LizAnn's Debut Movement Performance

March 3, 2009

Last night was the 3rd annual progressive art evening in Livingston, MT. The event concept begins with an artist creating a work of art in 3 days; the artwork is passed on to a writer who pulls inspiration from the piece and creates a written piece which is then passed on to the next artist as inspiration for their piece…etc. Each person has 3 days. For the past 2 months a group of writers and artists participated. Last night the project was displayed and each written piece was performed in succession by someone other than the writer. LizAnn attended the event a year ago with her friend Lara…and together they suggested to the event coordinator that the art form missing from the event was movement/dance performance. The event coordinator asked Lara months ago if she wanted to participate. Lara and LizAnn collaborated a few weeks ago and a video of their performance was played as part of the art progressive event last night.

We arrived at the venue after a fine dinner with a dozen friends. We rolled from the restaurant down the street (literally…since the curbs in Livingston are not handicap friendly…one of the many things I never noticed before but am so aware of now). The event was held in a local bar/dance club…upstairs…! After inquiring with the bartender, we were taken to the freight elevator by the owner. Large alarming signs announced “Freight Elevator -- NO people allowed!” The bar tender warned us that the elevator was “SCARY” and she hadn’t exaggerated. It was an open shaft with a big old chain and worn wood. Squeaking and groaning, the elevator slowly raised us as the owner operated it from above. I kept the chain from hitting LizAnn…we laughed and talked our way up the thing. Felt like we were in some old movie…and I half expected to see the Phantom of the opera or Lefou peering from the shaft above. Once upstairs we enjoyed socializing with dozens of friends. The event was well attended with standing room only. During LizAnn and Lara’s video portion of the evening I fought tears sprung from pride at the beauty, bravery and life LizAnn emanates in her performance just six months since her accident. Their contribution was a real crowd pleaser…enthusiastic clapping and hooting and hollering from the audience. So here’s the neat part: You can view the video of LizAnn and Lara’s performance on You Tube by following the link below. The video was played on the big screen in much higher quality than you’ll see on You Tube but you can get an idea of their creativity and art.
If you have feedback then I encourage you to direct it toward LizAnn directly via phone or e-mail. I will forward to LizAnn any e-mail that comes to me as well.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tFyMm_A-N4

Inaugeration Bash

LizAnn and friends were out celebrating the night of the inauguration at a packed private venue. I pushed her through the crowd when they replayed Obama’s speech on a big screen. She had missed the speech earlier in the day so we shared those joyous moments, me crouched behind her, arms around her. Afterwards, a young girl curiously and a bit shyly approached LizAnn to check out her chair. LizAnn asked little Ruby if she wanted up on the chair and after a shy but excited nod, LizAnn pulled her up and spun her around for a little ride on the edge of the dance floor. Once Ruby was done with her ride (I believe she would have been happy sitting there all night!) LizAnn and I began dancing on the edge of the dance floor. A handsome fella she didn’t know, approached LizAnn, grabbed her arms and began spinning her around. They danced the rest of the song. We danced and danced…at one point she yelled over the music, “Help me get in front of the stage! I’ve always danced center-stage…why stop now?!” So…we bumped our way to the front where we continued dancing, song after song…various men, lots of girlfriends, me, her sister Jane, and JoJo (the fella who broke her fall and spent the night on Mt Cowen with her)…each taking turns dancing with that beautiful woman.

New Year - A New Home

LizAnn spent the first night of the new year in her recently remodeled home. She is still settling into the new space, unpacking and getting herself set up there. Many people volunteered countless hours to the project. Peter Belschwender from On Site Management headed up the remodel. He performed an impressive job of keeping the project organized…setting a schedule and meeting deadlines. He also spent a big chunk of the last few months working on the place. His dedication and selfless service was key to the progress and realization of adapting LizAnn’s home to her new lifestyle. We are in awe of the kindness everyone has shown…your efforts are a testament to a caring community…her home a work of love…DEEPLY appreciated. LizAnn sends heartfelt thanks to all.

All Caring community activities (meals, shoveling, etc.) will now take place at her residence on 222 E. Koch.
Thank-you!

Amber

LizAnn Writes a Note

My dear good friends,
Some of whom I do not even know that well... some of whom are anominus,

I wanna thank you all so much. Such an amazing group of friends and gathering of our community. I was so overwhelmed that day I walked into the house and saw 15 or so people painting and continue to be overwhelmed with tears of gratitude and love. I can hardly believe the generousity of time and skills and favours that you all have offered me. The remodel of my house is beautiful and cool and uplifting. It is the most tangible of gifts. There are are gifts that are not as obvious, such as the wonderful, heart warming letters, the tastey meals and treats, the professional advice, and the thoughtful gifts over the last few monthes.
My heart has grown so large and I feel so very blessed by everbody's efforts.

It has been hard for me to thank everyone individually as I would like to because my tolerance for sitting at the writting desk or computer is limited by comfort and some pain. I still need my rest and that is still a hard thing for me to schedule into the day. I find that now that I am back in Bozeman, I have been trying to keep my old schedule of doing toooo much. Or just more than is good for me right now.
One of the many lessons I am trying to honor is to slow down. It is a hard one! But, I better get it down, cause it is how I am going to need to live life for a while. When I think about it, it is a wonderful process, to slow dow, we can savor moments and interactions with our friends. We can savor our food and wine. We can feel. We can feel more than we ever thought. We can realize our blessings. We can become perhaps more effective. So that is one( of many) of my new year resolutions, to slow down. Hopefully that will give me more
clairity on life and lifes offerings and choices. Hopefully I will become more complete by actually choosing instead of saying yes to everything. I will learn to choosen the more important things to do and focus on. I encourage you all to remind me anytime and to join me in some savory slowness!
As soon as I am settled I would love to invite ya all over to enjoy the new pad with me and share in some food and drink and let me appreciate you...of coarse it won't be any time too soon....
Now I will get back to some less enjoyable paperwork!!!
peace and good cheer to all of you

LizAnn

Solstice Celebration

I am just about to turn in after a lovely Solstice Celebration with girlfriends on a crispy cold winter’s eve here at my humble cabin home. Livingston town lights below twinkle like a Christmas card complete with fine ice-crystal sky which frosts everything in a winter night softness. Twelve beautiful women gathered (minus one… who unfortunately got in a fender-bender on the way here and decided to return home). Homemade taco soup (kind of like chili) made with antelope was served. Other extra yummy goodies, hot buttered rum, wine and chocolate truffles added to the festivity.

We held a ritual to honor the darkness and welcome the light. We burned that which we wanted to release. We talked of loss, and hope…set intentions and made wishes. We held hands. We sang. We laughed. We shed tears.

LizAnn added her spectacular brand of cheer and insight. Today was her first visit to my cabin since the August morning I made her and Leslie breakfast and called Joe for beta before they set off for Mt Cowen. I think of the full moon night Leslie spent with LizAnn at the lake in anticipation of their climb. The morning they set out for the summit, I went for a run in Paradise Valley and blew them kisses toward the ridge where I knew they were climbing.

I think of the night Joe spent with LizAnn in the gully. The same sleepless night I brought Leslie here after the last radio transmission when we could do no more for the rescue until morning. I made the phone calls to her family and fiancé, fed Leslie and began the e-mail messages. I think of all this humble home has held…am filled with awe…and love…and gratitude.

A few days ago LizAnn and I swam laps at the heated pool. She moves beautifully with strength and grace through the water. I strapped some weights on my legs and raced her, trying to just use my arms. Phew! We spent well more than an hour executing the post-pool shower/change since these things take extra time (so we fit in extra girl chat).

She is moving into her home this week.

A journey embarked by three and punctuated by one large loose rock has been entered into and shared by so many. Tonight LizAnn spoke of how profound the love has been. Deep shifts, raw honest humble living, lots of gumption and an indomitable spirit have been gifted to all of us who share her journey. I am full of gratitude for the contribution each of you have made…even your thoughts and certainly your love have added grace.

I want to send each of you a hug in honor of the darkness life carries and a smile for the light we have shared with our beloved LizAnn.

With bright light and the promise of longer days,
Amber

Thanksgiving Gratitude

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

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.

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

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

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)

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:

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

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

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"

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

Tragedy Strikes a Family Friend

Liz Ann’s brother John has a very good friend who was injured traumatically yesterday in a bicycle accident. Ed Farrar is an orthopedic surgeon (he operated on John’ back) and a good friend of John’s. Ed was riding his bike to work in Wenatchee yesterday morning when he was struck head-on by a motorist. He is in critical condition with a severe spine injury (higher than Liz Ann’s). Ed was a resource and sounding board for John and the family while Liz Ann was in ICU. Ed is a respected spine and neck surgeon who helped many people professionally as well as being an outstanding community member and athlete. He and John kayaked together, attended Wilderness First Responder together and are good friends. Ed continued to check with John and followed Liz Ann’s progress offering insight and advise to John, Liz Ann and the family.

We would like to ask you to include Ed and his family in your thoughts…sending them the kind of energy you continue to send Liz Ann. If you would like to know more about Ed you can read the article online at
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081023/NEWS04/710246540/1001

You’ve proven yourselves to be quite a force of healing goodwill and positive compassionate support. We thank-you.
- Amber Jean

Photos from Liz Ann's Sister Jane

Liz Ann and Jane

Liz Ann and Bus Driver

Group effort - a contribution to the Benefit Fund

Northern Lights is going to deposit $1000.00 into the Liz Ann Kudrna Benefit fund. The funds were raised during the “Real Rock Film Tour” September 19th in Bozeman. Sponsors for the event were Northern Lights, the Alpinist, and Barrel Mountaineering. The sponsors agreed unanimously to donate a significant portion of the funds raised during that evening to the fund set up for Liz Ann. The event featured rock climbing and mountaineering films.

The heart-warming support from the local climbing community is a gift and a blessing on many levels for Liz Ann
Thank-you.

-Amber Jean

Road Trip to See Liz Ann

Denise Musynowski and I (Jenny McCune) drove down to Denver in Denise's little red Prius to visit LizAnn this past weekend.Much has changed since I last saw LizAnn when she was in the hospital in Billings. No more chest brace, leg brace is soon to follow suit, and so much more independent!We caught up with her on Friday morning at the start of her day. She'd already dressed herself -- quite a feat when you consider her lower body can't really pitch in and she has to wear this clunky knee brace -- and we dined on a mixture of Chez Craig vittles and her secret stash of yummy Kashi cereal and fresh press coffee.Then I got to see Craig Hospital's rehab from the eyes of a supporter rather than a patient. (For anyone who doesn't know me, I have my own spinal cord injury from a cycling accident on July 5, 2007 and spent three months at Craig myself from late July through November 1.)Both Denise and I were exhausted just watching LizAnn work out. In addition to the occupational therapy and physical therapy, she had awheelchair class where she excelled in a game called "go ball," where each team and its teammates have to wheel the ball across the "field" and then throw it into the goal. The catch is each team mate has to touch the ball before it can go into the goal. It's part soccer, basketball and hijinks played in the large gym on the first floor of Craig West. There was muchhooting and hollering and lots of wheeling back and forth. Able-bodied people were invited to join in and grab a spare wheelchair to join in on the fun. Denise and I both didn't think we could keep up -- there were a lot of fierce competitors on both teams -- so we just gamely cheered Liz Ann on.I really enjoyed getting to see Liz Ann's weight class. Back when I was at Craig, I was on the quad track and since I didn't have much in the way of upper body, there was no weight workout for me and certainly not in a fully equipped weight room.Liz Ann and her buddies worked the whole circuit in the weight room while the stereo was blaring disco tunes. I had not heard so much Donna Summers since the 1970s. Among her other feats, Liz Ann did 130 pounds on a latt pulldown bar. The idea is by the end of her stay shall be able to manipulate at least her own body weight. At this point, she could easily benchpress me!After her therapy was done for the day, we went to an Indian restaurant. Denise and Liz Ann have their own particular kind of adventure. I had already jay walked across the street -- the first time I had jay walked since my injury! -- when I saw they were fiddling with the wheels for the wheelchair. The wheels have to come off in order to get them in the car and I guess one of them was not on securely. Fortunately, a local detective -- identified by the polo shirt he was wearing as well has a gun holstered under the armpit -- came to the rescue with a wrench in hand and got everything secured so LizAnn could wheel herself across the street without losing one of her wheel chair wheels.Saturday, was an exciting day for both of us. One of the fantastic therapeutic recreational women -- Carol -- offered to open the pool to LizAnn and her guests. We got to go swimming. Well, in my case it was more of a case of learning how to dog paddle again, but it was huge for me to actually be able to do that. The last time I was at Craig, basically someone had to support my body and move me around in the pool.But LizAnn, wow LizAnn! She is definitely going to have to join the Bozeman Barracudas when she gets back. There she is doing laps in the pool. Name the stroke and she did it. With each lap, she improved. She did the backstroke, crawl, butterfly, breaststroke, you name it. And as Carol, the T. Rec Person, pointed out, she was doing this all wearing this really heavy leg brace. Imagine not having the use of your legs and having a lead weight strapped to one of them. I can definitely see a triathlon or some Paralympic races in the future for Liz Ann.After swimming, we headed over to a local used clothing store to go shopping for Liz Ann's Halloween costume. Halloween is a huge holiday at Craig with all the doctors, nurses, nurse techs and patients gettingdressed up. Shopping is actually pretty challenging. The place we went -- Savers -- is cavernous and huge. I think it's an old supermarket. I know that Denise and I were just overwhelmed by the whole size and decibel level of the place. Liz Ann, I think, was too busy shopping to notice.After we got that out of the way, we headed to Boulder for little more shopping therapy. We had fun going up and down the streets of Boulder and going shopping at the Title Nine store. LizAnn and I took over the two dressing rooms. This is a huge step for me because I haven't had the confidence to even try clothes on just because it takes me so long to get dressed and undressed. Being with LizAnn, buoyed my spirits, I figured what the hell. So we all had fun trying on clothes.After a stop at Whole Foods to pick up some staples for LizAnn as well as shop for dinner, we headed back to the Rehab Ranch otherwise known as Craig Hospital.While we were out and about, LizAnn easily did six transfers to and from the car. She's definitely getting stronger and more adept in terms of getting out and about and dealing with ADLs, otherwise known as then activities of daily living. I feel much stronger and happier just having had a chance to see her in action again. Yahoo!Many thanks to Denise, our able-bodied friend. She did all the driving from Bozeman Downs in Denver and back and cheerfully and graciously helped me and LizAnn whenever we needed a helping hand.
- By Jenny McCune 10/20/08

Recent Photos

Here are a few photos from the visit Susan and Merry had with Liz Ann at Craig last weekend.

Humor remains one of Liz Ann’s strong points while she faces the many challenges of rehab. Reports of “laughing ‘til we nearly cried” were shared by Merry from their weekend together with Liz Ann at Craig. One of the humorous incidents involved a public restroom at the mall where they were all squeezed into the handicapped stall and realized how strange their conversation of the technicalities of “assisting” would have sounded to someone outside the stall.

Keep in mind Liz Ann’s love of humor as you send thoughts, notes, messages, and gifts to her while her rehab continues. She needs our energy, warmth, love and laughter to help fuel her through the rigors of another four weeks of rehab.

- Amber Jean

Launching the Remodel

Plans are underway to remodel Liz Ann’s Koch residence. Peter Belschwender from OSM has volunteered to head the project. Permits from the city must first be obtained once the scope of the project is determined, then we can come together to remodel Liz Ann’s “digs.” Many of you have expressed interest in helping with the project. If you have skills/resources/time to give then e-mail Peter with a description of your skill level and/or resources so that he can organize the various tasks. Please put Liz Ann’s name in the subject line of your e-mail. PeterBelschwender@onsitemanagement.com

Liz Ann watched the final debate last night. She has already voted “absentee.” She’s getting into tennis, improving with her swimming, has played football…in other words, typical to her style she hasn’t “missed a lick” and is participating in everything offered.