Bright Light of Community
Since the phone call from Scott Gill (Search & Rescue) at 9:45 pm on August 17 with the Olympic Relay already in progress to rescue LizAnn through today, November 27, Thanksgiving Day. So much has happened to not only LizAnn but to all of us that know her and love her. Because of you LizAnn, this community in our beautiful corner of the universe has come together for one common simplistic reason: To unconditionally help another human being. You have been not only an insipration but also a catalyst for random acts of kindness. Thank you Amber and Bobbi Jo for being the messengers and collectively providing this site and the Helping Hands site as a platform for all of us to stay informed on how we can all proactively participate. And more recently, Peter Belshwender for synthesizing all the folks who have been helping with the house renovation. I am thankful for the sense of interconnectedness we all have on this day.
Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving To All!
John Kudrna
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
LizAnn's HOME!
Grins, tears, hugs and joy…LizAnn is home!
Hoots and cheers erupted from the crowd of forty friends as LizAnn wheeled herself into the terminal…bright and beaming. Nearing the loud enthusiastic crowd, she veered a wee bit off-course as emotion nearly overcame her. She quickly got back on course, a huge smile on her face. I wrapped her in a festive pink boa…others draped beads and leis as an outpouring of hugs were shared.
She looks good.
Hoots and cheers erupted from the crowd of forty friends as LizAnn wheeled herself into the terminal…bright and beaming. Nearing the loud enthusiastic crowd, she veered a wee bit off-course as emotion nearly overcame her. She quickly got back on course, a huge smile on her face. I wrapped her in a festive pink boa…others draped beads and leis as an outpouring of hugs were shared.
She looks good.
One little tyke was quite taken by her “big wheels.” He seemed like he wanted to climb aboard her chair for a ride. Some cute little girls gave her a little bag with iridescent glass pebbles…LizAnn asked intriguingly, “Are they magic?”Her nephew gave LizAnn a perfectly shaped heart rock on which he’d written “WELL COME HOME. I love you.” He found the rock all by himself (near his mother’s bed…!)
LizAnn’s brother John commented on the appropriateness of the word “WELLCOME.”
She is well. She is home.
-Amber Jean
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Flight Home
LizAnn is scheduled to return to Bozeman on a United flight from Denver this Wednesday, Nov 19th at 4:15 pm. Everyone is encouraged to come welcome her home. People who’d like to carpool to the airport can meet at the South end of the Target/BobWards/Petsmart parking lot at 3:45. We’ll update the website during that day if there are any changes or delays in the flight that we know of.
Three months have passed since the weekend of August 16th when LizAnn summated Mt Cowen and began the decent which led to a whole new journey and ascent in her life. Her homecoming is a new chapter…filled with emotion, trepidation, excitement, courage, and determination. Your presence and positive energy at the airport may be a touching and supportive re-entry to a community she loves. Your patience, compassion, enthusiasm, friendship and goodwill will continue to be of great assistance for her journey in the months and years to come.
Thank-you,
Amber Jean
Three months have passed since the weekend of August 16th when LizAnn summated Mt Cowen and began the decent which led to a whole new journey and ascent in her life. Her homecoming is a new chapter…filled with emotion, trepidation, excitement, courage, and determination. Your presence and positive energy at the airport may be a touching and supportive re-entry to a community she loves. Your patience, compassion, enthusiasm, friendship and goodwill will continue to be of great assistance for her journey in the months and years to come.
Thank-you,
Amber Jean
Friday, November 14, 2008
Preparing for Her Return
LizAnn will be discharged from Craig Hospital today. She still has some things to do/work-out/finish up so she and her sister Jane will be moving to family housing at Craig until everything is finalized…and then she can return home and embark on the next chapter of her post-accident journey. We believe she’ll be flying home with Jane sometime mid-week next week (we’ll keep you posted).
She taught her 2nd Pilates class to staff earlier this week. Teaching is brave and empowering … a positive action in the midst of the emotional challenges during this time of transition and healing. Her body is still healing (and will be for many more months) . Though her strength increases daily, she tires easily. She is enthusiastic about swimming (photos below).
In preparation for her return next week, Bobbi Jo sent the following note about helping out:
From: Bobbi Jo
HI everyone.
A quick note about the remodel and meals at Prefix...
HOUSE REMODEL NEEDS
If there is any one in the crowd or if anyone knows of someone willing to look at the following, please let me know: PeterBelschwender@onsitemangagement.com1. Laying linoleum, marmoleum, or laminate flooring in the Kitchen, Bedroom and possibly the Bathroom.
PREFIX UPDATE
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 1:43 PM
Subject: Prefix
Hi everybody
I want to report on Prefix. As of Nov 13th we have $390 for food. I talked to the prefix people and have decided to put $235 towards meals in Nov and then do another order for meals in Dec. I found a coupon in Smart Shopper for free asembly of food. If we get another coupon prefix will honor it for Dec, so would people look for that coupon and send it to me (18139 Bridger Hollow Bozeman, MT 59715 ). Thanks so much. It is amazing how wonderful and generous people are! Leslie Dominick
OTHER NEEDS...
Interested in helping with other meals, shoveling a walk, doing chores or a weekly house tidy for Ms. LizAnn??
Log on to her website at Lotsa Helping Hands: http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/608489/
(You are required to register to be able to view and use this helping hands site)
She taught her 2nd Pilates class to staff earlier this week. Teaching is brave and empowering … a positive action in the midst of the emotional challenges during this time of transition and healing. Her body is still healing (and will be for many more months) . Though her strength increases daily, she tires easily. She is enthusiastic about swimming (photos below).
In preparation for her return next week, Bobbi Jo sent the following note about helping out:
From: Bobbi Jo
HI everyone.
A quick note about the remodel and meals at Prefix...
HOUSE REMODEL NEEDS
If there is any one in the crowd or if anyone knows of someone willing to look at the following, please let me know: PeterBelschwender@onsitemangagement.com1. Laying linoleum, marmoleum, or laminate flooring in the Kitchen, Bedroom and possibly the Bathroom.
PREFIX UPDATE
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 1:43 PM
Subject: Prefix
Hi everybody
I want to report on Prefix. As of Nov 13th we have $390 for food. I talked to the prefix people and have decided to put $235 towards meals in Nov and then do another order for meals in Dec. I found a coupon in Smart Shopper for free asembly of food. If we get another coupon prefix will honor it for Dec, so would people look for that coupon and send it to me (18139 Bridger Hollow Bozeman, MT 59715 ). Thanks so much. It is amazing how wonderful and generous people are! Leslie Dominick
OTHER NEEDS...
Interested in helping with other meals, shoveling a walk, doing chores or a weekly house tidy for Ms. LizAnn??
Log on to her website at Lotsa Helping Hands: http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/608489/
(You are required to register to be able to view and use this helping hands site)
Monday, November 10, 2008
A Mountaintop and Pilates Class
LizAnn will be returning home sometime next week (exact date is not yet known). Her sister Jane will be leaving Wednesday to help pack up and bring LizAnn back to Bozeman. Two girlfriends visited and spent the weekend with LizAnn at Craig. They went to Pike’s Peak on Saturday...a big day for LizAnn. After an hour drive, they arrived near the peak, then rode a train to the top of the mountain. She said it felt good to be “so high up there.”
She taught her first Pilates class at Craig last week. “Chair Pilates” was attended by staff and patients alike. LizAnn found it challenging but good to “get back after it.”
Peter continues to make impressive progress with a batch of generous volunteers working together to remodel her home.
Everyone has been so beautifully supportive of LizAnn during her journey. Upon her return there will be more opportunities for people to pitch in and help out. Bobbi Jo has lined up a webpage at the “Helping Hands” site…a wonderful tool/calendar to facilitate coordination of volunteers…see below:
She taught her first Pilates class at Craig last week. “Chair Pilates” was attended by staff and patients alike. LizAnn found it challenging but good to “get back after it.”
Peter continues to make impressive progress with a batch of generous volunteers working together to remodel her home.
Everyone has been so beautifully supportive of LizAnn during her journey. Upon her return there will be more opportunities for people to pitch in and help out. Bobbi Jo has lined up a webpage at the “Helping Hands” site…a wonderful tool/calendar to facilitate coordination of volunteers…see below:
Helping Hands Website
HI ALL-
For those of you who have not been swinging hammers in the remodel preparation at LizAnn's house, here are some other opportunities to provide a 'helping hand'! A webpage has been created to help organize some of LizAnn's daily/weekly/monthly needs, to help her (and her family) smoothly transition and settle back into her life in Bozeman. Some general info about the website is below:
"Lotsa Helping Hands" — is a simple, immediate way for friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to assist loved ones in need. It’s an easy-to-use, private group calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers, where everyone can pitch in with meal delivery, rides, and other tasks necessary for life to run smoothly during times of medical crisis, necessary caring, or family caregiver exhaustion. It's also a place to keep the "circles of community" informed with status updates, photo galleries, message boards, and more. (the later will prob. be more to date on LK's web/blog site)
Visit our community 'helping hands' site for LizAnn!
To start the registration process, click on the link below, and enter your email address under “Interested in becoming a member of this community??? http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/608489/
Once you've logged on to LizAnn's Helping Hands site, poke around, click on the calendar button. Any green highlighted date means there is a task looking for a volunteer to help out. below the calendar there are a list of tasks (meals, chores, cleaning, shoveling...). You can click on this as well and sign yourself up. Each task has a different leader to contact if you have questions. The site is pretty self explanatory and will send email reminders 1 month, 1 week and 1 day in advance for those tasks you signed up for! The calendar goes through December. We will let folks know when we've added tasks or when LizAnn has moved from Merry McKenney's to her own house.
On behalf of the Kudrna family and LK herself, Thank you for your thoughtful assistance AND for your patience in taking one more 'web-step'! We'll keep you posted on LizAnn's arrival date.
Bobbi jo
For those of you who have not been swinging hammers in the remodel preparation at LizAnn's house, here are some other opportunities to provide a 'helping hand'! A webpage has been created to help organize some of LizAnn's daily/weekly/monthly needs, to help her (and her family) smoothly transition and settle back into her life in Bozeman. Some general info about the website is below:
"Lotsa Helping Hands" — is a simple, immediate way for friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to assist loved ones in need. It’s an easy-to-use, private group calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers, where everyone can pitch in with meal delivery, rides, and other tasks necessary for life to run smoothly during times of medical crisis, necessary caring, or family caregiver exhaustion. It's also a place to keep the "circles of community" informed with status updates, photo galleries, message boards, and more. (the later will prob. be more to date on LK's web/blog site)
Visit our community 'helping hands' site for LizAnn!
To start the registration process, click on the link below, and enter your email address under “Interested in becoming a member of this community??? http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/608489/
Once you've logged on to LizAnn's Helping Hands site, poke around, click on the calendar button. Any green highlighted date means there is a task looking for a volunteer to help out. below the calendar there are a list of tasks (meals, chores, cleaning, shoveling...). You can click on this as well and sign yourself up. Each task has a different leader to contact if you have questions. The site is pretty self explanatory and will send email reminders 1 month, 1 week and 1 day in advance for those tasks you signed up for! The calendar goes through December. We will let folks know when we've added tasks or when LizAnn has moved from Merry McKenney's to her own house.
On behalf of the Kudrna family and LK herself, Thank you for your thoughtful assistance AND for your patience in taking one more 'web-step'! We'll keep you posted on LizAnn's arrival date.
Bobbi jo
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
LizAnn's Coming Home
HI ALL-
Exciting news... our dear LizAnn should be checking out of her residence at Craig Hospital November 13th and arriving in Bozeman around November 15th (exact date/time will be announced closer to the day). She's been working hard physically and emotionally preparing herself for her long awaited return. Although after speaking with LizAnn, she's amazed how much she has been through and it's only been 3 months! Craig staff feel she's ready and has the skills and strength to return to life in Bozeman. LizAnn will be living with Merry McKenney initially, while awaiting needed permits and construction at her house.
Like most new journey's there are moments of anxiety, joy, uncertainty, confidence, etc... It's time for her friends and family to help make this transition as smooth as possible. With this in mind, will soon launch a 'helping hands' website where you can sign up to deliver meals, help with errands, shovel the walk, clean.... The website will go live as soon as we get more info from the Boss (LK herself)- hopefully this weekend. The site offers a schedule to help manage the tasks and many eager & loving helpers - it even sends out reminder emails for the tasks you sign up for!
In the meantime- for those rarin' to prepare a frozen meal or support a meal - here's your opportunity!
1) Leslie Dominick has organized a 'meal plan' at Prefix for those who prefer to support a meal financially (GOAL: purchase 12 meals with 4-5 servings for $235). You can write a check out to Prefix (funds need to be received by Leslie by November 21st) and send to:
Leslie Dominick
18939 Bridger Hollow
Bozeman, Mt 59715
If you have any questions call Leslie @ 582-5442.
2) LizAnn's sister Jane will have a cooler on her front porch if you'd like to deliver a frozen meal at your convenience . Drop off food at 612 N Montana with the following information written on it: date made, contents of the dish, and who made it.
Stay tuned for more volunteer opportunities & arrival information. ~ Bobbi jo
Exciting news... our dear LizAnn should be checking out of her residence at Craig Hospital November 13th and arriving in Bozeman around November 15th (exact date/time will be announced closer to the day). She's been working hard physically and emotionally preparing herself for her long awaited return. Although after speaking with LizAnn, she's amazed how much she has been through and it's only been 3 months! Craig staff feel she's ready and has the skills and strength to return to life in Bozeman. LizAnn will be living with Merry McKenney initially, while awaiting needed permits and construction at her house.
Like most new journey's there are moments of anxiety, joy, uncertainty, confidence, etc... It's time for her friends and family to help make this transition as smooth as possible. With this in mind, will soon launch a 'helping hands' website where you can sign up to deliver meals, help with errands, shovel the walk, clean.... The website will go live as soon as we get more info from the Boss (LK herself)- hopefully this weekend. The site offers a schedule to help manage the tasks and many eager & loving helpers - it even sends out reminder emails for the tasks you sign up for!
In the meantime- for those rarin' to prepare a frozen meal or support a meal - here's your opportunity!
1) Leslie Dominick has organized a 'meal plan' at Prefix for those who prefer to support a meal financially (GOAL: purchase 12 meals with 4-5 servings for $235). You can write a check out to Prefix (funds need to be received by Leslie by November 21st) and send to:
Leslie Dominick
18939 Bridger Hollow
Bozeman, Mt 59715
If you have any questions call Leslie @ 582-5442.
2) LizAnn's sister Jane will have a cooler on her front porch if you'd like to deliver a frozen meal at your convenience . Drop off food at 612 N Montana with the following information written on it: date made, contents of the dish, and who made it.
Stay tuned for more volunteer opportunities & arrival information. ~ Bobbi jo
Monday, November 3, 2008
House Remodel Underway
A group of volunteers met with Peter Belschwender Saturday to begin the remodeling project for Liz Ann's home. Work on the project will continue this Saturday. Contact Peter if you are inclined to pitch in and help. PeterBelschwender@onsitemangagement.com
LizAnn wrote in an e-mail today, "A big gigantic thank you to all. I am filled with love and gratitude."
Peter wrote the following project update:
"Thanks so much to everyone who helped out this past Saturday. We did get more done than I had hoped for!
Tammy, Barb and I did speak with Liz Ann on Sunday and there are a couple of headlines concerning the project and schedule.
First, we will be site constructing the Ramp at the house and not buying a premade all steel ramp, so I’ll be getting materials organized this week and we will want to be getting after that this weekend, assuming we have the go ahead from city planning.
Second, we will be waiting to close up any of the walls with drywall until Liz Ann reviews the project on the 14th or 15th. This means that we will be focusing on rerouting plumbing and electrical along with continuing to rough frame these next two weeks.
For this next Saturday the following should be happening at the house:
1. Ramp – dig for landing slab, pour concrete landing, frame upper ramp and landing, layout and start framing lower ramp, possibly start on railing.
2. Demo cast iron waste and vent pipe, reroute plumbing under bath, rough in washer supply and waste, rough in dryer vent, rough in new shower fixture.
3. Stain new doors, paint closet shelving.
4. Set door jambs and continue work on the Washer / Dryer / door to bedroom area.
Also, if there is any one in the crowd or if anyone knows of someone willing to look at the following, please let me know:
1. Refinishing the oak entry floor.
2. Laying linoleum, marmoleum, or laminate flooring in the Kitchen, Bedroom and possibly the Bathroom.
That is it for now. Hope to see you Saturday, Peter"
LizAnn wrote in an e-mail today, "A big gigantic thank you to all. I am filled with love and gratitude."
Peter wrote the following project update:
"Thanks so much to everyone who helped out this past Saturday. We did get more done than I had hoped for!
Tammy, Barb and I did speak with Liz Ann on Sunday and there are a couple of headlines concerning the project and schedule.
First, we will be site constructing the Ramp at the house and not buying a premade all steel ramp, so I’ll be getting materials organized this week and we will want to be getting after that this weekend, assuming we have the go ahead from city planning.
Second, we will be waiting to close up any of the walls with drywall until Liz Ann reviews the project on the 14th or 15th. This means that we will be focusing on rerouting plumbing and electrical along with continuing to rough frame these next two weeks.
For this next Saturday the following should be happening at the house:
1. Ramp – dig for landing slab, pour concrete landing, frame upper ramp and landing, layout and start framing lower ramp, possibly start on railing.
2. Demo cast iron waste and vent pipe, reroute plumbing under bath, rough in washer supply and waste, rough in dryer vent, rough in new shower fixture.
3. Stain new doors, paint closet shelving.
4. Set door jambs and continue work on the Washer / Dryer / door to bedroom area.
Also, if there is any one in the crowd or if anyone knows of someone willing to look at the following, please let me know:
1. Refinishing the oak entry floor.
2. Laying linoleum, marmoleum, or laminate flooring in the Kitchen, Bedroom and possibly the Bathroom.
That is it for now. Hope to see you Saturday, Peter"
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Vietnamese Food and a Strong Upper Body
LizAnn's friend Amy visited her last weekend. She wrote an update to share:
Here's a little summary of my visit:I had a wonderful visit with Lizann last weekend. Her friend Chet wasalso visiting, and after joining Lizann in her exercise routine in theCraig gym, the three of us went out looking for some adventure in sunnyDenver. We ended up having "pho" for lunch (a Vietnamese noodle soup) ina hole-in-the-wall where we were the only non-Asians, and then
shoppingfor interesting food in a huge Asian market -- we'll have to experimentwith some new cooking this winter!On Monday Lizann had me suit up to join her in the pool for her twiceweekly swimming workout. As you can see by the photos, this woman isDETERMINED in the pool! She has obviously been working out her upperbody, because she is strong! We experimented with some leg floatation,which really made a difference in her stroke and body position. I'm goingto investigate what other para swimmers have figured out in that area, andam really looking forward to working (out) with Lizann back in the Bozemanpools!Amy Kelley
Here's a little summary of my visit:I had a wonderful visit with Lizann last weekend. Her friend Chet wasalso visiting, and after joining Lizann in her exercise routine in theCraig gym, the three of us went out looking for some adventure in sunnyDenver. We ended up having "pho" for lunch (a Vietnamese noodle soup) ina hole-in-the-wall where we were the only non-Asians, and then
shoppingfor interesting food in a huge Asian market -- we'll have to experimentwith some new cooking this winter!On Monday Lizann had me suit up to join her in the pool for her twiceweekly swimming workout. As you can see by the photos, this woman isDETERMINED in the pool! She has obviously been working out her upperbody, because she is strong! We experimented with some leg floatation,which really made a difference in her stroke and body position. I'm goingto investigate what other para swimmers have figured out in that area, andam really looking forward to working (out) with Lizann back in the Bozemanpools!Amy Kelley
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