upate , 12-14-2009

Hello Everybody,,,  Wanted to update anyone , who may actually read this.  I know its been sproradic lately, the updates, but its just really emotional for me to do it right now.  Its the holidays and that is always a tough time, especially when you are broke and alone, lol.  Anyways, Sorry for the inconvenience. 

Chie has been in very good spirits the last few times I have spoken with her!!  We were able to speak on the webcam and I could snap a picture of her to show you.  She also sent me a picture yesterday via her phone.  She has been in pretty good spirits and generally seems happy.  She continues at here rehab and is working hard everyday.  She told me she was practicing standing in her room the other day.  I am not sure if she was supposed to be doing that or not, she would  not say even if she wasn't, lol.

Her friends seem to be visiting pretty regularly on the weekends so that is good.  We thank everyone who continues to support her and visit her.  It does mean a lot to her.  She got to go shopping yesterday!! I know she enjoyed that.  I wonder if she spent hours searching for a 5 dollar work shirt like she used to?  And she wondered why I didnt want to go, lol. 

She recieved many cards she said from the kids!!!  Thanks a lot for those , especially to those of you out in the Ft. Worth crew.   Hope to see you again soon.   She really enjoyed reading them  and to those of you who have emailed her too, if she doesnt email back, she probably just got distracted.  Keep sending those emails,  she will get back to ya!!!

She has been bothered by the fact that everyone keeps telling her its cold and she should wear a long sleeve shirt!!!  Due to her injury , the hypothalamus was injured and it regulates her body temperature, so she does not feel cold nor does she want to wear a long sleeve shirt.  Finally, she succumbed to the pressre and began wearing one two weeks ago.   She said, , im not cold, but have on a long sleeve shirt cause everyone said I should wear one."  It was very cute. 

 She said she was gaining weight too.  I told her that it was ok,  she is still the most beautiful girl i have ever seen.  She has gained , about 8 kilos!!!  That would put her way on up around 130 lbs.  I think is much much too heavy, but  I dont know what they think over in Japan.  I know she got up around that weight when were were in the rehab and I about died!!1  She had a beer belly like mine and if you remember,  that is when we made our plea for Japanese food, which you all so graciously provided, and she dropped that weight in no time.  Chie had never weighed over 110lbs in her life before the accident.  I was worried the wieght may hinder her recovery since she wasnt used to hauling that much body weight.  Now , she is in japan,  on her native diet, and gaining weight so I dont know what to say or do about that.  Strangey!!

 She said she will not be able to come home again until next year.  I am hoping I can get the family to tell me when and we can have people come over to chat with her on the webcam so that she can see everyone .  She misses you all so very much and longs to return to dallas. 

As always , we thank you soooooo much

Happy Thanksgiving

We sincerely thank everybody for all they have done to help us through our hard times.  Chie has come farther than we ever could have expected and is still working hard everyday to better herself.  We want to say thank you for the life you have given back to her.  Without your support, Chie, no doubt, would not be where she is today.  We are forever greatful and in your debts.

Thank You

and

Have a Happy Thanksgiving

Well, It has been a while since I ve updated Chie 's blog. Im not sure if anyone reads this anyways, but it was just too emotional for me to keep it up for a while there. Chie is doing well. She remains in the rehab, where it looks like she will stay for a while, until her mother is out of the house. Chie doesnt seem to mind too much though, as her house is too smaill for her to move around in and there is not much for her to do there. She has been able to go home for the weekend about two or three weeks ago and she enjoyed that very much!!! We spoke on the webcams and she seemed like she was just fine.
She got a new watch to help her tell time and recently got her hair cut. She said she has a new wheelchair too!!!! Things sound like she is doing good. She has made a new friend who she enjoys spending time with. Chie said her friend helps her out very much. Im happy for her. I hope she is happy too.
She got to go to the park with her friend Akiko last saturday,, thanks so much for taking her.
The weather was nice and she enjoyed every second of the visit!!
Thats about it for now,

Hanging In There

I have continued to speak to Chie every week and have emailed her every few days letting her know that she can do it!! and that she is the best! Just letting her know that she is loved and missed. She is trying very hard to fight and stay positive but it is hard she said.

She is so greatful for those of you who have visited. It just means so much to her. She feels very very lonely and VERY BORED. She said some people visited for an hour or so, but that she is stuck there all day and night and nothing to do.

I know our friend did get to see Chie on the weekend and took her to the beach. Thank you so much!!! Chie had such a good time. It was her first time to leave the hospital in forever. She was just telling me how people talked about the weather, but it did not even matter to her, because she never has been out of the hospital. It made her feel so good, she said the smell was SEA, and it smelled good. THANK YOU!!!! She told me all about it and how much fun she had.

She was supposed to be going home for a night. I thought it was great that she is going to do it. She said it was because she had to go and see her doctor. Hopefully she will tell her family that she wants to go home on the weekends and can do some more things with her family or friends.

Her watch is broken, that is the reason she cannot tell time right now. I hope she will get a new one soon. I have told her family and hopefully they will get it repaired. It can be scary for her without any way of knowing where she is, what time or day it is, and without her memory, it is frightening for her. She said that nobody had cleaned her ears and she needed to shave under her arms. lol, she wasnt sure who was going to cut her toe and finger nails. I dont know if anyone at the hospital does this or not. They did not here in Dallas and I have always done it for her. I emailed the family to let them know and hope they will help her. Also, she is worried about her english and wants to speak with somebody in english. I have friends that are supposed to visit and call , but they have not yet. If anyone would like to help with that please let me know , 469 363 6611

I hope she is fine and doing ok, I miss her dearly and it has been so difficult to adjust to her not being with me. I guess when you love somebody you will always keep them in your heart. She said hello to everyone in Dallas and she misses Dallas and wants to come home. It just makes me so sad and breaks my heart to think that she is forgotten about. I hope she isnt. I know she is strong and will do well but its just hard to be away from her and not know how she is. I miss her so much, today especially.

Happy nneversary Chie,, I love you

DAVE

Chie Update

Well, I have spoken to Chie several times. She has instructed me to call her every Saturday night, Sunday morning for her, so that's just what I do.

She has been in very good spirits the last two weeks. She was very cute as she explained about her rehab. She explained about how she is worried about forgetting English. Everybody speaks Japanese at her rehab. She wants to speak to people in English to help her from forgetting. I have some friends who will be calling soon to talk with her. If anyone would like to chat with Chie on the phone please feel free to contact me 469 363 6611, and i can get you the number.

She likes the food they have been serving, its all japanese. She has had tempura, mobotofu, curry rice, and many more. NO complaints about the food.

She was very cute as she explained how she wanted to come home to Dallas, she doesnt like the fact that she must be polite to everyone there, LOL. Its been hard to make friends there for her she said but she thinks there is a new girl she may be able to make friends with.

She doesnt think that she is getting enough therapy. Its not long enough for her and she only sees her teacher twice a week. She has 15 people per class and she doesn't like that much because she doesnt receive good therapy or much attention.

Sadly, she called yesterday and felt like she was in trouble because nobody comes to see her anymore. She said she was just so bored and had nothing to do and nobody to talk to. I tried to give her a couple of phone numbers to our friends so she could call them and say hello. She understands that her therapy facility is far from all of her friends but that she was just so bored she didnt know what to do, and she felt like she was in trouble. She couldnt even remember what day it was she told me and that frustrated her. I guess she feels like she is just forgotten about and has no bearing on time anymore or days. She has nothing to look forward to right now as nobody comes or takes her out. She I dont believe has even been home yet on the weekend. Maybe I spoiled her trying to do so much with her or maybe its just a cultural difference and she needs to toughen up, I dont really know. I just hate to think of her being forgotten and feeling so lost.

She called back and said she had decided that she would like to try and read a book, maybe on with big letters or just not too small so she could read it with her magnifying glass. I ask what kind of book she would like to read and she decided she would like a comedy or something funny so she could feel happy again.

Thats about it for right now, She misses everyone here in Dallas very much and she really wants to come home. She said hi to UDONCHAN and sends her love to everyone here.

TAke Care,

D

Spoke To Chie on the phone!!!!! She seems to be doing ok. She has moved to her new rehab facility. She says it is small but she gets more therapy hours than she did at Kansai Rehab, so she is happy about that.
Chie said she felt a little alone because she was so far away from her friends and family now and that they could not visit as much. She vowed to stay strong and work hard on getting better while she remains there!!! She has been practicing her walker more and more to strengthen up her legs.
She wanted to say hello to everyone back in Dallas and say that she really misses you all and wants to come home and see you when she finishes up. Im sure she would love to get a card or visit from anyone right now, so if you are interested in helping boost her spirits please send them to the address in the previous post.
I only got to speak ot her briefly so didnt get all the details yet. I will post her updates just as soon as I get them.
Thanks.
D

Chie Update 7-2009 Kansai Rehab

! ! ! Recovery Still in Progress ! ! !

I just received word that Chie is doing well and continuing to make progress everyday at Kansai Rehab near her house in Toyonaka!

I had three reports from friends who had all been to see Chie recently. Thank you so much for visiting Chie. I know it makes her so happy and good to have someone visit her. It gets a little lonely at the hospital or rehab without friends and loved ones around. It also helps me and everyone else feel better to hear that she is doing ok.

She has been at Kansai rehab for almost two months now. She is beginning to use her walker now with confidence. She is happy to not be stuck in that chair all the time. She will finish up at Kansai rehab in about two weeks and she will then move to another rehab in Akashi. She said she can stay at that rehab a long time, but she feels like, until February, March, or April will be long enough for her. Then she will be ready for me to come and get her. She misses all her friends here in America and wants to come home and see them, and of course, UDon!!!. Udon misses Chie soooooo Muuuuucccchhhh too!!!!!!

GOOD TIME FOR A CARD OF ENCOURAGEMENT!!!!

I know this is a really hard time for Chie right now. She does not have me around to take her out to do things anymore and Im sure she gets lonely without many visitors coming to see her. We do thank all of you who have been to see her so much, so I was thinking now might be a really good time to send her a card to help encourage her and let her know her friends are thinking about her. You can send any letters or cards to her parents address in Japan and I am sure they will take them to her.

Please send cards to :

Shirafuji Chie

560-0025

Osaka, Toyonaka-shi

Tachibana-cho 3-15-18

Japan

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT

HIGHLIGHTS FROM JAPAN

Highlights from Japan

We got all packed and ready to go. Chie got to go shopping at Macy's to buy new clothes for the big trip!!!! We did the laundry and got our suitcases packed!! Finally, we were set! The flight went really well. We didnt have any problems at all. The people from American and JAL were great meeting us at our transfer and getting chie on and off the plane. We also would like to thank Nana from IACE travel for hooking us up with such a great flight.

When we made it back to Japan, we were greeted by her father and brother. It was great to see them again. It has been 4 years since Chie has been home to see her family and we thank you all for helping make it possible. Chie's mother looked pretty laying in her bed, but our hearts broke to see her in such condition. She is suffering from Parkinson's and can no longer move or speak. They say she can uderstand what is being said so we were happy for her to hear her daughter's voice, know that she was home, and loves her mother.

It wasnt long before Chie settled into her old home. It was kind of hard to maneuver around but Chie managed pretty well. She loved having her old favorite foods. It wasnt long until things were almost back to normal. Chie's father picking at every detail, Chie doing the same until she finally said, "I gotta get out of here. He's driving me crazy!!" It was of course in a loving way and I explained that, thats why they call them parents and not homies!

Despite being asked not to go outside, I tried to take Chie out for walks and to the park or store. We tried to do a lot in the little time we had. I have included the pictures for everyone. We went to Banpaku koen for hanami and to see the tulips. We spent a day on Maishima Sports Island at the Nagisa music festival. Chie had a ball there!! It was an all day techno / drum and bass festival. She even got and danced for a little while!!!! We went with old friends Joe and Kyle and Maki. We stayed all day and had a lot of fun as I am sure you can tell by the smile on Chie's face! We went to kobe to see old coworkers and our friend's bar ragtime. She went to Awaji shima with Momoyo and Kazu and saw the Akashi Ohashi. It was a lot of fun for her I believe.

Chie went to be examined by the doctors and she received her disability card from the government. She was accepted into Kansai Rehabilitation and will work there for two months. Afterwards, she will be going to Akashi to a rehab for continued therapy. I am not sure how long she will stay there. We told her that she had graduated past me and was to continue working on her own. I believe she must stay in japan to further progress. Now , she can focus on building her mind without translating. She had begun to plateau here, plus we had exhausted all of our resources. We had no more therapy left, no more money, and nobody to watch after her in the day time. I had to take medical leave from work in february as everything became too much for me to handle. I guess it all caught up to me, the strain and stress of the last 3 years. Now Chie is in a safe place with her family and friends. I on the other hand am pouring tears, missing Chie, alone and wondering if I can put this life back together.

I am hoping the family will keep me up to date on Chie's progress and I can in turn report it back to you. We love you all and thank you for making her recovery such a miracle.

D

Iterashaimase

Back in japan after a long time away. Chie is doing well here in Japana and happy to see her mother. Her mother cannot speak anymore and is bedridden with a feeding tube in place to eat, but she is alive and I am sure happy to hear Chies voice.
I cannot thank all of her supporters for helping to get her home to see her mother while she is still here with us. I could never have lived it down had we not made it in time for her to see her. Chie holds her mother in the highest regard and the one person she love and respects the most. It was on my mind constantly as we prepared for this trip and with all of your help we made it. I know to some it may not make sense but to others it does. In learning the Japanese culture as I am sure I have said before, they put their parents up there next to God and nothing else could explain it.
We are adjusting to the life here. Chie seems to be making the adjustment well, while I ,, well I am struggling. Its very small, is about all I can say. Spoiled, I guess I have been to bathrooms where more than One person can fit. My Japanese is rusty but managing to understand 20 percents and able to read the conversations anoth10 or 20, not that that maatters much to her father who speaks to me as if I was fluent and have lived here for 30 years. Instead of watchiing Yoshimoto Shinkigeki , I wake up every morning to *Shirafuji Shinkigeki* and can hardly stop smiling and laughing enough to communicate with anyone anyways.
There is not much for me to do here so I have just been spending days scouting out the trains and trainstops for handicap accessibility and bathrooms so that I can safely take Chie out for some site seeing or something in the near future. Its not so disabled friendly as the states but I am really impressed with some of the upgrades they have made towards that area. I should be able to get Chie out and about soon.
We did get to see some cherry blossoms before they went away and that was important for Chie and I both. JoJo is heree and helping me out. Good to see him and Yoshiko both and baby FIFI. Joe has one more on the way coming this august so I am hoping to steal him away for a vacation before he has his feet planted for the next 18 years. We are planning our proposal to the dear sweet , kiind , understanding , great , terrific , besst, ichiban Yoshiko at the moment. I hope she says YES!!! Iwill let everyone know
Yoshiko Danjo!!!!! Pleasse contact Mikio for us , we saw a very bad picture of Daisuke holding his shoulder and it not make us very happy. We hope he is ok and send our love to him and you all ,
We will try to keep this updated as much as possible for everyone, sorry no pictures,, I havent found my camera yet. Ithink it is somewhere in one of my bags , Ill findi t soon though , so keep checking back,
lots of love
DAVE

Benefit Concert Pictures!!

It was such a beautiful night , we thank all of you so much for all you help and support.

THANK YOU

FOR A

WONDERFUL NIGHT

We have finallly learned how to put the video on here and so Chie wanted to tell everyone thank you for such a wonderful evening. It took many takes for her to get this down. She was so overwhelmed that she could not put into words her feelings.

Thank you all,

2 Weeks To Go

Two Weeks To G0

and

Chie is getting excited! ! !

Chie is getting really excited about the upcoming piano concert!!! It was a couple of weeks ago that we had the pleasure of meeting and playing with the star performers, Yoko Unno, Yoko Black, and Mr. Nielson, as well as, Ms. Eva Gay Brown, Akiko Walker, and Ms. Yasuko Tachibana who are coordinating, organizing, and doing everything else to make this a success!

Chie is so excited about the upcoming concert thanks to our inspirational rehersal we had the other night. Chie is still quite motivated and has been practicing, not only at home, but has her keyboard set up at rehab and has been playing for her friends there too. I know I wrote about it shortly afterwards but wanted to share the pictures with everyone as well because you can really see the joy you all brought to Chie's face.

Let me first demonstrate her practices prior to our meeting;

Exhibit A

and then with the pianists,

I think she made a friend.

Thank you

thanks

We want to thank all those contributing kindness to Chie recently. We thank you folks so much for your help. We have seen new support come in from all over the United States, all the way from NE , PA to California. It could not have come at more needed time. I have a feeling much of that love came a little place on Shadybrook. Thank you for putting the word out.

Youre a legend ,,

cheers, to you all

and

we hope to see you as many of you as possible at the benefit concert!!

Chie takes back the piano with,

Hosted by International Music Friends,

two of the groups co-founders,

Yoko Black and Yoko Unno

will be performing as a duo for this special Occassion.

Chie,

will return to the piano for her first public performance since her accident accompanied by

Special Guest

The ever so delightful ...

Mr. Stephen Nielson

This unique group of talented musicians are joining forces for one night

in an effort to raise support

for Chie's cause

To be honest, I am very suprised!! However, I am getting ready.

The other day , my piano was tuned and Mr. Nielson came and ,,,It was soooo nice!! I t was excellent! He makes me so sunny. I am so jealous, the double Yokos are learning from Mr. Nielson.

I appreciate Ms. Eva Gay Brown, that was so nice of her to come and listen to my piano.

I could not use my left hand as I once had, but I was inspired by Mr. Nielson masterful touch of the ivories, allowing them to speak to me the feelings and emotions of the music I once played.

I want to be able to succeed on the 27th.

I want to smile on the that day."

After almost 3 years of day in, day out rehabilitation of nothing but hardwork and determination trying to recover a life she once had, she is now set to discharge from rehabilitation.

Her biggest battle throughout this whole ordeal was dealing with the fact that she was unable to leave therapy to return home and see her mother who has been suffering from Parkinson's Disease and was recently hospitalized four months ago. Chie desired to be with her mother always but could not halt therapy without loss of coverage.

Chie has not received any support from neither the U.S. nor Japanese governments. Now, with her mother's health taking a turn for the worse, She and her husband must return to Japan to be examined by their doctor in person and to aid her mother in her struggle.

All offerings of support will go to help her get home and see to her mothers health as well as, Prepare for her next stage of recovery at home alone and without all the therapists supervison and aid.