Lisa is in he
r newly remodeled home that was tailored to accommodate her. A special ceiling track and lift was installed which enables Patrice, Lisa’s primary care giver, to freely move Lisa about the residence. She can even be moved outside and onto the patio, and in the late afternoons she is positioned to see the beautiful Catalina Mountains at sunset. The mountains are truly a sight to behold with their great variety of color painted with the sun splashes on the mountain surfaces. Lately beautiful cumulous clouds have capped the mountain creating even greater splendor, and as Michael would say, "mmmm good." She is also moved outside on to the lower-level patio so hopefully she can see and hear Michael racing around barefoot on the beautiful green lawn and his supervised splashing in the swimming pool. Lisa is also positioned in the kitchen area to be near Richard and Michael during their evening meal preparation. What I want to convey to you is that Richard and Patrice include Lisa into the daily activities that occur in the household. I used the word hopefully above because we’re not sure that Lisa can visually or audibly interpret the sights and sounds about her.Let me take you through the process of moving Lisa from the family room--up t
he stairs into her bedroom. In the first photograph (above), Patrice is shown connecting the lift to the cradle in preparation of raising Lisa from her wheelchair. In the second and third photographs (right), Lisa has cleared the wheelchair and is well on her way to the stairway approach. Notice the cable and small box Patrice is holding, it’s the control she uses to pilot Lisa’s progress: up or down and forward or backward. The sling glides smoothly and silently in all directions. 
In the fourth photograph (left), you can see Lisa as she approaches the bedroom doorway. Also the 
picture shows Patrice is right there to assure a smooth comfortable trip. Also you should know that Lisa’s heart rate, respiration and oxygen level is monitored whenever she is "out and about."The fifth photograph (right and below the 4th photo) shows that Lisa’s destination is in sight and you can see that her freshly made hospital bed is waiting for her.
Lisa was recently visited by Jack and Napua Davis of Midwest City, OK. Jack and Napua are Michael’s God Parents, and she was also visited by her brother David, and her mother and step-father from Norman, OK.
The final picture is of Michael at 19 months (February 10th). My observation is that he is a happy child as evidenced by the fact that he waves at high-in-sky airplanes, and cars that pass his way. He tells the grocery store cashier goodbye as we leave her checkout station and blows her a kiss. He loves Elmo and the Wonder Pets, and I guess, I’ll admit it, so do I. Today he took Mac and Tosh (our 2-Scottish Terriers) on a real walk with me in tow. He demanded to hold both leashes and did a fine job as the "pack leader" (re: Caesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer).And what a day we had today, beautiful. The temperature was in the low 80’s it was just another day in… pleasant. Best Wishes from Tucson!
Michael – mlwintory@msn.com
