Hajimemashite Ft Worth, Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu

FT WORTH SUPPORT

First off, we would like to thank all of our new supporters from Ft. Worth and a special thanks to Yoshiko and Kaoru and Yuri for opening their doors to us and organizing the festivities. We had a wonderful time meeting everybody and visiting with you Sunday. It was just a fantastic and relaxing day for both Chie and me. Im sorry I spoke so little. I tend to get a little emotional and could go on for hours about all we have been through and how much it means to us to have your help, but it always ends up with me crying a river. I so did not want to have to end such a good day like that, again. I much prefer and its much easier for me to do it at home by myself while Chie is sleeping and I write the blog, arigatogozaimasu.
Chie was so happy to have made so many new friends. She just loved the Chie Bingo. What a creative and cool idea. For everyone not there, we played a game of Bingo dedicated to Chie. All the squares on the cards were things related to Chie and to get the square you had to know the meaning of its relationship. The judge was very generous and it was a lot of fun for everyone. It was a great way for everyone to learn more about Chie and her past. She, of course, loved everyones cooking, almost knocking out the leftovers shortly upon returning home. Tako Yaki was awesome and I am so embarrassed to not know how to make it. It is something I must learn to cook soon.
She talked all the way home about having to organize everyones phone number and telling me what we need to do to say thank you to everyone. It was very cute. We thank you all for everything; your contributions, gifts, cooking, conversation, kindness and friendship, but most of all, I thank you for the smile on her face and the happiness in her eyes, that is something you could not buy with all the money in the world. It means so much to Chie to have friends and be accepted, especially now, as the journey grows long, progress comes at a slow but steady pace, her awareness heightens to the realization of the depth of her situation. We both fell pretty scared, lost and alone at times when wondering what we will do next or what will happen in the future. It's these times when you learn the value and importance of things like, a smile, laughter, and friendship. For that we thank not only you, but everyone taking part in Chie's recovery from this unfortunate incident and the life you are giving her.
We could not do it without you
Chie and David

PS I ll post pictures soon. I seem to have forgotten my camera at Kaoru's place, summahenna, Gomen.

First Day of School!!!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!

We are playing catch up, but I wanted to share some pictures and fill everyone in on how things have been going from home.

It is really great to have Chie home!!!!

This was her first day of therapy from home. She was very excited and a little nervous about whether her driver was going to make it or not. She kept asking if I was sure she had our address and if I had called to make sure she was coming. It was about 7:40 in the morning when our new and friendly driver made it to the house. Chie was so very happy to hear that she made it with no problems at all. She said that Chie talked all the way to clinic! Chie came home just as excited and adjusted well to her new longer day!

Message from CHIE!!!

Hello, how are you doing? Its still cold out, isn't it?? I found its still hard to wake up in the morning and I found its still so easy to go to bed at night. Therapy is hard but its working I hope. We have been using our arms a lot last week and the week before. I hope this will help me to move my left and right hand more precisely.

HOme is the best!!! home sweet home! As you know I can tell any small selfishness to David , to my papa, so its the best. Sorry but I cant go back to apartments now cause home is so nice. I talk to my old friend still. His name is Ralph. Ralph is a very unique guy. He's my best friend. I love him and he loves me. He went back to his home town but we talk on the phone. He says he will call me back soon, but he calls me back later, but I understand so I dont say anything.

To other people, I need help still. I still need help a lot still, a lot. I need help in English and Japanese both. It's a long way to go back the way I was, but I want to. I want to tell David, do this; Dont do that! but I try not because I am sick. I want to say it more more more , but I cant. I miss everybody who came to see me at the apartments. Its ok , just come to say hello or goodbye, or see you later and that gives me power to wait to see you next time.

And all the therapist, Thank you so much and all the people, Thank you so much.

2 weeks ago, I went fishing to Lake Texoma. I met Captain Tim!! It was very fun!!! For the first time, I caught a fish!! and captain Tim took us everywhere on lake Texoma, and I took fish and Capatain Tim took fish, and Dave took fish and we were all happy!!!! I met Captain Tim's new dog, Beau. Beau is a brilliant dog. Shadow is a friend of Beau, and Shadow was there but since Beau is here Shadow kind of goes around. If anybody finds Shadow please let us know. Please call this number 469 363 6611, and I will be home after 4:30 and I can answer the phone. I need to have a dog and I want to haave a dog. Yesterday we went to the dog park with Keiko who has Sakura, which is my old friend and with Maiko, my new friend who has pepper, and they are soooooo cute!!!! Unfortunately Rajit was at work with Megu. According to Keiko Megu is only good for Rajit. Megu is not a social dog. I dont believe it but mama says so so maybe. Anyway, we had a great time and we came back to our place and pepper and Sakura and their mama's and me came back to our house and we drank tea and talked. that was very fun. See like that, you dont have to stay long at all and it was an excellent time. That is what I call fulfilling life. Last Saturday too, I went to eat with Richan. We ate Peruvian food and it was excellent too. Thank you Richan. and Curry too, it was sooo good , thank you Akikochan.

LIke this please come everybody , please come to say hello , you dont have to spend a long time just to say hello. If you have any questions you are welcome to call my house or Dave's cell phone (above). Thats about it, Thank you very much

CHIE

Thanks everyone, We are getting used to being at home now. Chie is adjusting to the longer days and is doing pretty well. She does miss seeing everyone so I want to invite all the Dallas people to visit if you like during the week. I know its a bit far for those of you way out west and I love and thank you all so much for your visits and the food you brought Chie. Its so very important to her recovery to have friends and speak in both English and Japanese. So, If you live near 635 & Northwest Highway and would like to come see Chie please contact me at the number above and we can set something up!!

Take Care and we will see you soon,

DAVID

AND WERE BACK Sorry for the delay

CHIE IN THE HOUSE

Well, I know it has been a while but we are back and continuing to keep you all up to date with Chie's progress. I am sorry for the delay. It has really been a handful keeping up with everything here at home. I have just been so busy helping to teach Chie all the new surroundings, routines, and just getting used to being at home, along with cooking, dishes, laundry, cleaning, prepping lunches / breakfast, appointments, work, etc.... that I have not been able to get the blog going. Now I hope to get back in the rythm and get you all updated.

Despite being transferred out of inpatient at the apartments for whatever reason, I have no idea!, Chie is doing really well here at the house. Happy to be home and happy to have gained some independence to do things on her own. We have tried to get the house fixed up as best we could for her return. We would like to especially thank DARS (Disabled and Rehabilitative Services) Margo and Kay as well as Chet and Cindy at Home Ready Rental for getting approved and finding so much of what we needed. She has a whole room with all her lotions and clothes on shelves where she can see and reach them. She prepares her clothes for the next day by herself every evening. She has all of her lotions and chip chap in order and put where she wants it to be kept. The bathroom door is widened and hand rails are installed, so she no longer has to wait on someone to take care of business. We have snacks out where she can reach them and keep food and drinks on the lower shelves of our fridge so she can get to them if she is hungry. She has even been able to use the microwave to warm something to eat up for herself. She loves the shower where she can sit until the hot water runs out. We use hands free two wave radios to communicate when we are not in the same room . She just starts talking and I can hear and respond to her every need, and they can be demanding at times!!! We are getting different stations in order so she will have a variety of things to occupy her time if she is left alone.

Now she commutes from the house and I am happy to say that she no longer uses her wheelchair when she goes to therapy!!!! Her goal this year is to walk so we decided that is just what she will do. She takes her walker to school and reserves the wheelchair for weekends and the house!!! Oh, and she did walk when we went to see the doctor. She wanted to show her what she could do, and she made sure to shake hands with her left, rememberring the day when nobody thought she would ever use her left arm again. Yeah Chie!!! Its a longer day for her and we were all worried about how she would endure, but she has managed pretty well. She has had a few slips and a couple of falls. They about scared me to death. She said she was ok though. I just cant be there 24/7. I watched her take the first fall while cooking dinner. She just got mixed up on how to transfer and stood up, lost her balance, and down she went. We are really working hard on stressing safety. One of her deficits is the ability to distinguish safe and dangerous situations. She is learning but has attempted a few not so favorable tasks. Twice while waiting for our driver she has gotten up out of her chair all by herself and walked to the door. The first time I caught her, she was halfway out the door!!!! I was shocked but she just smiled and said " I didnt think you would check. I am waiting for the driver." She got in TROUBLE for that one. The other time she walke to the door just in time to realize that our door opens inward and she cant back up in the walker! OOPS!! I try to stress the safety but not be too harsh, I have to respect the "FIGHT" in her and try to understand that she wants to do so much more. She really is doing a lot of work at home and just doesnt realize it. She wears herself out and has been crashing pretty early. This has begun to frustrate her and makes things harder for us to get dinner and bathed and ready for bed. We will see what we can do to fix that.

She misses many of you who came to see her at the apartments. We thank you so much for all you do and did for us. She hopes you will come visit soon to our house, but she knows it is far for you and understands if you cant come very often. We will be here and you are always welcome anytime you can make it.
Thanks and will talk to you all soon.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR
TO EVERYONE
I want to wish everybody a very VERY Happy New Year for every single person. I wish this to be wonderful new year for this coming new year 2008. My goal is to be able to walk this year without a walker, ,,so I hope that lots of people support me continuously too. Thank you to everyone who is supporting me.
Thank you very much for coming to the party, It was the nicest time I have ever had. Its the nicest party I have ever had. I thank you so much. I hope everyone had fun too. I really hope you had fun. I had fun too. I hope you will come and see me now that you know where I live, not only the people who came to the party but everyone can come see me. I wish I could say to every single person "Thank you sooo much. I had a wonderful time. " You can come see me anytime. Thats all now. Bye Bye
Chie

Chie also wants to send a very special thank you to all of her supporters from Mrs. Slabaugh's class way up in the Buckeye state of Ohio for cheering her up today. Your cards brought smile after smile to her face. They are very special and she will keep them always!

Thanks everyone for coming to the party Saturday. You made the day special for Chie. Chie had an excellent time. She was soooooo happy to see so many of you. She got a little worried at first and was telling me that "it would be Great if even one person came." It was very cute. We do thank you all for coming and hope to see you soon.
Happy New year!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS / video message!!

MERRY

CHRISTMAS

CHIE AND I WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! WE HAVE TRIED TO RECORD A HOLIDAY MESSAGE FOR YOU ALL SO I HOPE THIS WORKS.

PARTY TIME !!!!!!!!

PARTY TIME ! ! ! ! ! !

COME ONE, COME ALL,

NEXT SATURDAY,
DECEMBER 29TH
FROM 2PM to 8PM

NOW THAT CHIE IS HOME WE WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY "THANK YOU" TO ALL OF YOU, FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR US.

PLEASE JOIN US AT OUR HOUSE:
1121 ATLANTA DR.
GARLAND TX 75041

CHIE IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT GETTING TO MEET MANY OF YOU, SOME FOR THE FIRST TIME! WE HAVE BEEN SO BUSY THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT AND SEE EVERYONE FOR A WHILE AND CHIE IS HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING UP WITH THE CARDS AND REMEMBERING EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING (ME TOO). WE WOULD LOVE FOR EVERYONE TO DROP BY AND SHOW HER JUST HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE BEHIND HER AND PULLING FOR HER, SO PLEASE DROP BY AND SAY HELLO, GRAB A DRINK, HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT, AND SPREAD SOME HOLIDAY CHEER. FEEL FREE TO BRING A DISH IF YOU LIKE.

RSVP AT CHIE118@HOTMAIL.COM

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SATURDAY