreaking....
then frustrating.

Today....I started to gather all the lists...from Stu, Peter, Barbara....of everyone that donated, volunteered, sacrificed etc. I have hundreds of thank -you cards to write.
I'm very excited to write to everyone.
It will take me some time...so if you don't get a note within a week...please be patient.....I'm writing as fast as I can.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU

On Tues May 26th we go to see the aphasia specialist....
and it is so exciting that we can consider all of her recommendations without worrying about "how are we going to pay for this"!!
I'll keep you posted....
xox

Karen's gift.....

We came home from a lonnnng day at rehab and found this surprise at our door....we could smell them before we found them....L I L A C S .......I've been needing a fix.....glorious. Thanks Karen and Arthur.............again.....and....again.....for everything!

Linda and Layng Martine...inspiration

I just wanted to repeat a mention of Linda and Layng Martine.
Layng wrote one of the most poignant stories I've ever read....and by the way....it's also beautifully written.
I know I mentioned it awhile ago...but his words echo in my head and help me every day!
It was Published in the NY Times on Sunday March 6th, 2009.
Here is one of the most beautiful love stories of all time!!
Layng & Linda's story.
If you don't have time to read anything else on this blog today...please make sure that you take the time to read this!!

ps
Layng....your notes and support help me make it day to day....much love to you two!!

A heartfelt letter from Bettie...

The night of the fundraiser a beautiful young woman, Christine Calandra, came up to Paul & me and told us about her Mother. Her Mom, Bettie Greber, had had a stroke just about the same time that Paul had his. Bettie also had to have additional surgery....the same day as the fundraiser.
It was such a hardship for Christine to come to the fundraiser...but she felt she just had to come and offer Paul & me support!
It was one of the loveliest moments of the evening.
Christine told us of her Mom's struggle to recover.
The next day I received this beautiful letter....painstakingly typed by Bettie...one-handed.
It is touching...and extremely telling.
No one can describe what it's like to have a stroke and recover...no one but someone recovering.
She is an inspiration to us...someone to look up to!
Much love to you Bettie....thanks so much!!

Steve Sabol's artwork...dedicated to Paul

Steve made this piece for the fundraiser auction.
Make sure you read the description...what a great piece!!
Thanks Steve......word's are too small to express our gratitude!

Top 10 ways to talk to Dr. Z

Beth Weil & Paul at the fundraiser.....photo taken by Kessler photographer....I have to find out "who" the Kessler photographer and give him/her credit!

(click on list to enlarge poster)

Beth, Pam & Erin....and the rest of the Kessler therapists worked on this 10 ways to communicate with Dr Z. It is so thoughtful and right on!!!

Two more articles - May 18th event

Click on articles to enlarge

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What a night.....! ! !

(Click on article above to make print larger.)
The above article is from Peter's Kings column....
link to column.


Well Peter King and Barbara Neibart did it...put on the most fabulous shindig!!

They pulled together an incredible team...there is no way any of this would have happened without the efforts of Stu Kirsch....he and Josh put the entire auction together. What amazing people. Stu drove down from the Boston area...worked all day and headed back late last night.
He has a horse farm...and those babies won't tolerate Dad being away too long!!

I also want to say a big thanks to Ed Nelson who made it possible to have all the paperwork and funds go through the Nothing is Impossible Foundation. A non-profit fund that was started by
Charles McGivney Jr & Jeffrey Kluger...of the famous firm of McGivney & Kluger.

I don't think there will ever be a way to thank them!!

Mayfair Farms sparkled...the setting was fabulous and the staff superb!
Friends...fans....poured in from near and far (Seattle, San Francisco, Montreal, Boston.....)
Steve Politi, a columnist from the Newark Star Ledger wrote a great piece that appeared in this morning's edition.
Link to Steve's article.

Paul had a terrific night...
and that makes me very happy!

ps...I will write more later....thanking everyone...coaches....teams...organizations....friends....family....fans...and the many people that
have made it possible for Paul to get extensive therapy....off to take care of Beastie!!

Tomorrow's the big event!

Today is a day of rest...lol...what the hell is rest?

Welllllll it's a day that we don't have to leave the house......and a day without a specific

schedule.
Ahhhhh!!

The fundraiser for Paul is tomorrow night at Mayfair Farms.
Link to Mayfair Farms.
(It's been a delight working with Tony & Sam at Mayfair Farms!)
The response has been amazing....there will be well over 200 people attending.
Donations have poured in from around the world!

When Peter King and Barbara Neibart offered to 'do something'...I figured they would open a Pay Pal account and that 20 people would donate $10.
I thought great...anything will help to defray the wild cost of rehab. The outpour of love and support is miraculous!
Barbara's first course of action was to find out about opening a non-profit account.
She headed over to her accountant to finish up her taxes. News not so good...it would take a few months....but he had an idea. McGivney & Kluger, the lawfirm upstairs runs a non-profit organization....maybe just maybe they would help.
Bingo!!
Barbara met with Ed Nelson and YES they would be happy to assist!
Peter gathered amazing items/packages together to offer at an auction...he mentioned it in his Monday Morning Quarterback column... Link... and it was off and running....developing a life of its own!
Barbara and I looked at each other..."Auction?" "Do you know anything about an auction? Maybe Peter knows?"....quick e-mail to Peter. "Nope..."
Somewhere outta the heavens appeared Stu Kirsch....he offered to help with the auction.
He and Josh Tolub have angelically run this ethereal over-the-wire event!
Take a look at what Stu & Josh put together with the items that Peter gathered!!
Link to auction.
WOW!!

Thanks to Gary Gottlieb, a family member with prestigious medical credentials, arranged for us to discuss Paul's case with a prominent Harvard/Spaulding rehab specialist....Dr Zafonte has been wonderful making arrangements for Paul to see an Aphasic specialist.
On May 26th we have an appointment for Paul to be evaluated!
It is so wonderful knowing that we can go to this appointment and not worry about the expenses for the extensive therapy!
I think it is wonderful that Paul has this support....people recognize how much he has given and they want to return the favor!
We are most humbled!!

What a day............

Paul walked....
walked without a cane for over 300' ! !

I still can't believe....and I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it!
Today in physical therapy Aaron decided to give it a try.
He thought that Paul was certainly strong enough!

I was sitting nearby and didn't know that he was going to give Paul a try.
I looked up and there he was walking by with Aaron. Not running mind you...but a real walk.
They headed off down the long hall and returned.
Then Aaron came over to me and handed me Paul's cane..'here you take this, he's not using it'.
He then walked with Paul to Occupational therapy....greeting Christy in the hallway.
Christy is one of Paul's Occupational therapist and Aaron's wife.
She was stunned to see Paul heading her way...caneless......and like all good Mom's was nervous watching Paul on his maiden voyage!
I was too stunned to be nervous!!

Paul was finally impressed with himself!!
There was no way he could deny this fantastic accomplishment!!

(Paul has a way to go regarding stability before he gets to clip his wings and toss the cane for good...but it's coming!!)

A few of the Kessler gang will be at the fundraiser on May 18th....speaking of the fundraiser it's really taking off BIG TIME!!

188 people have purchased tickets and the on-line auction is going gang-busters.
Link to auction site.
What does this mean?
T H E R A P Y. . . BIG TIME...especially speech therapy.
Paul & I are stunned at the turn out.
I am thrilled that so many have joined together to show him such incredible support and love!!
THANKS AGAIN & AGAIN ! !