Last weekend was very exciting for my family, as we purchased a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan completely outfitted to fit my dad's wheelchair. It looks like a "regular" van from the outside but the passenger seat can be removed, there is an electrical ramp that folds down to load and unload my dad's wheelchair, and the inside boasts an intricate locking system that secures his wheelchair when he is in the car.
The new chariot...
A view of the electrical ramp...
The space for his wheelchair...
The heavy duty lock that secures his wheelchair...
The captain in his new ride (with his very manly chocolate milkshake)...
Our first outing included my mom, myself, and Uncle Tip. The three of us loaded my dad pretty easily and took him for a ride past the lake, which is his favorite. Ironically, we passed the spot where he fell and hit his head when we were on our journey. We stopped at Schaller's for ice cream (that's where he got the chocolate milkshake). Overall, it was very exciting to get him (and my mom!) out of the house. It has been very difficult keeping my dad cooped up in the house since my parents were both so active and love to go out to eat, to sporting events, to concerts, to my brother's activities, etc. Having this van allows my mom and dad to get some of their independence back. Though getting him out of the house is not a walk in the park, it is great to have the option to do so and it is great to save money on transportation costs for doctor and therapy visits. During the week, my mom and brother took him to Chili's and he had his favorite appetizer. The van will hopefully allow us to make more memories as a family, as opposed to staring at each other in the living room!Thanks to all who visit and help my mom out (and keep her sane!). The work never ends for her and she can certainly use ALL the help she can get. I will be living in New York City this summer starting May 15th so I will not be around to help on the weekends. I hope that by the time I come back and start school in the fall, my dad will have had his surgery to replace the still-missing piece of his skull and that he will progress both physically and linguistically.
Hope all is well in your lives. Thanks for checking in!
4 comments:
Hi Rabitz Family!
So glad to see you have the van and have been out and about in it. I thought of you last week when we were at Chili's in FL, as you had said it was one of your favorite places to eat.
Glad you got there and Walter got his appetizer.
Hope to see you soon. God Bless!
Peg & Bob
I love that van Patty and Walt. You have some freedom now.
Tom Wahl
Patty! Cool van! I like that it looks like a regular ride from the outside. Its a huge step forward to be able to get out and about, especially with the nice weather we're having. Walter looks very happy with his milkshake.
Walt must be having his surgery soon...keep the updates coming. By the way, what did you think of our beautiful granddaughter?
Keep the faith, Dear Lady
Kathy Juliano
Patty says: Walter continues to hang in there like the champ that he is. Each week I see more progress. His English is coming back and he was able to tell me this am that his breakfast was "doughnuts". I said to him "you are so smart" and he gave me that classic Walter smile and "cute face". His therapy at Nazareth college is over till the winter.That is a bad thing since I am struggling to find him therapy for the summer. If any of his friends could help me work him out that would be great. Basically, it would be simple exercises and supervising him on his floor bike.
Thanks to Tom for setting up the bike and Timmy and Dick for setting up my living room ramp. Thanks again to Geno for everything and thanks Vicki for bringing Tessa over. Yes Kathy she is beautiful and smart. Walter and I really enjoyed our visit with her and hope she comes over again soon.
However, I must get something off my chest that has been bothering me since Walter's accident. There are a handful of his friends that have not been a support to Walter and that is really shameful!! Hopefully, you never will go what Walter has been through and if you do hopefully your friends will not abandon you. Like I said it is just a few but it really hurts. And usually it is the guys that are the closet to Walter. He is still with us and could use a visit or a phone call to here your voice. I am sure that if the situation was reversed he would not abandon you.
Thanks to my "special girlfriends" that are always there for me to make me laugh and to share a visit with Walter. He loves you guys very much. And I will be forever greatful for your friendship!
To my neighbors: Walter will be our front with me all summer so stop over and say Hi. I know that he has enjoyed all of your visits.
We are still waiting for his bone flap to be made. Hopefully in the next month it will be ready. It will be great to get that over with.
That is the update for now. Enjoy the beautiful Spring and keep praying for my Walter.
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