Steven has been accepted into the NRN Program (NeuroRecovery Network) at the Shepherd Center. The Program is a study conducted by the Christopher Reeve Foundation and the Center for Disease Control. The program to begin with is completed in 20 day cycles with evaluation and goal setting, and then continued in another 20 day cycle if sufficient progress is shown. Steven goes Monday through Friday to work with therapists on a treadmill like machine with 5 therapists in attendance. He walks on this treadmill machine for over an hour a day as the therapists retrain the motion and movements in his left leg. It's exhausting for him but in just 4 days there have been improvements! This website tells you more information about the procedure. http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.geIMLPOpGjF/b.3757417/k.7B13/NeuroRecovery_Network_NRN.htm
Steven is again at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta this week. His progress has been amazing, but it's his attitude that is helping him the most I think! He is so motivated to walk and does everything in his power to achieve this goal. Yesterday we all went out to dinner and the movies, and Steven walked the entire outing with his walker. He was so excited but really pooped by the time we got home. His goal is to walk for his friend Jeremy's wedding in August...and I think he might just be able to do it!
I know he has been so grateful for all the support and prayers. It has really motivated him. Thank you all so much.
Sorry Jeff, no, I cannot correct your frightening spelling... I can however echo your sentiments. The VFW fundraiser was an amazing event. It was great seeing so many who I had never once seen before in my life out in droves to support Steve. People were reading the boards with the calendar of crisis events and rehab, writing in that note book, and watching the video of Steve on crutches. Awesome. Now remember that the next fundraiser is the golf tourney on August 18th. It's starting to actually come together so expect to be amazed!
Hello everyone, on July 14 there was a fundraiser for Steven , at the VFW in brattleboro. I knew very little about organizing a fundraiser and found out its much more labor intensive than I figured. I stayed mostly in the background and let friends to most of the work. The core group being Jill Spiro , Deb holman, Kitsie laRock , Melany Foard,Adele Stair , and Marty Brennan Sawyer . We met several times (once in a parking lot after the HS tennis match) to get this thing put together. As the project neared it amazed me how, like ripples on a pond, the word spread and the help showed up. Marty undertook all the food preparations and got countless calls for help. He utilized Adeles son Craigs expertize as hes worked for some time as a line chef. With these two John Donaldson , Maryann Obeirne, Karl Hirth and several others got the bulk of the food table readied. From out of left field came Jane Dewey and offered her help and brought wonderful food all prepared in her kitchen and donated totally , her time and the materials. It was really appreciated.
The band was called wyldnightz (sic) and did a great job , between eating and deciding what to bid on at the raffle tables and silent auction people were dancing up a storm. Jeff Brewer is to thank for stepping up and offering the music. Wendy Brewer was a good liason to Grafton Cheese and their subsidiaries and donations were well appreciated.
The donations themselves would be impossible to thank individually as there were almost 100 items. All wonderful items. I will thank the bigger companies later in the paper for their donations. Many of these companties were approached by Kitsie and she proved to be quite a find for our group as she worked with and knew many people and of course is hard to say no to .She approached Granite State Electric and obtained Redsox tickets which were quite a hit. Stevens sister Megan was the final bid as shes the #1 red sox fan around.
Beyond the food , the music , and the donations there was the myriad of jobs needing filling to keep the function running smoothly. Jill (mrs organization) had a chart all filled out and directed her minions to the right spots at the right time. Thanks to those who helped there. I can think of Linda Rothshild (flowers and ticket sales) , lyn sperry ticket sales, Melany again ticket sales, I didnt even see who did all the work handing out the prizes that were won in the silent auction so I cant thank them .Thats how smoothly the evening went.
Its dangerous to thank individuals because key people who did and donated lots will be left out, and to those I apologize I thank any and everyone who made this event a success.
Lastly Id like to thank (on stevens behalf) those who spent their hard earned money to help Steven through this difficult time and to pay the mounting bills that seem to keep coming. I saw the hundreds of checks and mentally thanked each and every name I saw on them. The money will be put to good use.
It is a truly wonderful feeling to know no matter how bad a place we get in that we have a great community and wonderful friends that will get us thru the darkest times. I thank all of you ... Jeff Wallace
(excuse the spelling errors there is no spell check on this site.adam? can you fix that?)
Dear Steve, What wonderful friends you have. As I told your Mom, our Betsy just had her thyroid out and then couldn't breathe,so they tied a suture around her vocal cord and pulled it aside so she could breathe. That wasw 2 months ago and just yesterday they removedit so thank God she can talk again. Very Hairy. It also shows how much prayers can do to work on you guys who need them so much,so we are working on you even harder,We are so proud of how hard you are working. All our love from Vermont. Keep up the good work. Love Frank and Jane Cain.
So... we're going to the Benefit Dance they are having here for you tomorrow and we are gonna dance it up! If you have an special requests or suggestions for group themed apparel, let us know. We were thinking you may appreciate 80's! I think it'll be Ad, Stef, Mom, Frank, Russ, me, and a group of 6 or so of my friends. We're gonna go make you some money so you can heal up!! ;) Hann
Dear Steve, When we first arrived at Haystack for our first golf date, we were shocked to learn of your accident and were very upset. We have read your updates by Adam and feel that you will make a speedy recovery. You are a great guy with a wonderful attitude and we wish u well. We hope our donation to the chittendan bank fund will help in some small way.All our love, Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Bookman
Hi Everyone:
I just got back this morning from visiting Steve in S.C. for the last week. As many of you may know, since you might have talked to him, he is doing much better. Progress is happening every day still. His right leg is getting really strong, and his left leg is still coming back, a little slower though. He wiggled his toes on his left leg too! He is still going to therapy twice a week in Greenville, and goes to the Shephard Center around July 14th, I think. He does his exercises at home on his days off, too. He is having a little trouble with the muscle spasms in his legs. They sometimes seize up or cramp up pretty intensely, and during the night, twitch every 10-15 seconds keeping him awake.
Although it has been tough, Steve is back to himself, laughing and making jokes all the time. It was really nice to spend time with him and see how positive and motivated he is. Overall, I don't think he could have a better attitude. On Thursday, he took a few steps while holding on to the parallel bars (with the help of the therapist), but nevertheless, he walked a few steps! He was pretty pumped. Well, keep the well wishes coming. I know he appreciates it.
Love you Steve.
Sarah
First and foremost I need to thank everyone for their love and support, it is certainly making this difficult process easier.
With my mother and my aunts assistance I have been doing a series of stretches and exercizes each day since I left the hospital in Santa Clara, but yesterday was my first day of therapy at Greenville County Hostpital. A lot of progress has been made on my left leg, even since Adam left the other day. Movement seems to be coming back from the top of my leg instead of at the toes, which is how my right leg originally started to come back. I can bend the knee of my left leg, and use my glutes to swing my leg back and forth on a sliding board. I also stood up yesterday for the first time in a month and a half which was pretty exciting. 95% of the weight was on my right leg, but with my left leg starting to come back who knows when I'll be back on my feet.
Once again, I can't thank all of you enough for the love and support that you have shown. I hope to be up in the Mount Snow/HAYSTACK Valley soon!
Steve bent his left leg today some! His hamstring seems to have a tiny little strength. There is no sensation or feeling but when he thinks about it he can flex the littlest bit.
Keep up the good thoughts everyone! It's helping!
I'm down in S.C. now with Steve. He actually looks really good. Robyn has set up a whole room for his care with a bed strapped so that he can pull himself up, various medicines and bottles are placed around, and the bathroom is the next room so that he can get his wheelchair near the shower. Her house was built for a handicapped person previously, so it's all wheelchair accessible for Steve.
Each day he wakes around 9 and does stretching. Then he eats breakfast and does P.T. with his aunt Kathleen. Usually that tires him out so he takes a nap and then has lunch. I bought a Wii for him, so after lunch we usually play some Tiger Woods for a bit and then he does some more stretching. Then there is dinner, another nap, some tv, and bed fairly early.
Right now he is still very dependent upon others to help him out, but a little comes back each day. He has almost full mobility in his right leg with about 50% strength. Nothing in his left leg yet, but he was moved up to a T6D which implies a 60% chance of full recovery after rehab. His arms and upper body are all fully functional but he does have to wear a large torso brace to support his back and keep it straight since it has not yet healed from surgery. He still has a lot of pain and soreness, but the naps and pain meds help that.
In terms of demeanor, he's still Steve. Sarcastic, funny, and definitely as positive as can be given the circumstances. I expect him to heal up fast and joke about it in the years to come. He has said that he'll be focusing more on golf now though as the accident left a bitter taste in his mouth with skiing.
He does check the website often and may even start making his own updates so please, please leave comments for him to read and now that everyone has him in their hearts.
From South Carolina,
Adam
May 4th
Friday and Saterday were by far the best days in this long process of getting better. Saterday was busy with PT, OT , and the pool for 90 minutes. In the pool standing was practiced , though there is still little movement of the left leg, the right leg supporting steve. In the wheelchair Steve can pull himself forward and push himself backward with his right leg alone. This improves almost by the day. After all the workout the afternoon was filled with friends visiting and spending the hours on the patio laughing and joking in typical Steve fashion. A good sight to see.
May 2, 2008
hi folks from bedside lovely santa clara caliFORnia. Jeff dictating a great big thanks to all those writing well wishes . Steve had a good day though he battled low blood pressure and had to cut therapy a bit short in the morning session. He felt better in the afternoon and worked hard. Spirits are great seeing continued improvement in right leg movement. More spasms in the left leg which we hope mean the onset of improvement. Theres an bowling trip planned on saterday . Further updates to follow.. Write more friends its a nice distraction.
April 22, 2008
Steve's cell phone is now working and he set up in the rehab center in Santa Clara. He sounds upbeat.
The physicians are working with him on various therapies to be able to function everyday without the use of his legs, ie. working at a desk, being outside, etc.
The outlook is still positive but they have to work with the current condition as there is still a lot of swelling and bleeding on his spine so no movement has come back just yet in his left leg.
Overall he sounds really good. He did say that there is still pain but that they have him on pain killers to help.
I think the toughest thing for him must be the boredom as Steve sounds very optimistic about his recovery, just unsure about the duration.
I suggested a healthy dose of video games and baseball.
The Reno Hospital bills alone are into the $100,000's so donations are more important than anything. Please, please donate whatever you can to help.
Steven has been accepted into the NRN Program (NeuroRecovery Network) at the Shepherd Center. The Program is a study conducted by the Christopher Reeve Foundation and the Center for Disease Control. The program to begin with is completed in 20 day cycles with evaluation and goal setting, and then continued in another 20 day cycle if sufficient progress is shown. Steven goes Monday through Friday to work with therapists on a treadmill like machine with 5 therapists in attendance. He walks on this treadmill machine for over an hour a day as the therapists retrain the motion and movements in his left leg. It's exhausting for him but in just 4 days there have been improvements! This website tells you more information about the procedure.
http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.geIMLPOpGjF/b.3757417/k.7B13/NeuroRecovery_Network_NRN.htm
Steven is again at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta this week. His progress has been amazing, but it's his attitude that is helping him the most I think! He is so motivated to walk and does everything in his power to achieve this goal. Yesterday we all went out to dinner and the movies, and Steven walked the entire outing with his walker. He was so excited but really pooped by the time we got home. His goal is to walk for his friend Jeremy's wedding in August...and I think he might just be able to do it!
I know he has been so grateful for all the support and prayers. It has really motivated him. Thank you all so much.
Robyn
Sorry Jeff, no, I cannot correct your frightening spelling... I can however echo your sentiments. The VFW fundraiser was an amazing event. It was great seeing so many who I had never once seen before in my life out in droves to support Steve. People were reading the boards with the calendar of crisis events and rehab, writing in that note book, and watching the video of Steve on crutches. Awesome. Now remember that the next fundraiser is the golf tourney on August 18th. It's starting to actually come together so expect to be amazed!
Hello everyone, on July 14 there was a fundraiser for Steven , at the VFW in brattleboro. I knew very little about organizing a fundraiser and found out its much more labor intensive than I figured. I stayed mostly in the background and let friends to most of the work. The core group being Jill Spiro , Deb holman, Kitsie laRock , Melany Foard,Adele Stair , and Marty Brennan Sawyer . We met several times (once in a parking lot after the HS tennis match) to get this thing put together. As the project neared it amazed me how, like ripples on a pond, the word spread and the help showed up. Marty undertook all the food preparations and got countless calls for help. He utilized Adeles son Craigs expertize as hes worked for some time as a line chef. With these two John Donaldson , Maryann Obeirne, Karl Hirth and several others got the bulk of the food table readied. From out of left field came Jane Dewey and offered her help and brought wonderful food all prepared in her kitchen and donated totally , her time and the materials. It was really appreciated.
The band was called wyldnightz (sic) and did a great job , between eating and deciding what to bid on at the raffle tables and silent auction people were dancing up a storm. Jeff Brewer is to thank for stepping up and offering the music. Wendy Brewer was a good liason to Grafton Cheese and their subsidiaries and donations were well appreciated.
The donations themselves would be impossible to thank individually as there were almost 100 items. All wonderful items. I will thank the bigger companies later in the paper for their donations. Many of these companties were approached by Kitsie and she proved to be quite a find for our group as she worked with and knew many people and of course is hard to say no to .She approached Granite State Electric and obtained Redsox tickets which were quite a hit. Stevens sister Megan was the final bid as shes the #1 red sox fan around.
Beyond the food , the music , and the donations there was the myriad of jobs needing filling to keep the function running smoothly. Jill (mrs organization) had a chart all filled out and directed her minions to the right spots at the right time. Thanks to those who helped there. I can think of Linda Rothshild (flowers and ticket sales) , lyn sperry ticket sales, Melany again ticket sales, I didnt even see who did all the work handing out the prizes that were won in the silent auction so I cant thank them .Thats how smoothly the evening went.
Its dangerous to thank individuals because key people who did and donated lots will be left out, and to those I apologize I thank any and everyone who made this event a success.
Lastly Id like to thank (on stevens behalf) those who spent their hard earned money to help Steven through this difficult time and to pay the mounting bills that seem to keep coming. I saw the hundreds of checks and mentally thanked each and every name I saw on them. The money will be put to good use.
It is a truly wonderful feeling to know no matter how bad a place we get in that we have a great community and wonderful friends that will get us thru the darkest times. I thank all of you ... Jeff Wallace
(excuse the spelling errors there is no spell check on this site.adam? can you fix that?)
Dear Steve, What wonderful friends you have. As I told your Mom, our Betsy just had her thyroid out and then couldn't breathe,so they tied a suture around her vocal cord and pulled it aside so she could breathe. That wasw 2 months ago and just yesterday they removedit so thank God she can talk again. Very Hairy. It also shows how much prayers can do to work on you guys who need them so much,so we are working on you even harder,We are so proud of how hard you are working. All our love from Vermont. Keep up the good work. Love Frank and Jane Cain.
So... we're going to the Benefit Dance they are having here for you tomorrow and we are gonna dance it up! If you have an special requests or suggestions for group themed apparel, let us know. We were thinking you may appreciate 80's! I think it'll be Ad, Stef, Mom, Frank, Russ, me, and a group of 6 or so of my friends. We're gonna go make you some money so you can heal up!! ;) Hann
Dear Steve, When we first arrived at Haystack for our first golf date, we were shocked to learn of your accident and were very upset. We have read your updates by Adam and feel that you will make a speedy recovery. You are a great guy with a wonderful attitude and we wish u well. We hope our donation to the chittendan bank fund will help in some small way.All our love, Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Bookman
Hi Everyone:
I just got back this morning from visiting Steve in S.C. for the last week. As many of you may know, since you might have talked to him, he is doing much better. Progress is happening every day still. His right leg is getting really strong, and his left leg is still coming back, a little slower though. He wiggled his toes on his left leg too! He is still going to therapy twice a week in Greenville, and goes to the Shephard Center around July 14th, I think. He does his exercises at home on his days off, too. He is having a little trouble with the muscle spasms in his legs. They sometimes seize up or cramp up pretty intensely, and during the night, twitch every 10-15 seconds keeping him awake.
Although it has been tough, Steve is back to himself, laughing and making jokes all the time. It was really nice to spend time with him and see how positive and motivated he is. Overall, I don't think he could have a better attitude. On Thursday, he took a few steps while holding on to the parallel bars (with the help of the therapist), but nevertheless, he walked a few steps! He was pretty pumped. Well, keep the well wishes coming. I know he appreciates it.
Love you Steve.
Sarah
Hello Everyone,
First and foremost I need to thank everyone for their love and support, it is certainly making this difficult process easier.
With my mother and my aunts assistance I have been doing a series of stretches and exercizes each day since I left the hospital in Santa Clara, but yesterday was my first day of therapy at Greenville County Hostpital. A lot of progress has been made on my left leg, even since Adam left the other day. Movement seems to be coming back from the top of my leg instead of at the toes, which is how my right leg originally started to come back. I can bend the knee of my left leg, and use my glutes to swing my leg back and forth on a sliding board. I also stood up yesterday for the first time in a month and a half which was pretty exciting. 95% of the weight was on my right leg, but with my left leg starting to come back who knows when I'll be back on my feet.
Once again, I can't thank all of you enough for the love and support that you have shown. I hope to be up in the Mount Snow/HAYSTACK Valley soon!
Love, Steve
Steve bent his left leg today some! His hamstring seems to have a tiny little strength. There is no sensation or feeling but when he thinks about it he can flex the littlest bit.
Keep up the good thoughts everyone! It's helping!
I'm down in S.C. now with Steve. He actually looks really good. Robyn has set up a whole room for his care with a bed strapped so that he can pull himself up, various medicines and bottles are placed around, and the bathroom is the next room so that he can get his wheelchair near the shower. Her house was built for a handicapped person previously, so it's all wheelchair accessible for Steve.
Each day he wakes around 9 and does stretching. Then he eats breakfast and does P.T. with his aunt Kathleen. Usually that tires him out so he takes a nap and then has lunch. I bought a Wii for him, so after lunch we usually play some Tiger Woods for a bit and then he does some more stretching. Then there is dinner, another nap, some tv, and bed fairly early.
Right now he is still very dependent upon others to help him out, but a little comes back each day. He has almost full mobility in his right leg with about 50% strength. Nothing in his left leg yet, but he was moved up to a T6D which implies a 60% chance of full recovery after rehab. His arms and upper body are all fully functional but he does have to wear a large torso brace to support his back and keep it straight since it has not yet healed from surgery. He still has a lot of pain and soreness, but the naps and pain meds help that.
In terms of demeanor, he's still Steve. Sarcastic, funny, and definitely as positive as can be given the circumstances. I expect him to heal up fast and joke about it in the years to come. He has said that he'll be focusing more on golf now though as the accident left a bitter taste in his mouth with skiing.
He does check the website often and may even start making his own updates so please, please leave comments for him to read and now that everyone has him in their hearts.
From South Carolina,
Adam
May 4th
Friday and Saterday were by far the best days in this long process of getting better. Saterday was busy with PT, OT , and the pool for 90 minutes. In the pool standing was practiced , though there is still little movement of the left leg, the right leg supporting steve. In the wheelchair Steve can pull himself forward and push himself backward with his right leg alone. This improves almost by the day. After all the workout the afternoon was filled with friends visiting and spending the hours on the patio laughing and joking in typical Steve fashion. A good sight to see.
May 2, 2008
hi folks from bedside lovely santa clara caliFORnia. Jeff dictating a great big thanks to all those writing well wishes . Steve had a good day though he battled low blood pressure and had to cut therapy a bit short in the morning session. He felt better in the afternoon and worked hard. Spirits are great seeing continued improvement in right leg movement. More spasms in the left leg which we hope mean the onset of improvement. Theres an bowling trip planned on saterday . Further updates to follow.. Write more friends its a nice distraction.
April 25, 2008
Things are looking up as we heard some good news about Steve today.
Steve said that he could wiggle his left toe ever so slightly and had some feeling in that leg.
He is scheduled to be leaving his acute rehab center in CA and moving with his Mom back to South Carolina on May 8.
They at the beginning of June he will head to Atlanta, GA where he will begin out patient rehab at a well respected facility.
This will all be very expensive so please send you donations!
April 22, 2008
Steve's cell phone is now working and he set up in the rehab center in Santa Clara. He sounds upbeat.
The physicians are working with him on various therapies to be able to function everyday without the use of his legs, ie. working at a desk, being outside, etc.
The outlook is still positive but they have to work with the current condition as there is still a lot of swelling and bleeding on his spine so no movement has come back just yet in his left leg.
Overall he sounds really good. He did say that there is still pain but that they have him on pain killers to help.
I think the toughest thing for him must be the boredom as Steve sounds very optimistic about his recovery, just unsure about the duration.
I suggested a healthy dose of video games and baseball.
The Reno Hospital bills alone are into the $100,000's so donations are more important than anything. Please, please donate whatever you can to help.
April 17th
I spoke on the phone with Steve today. He sounded in good spirits but definitely groggy from the medication.
He told me that so far he has been able to move his right leg a bit, a wiggle, and that he has some sensation in the left but is unable to move it.
He did 5 minutes of physical therapy to work on his balance. Currently the outlook is very positive with all the doctors and physicians.