A few more details

Mike is building a real collection of wheels now! His Granddad and Gandmom got him a smaller power chair that was donated by an aquiantance of theirs. His company shipped it for us for free and all we needed was to get the batteries for it. It is going to be a great alternative for him when he needs power wheels, but in a scaled down version. Due to everyones generousity we were able to get Mike an ultralite titanium manual chair, which he needs to get in and out of houses with no acessability. This allows us to carry him up and down stairs in a chair and also give him the alternative to use and excersise his arms. This "Quickie" Brand Chair is one of the most popular and sought after chairs by the disabled. It is the same type that the hospital loaned him on his day visits home. He loved it and it really fit him well. He was able to get the needed bells and whistles like the head rest, special back with lateral supports to keep him upright and a special gel filled seat to protect agains skin breakdown. And best of all...... the frame comes in Mossy Oak Cammo!!!!

As kim said, the house is getting there. We should be 95% done this weekend and able to start cleaning and moving thjings back to where they go.

Mike has some appointments comming up with the PT group, his primary care Dr. and Urologist. He will be getting a good dose of getting out and around and the both of us will becom experts at the van and lift and getting everything tied down, etc. when we go out. Right now it's a little awkward but we will get a routine down. Same for the house. We are getting used to a schedule and things are coming along well.

Well enough for now. I join Kim in thanking all the hard workers who have been renovating the house.

Red

Progress

Mike is settling in a little more everyday at home. He has is hospital bed set up in a temporary space, but is more comfortable sleeping. The major construction has been completeed and now the pianting, tiling, and new floor are being finished. The lift should be in by week's end and then Mike will really be able to be mobile. He has an interview to establish his therapy schedule on Monday and is looking forward to getting into this routine. Thanks to all who have been over helping with the house or just visiting with Mike. Make sure you register for the golf tournament ASAP (I still need to !!)!

-Kim

Mike's Coming Home!!

Also, Mike has been accepted into the NRH SCI Transition outpatient program! They only take 8 people at a time and it is the best around! We are working diligently between all parties to get him approved and signed up! He'll work with his current team of therapists and take trips provided by the program. Metro Access will provide transportation to and from appointments as well! Mike is thrilled!

We're so excited to have Mike back home beginning tomorrow as we're sure all of you are as well! We wanted to let everyone know that Mike is so excited to have everyone visit, but there's a huge adjustment period coming up for us and him while we get acclimated to his routine. Also, the construction to the house is progressing well, but still going on. My dad has reserved a hotel room for Mike to be as comfortable as possible until his area is completed! That being said, he doesn't feel having 30 great people visit the hotel is such a great idea-at least at first! Please give dad- 240-988-6573, me-240-731-4775, mom-240-498-2396, or Erin-301-366-4704 a call around Friday and we'll have a better idea of how to get everyone together!

As always, we thank you all for your tremendous support and help through all of this.

-Kim

Mike's second home visit

This Sunday Mike will be home again. Mike will primarily be at our mom's house, but definitely stopping by dad's for a while to visit. I'm sure she won't mind the get-together being moved to her house!

The Greene Turtle's proceeds were $1,017 making the grand total $5,780!!!! We had a great time and couldn't have done any of it without you!!

-Kim

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

From the bottom of our hearts, our mom, dad, Erin and I would like to say how much we appreciate everyone's amazing generosity at last night's fundraiser at the Greene Turtle. Your support of the Michael Gotzens Foundation, Inc. helped bring in $4,763 (NOW official amount!) for Mike's needs. This amount doesn't include your hard work eating, drinking, and being merry, we still have yet to see the amount being given from the Greene Turtle!

We hope to see everyone at the golf tournament on November 1st as well!

A HUGE THANK YOU to Crystal, Randy, DJ, Shannon, Lish, their families, and the "anonymous" donor who matched the 50/50 raffle amount won!

Love,
Kim, Erin, Jeff, and Jean

Mike's Visit

Mike had a great visit yesterday and was so happy to see everyone! Thanks so much for showing up to visit, take pics, and have a beer with Mike! It was nice to see everyone and he'll be home same time next Sunday as well! I uploaded some pictures from his "visit" to the slide.com link so please take a look and add any you all may have taken. I also changed his profile picture.

See everyone at the Greene Turtle tomorrow!

-Kim

Visiting Home!!!

Mike will be coming Home Sunday for the day. He will be able to supervise the bathroom renovations. I will be getting all my instructions Saturday on medications, etc. and picking him up Sunday at 7AM. The Van is having the lift installed as i write this and shoiuld be ready by tomorrow afternoon so he can be picked up in style. On Sunday, 9/14 there is a second visit planed. We'll set this up so Jean and Kent can pick him up and bring him here for to my house for the day. I will take off to OC with the Skipper to the Bike Ralley and they can use the van. This way we both can get the instructions from the DR's on how to administer the meds, transfering him and the experience of caring for him for a whole day, on our own. Whewww. I am tired of typing. The bathroom renovations are underway and the lift renovations will begin Tuesday. It's goinng to be tight for finishing, but we'll do it!!!!!!!!!!!

Red

New invention perfect for Mike-the off-road wheel chair!

Developed by a student whose father suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease, the off-road wheelchair kit will sell for $4,495. Among the other devices the students have created are an aluminum crutch that folds up to fit into a purse and a mechanical retriever that can grab a backpack from behind a wheelchair.

There's also a great story about a new walking device. You can read about it at http://www.argomedtec.com/video-a-life-regained.asp



Also, Mike did well on his minor exploratory procedure on Friday. We awaiting the results, but expect that things will be status quo. He had a great weekend and got to spend time outside since the weather was so nice.

Please remember the Harley fundraiser this Saturday, Sept 6th and the Greene Turtle Fundraiser next Tuesday, Sept. 9th.

Also, register EARLY for the golf tournament on Nov. 1st and contact Shannon at shannyboo52@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities.

Thanks!
-Kim