Four years ago today, is the day that the car accident occured. I remember it as if it just happened.
We were going to do some shopping, just like we would normally do any given evening. But this time, we were on a detour route given that Main Street was closed due to the Parade.
We were driving Eastbound. The thing I remember next is the slamming of the breaks and watched Sharon swurve out of the way until we went BAM and I saw this big truck sitting inside our engine. I could hear the engine grinding and quickly turned the key off. I was freaked out. Looking around at Sharon seeing if she was okay. I was hurt. I was already hurting from a pulled pec muscle in the left pecs and the seatbelt didn't make it any better, especially having been in the accident and thrown forward.
By the time I got my door open there was a police car that just arrived and stopped right to my right side. I went to the back door to retreive my then 2 year old daughter and check on my 9 year old son were OK. Sharon seemed okay. Looking at the accident, I was amazed at what happened.
There was a Ford F350 Quad Pick up Trick that landed into our engine. Fluids were all over the place, several pieces of our engine were all over the road. Fortunately, the hood to the engine did not even touch our windshield, otherwise, it could have gone through. It was less than an inch away.
It was a teenager that drove that truck, speeding and running a stop sign.
They had a difficult time pulling that truck off our engine and out. When they did, amazingly, there wasn't a dent! But our car was totalled. Bolts, screwd, all fluids (oil, radiator, transmission, etc) were all lost. I had then realized had SHaron NOT try to avoid this truck, that that truck would have landed right into her lap, T-boning us. She would not have survived.
It wasn't for another 24 hours that she started showing signs of problems. She was on narcotics for the entre month of July, the same time I recieved acceptance to Guiding Eyes for the Blind to get my guide dog Archer. It was the difficult decision to leave her and my three children while getting my guide dog.
She was officially diagnosed with a concussion a week later. After trying to get into a neurologist, we finally got in and got all the special testing done that resulted in a TBI (Traumatic Brain INjury).
It has been an emotional roller coaster trying to get some help for her. I put off many of my plans and goals to focus upon her recovery.
We now know that she won't improve much. The more time elapses without any change, the more likely hood it becomes a perminant injury. This is why it is now my turn to take care of myself. Try to get my Cochlear Implant, apply to Grad School so I can pursue my dreams.
Being able to hear will open the doors to me even though I am deaf and blind. Communications barriers will be broken down and enable me to do and move forward with my goals.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Grateful and Blessed
I am most certainly feeling extremely grateful and blessed today.
I created a flyer and sent it out to some of my friends and family via email. I have had an outpouring support by everyone! And at the same time, I sent the flyer to a friend (yes I call him a friend even though I really don't hang out with him but was suggested I contact him and see how he can help.)
Anyway, his son is working on his Eagle Scout Rank and is looking for a Service Project. He was wondering if he could help organize a fundraiser to help raise funds. This would help my lovely wife and I so much! She put out so much effort to keep us afloat financially that her brain injury leaves her no room fo rhome enjoyment or work much on such a project. I am very grateful for the support and love I have gotten.
In all my years, I have always put other people first. I have a mentality that others need help more than I do.
"Somebody else needs the CI more than I do."
"Someone else needs the guide dog more than I do."
I've realized that with this mentality we really cannot help others unless we first help ourselves. That enables us to be positioned better to help others. I am very excited for this. Most certainly grateful to th edepth of my heart. I wish I could have it all done and over with now but for some reason God, the Creator had other plans, plans for people to do service.
In order for people to serve, there must be a need. Service cannot be rendered without a reciever. I guess I have a hard time playing the "reciever" end of Service. It's a pride thing, I suppose. A learning experience.
I'm having a hard time expressing my words right now.
I created a flyer and sent it out to some of my friends and family via email. I have had an outpouring support by everyone! And at the same time, I sent the flyer to a friend (yes I call him a friend even though I really don't hang out with him but was suggested I contact him and see how he can help.)
Anyway, his son is working on his Eagle Scout Rank and is looking for a Service Project. He was wondering if he could help organize a fundraiser to help raise funds. This would help my lovely wife and I so much! She put out so much effort to keep us afloat financially that her brain injury leaves her no room fo rhome enjoyment or work much on such a project. I am very grateful for the support and love I have gotten.
In all my years, I have always put other people first. I have a mentality that others need help more than I do.
"Somebody else needs the CI more than I do."
"Someone else needs the guide dog more than I do."
I've realized that with this mentality we really cannot help others unless we first help ourselves. That enables us to be positioned better to help others. I am very excited for this. Most certainly grateful to th edepth of my heart. I wish I could have it all done and over with now but for some reason God, the Creator had other plans, plans for people to do service.
In order for people to serve, there must be a need. Service cannot be rendered without a reciever. I guess I have a hard time playing the "reciever" end of Service. It's a pride thing, I suppose. A learning experience.
I'm having a hard time expressing my words right now.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
May Postpone CI Surgery
There is a heavy feeling upon my chest today. The reality of having to postpone my Cochlear Implant Surgery.
It's very difficult to express how I feel right now. Obviously, getting the second Implant is going to do alot of good for me as my vision gets worse. I mean, I barely have useable vision as it is. I'm unable to identify faces of people. This is the scariest part.
$15,000 is alot of money to ask for help with. Surgery is at the University of Utah Hospital. They want 10% down before then which amounts to $1,511 then after billing goes through I could make payment plans.
I feel bless to have The West memorial Foundation, Inc to help me raise the funds. Right now we are working at getting a few loose strings attached. It may take a little bit longer than anticipated. Thus having to postpone surgery.
I don't want to get into a financial bind where I may not raise enough funds to cover my part. This was a perfect window of opportunity: To get the surgery done now, get my training at the Blind Center, take a Social Work Class this fall that I need required for my Graduate Studies (again Social work) and enter the Social Work program next fall.
With a wife who suffers a brain injury as a result of a car accident, three children, you know, alot of weight is on my shoulders and getting this CI was a means to remove some of this weight so I can help my wife's burden and not have to be so dependant upon her to bring all the dough home.
If I postpone, when? December? Gah! I had the first one in December and I got sick, was on antibiotics for 5 weeks! Not a good thing!
I hope Cochlear OMS would respond to me soon. I gave them somewhat a sob story, well not really, just pointing out the facts of being deaf-blind, a wife with a brain injury and three kids. Maybe they'll respond and donate a device for me? Or reduce the cost to the hospital? I dunno.
I've tried every vene I could think of.
What do I do? Maybe I'm being a bit impatient?
Have Faith. Have Hope, never give up Hope. He knows what I'm up against and He will lead the way.
It's very difficult to express how I feel right now. Obviously, getting the second Implant is going to do alot of good for me as my vision gets worse. I mean, I barely have useable vision as it is. I'm unable to identify faces of people. This is the scariest part.
$15,000 is alot of money to ask for help with. Surgery is at the University of Utah Hospital. They want 10% down before then which amounts to $1,511 then after billing goes through I could make payment plans.
I feel bless to have The West memorial Foundation, Inc to help me raise the funds. Right now we are working at getting a few loose strings attached. It may take a little bit longer than anticipated. Thus having to postpone surgery.
I don't want to get into a financial bind where I may not raise enough funds to cover my part. This was a perfect window of opportunity: To get the surgery done now, get my training at the Blind Center, take a Social Work Class this fall that I need required for my Graduate Studies (again Social work) and enter the Social Work program next fall.
With a wife who suffers a brain injury as a result of a car accident, three children, you know, alot of weight is on my shoulders and getting this CI was a means to remove some of this weight so I can help my wife's burden and not have to be so dependant upon her to bring all the dough home.
If I postpone, when? December? Gah! I had the first one in December and I got sick, was on antibiotics for 5 weeks! Not a good thing!
I hope Cochlear OMS would respond to me soon. I gave them somewhat a sob story, well not really, just pointing out the facts of being deaf-blind, a wife with a brain injury and three kids. Maybe they'll respond and donate a device for me? Or reduce the cost to the hospital? I dunno.
I've tried every vene I could think of.
What do I do? Maybe I'm being a bit impatient?
Have Faith. Have Hope, never give up Hope. He knows what I'm up against and He will lead the way.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Vist to the University of Uta College of Social WOrk and Lecture at Department of Special Education
This past Tuesday, I took on my annual visit to the College of Education: Department of Special Education lecture on Deafblind Communication and Technology. But first let me detail the visit at the College of Social Work with the Graduate Advisor.
I arrived a bit early so that I could ensure that I got to the right building. Sure enough, I'm glad I did because I got a bit lost! When I entered the building, I somewhat went around each wall trying to locate the elevator. To no avail, I went to get some water to drink and sat down to "cool off" as I was sweating like a dog. And Archer was panting as well. He did great work helping me navigate!
A few minutes later, there were two students, thta appear to be in their early 20's or so, both female. They wanted to come meet Archer and talk about him (he's a magnet for conversations!). I feel so blessed to have the one Cochlear Implant because without it, I'm sure the outcome would have been totally different. At least they were standing on my right side so I could hear clearly.
One of them fetched a box of kleenex and said "here you are sweating!" I felt ashamed but then realized they were helping me cool off so I helped myself to wiping my sweat off my face and neck. They asked if I wanted water and I told them I found the fountain. Then they asked if Archer wanted some water. I told them I did not have a bowl for him. "No worries, we have one he can use.". I felt blessed that these two caring animal lovers would bring a 2 foot long oval type bowl to let Archer drink it all up! They helped me find the elevator and I was up on my way to visit the Graduate Advisor.
Had a great visit. We talked about th eprogram, my interests and WHY I wanted to go into the program. She reviewed my transcript and I pretty much met everything with the exception of one class so I plan to take that non-matriculated this Fall so that I can proceed with the Graduate School application.
Finding my way to the Milton Bennion Hall was an adventure! There was so much contstruction going on that I had no sidewalk to take from Social Work to MBH. I ended up walking back to South Campus Drive to head East going up the hill and thinking I'm "beyond the construction" and cut back in (North). Oops! Construction! Poor Archer was working hard. Fortunately, there was very cool wind and wasn't as hot as it was when I first arrived on campus late morning that day. So we walked back to South Campus Drive and head East again. I decided it would be best to just keep walking up to the Huntsman Center and then come back around and over to the MBH.
The lecture went well. There were only three students in that class. Much smaller than normal. I was aware of this from the PRofessor contacting me earlier. I decided instead of my traditional powerpoint presentation on communication and technology, we just sat around while I discussed part of my life dealing with Usher Syndrome. How I lost my vision, my hearing, my journey to get a Cochlear Implant. How the CI has improved my life and how the blindness hinders full functionality with just one CI.
We talked about the upcoming pilot program the FCC is doing called the National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP). This is a pilot program that State PUC/PSC Equipment Administrators to distribute much needed equipment for the deaf-blind.
I arrived a bit early so that I could ensure that I got to the right building. Sure enough, I'm glad I did because I got a bit lost! When I entered the building, I somewhat went around each wall trying to locate the elevator. To no avail, I went to get some water to drink and sat down to "cool off" as I was sweating like a dog. And Archer was panting as well. He did great work helping me navigate!
A few minutes later, there were two students, thta appear to be in their early 20's or so, both female. They wanted to come meet Archer and talk about him (he's a magnet for conversations!). I feel so blessed to have the one Cochlear Implant because without it, I'm sure the outcome would have been totally different. At least they were standing on my right side so I could hear clearly.
One of them fetched a box of kleenex and said "here you are sweating!" I felt ashamed but then realized they were helping me cool off so I helped myself to wiping my sweat off my face and neck. They asked if I wanted water and I told them I found the fountain. Then they asked if Archer wanted some water. I told them I did not have a bowl for him. "No worries, we have one he can use.". I felt blessed that these two caring animal lovers would bring a 2 foot long oval type bowl to let Archer drink it all up! They helped me find the elevator and I was up on my way to visit the Graduate Advisor.
Had a great visit. We talked about th eprogram, my interests and WHY I wanted to go into the program. She reviewed my transcript and I pretty much met everything with the exception of one class so I plan to take that non-matriculated this Fall so that I can proceed with the Graduate School application.
Finding my way to the Milton Bennion Hall was an adventure! There was so much contstruction going on that I had no sidewalk to take from Social Work to MBH. I ended up walking back to South Campus Drive to head East going up the hill and thinking I'm "beyond the construction" and cut back in (North). Oops! Construction! Poor Archer was working hard. Fortunately, there was very cool wind and wasn't as hot as it was when I first arrived on campus late morning that day. So we walked back to South Campus Drive and head East again. I decided it would be best to just keep walking up to the Huntsman Center and then come back around and over to the MBH.
The lecture went well. There were only three students in that class. Much smaller than normal. I was aware of this from the PRofessor contacting me earlier. I decided instead of my traditional powerpoint presentation on communication and technology, we just sat around while I discussed part of my life dealing with Usher Syndrome. How I lost my vision, my hearing, my journey to get a Cochlear Implant. How the CI has improved my life and how the blindness hinders full functionality with just one CI.
We talked about the upcoming pilot program the FCC is doing called the National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP). This is a pilot program that State PUC/PSC Equipment Administrators to distribute much needed equipment for the deaf-blind.
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