Engage those abs!

Hi, Rick here. I popped into the blog to do some adminstrative housekeeping and thought I would make this quick post. My Aunt Anna and I paid a visit to Walt and Patty yesterday. I'm not going to make things sound all rosy and wonderful, but I am encouraged by what I witnessed and participated in.

Having just completed a four week intensive personal training regime, I have been searching for an unsuspecting soul to which I can impart some of the same pain/gain exchange that I have been so fortunate (is the sarcasm bleeding through?) to experience.

I found that soul yesterday.

Yes, Walter is up to counting reps out loud and receptive to challenge. Here's the workout: Three sets of ten bed-rail pullups, three sets of six left knee bends and three sets of six left leg raises. The last set of leg raises had some resistance applied by the trainer. Then some right leg stretching and a couple of right leg raises.

The piece de resistance - that's french for "really cool thing" - was the right hand move. I held a ball about three inches away from Walt's right hand. I told him to touch the ball. He said "I can't". I said "you can". Then I yelled "you can". And Aunt Anna said "oh yes you can Walter". And he moved his hand unassisted about a half way to the ball. Alot to be said for the power of the will.

So for those of you who, like me, have no idea what to do when you go visit Walt I suggest playing personal trainer. He's to a point now where he's able to participate.

I know I got at least as much out of the experience as Walt did.