new wheelchair

It has been crazy, my nerve pain has been friggin out of control. At night I haven't been able to sleep...which is very different, I am usually able to sleep. This might be a good sign my pain is changing, with different sensations, a little bit more of a quad contraction...??? It is hard to know what is going on with the electrical cords running through my body...I do know there has been small improvements and the pain wipes me out! It's hard to keep up on the laundry, cleaning house, bathing or preparing meals....it's nice to have a Trader Joes near by!...it's on the way home from Project Walk. Wilbur and I have been on our own for three months and for the most part we're doing okay, and that makes me feel proud and not so dependent. Our highlight is going to the park, being outside in the sun. Tuesdays and Thursdays we go to Project Walk for 4 hours. I try to get their an hour early to ride the FES bike (Functional Electrical Stimulation – it sends small electrical pulses to paralyzed muscles to restore or improve their function) then work with the trainers for 2 hours and stay another hour for standing or core work. Wed and Fridays are recovery days. If I am not too wiped out, on Saturday I try to get into PW to ride the FES bike and other workout stuff I can do on my own.

Barb Cartwright, a girl friend I have known as long as Julie Munger...we all ran rivers together in the early 80's, and I like to think that we still do. I remember back then, Barb told us about her brother who was sci injured. We felt awful for his injury. Barb emailed the other day...wondering if I knew of anyone who was in need of a wheelchair, her brother was donating his manual wheelchairs. Oh my gosh, Richard, her brother who was paralyzed. It came flashing back. I wondered how her brother is doing! She said he is hanging in there and was wanting to donate some wheelchairs. Well, Barb's email has come at a time when the front wheels on my chair have been having trouble staying on...yeah, they fell off twice but I wasn't going fast thank God!...the shop was also having trouble fixing them...they fell off twice more. I needed them replaced....it would cost $480/wheel! After speaking with Barb, she UPS'ed Richard's chair the next day!...it has been a blessing...it is so much easier to get around, making life more fun...but, has also made me sad knowing Richard has had to move into a power-chair. Richard you are in my prayers. I thank you , and want you to know how grateful I am, not only for the use of your chair, but for your inspiration and courage you give me everyday. And thank you Barb for your help...I look forward to seeing you! With Love and gratitude, kelley ~ the river flows...Onward!!

Big Sky Country, a Piece of Heaven

The Kingdom of God
is not far away -
It's as close as the things
we do and we say.
And the people like you
bring heaven nearer
And help to make
God's image clearer.
~ by Helen Steiner Rice

Thank you Thompson Falls for your Caring Support!
And Thank you Ro, and your team (Dianne, Carolanne & Bob)
for working so hard and putting together
such a FUN successful fundraiser!

Last Friday Sept 17, the film showing and fundraiser in Montana was a huge success, with a huge turnout, between 80 and 90 people, with over 25 auction items and raising just over $6,000!! And what a wonderful table display of food and assortments of desserts! I was sad to leave, and so pooped when I returned home. I am finally getting back into the swing of things, working hard and sleeping hard. Tomorrow I am planning to go with Jody to La Jolla Beach, to meet with some folks who help with SCI get into the ocean...called Wheel 2 Water. We'll have to see how it goes.
Thank you again for the fundraiser...Gratefully & Blessings to All, kelley

Fundraiser & Film Showing in Thompson Falls, MT

Many thanks to Ro Fundum for organizing this Fundraiser & Film showing in Thompson Falls, Montana, this Friday Sept. 17. The event will help with the continuation of my rehab in southern Cal, at Project Walk.

Time: 5:00-9:00 pm - Silent Auction & Appetizer/Hors d' oeuvres/desserts; at 6:45 pm film "3 Women 300 Miles" (60 min).

Where: New Life Fellowship Hall - Airport Rd. Thompson Falls.
Suggested donation: $10

Ro & Carol Anne, and many others here in Big Sky Country have worked so hard putting together this fundraiser & showing...I am so blessed.

After last Thursdays workout--I pack my bag and was able to take the week of Sat. 9/11 to Sun. 9/19 off to be here in Montana, visiting Mom, relatives & friends. My parents have lived in Thompson Falls for 31 years and I have met so many wonderful people throughout those years....and I am looking forward to seeing them and meeting new friends Friday night.

At this time in my life I'm finding it difficult to have time to do "other things" such as write on the blog......my stamina has been low. I try to pace myself and conserve energy just to allow time for my exercise rehab, eating and wash clothes; my poor apartment kitchen floor needs to be cleaned! It's been interesting to be out on my own...good in many ways too, but somethings just don't get done. But I'm looking forward to Mom coming down, the end of Oct., for the winter! (looking forward to her company and help, and having more time to write on the blog ;). Wilbur and I get to go to the park everyday, that's a must...we've only missed a couple times.

Being here in Montana for the past 5 days has aloud me to catch up on sleep & relax, and walk the dogs around the beautiful block with Mom and Ro.

I appreciate immensely all the support everyone, everywhere has given me; making it possible for me to

be working at Project Walk. Movement and sensation is happening!! little by little, giving me more hope, and courage to keep going. Onward!!

Love and Blessings, kelley

P.S. For those who love Dogs & know Wilbur--he make a smile....

"Wilbur and the Squirrel in MT"

My New Address--Vista, CA 92081

Jody is getting ready to start teaching history to her high school students...I'll sure miss her help and most of all her company. One week ago I moved to Vista, CA., so I could be near Project Walk in Carlsbad. It's a safe place and I am very fortunate to be able to live here and continue to work towards walking again. I moved into an apartment...living on my own for the first time since my injury...it can be a little challenging, and lonely, but I have Wilbur and there are such great people who I've met through Project Walk who are in the same boat as me. There are a few who can get out and ride handcycles together on the weekends...even though I've only gotten out ONCE for a ride!...wanting to turn the light switch on downstairs (legs) it is sometimes difficult to get motivated to handcycle...but it would be good for me to get outside. There are a few things I need to learn how to do on my own: Firstly, I need to learn how to load the H-cycle into the van, get on it to ride and off, and re-load back into the van myself...I have the will, so there must be a way. There is another fellow who's SCI, Van, who mentioned he could teach me how to do all this...so the bet is on...maybe next weekend I can get out and cycle! Project Walk has been keeping me busy with exercising and recovery days...instructor Jason Smith (x-bodybuilder) say's he can feel the subtle improvements I am making!! "The nerve pain is all part of it", he say's....and, "remember to take it easy on yourself, rest when your body tells you to". Jason's a very unassuming quiet fellow, who's serious about his work...I'm lucky to have him work with me for part of the time I'm at PW. For the past two nights my nerve pain has been different...I HAVEN'T been able to sleep for the first time in along time...the throbbing is mostly in my hips...after finally falling to sleep at 6am I rested until 12 noon!! I hate it, I feel my day is gone....and so does Wilbur! Poor Wilbur he wants to go out and romp! Okay, we are on our way just now to the park!
Onward!! kelley

P.S. It is hard to think about myself when the world feels like it is falling a part around us....flooding in Pakistan! Haiti! the Gulf waters! I am so grateful for my life and what I've gotten to experience in it. I have a girl friend, Stephanie Pope who has been battling a brain tumor that is inoperable...I ask you all to please send her healing prayers. And to Help Steph with medical costs--a beautiful necklace, Love Whole Heart Pendant has been made (by Ashley Bennett Stoddard) benefiting Stephanie.

To purchase pendant go to:
http://ashleybennettstoddard.com/index.php?page=causes/love-whole-heart

My prayers are with you Stephanie...I think about you everyday, and I pray for peace and strength. I Love you, kelley

Beach Beauty Shop / Looking for Room to Rent for Winter

Reanna just finished Cosmetologist School 3 days prior, and I was one of her first customers...not able to fit in the house with my chair, she set up shop in her beautiful back yard for me! I was so grateful for her time and skills....she did a excellent job! (photo: You can see Jody trying to hide behind the mirror stand while Reanna is "styling". Click on pic to make larger.)

Looking for Winter Housing

If anyone knows of a place I can live (rent) for the winter near the Calsbad area....or Encinitas. Oceanside, Vista.... My plan is to stay through the winter, working with Project Walk. The results my body is getting from working with the instructors has been outstanding!....I'm getting stronger, muscles are firing, and leg movement is improving!!
I can't be more grateful for the opportunity to be here....AND Thank You, to EVERYONE who has contributed to my rehabilitation, and helped make it possible for me to be here.
Sincerely, kelley

Jody Conner! My Inspiring Trainer, Training!!

4th of July weekend, Jody and I went for a run and trike ride with Beth Sanden (competitor and advocate for Challenged Athlete Foundation. Please check out an article on Beth's story and photos, http://www.ocregister.com/sports/sanden-146735-edwards-ironman.html?pic=1). After meeting Beth in front of 24hour-fitness gym, and exchanging email addresses, Beth invited Jody and I to meet at the beach with her and some of her disabled triathletes and friends for a ride along the beach. In the photo above Jody is running along side for part of her workouts for the day...she is in awesomely amazing shape!...Built for professional sports, people are always stopping her for an autograph, mistaking her for pro-volleyball player "Holly McPeak"! She's always in top condition ever since I've known her, since meeting while outrigger canoeing on lake Natoma, 7 years ago. Jody also paddled with our US whitewater team and helped by filling in for workouts in the raft, and giving a few pointers for conditioning. She is always ready to play a game of Beach-Volleyball at a moments notice...her passion. Since I arrived in Southern Cal, she has been there for me none stop helping in whatever it maybe....from helping me to bed, food-shopping, to assisting with intense exercises. Jody is such an inspiration to me and keeps me striving to reach for more, and to never give up, as-well-as telling me to go take a nap and get some rest. Then after waking up we'll either hit it again or do something restful and go watch the sunset, or I can always enjoy watching Jody play a game of beach-volley.
There was a lot of networking going on during our ride along the beach....I learned everyone suffers from some degree of nerve pain and was unable to work; all except Van, he said since he has been working with Project Walk he is able to work part-time. In Photo below (from left to right): Kathy and her husband Lance-he is sci from a surfing accident; Van-sci from a 40mph biking accident; Firman-disabled from a stoke; Beth-our leader-sci from a cycling accident during a triathlon; Patrica and husband Tom-sci from a hang-gliding accident; Jody & me.
At the end of our ride, even though my nerve pain was starting to kick in, I wanted to try out Tom recumbent bike to see if I was ready to start pushing a bike with my legs. He let me try it out. His wife Patrica took the time to help me around the parking lot steering me while I tried to pedal and adding encouraging words. At the end I learned I'm not quite ready for it and will be needing to spend many more hours on the spin-bike before I start think about selling my hand-cycle. At the end of the day it left me wondering "who were those people?? We all became fast friends, caring for each other and making sure everyone was doing okay. Halfway through my trike got a flat tire....not being ready with the tools, nor Plan A or B, Beth had a spare tube, tools and pump! and Tom provided the brawn and started changing it by pulling up beside my trike, from sitting on his bike he contorted his body and pulled the tire off and put the new tube in...while I sat like a queen in my seat. It was a fun day, I paid for it last night in nerve pain :O( ....letting me know I'm alive :O)!!

HELL-Week in Southern Cal

It is the first morning I finally feel more like myself after arriving in Dana Point, last Sunday, 6/20. With a day of rest from the traveling we moved right into Project Walk's exercise regime...Jody and her daughter Makenzie helping--taking photos of the exercises I was doing and carefully taking notes so we could duplicate them later at home. Drips of sweat drop off the end of my nose, David my trainer who trains The Chargers in the off season in some kind of weight work, is carefully spotting me so I don't fall while telling me I have 2 more to go, then he looses count and say's 8 more to go!!..and so on...I'm wearing weight vest(s) to increase resistance. Like I said, I've been so wiped out from the week there has been no time to do anything else but eat and sleep. The weather is lovely and the energy to be outside and exercise surpasses any other place on the planet....being down here will keep me going for sure...Dana Pt is a cute town with a beautiful harbor and beach area with people out exercising in many different venues. This afternoon Jody's Mom Totsy, who is so kind and patient and full of energy (grand-daughter and daughter like mother) planned a BBQ at Doheny beach with family and a friend from her church, Ted, whos' handicap as well, whom I look forward to meeting and finding out some of the ins-and-outs of Dana Pt from a wheelchair perspective. In photo before workout Mak is helping me with the Active Ankles to help keep my foot from turning in.