Our trip

[Guest guest]

Our trip to NC went well. With the help of ThermaCare disposable heating pads,

the drive was not to hard on my back. The weather was perfect and it was so neat

to finally meet some of my in-laws.

When I left, I wondered which side of the list I would be on: The wicked in-laws

or the wonderful in-laws. I am glad to report that Dave's family is wonderful!!

They said they accepted me as soon as Dave walked in the door and they could see

how relaxed and happy he was, and that was all that mattered to them.

Another good note...one of Dave's aunts had the same back surgery (fusion) in

November that I am having and on the same disc (L4/5)! So we compared notes. She

is doing great!!

The only problem we had was with the hotel. We stayed at the Holiday Inn because

they had an indoor/outdoor pool and a whirlpool. The kids wanted the pool to

play in, I wanted the outdoor pool to work on my tan, and my back needed the the

whirlpool. The outdoor pool was still closed for the winter and the whirlpool

was broken. So that sucked...and a letter of complaint will be going out as they

waited until our last day there to do anything about the whirlpool, even though

we complained from the first day that it was needed for therapuetic medical

reasons. Also, the free breakfast buffet was awful so we ate breakfast at IHOP

the rest of the visit.

Now...life would be perfect if I could just get ahold of the lady at my doctors

office and see when my back surgery is scheduled! We are still playing phone tag

after 2 weeks.

Vivian H.

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

We are home safe and sound from Canada. Overall it was a wonderful trip.

We headed out Sunday the 8th. Got up a 4 a.m. (yes, 4 A.M.!) Left at 6, when

our dear friend picked us up and carted us all the way to Intercontinental

airport. The girls were huge troopers on both flights. Riley got no nap and

was still a doll. With the exception of some difficulty getting the van that we

had reserved from the rental place, it was about as good as we could have asked

for.

We stayed at the Quality Suites in Montreal. The staff was so SO nice. The

beds were another story!

Monday - We took it easy in the morning and had her evaluation with Leonid in

the afternoon. http://www.fondationnicolastrozzo.com/ She was not happy during

the evaluation...she doesn't like being " handled " by strangers! It was a

sobering evaluation. It's never easy to hear that your child is pretty severely

affected. But Leonid was very encouraging about the fact that we are starting

such intense therapy at such a young age.

Tuesday - Saturday - Byron and I went daily with to the foundation to

learn an individualized therapy program for her. My mom stayed with Riley at

the hotel. It was emotionally hard to see the more severely affected older

children. We had several parents tell us, " Oh, <the child> looked just like

at that age. " Since their children were really looking severe, that was

very hard emotionally. But we are just not focusing on that, but on the fact

that we are starting early and she will not reach their level of severity.

We feel really excited about the therapy and feel that it will be very

effective. We have four specific exercises that we are to do with her for a

total of 3 1/2 hours per day. This is in addition to the many hours of

stimulation and therapy that we already do with her. This therapy that we

learned is solely affecting her physical body.

On Sunday and Monday we rested and played tourist. (We couldn't get a flight

home until Tuesday) Riley had a great time at the lovely parks. The weather

was lovely. Every Sunday there's a festival in Park Jeanne Mance, at the base

of Mount Royal. It's called Tam-Tams, which is the Quebecois word for bongos.

All the hippies and hipsters et al come out the park and play drums and dance.

The park is always full, people are throwing frisbees and footballs and bringing

their dogs and kids. Riley had a great time dancing.

Our trip home also went well. We got compliments on how well behaved the girls

were, which is always nice. It is SO nice to be home.

Of course, tomorrow, the girls and I load up and head to DFW for more Dr and

therapy appointments. Byron will stay here, as he has to work as much as

possible.

We'll be meeting with a therapist on Friday for a follow up evaluation and on

Monday the 23rd with Dr Donohue, the neurosurgeon that we are going to have do

her tethered spinal cord surgery.

Thanks to all of you that have helped us with this trip. We believe it is going

to be a life changing therapy for our girl and give her a chance that she

wouldn't have otherwise. You are blessings to us!!

Please keep us and her next surgery in your prayers. When they set the date for

it, I'll update you all. I am " no mail " on all groups since I am away from my

home email. If you email me, please email me directly at

CarolynSimpson@....

Much Love!

Carolyn and Byron Simpson

" Do not pursue spectacular deeds. What matters is the gift of yourself, the

degree of love that you put into each one of your actions. " Mother

http://www.childrenofpromise.net/julias.html