Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Tuesday

Mike got a new wheelchair to try out and this one seems to fit him better than the last one.  The hand grip on the wheel is easier to grasp which makes it easier to wheel.  He also has a power wheelchair waiting for him to try.  Who knew there were so many options!

OT was spent transferring to a regular bed instead of a hospital bed.  Tomorrow he practices transferring to a shower bench.  Things we take so for granted are hard work!

However, dialing for pizza take-out was not impaired in the accident and that has been exercised a number of times (including tonight!).

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike and family,
Have you had much time to check out the map? It took a while for me to figure it out (no comments!) but it was great to see where people are who are praying for you. Mike, we are so limited - we are the only ones who can be each in our place, and we cannot see beyond it. But spiritually, we have this ability through Christ to stand with each other, laugh, cry, bear with each other and hope with each other or even for each other. Even when we can't see you, or experience what you are experiencing, we desire to carry all these things with you. I think I am trying to say again that you are not alone. I think of you and Brenda, Neil, Steve, Matthew, and in the same way, we carry you. Thank you for your honesty and courage each day, and even when it is hard to find the 'third way', to know how to live, thank you for sharing with us so that we can share with you. And Christ still goes before you and behind you. Oh how we hurt for you and hope for you. The protection of God surround you and stand between you and all that threatens you. The peace of God, receivable even as questions abound, be yours. The comfort of God, hold you and sustain you. Love, much love,
Aunt Mary

lou said...

Hello Mike,
i must say that it is AMAZING to hear of your unbelievable progress. i have been so inspired by your motivation and strength to get through all of this and with a smile. there is no doubt in my mind that God is in this with you. He has His hand on you guiding you every moment of every day. when i first heard about the accident i NEVER thought that after only two months that you would be able to transfer yourself to a wheelchair let alone a car. you have been an inspiration to me and many other and for that i thank you. well i hope everything else is going GREAT!

cant wait to hear more updates of your wonderful progres

in michigan,
><> gina-louise <><

Anonymous said...

Hi guys:

Wow I have been gone two weeks and the progress I am hearing about is amazing. I remember praying that God would just give Mike enough hand movements to be able to atleast pick his own nose- but WOW-God exceded my expectations (Thankfully)
Anyways, Nat and I were on a two week bike trip 6000kms in two weeks and I wonder; can I add California, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Washington to the prayer flags? Its amazing what my mind thought of while we travelled. You were in my thoughts and I started looking for activities that were wheelchair accessible. Like does this tram car allow wheelchairs,how could Mike get in this dune buggy and give'r etc and kept thinking would Mikey be able to get here... Hey I found the coolest portapottie. It was a massive wheelchair accessible potty that was so cool with side bench etc. Yes I had to go in and try it out.
I guess my point is that even if you don't here from us ( and I notice the number of comments have decreased) please, please don't think that you are forgotten by any of us. You are still so much on my mind and in my prayers.
I will speak for the LLB folks, you are so missed. Your family is brought into conversations frequently, and we love you all.
We will continue to pray through each of the hurdles with you, and will rejoice with each exciting accomplishment.
Keep up the battle, we have no idea of the hard work you, Mike are doing and the daily struggles you all face, but you bless us with your faith and attitudes.
LOVE YOU SHERYL

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Keep up the great work! As you continue to get stronger you will grow leaps and bounds. I bet it felt good for Mike to get on the computer after so long.God Bless you all, and we will continue to pray for you.
Susan

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike and family. I haven't written for while but have been reading stuff every day on how things are going for you. I pray continually as do so many others and am so very confident that God is graciously answering your and our prayers for your strengthening and perserverence. Sounds like you are at a great learning curve. Good when things keep us moving ahead and you are deffinately doing much to move ahead so keep it up. I was reminded this morning from a missionary friend that God is always attentive to all that we go through and will intercede for us at any moment. Through reading what you're going through I see God's hand lifting and strenthing and encouraging you and your family. It already seems like a long time that you've been at your new phase - adjusting to a new lifestyle? - but I know that you will continue to grow more gracious in your spirit as your body grows stonger and stronger. You are all an inspiration to me and I love you guys. God Bless you all ! ! ! ! !
Love, Dorothy

Anonymous said...

Hello Mike
I think I feel as I understood your Aunt Mary to say - we cannot experience your journey but we hope in our presence(sp?)and love we can support you. We cheer for your successes.
I am thinking of Matthew and want to send him a virtual hug today. He is not mentioned often in the blog reports but he has always held a special place in our hearts. I remember the look on his face those first days after the accident and hope he is doing ok.
Keep up the good work and positive attitude, Mike and Brenda!

Anonymous said...

Mike
Keep up the awesome work man. Don't give up. Enjoy the different varieties of wheelchairs (they are so much fun *hehe*) Oh and don't give those pizza take-out guys any rest. They need to work and your need to practice. LOL not to mention enjoying yumy take-out pizza, nice and hot ... mmmm ... WoW ok I am making myself salivate. I better stop before I go and order a pizza. Enjoy Mike
God Bless,
-Julie-Anne

Anonymous said...

David's Song of Praise

David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent men you save me. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. "The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears. "The earth trembled and quaked, the foundations of the heavens shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence bolts of lightning blazed forth. The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot arrows and scattered the enemies, bolts of lightning and routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from his nostrils. "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. "The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. "To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD ? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn. "I pursued my enemies and crushed them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them completely, and they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes
. . . "The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever."

2 Samuel 22:1-41, 47-51

Anonymous said...

Hey mike
i just updated myself, and i'm so happy to hear that you are doing so much better, and that your transfers are getting it easier, i know you'll have it down in no time. you're well on your way to recovery, and im cheering you on all the way buddy!!!!
love ya

Sum