Wow! I can't believe how quickly time has passed since my last post. It's been a busy seven weeks! My brother Joe has moved here from Michigan and we are now roommates sharing an apartment just a few blocks from where I had been staying with Molly and Charlie. We are all on the edge of our seats with anticipation as the Colvins' new tenant will be here any day!
Joe has started sailing with Challenged America and will soon be certified as a companion sailor- a key member of the team, as every disabled sailor in the program relies on an able-bodied crew to ensure safety. It doesn't take long to realize how small and slow a Martin 16 is when you've got Navy warships and large merchant vessels steaming past on the bay! We had a great sail last Saturday and Joe has already proven himself a capable crewman. We are looking forward to some great sailing this season...go Team Berkey!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
April 25, 2012
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Challenged America and the Chula Vista Yacht Club for putting on the first annual "Dash to Chula Vista" this past weekend. The entire Challenged America fleet of eight Martin 16's competed in a two day race series from Harbor Island to Chula Vista and back again. I'm happy to say that my shipmate Dave Meyer and I took first place in the south-bound Race 1 on Saturday! Unfortunately, my performance was lackluster Sunday (7th place), but we were pleased to take home a trophy for third place overall.
Much more important than trophies, however, is the experience of getting out of the water and sailing! In the fleet, we had paraplegic sailors, quadriplegic sailors, deaf sailors,and blind sailors- we ALL had a great time. It couldn't happen without a lot of hard work by a generous group of volunteers. For each sailor in the competition, there were three or four volunteers working to rig the boats, assist the sailors in and out of the cockpits, put on post-race parties, and clean up the entire mess when we finished.
Special thanks go to my friend/tactician/bodyguard/chauffeur Dave Meyer. I can't thank him enough for not giving me more flak as I sit idly on the dock, watching him rig/de-rig our boat each time we go out sailing. Did I mention that he has not once dropped me in the water? Dave, you are the man!
I hope to have some photos to post soon!
Much more important than trophies, however, is the experience of getting out of the water and sailing! In the fleet, we had paraplegic sailors, quadriplegic sailors, deaf sailors,and blind sailors- we ALL had a great time. It couldn't happen without a lot of hard work by a generous group of volunteers. For each sailor in the competition, there were three or four volunteers working to rig the boats, assist the sailors in and out of the cockpits, put on post-race parties, and clean up the entire mess when we finished.
Special thanks go to my friend/tactician/bodyguard/chauffeur Dave Meyer. I can't thank him enough for not giving me more flak as I sit idly on the dock, watching him rig/de-rig our boat each time we go out sailing. Did I mention that he has not once dropped me in the water? Dave, you are the man!
I hope to have some photos to post soon!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
March 27, 2012
Last weekend, Challenged America kicked off the the 2012 racing season with the first of a series of monthly regattas. Although I was unable to sail in all four heats of the race,I was happy to get second and fourth in the first two races. I'm looking forward to racing again next month!
The all-volunteer crew at Challenged America does a great job of providing boating experiences to the disabled community. They understand how much our quality of life is enhanced by getting out on the water. Selflessly giving their time and energy, these people maintain, repair, and rig the boats for participants, help us get in and out of the boats safely, and act as crew to make sure everything goes okay out on the bay. And to top it off this whole production is put on free of charge to the participants. Thanks Challenged America!
The all-volunteer crew at Challenged America does a great job of providing boating experiences to the disabled community. They understand how much our quality of life is enhanced by getting out on the water. Selflessly giving their time and energy, these people maintain, repair, and rig the boats for participants, help us get in and out of the boats safely, and act as crew to make sure everything goes okay out on the bay. And to top it off this whole production is put on free of charge to the participants. Thanks Challenged America!
Monday, February 27, 2012
February 26, 2012
If you have a few minutes to kill, the following link is worth watching. Josh Dueck is my new hero! It's important to dangle good motivational carrots from the end of the stick and this clip gets me fired up. Check this badass out at www.wimp.com/sitski/
It's been almost seven weeks since I received my stem cell treatment. While every spinal cord injury is unique, 3 to 6 months is the predicted window of peak benefit. I continue regular physical therapy and weight training as well as hand cycling several days each week. I am also attending the Neuromuscular Connection, a clinic in Orange County that's using laser therapy to stimulate regeneration of neural pathways.
I'm happy to report that I continue to enjoy modest improvements in muscle function and strength in areas that were already active. I'm also feeling slightly increased core muscle recruitment below the level of my injury both in my mid-back and my abs. While the feeling of "tightness" is still fairly weak, any change-any feeling at all-is welcome. I'm also experiencing new "sensations" in my legs that, despite a continued lack of motor control or sense of touch, are encouraging just for the fact that they're new.
Thanks again for your support and prayers! I look forward to reporting further progress over the coming weeks and months.
It's been almost seven weeks since I received my stem cell treatment. While every spinal cord injury is unique, 3 to 6 months is the predicted window of peak benefit. I continue regular physical therapy and weight training as well as hand cycling several days each week. I am also attending the Neuromuscular Connection, a clinic in Orange County that's using laser therapy to stimulate regeneration of neural pathways.
I'm happy to report that I continue to enjoy modest improvements in muscle function and strength in areas that were already active. I'm also feeling slightly increased core muscle recruitment below the level of my injury both in my mid-back and my abs. While the feeling of "tightness" is still fairly weak, any change-any feeling at all-is welcome. I'm also experiencing new "sensations" in my legs that, despite a continued lack of motor control or sense of touch, are encouraging just for the fact that they're new.
Thanks again for your support and prayers! I look forward to reporting further progress over the coming weeks and months.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
February 6, 2012
I'm all about the gadgets. I use splints formed of thermoplastic to help me type, a wrist-activated grabber to retrieve items from the ground, and tongs made from a potato chip bag-clip and two paint sticks help me extract surface wipes from their canister. Necessity is the mother of improvisation and as a result I frequently stumble upon new and clever ways to utilize everyday objects. A bungee cord enables me to open a drawer whose handles I cannot grasp. I insert silverware into flexible irrigation pipe because the larger diameter handle is easier for my hand to hold. As a matter of fact, I'm not even typing this blog entry. I'm speaking through Dragon voice-recognition software. Despite the time I spend making corrections, using this dictation program puts text on the screen much more quickly than my painfully slow typing(which wasn't any faster when I had the use of my hands). I'm one lucky primate to have such a vast array of technology and technique available. As I work toward recovery and independence I'm always on the lookout for tricks and trinkets to help me be more productive.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
January 27, 2012
A year has passed since I fell and injured my spinal cord. It's a date I'll never forget, but not exactly one that inspires jubilation. What IS cause for celebration is the fact that I'm still here! It has been a challenging year, to say the very least, but with the help of my family and friends, I've made it through. Words can't express how grateful I am for the kindness and generosity of all of you who have rallied to my support. I look to the future with hope, bolstered by the knowledge that whatever challenges I face, I am not alone.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
January 10, 2011
I'm sitting in my private suite at Hospital Angeles with my Brother Dan. It's actually the nicest hospital room I've ever seen. The staff is attentive, competent, and professional. I feel that I am in good hands here. Today's stem cell procedure went well and I'll be discharged tomorrow. The doctors harvested approximately 300ml of adipose fat (I have plenty to spare), isolated the stem cells, and injected them into my cerebrospinal fluid both above and below my injury site. Some stem cells were also transplanted via IV to provide systemic benefits. I'm excited to work hard, build strength, and continue my recovery (augmented by the stem cells). I'll be watching my progress and will keep you all updated. Thank you all so much for your love and support- without you we couldn't make this happen!
Love Berkey
Love Berkey
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