End of Summer Celebration

End of Summer Celebration

August 23rd 2pm-6pm

1121 Atlanta Dr.

Garland Tx 75041

The end of summer has finally come for us. Chie has graduated from CNS. We have taken a little time off and are adjusting to being at home full time. We would like to invite you all to our house to thank you for your continued support and celebrate the the many things we have to be greatful for as we step into the next stage of Chie's recovery.
I know we have not seen many of you in quite a while as we have stayed pretty busy preparing for our departure from CNS after almost two years. It is a little frightening for us as we sit in limbo waiting to see if or when funds will come through for Chie to resume therapy at Pate Rehabilitation. Unsure and insecure, we do not want to fall into a downward spiral of our fears, so Lets take this opportunity to boost Chie's spirits by getting together and show Chie the support she has behind her.
I will have some snacks and refreshments. You all know the level of my culinary skills, so if you want to bring something good, that is great! Really, your presence is enough, just come, relax, and enjoy!

We look forward to seeing you all

A NEW FAMILY MEMBER

A NEW FAMILY MEMBER

IT HAS NOW BEEN ABOUT 2 WEEKS SINCE WE GOT A CALL FROM OUR OLD FRIEND, CAPTAIN TIM. HE CALLED TO SAY THAT HE HAD A GROUP CANCEL THEIR FISHING TRIP AND FOR ME TO GET CHIE UP THERE SO WE COULD TAKE HER OUT FOR A RIDE ON THE LAKE. CHIE ASKED IF HIS DOG, BO, COULD COME AND HE SAID "SURE," SO WE PACKED A FEW BAGS AND OFF WE WENT FOR A BOAT RIDE ON TEXOMA!!

TIM SAID THE STRIPER WERE HITTIN'. HE CAUGHT FOUR 10 POUNDERS THE DAY BEFORE AND WE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT ANOTHER GROUP HAD TO THROW BACK 13 AND 15 POUND FISH. SOUNDED GOOD TO US AND TIM SAID WE COULD STAY IN HIS CABIN FOR THE NIGHT SO WE PACKED A SOMETHING TO EAT AND LEFT RIGHT AWAY!! IT WAS A FUN NIGHT RELAXING AND CHIE PLAYING WITH BO DIDDLEY.

WE GOT UP EARLY AND HIT THE WATER AT THE CRACK OF DAWN. IT WAS NICE AND COOL AND THE SUN WAS GORGEOUS RISING OVER THE WATER. THE FISH WERE THERE AND CAPTAIN TIM PUT US ON 'EM. WE GOT INTO THEM ON TOP WATERS FOR A WHILE. IT WAS EXCITING AND FUN, JUST CRUISING ON THE BOAT WAS ENOUGH, EVERYTING ELSE WAS GRAVY. IM SURE A MORE EXPERIENCED FISHERMAN COULD HAVE CAUGHT MORE, BUT THE EXCITEMENT OF SO MANY FISH HAD MY GAME OFF. I POPPED MY LURE SO HARD ONCE IS SHOT OUT OF THE FISH'S MOUTH AND SMACKED TIM SQUARE IN THE HEAD,( SORRY ABOUT THAT. DONT GUESS WE WILL BE GOING BACK ANYTIME SOON).

BACK AT THE DOCK WE WATCHED TIM FILLET THE BOUNTY AND GOT READY TO HEAD HOME. RIGHT BEFORE WE LEFT THOUGH, TIM ASKED IF WE COULD RUN BY THE HOUSE, HE HAD SOMETHING FOR CHIE. WE RODE OVER TO THE HOUSE AND TIM GOT OUT OF HIS CAR AND WALKED OVER TO HIS WORKSHOP, HE LOOKED BACK WITH AN ODD GRIN ON HIS FACE AND LEANED DOWN OPENING A DOG KENNEL. OUT POPPED A VERY CUTE LITTLE RED LAB PUPPY. I ABOUT HAD A HEART ATTACK, KNOWING I HAVE TOO MUCH ON MY PLATE AS IS. I WAS SHAKING MY HEAD "NO", TIM WAS SMILING AND LAUGHING TELLING ME THAT IT WILL BE GOOD FOR CHIE, AND BY THAT TIME IT WAS TOO LATE.

CHIE, NOW, HAD THE DOG IN HER LAP KISSING IT AND LOVIN ON IT, SO WHAT COULD I DO? WHAT COULD I DO? ASIDE FROM WANTING TO STRANGLE TIM, I GUESS I COULD JUST GO AHEAD AND TAKE IN A COUPLE OF GERIATRICS TO CARE FOR IN MY SPARE TIME. NOTHING IS TOO MUCH, IM FEELING INVINCIBLE NOW! THE WHOLE RIDE HOME I SPENT TRYING TO CONVINCE MYSELF THAT I AM NOT HAVING A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN WHILE OUR FRIEND BOBBY INFORMS US THAT THE DOG IS COVERED IN FLEAS.

WE SPENT THE REST OF THE RIDE HOME THINKING OF NAMES. SASSY WAS WHAT TIM'S GIRLS NAMED IT, BUT CHIE WANTED TO GIVE IT ANOTHER NAME. AFTER CONVINCING HER THAT, YOSHIKO, HER MOTHER'S NAME, WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA DUE TO THE FACT THAT SHE IS STILL , LIVING!!! CHIE HAD IT SET IN HER MIND THAT IT HAD TO BE NAMED BY THE TIME WE GOT HOME, NO MATTER WHAT. SHE SHOT DOWN ALL OF OUR SUGGESTIONS IN NO TIME FLAT AND FINALLY SETTLED ON "SASSY UDON BEBE." WE CALL IT JUST, "UDON" AFTE HER FAVORITE NOODLE.

FOUR BATHES AND HUNDRED BUCKS OF FLEA SHAMPOO, SPRAY, COLLAR, ETC..... AND THE THING WAS STILL SCRATCHIN', ALMOST AS MUCH AS ME. ALL I HAD TO DO WAS HEAR THE WORD "FLEA" AND i WAS SCRATCHIN AND FEELING THEM ALL OVER ME. BOBBY ASSURED ME THAT I WAS JUST PARANOID AS HE WATCHED ME THE WHOLE RIDE HOME AND NEVER SAW ANY ON ME DESPITE MY CONSTANT SWATTING , RUBBING AND SCRATCHING.

TIM CALLED THAT NIGHT, ABOUT TWO DAYS TOO EARLY. HE ASKED HOW THE DOG WAS AND I EXPLAINED ABOUT THE FLEAS , ME HAVING A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, HE CUT ME OFF THERE AND SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO CALL ME BACK, WISE CHOICE. IT WAS A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER BEFORE WE GOT BACK TO HIM AND LET HIM KNOW WE WERE OK AND ADJUSTING. HE TOLD US THAT IT WAS REALLY HIS GIRL'S DECISION. HE HAD TO ASK THEM IF THEY WOULD GIVE IT TO CHIE, AS IT WAS THEIR DOG, AND IT TOOK SOME CONVINCING BUT THEY AGREED THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR CHIE TO HAVE. WE THANK YOU GIRLS. CHIE LOVES THE DOG AND HAS BEEN WORKING HARD TO TRAIN IT AND FEED IT. ITS REALLY SMART AND LOVES THE WATER.

SO NOW WE HAVE A DOG, OH JOY. CHIE HAS BEEN DOING WELL WITH IT AND REALLY LOVES IT. I DO HOPE WE WILL BE PLEASANTLY SUPRISED AND IT TURNS OUT TO BE THE BEST DOG EVER! I REALLY DONT WANT IT TO RUN AWAY AND NEVER BE SEEN AGAIN.

**** I DO HOPE TIM WILL LET US KNOW WHEN THE GIRLS BIRTHDAYS ARE. WE WANT TO GET THEM SOMETHING SPECIAL TO SAY THANKS, REAL SPECIAL!!

TALK TO YOU ALL SOON AND THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

A RICHLAND REUNION

A RICHLAND REUNION

CHIE RETURNS TO HER OLD HOME,

THE M.C. (MulticulturalCenter)

REUNITES WITH CO-WORKER , FRIENDS ,

....HER SECOND FAMILY

LONG OVERDUE, but better late than never. Chie made the much anticipated trip back to her old job at Richland's Multicultural Center. Although she complains about forgetting everything her memories are there, we just have to find a way to tap into them. Seeing the campus and Thunder Duck Hall, where she worked for almost 3 years, seemed familiar to Chie as we parked and walked towards the building. We were no more than five feet in the building when she was overcome with excitement. She started telling me "She's the same! She's the same!" She quickly steered left to say hello to the lady working at the front desk who she remembered from going to work two years ago, and she remembered her as well. She rushed around the desk to give a big hug to Chie, telling her how she had been wondering what happened to her and when she would be back. It was pleasing to see that she didnt have any trouble recalling this friend. We have to hope hope that there is so much more just waiting to be triggered in her mind.

Chie was so excited to see everyone at the M.C. She has missed you all so very much, as you are such dear friends to her. She really enjoyed visiting with everyone and snacking on the wonderful foods you brought ( I have not forgotten the cookie sheet and will have it back soon. The cake was great!). It was good to catch up. I know we havent seen so many of you for such a long time. We cant thank you enough, I just dont know how to express just how much it means to us, all of your kindness, your endless support and wisdom, all of your understanding, willingness to help, offer suggestions and patience with me ( I know I have poured my heart out to many of you, overreacted, been absent minded, rude and god knows what else. I am sorry for my behavior).

Chie was overcome with emotions and excitement. It was a bit much for her right after the discharge. Did I say for her, excuse me, for us, I know it is for me. It is exhausting, believe me. We continue to work on her controlling her emotions so that Chie can present herself as composed, independent, poised and sophisticated drawing peoples attention away from her disability, so that when people see her, they do not see her as disabled. She has learned how to sit and position her arm so it does not noticeably shake, use good posture, speak clearly etc.. It is still very difficult and for many reasons. She has made stellar progress, so she always takes to heart when you tell her how she has improved. Just a little advice, Dont just say she has improved because she will call you on it, everytime, "really? how? In what way?" It means everything to her. She is well aware that she cannot notice her progress on a day to day basis and we work at it all day everyday, so you better believe she is gonna want details.

Aside from the obvious reasons why its hard to contain her emotions , I can share with you what she has with me and kind of what she is going through. First and Foremost, She is inately Japanese, so right off the bat she is internally dealing with the conflict of how she has in some way let the team down. Why and/or what is her excuse for not doing her job?, who is having to do it? She needs to apologize for the inconvenience she has caused, and she feels ashamed, embarrassed. It sounds crazy, but I would be willng to bet that is exactly what goes through her mind. If it makes you feel guilty for all the times you have slacked off at work, cut corners, or just said "screw it." Well, we should, feel guilty. Where she is from they just don't do that, like, its not an option, AT ALL. The job and the quality at which it is done, is first. Maybe that is why, in Japan, they will practically create a job for you in the company when you approach retirement and may be struggling with job duties, and here, the first sign of you not being able to do your job or keep up, You Gone! I guess we dig our own graves, Ouch!!

Anyways, Then the memory loss comes into play. Chie can often recognize you and the feelings of how close you were is present, it's just that the memories of how it came to be, are not. She wants to know all the times you shared and remember all the memories you had together. It is very important to her but they just don't come and we dont know how to hone into them to let them flow. To recognize someone and their face is so exciting and positive for her, but then to want so badly and to struggle so hard for the answers that will not come to the questions, how? and why, do I know this person? It is all incredibly heart breaking to her as the full weight of her reality and situation bear down on her shoulders leaving her at a loss and helpless. We will never know the depths to which this tortures her sanity, but I can see how it would make her want to scream and break down and cry. I think we often forget to realize just what she is going through, and therefore not understanding why she is overwhelmed with emotions and crying. We often get nervous and struggle ourselves to fix it or stop her from crying maybe feeling like we somehow caused this, but we did not and it's ok for her to cry and get it out, just be patient and stay with her to provide the security that even though the memories have left once, you will not. Chie is not stupid, she can listen to you tell her about the times you spent and then turn right around and tell someone else as if she does remember, but she really does not. Those memories mean a great deal to Chie, marking the special times you shared together. We need to remember that they were not just forgotten as if they were of no importance. They were stolen from her in the blink of an eye, and she wants them back! So, if she doesnt remember something do not feel as though its not important to her, because it is. Take the time to tell her and help give back what was taken from her. It may help fire up some of her own memories.

This is just a hint of what she is constantly faced with this in almost every aspect of life. I cannot even fathom the frustration that encompasses, but she does, and deals with it, WELL, on a daily basis. She holds within her a strength that legends come from, a strength that makes you feel there is nothing she cannot accomplish, so strong she could move mountains and touch the sun, inspiring to all, that makes us all better people just to have witnessed it.

WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY

CNS DISCHARGE / JULY 15TH 2008

Chie did very well during the party. She controlled her emotions and did not cry uncontrollably, which is something we have been working on for a while. She really carried herself well. Many many people had tears in their eyes, sad to say goodbye to Chie ( like me). Several people spoke about Chie; When the floor was opened up, it was silent and right in the front row was a young boy, in a wheelchair, tape on his glasses looking just as Chie did when we entered CNS. I speak to him often, but I had never heard him speak. He was the first one to raise his hand and he spoke up saying "thank you" to Chie. It was like it was right out of a movie or something. It was a very touching moment and we are proud of him. He seems to be following right in Chie's footsteps. We wish him all the best, I am sure he will go far. Her counselors reported on the progress she has made and what a miracle it is that she has come so far. They stressed how much of an impact her positive attitude and work ethic has had on her recovery. Her friends and patients spoke about her kindness and what an inspiration she is to virtually everyone she meets. And of course, everyone talked about how much she likes to "Talk!!" She is CNS' little social butterfly as Katie says.

**Suprise Guest**

Chie did have 3 unexpected guests come to her party and I think she may have been happiest to see one them who has been working with Chie longer than anyone else and always gets the biggest smile, and always gets most love from her, he is her favorite therapist and best best friend, Keeper! Keeper is a therapy dog who has been coming to see Chie for 2 years, ever since we were in Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation. Keeper came with Oliver and Roadie two more therapy dogs that Chie adores. There is one more that did not make it, but Chie wants to say " I Love You" to Beacher, who came the very first time with Keeper. She misses him much.
Chie spoke, to everyone saying goodbye and how greatful she was for their help, patience and skill that drove her to where she is now. She told other patients that she often dresses herself and David has to fix her clothes because she puts her clothes on backwards or inside out, and Chie is proud of herself for doing it too. It takes longer than it did before, but she wanted to wear her clothes, so she worked hard to get them on by herself. She told the patients that if they want to do something they should , and they should work hard to do it because its the only way. People will not always be there to do it for them. Chie finished by telling everyone

"Where there is a will, there is a way."

Two years is a long time so we have grown close to many of the patients and staff at CNS. They have become our friends and kind of a second family to us. We are thankful for all their work and help and we will miss them dearly. We will be back to see everyone from time to time so its not a goodbye. I was so so proud of her. She handled the occasion with grace and poise and the strength and independence of the Chie before the accident. I could not have been happier for her, and proud beyond measure. To come from so little; loss of conciousness, could not swallow, could not speak, broken bones, no movement in the left side at all, memory gone, could not even tell me what was in a salad! And then to see her now, is incredible, to say the least. I know that, NO, Chie is nowhere near where she was before the accident, but for her to come back day after day in such a positive light, giving her all to get better. It is hard not to realize what a special, SPECIAL INDIVIDUAL she really is

.... Remarkable

2 YEARS AGO TODAY

2nd ANNEVERSARY OF CHIE'S ACCIDENT,



JULY 3RD 2006
We quietly passe the day at our home. Chie made no notice of the days significance. We had a great dinner prepared by a friend who has been staying with us for the last month helping out. After dinner we visited and Chie was tucked into bed early without incident. For me, on the other hand, it has been an emotional atom bomb as my mind tries to find some sort reasoning for our lives to come crashing down into a million pieces, while I long for the girl I fell in love with.

It was two years ago on this day that Chie was struck by a lady who ran a red light, T-boning Chie, ending all her dreams and apirations in life, leaving her severely brain damaged and confined to a wheelchair. We have never heard from the woman who struck Chie and our last update was that she never even showed up to court for her traffic tickets for failing to stop at a red light and speeding. Chie still harbors much anger towards the person who ran her over and took her life. Chie has wanted to meet the person and would like to do and say many things, but I think most of all, all she wanted was an apology. A simple, "IM SORRY" She has been encouraged to forgive, though impossible to forget, she won't allow herself to without those two words that mean so much. She has searched and searched for some sort of justification for this terrible turn of events finally deciding to set her anger aside and focus her energies on the work at hand, RECOVERING.

We have made some big steps in the last two years, coming from unconcious to awake but unable to speak, eat or swallow to just a squeeze of the hand that let us know she could hear us and understood what was spoken to her in English, retaining her second language. Then came a hum that turned into 3 and 4 word sentences over the following days. She went from not knowing what was in a salad at all to telling me how to prepare her favorite "Onesta Salad", Reymen, and Curry Rice complete with her mother's secret ingredient. From not being able to move her left arm at all to slinging back Chinese food at a turtles pace using a fork and raising her cup to mouth all by herself. She now can walk in a walker with assistance and tutors a friend in Japanese.
Chie was told she would not do much of what she can do now, but her extraordinary attitude and work ethic would not allow her to give anything less than her very best. That along with some of best supporters from all around the world have helped make her life as happy and successul as we could have wished for.
WE THANK YOU ALL

SUMMER TIME AND THE LIVIN'S EASY!!!

SUMMER TIME AND THE LIVIN'S EASY

.... WELL, NOT REALLY

But we are trying our best. I just wanted to share these photos from the first day of summer. We were over at Aunt Pammy's for a BBQ. Steaks cooked to perfection, thanks Kev. Chie saw the pool and informed everyone that she was going for a swim. It was pretty funny. We just picked her up over the ledge and in she went!! We always strive to make her feel comfortable and as back to normal as possible so when she wants to do something we always do our best to make it so for CHIE.

Her smile makes it worth while!

6 Weeks of Madness!!!!

6 weeks of Madness / May- June '08

I am sorry for the absence. It has been 6 weeks of madness for us over here. The last month of school is always hectic with end of the year planning and events that keep me very busy. Then, summer school began the very next day for teachers involved in a 21st Century Summer Camp Enrichment Program and we have been scrambling to get things together for the kids. Our school mismanaged the funding and we were alotted only 400$ for supplies and guest speakers for the children while all the other schools had between 4 and $8,000, so we have been having to creative, to say the least, in planning activities to liven up our camp.
I have also been completely stressed out over taxes and social security papers and insurace paper work that needed to be sent in and were/are in utter chaos, as things have just seemed to all run together this year. I have almost everything in order now, just a few more tax items to be finished up and we should be good to go. FINALLY!!!
ON top of all that we had some car trouble, the drier broke, and our Air Conditioning went out!!! Ain't Life Grand? So, after a couple of weeks without Air conditioning and hang drying all of our laundry all over the house I am thinking we can just live without these luxuries, its not that hot..
JUST KIDDING! Hopefully all will be restored to working order by Monday if the repairmen do their job properly, Im keeping my fingers crossed!

CHIE,,,, She has been in positive spirits, but it has also been a very emotional time for Chie the last couple of months. I think she is concerned about our upcoming discharge from CNS and what the future will hold for us. It can be scary for her to look forward towards the unknown and what will happen to her, I know it is for me, thats why I do not do it. In counselling, she too, has been taking some time to look back at and reflect on the progress she has made over the last year and a half, the friends that have come and gone, and feelings she has been through. All of this has caused her emotions to run high at times, but she is learning how to conrol and deal with them.
Chie was able to lead two of her own counselling groups at CNS. She chose the participants, topics of discussion, and directed the class. Our counselor said that she did very well and made sure the class progressed as it should have. Chie made sure to ask questions and keep everyone involvcd. The counselor said she did very well, YEA CHIE!!!!! She was excited to do it as she now hopes to one day be a counselor for people who have been in situations similar to hers. This helped her to see what its like to have to help others stay positive about there situations.
She has also been participating in some cooking classes. She really likes them,, and me too since she brings home treats for me! She made some peanut butter sandwiches, choccolate chip cookies, and cupcakes! Its been a lot of fun for her to do and it is helping to prepare her for being able to take care of herself.
***JAPANESE TRANSLATOR*** She has also had Japanese translators come to her speech lessons from 1-2 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. Its been a lot of fun for Chie. This has allowed are speech therapist a chance to see how well she is doing in her native language, and we are happy to say that she is doing fantastic. Obviously much better in her native language. Thank you Hiroe and Megumi. Unfortunately for us, Hiroe has recently taken a new job and can no longer continue so we will be looking for anyone who thinks they might like to help us out, from 1-2 pm at CNS on Tuesdays and Fridays. You need only speak japanese, you dont have to be a certified translator or anything. If you may be interested please let me know, 469 363 6611 or at suckadave@hotmail.com
We are set to leave her current Rehab facility, CNS in mid July. Chie has handled it very well in comparison to previous changes in her schedule. She takes it personally and views the situation as though her therapists are throwing her out and giving up on her. We quickly had to shift gears and look at it as a graduation or positive change, meaning that this is a step forward for her and that her therapists would not discharge her if she were not ready to take that next step. She made that adjustment fairly smooth minimizing the emotional outbreaks and crying. We will be moving to PATE, a new Brain Injury Rehab just a few miles from CNS. I think it will be a positive move for her to get some new faces and routine going in her life. She is a bit burned out at CNS and needs a change of scenery. I have toured the facility before and think she will do just fine there. She has a few friends from CNS already going there so she will be excited to see them.
Chie has also been dealing with several of her friends discharging from CNS, whitch is another touchy area for her, again feeling as if they are leaving her and taking it quite personally. She has, this time, done really well understanding and internalizing the departures. I think it is because she knows that she now has her own date set to leave. Almost all of her immediate group is leaving or has left either this month or last month and her newest and closest friend was sent home unexpectedly last week, and that really upset her. It is hard for her to see others, who arrived after her, leaving before her. She feels left behind as if she is not making progress and not getting better. She feels as though they are personally abandoning her and she is left behind and forgotten about. Thank you to all of our supporters who visit her and call her and write letters, and cook, for this has been critical role to help Chie know that she is cared about, has friends and feels loved to help her stay out of that downward spiral of deppression and negativity. I cant tell how important you have all been and we are so greatful for you help. I have explained to her that we want to stay as long as possible because this is our life line and once we are finished with it, we have nothing else. It also took some time to explain to her that most of the people who leave CNS are going to continue therapy in their home towns and that they are not leaving because they choose to, but because their insurances companies will no longer pay for the rehabilitation. Many want to continue therapy it is only that it is not there choice and most cant afford to continue on their own. I think now she realizes how lucky we are to have this great therapy and how fortunate we are to have such a supportive case manager at the insurance company.
I do believe we have set the record for longest stay at her rehab. The average stay is 6 months and we are going to be coming up on 21 months in July. Our conselor pulled me aside to talk the other day in preparation for our next move and she was telling me that she had never seen anyone stay this long and that is was because Chie had fought so hard, I had fought so hard, and our case manager had fought so hard. She commended us all on a job well done and has been helping us prepare for our next step.
We too, in turn, would like to commend all of our therapist, counselors, case workers, supporters, friends, and doctors for all their hard work in making Chie's recovery a success. Its hard to believe it has been almost two years, what seems to me like a couple of months. We have come further than some would have ever expected and we are not finished yet. We know that we still have areas to focus and improve on, both physically and cognitively. Chie is continuing to make progress as we set new goals and strive to meet them. Never in my mind did I think that we would not come this far. Failing has never been an option for us to consider, but never in my mind would I have ever thought that it would have taken so much to get here. All the support, the visits, the food, cooking, the books, cards, videos, conversations, flowers, phone calls, advice, translations and the list goes on and on. I never could have imagined the importance of all these things and how much they would mean and the affect it would all have on Chie to provide her the security and self confidence to keep a positive attitude and that fighting spirit alive in her. Never, Never, Never Surrender! It is truely an extraordinary thing to see so many come together in an effort to take part in and help this one recover from such a tragic event in life. I would just like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, for the success we have had in Chie's recovery. We could have never accomplished so much without you.
CHIE and DAVID