May 18, 2006

It was 23 months ago yesterday that Jess was hurt. It seems like a long time ago. Chris and I could never begin to tell you what those 23 months have been like for us and for our family. And, I only wish I knew what they have been like for Jess. Or, maybe I am glad I don't know.
Mother's Day was hard for me in one respect and wonderful in another. I have 3 beautiful kids and I have been so blessed to be their mother. Jess, my mom and I spent a few hours at Curtis' house on Mother's Day. Jess has spent a lot of time with Curtis and his parents Paul and Linda. We sat around and reminisced of all the fun they have had throughout the years. It was a beautiful day and Jess seemed to enjoy sitting on their deck in familiar territory with familiar voices. Chris was at home working on the tandem bike that he is trying to fix so he and Jess can ride down the bike path.

Joey and I have been looking at eye gaze computer programs. It is fascinating that Jess might actually be able to type a message on a computer with his eyes. Amanda feels very strongly that he can read. She shows him two cards with words written on them and asks him to look at a certain word on the card and he does. We wonder if he might be able to write us a message with his eyes. Would that be a miracle! It can be set up so he could look at pictures that would turn on his TV, stereo, lights, call us for help...who knows what all the options are. The bad news is the one we found is $15,000. But, we are still researching. If anyone has knowledge of the best one out there please let me know.

I am still trying to get a rotating mattress. It boggles my mind that we pay so much to make sure we have the insurance coverage we need in a crisis and yet it is so hard to get the things you need when you are in the crisis. No wonder so many people opt not to have insurance.

The sad news I have to report is that the wonderful guy, Daniel Hayes, who spends every Thursday helping and entertaining Jess is moving to the east coast. Can you believe he would leave our wonderful community to go back east? Just kidding...we wish the very best to him always and cannot thank him enough for all he has done for Jess and for Chris and I. He is the author of two great books, My Old Man and the Sea (he and his father sailed around Cape Horn) and On Whale Island (about he and his wife and son living on an island for a year). You must read them! He's not leaving until the end of July but it will come way too soon for us. We will miss Daniel, his smile and his sense of humor so much.