I'm sad that my two weeks are over already. It literally seems like we were just packing to head down and here I sit, my first Monday back missing it like I've been gone for months! I guess that's a good sign.
We stayed at the new condo and were very happy with it. Previously we had stayed at the same place pretty much every visit but there was nothing available there for the times that we needed. I was a little skeptical to try anything new, pretty much like I am with everything, but we were not disappointed.
Besides my mom, I had a complete new cast of people helping with my care. First off, this go around I had a wife! I was lucky enough to have her with me the first week. She really enjoyed herself and loved getting to see my therapy. She also learned how to independently transfer me from my wheelchair, rather than always having to rely on something else. She did so much to prepare for this trip and get things kicked off to the right start, which she was absolutely 100% successful! I appreciate everything she sacrificed to make this happen. Also, my aide, Michelle made her first visit to Baltimore with us. She stayed the entire two weeks and worked so hard for us. Pretty much around the clock whenever we needed her. She too attended therapy and learned some things that will really help us down the road. We were very happy to have her and when it comes down to it, she made the entire trip possible. Lastly but not least, my mom switched with Melissa and was with us the second week. I was especially excited for our time together since I'm no longer living with her. We had our usual laughs! She got to see a few people at Kennedy that she's come to know over the years. She was such a huge help as well! Making lunches and dinner every day among many other things. She's the best!
I also had new therapists. My occupational therapists was Michelle and physical therapist was Angelina. Again I was skeptical because I was used to having things one way for so long and I'm such a creature of habit. Thank God they both more than proved me wrong and exceeded my expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed their personalities, ideas, plans for me once I got home and everything else they could possibly do to set me up for success! I really should have known, just from me going for so many years and being surrounded by Kennedy employees, that they never hire anyone that is not more than qualified. That is in my experience anyway. Thankfully. And like I said, I've really got two amazing ladies looking after me now and I surely hope when it's time for me to return, their schedules are open! Hopefully they want me back as a patient! :-) I would be genuinely disappointed if I were to lose them.
I really just wanted to get a blog written to share some of my most recent experiences. My trip could not have been possible without the amount of crazy dedication and sacrifice made by those who attended. Thank you to family members for making meals for us to take, and all kinds of junk food too! Thank you to everyone who contributes to fundraisers or donates money to the fund to make my staying in Baltimore possible. Not only that, you've helped purchase so many pieces of equipment extremely important for my therapy. My appreciation really cannot be expressed in words. It means so much. I'm surrounded by an amazing cast of people and I feel truly blessed and loved.
Definitely have more to share about the trip but figured this would be just a start. Thank you so much for everything and for reading! Check back soon!
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