May 2010
5/01/2010 Day 64 of Jonesy's Journey-Michael was thrilled when Matt “JoJo" Moore and his wife Peggy visited today. Matt and Peggy offered Michael advice and hope and friendship. (JoJo is also a quadriplegic who was injured playing rugby in 1991)
5/02/2010 Day 65 of Jonesy's Journey- A beautiful sun-shiny day with a great group of friends and Liliana running up the Kessler hallways shirtless...I'm off to Albany in the AM, then back to Kessler in the PM...
5/03/2010 Day 66 of Jonesy's Journey-I will exhaust every possibility to keep Michael at Kessler...it's not over until it's over...
5/04/2010 Day 67 of Jonesy's Journey "It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired." — Robert Strauss
/06/2010 Day 69 of Jonesy's Journey-Today Jonesy had a final fitting for his power wheel chair. He picked out a wild color for his frame "Albany Knick Blue"
5/07/2010 Day 70 of Jonesy's Journey- Jonesy has asked nothing of anyone during this crisis. He wants two things: to stay at Kessler for as long as possible and to return to his home in Delmar. We may have no control over the Kessler stay, but we will stay in our 1920's Bungalow in Delmar. How? Our house can't be made assessable; we must build an addition to our current home. The challenges of this new venture are many. We’ll share those needs soon. The second round of architecture plans came today and hopefully Jonesy will get the man cave of his dreams.
5/08/2010 Day 71 of Jonesy's Journey- For the first time in 71 days, I did not speak to my husband- his last visitor tried but we were out-I called back- and then I thought how sad and scary for Jonesy knowing his cell phone is ringing and he can't reach out and pick it up… if he needs anything he can only rely on shouting out for help. This haunts me. On the bright side, I saw a rainbow through the hail storm today and it ended at our front porch! Back to Kessler with Lil in the morning.
5/09/2010 Day 72 of Jonesy's Journey- How did Jonesy arrange for Mother's Day flowers to be in his room when I walked in? "I have connections"...he said..Thanks for the Mother's Day wishes..Good Night from the Jones family.
(posted 5/10/10) FYI...No scheduled visitors for Jonesy and I have to be in Albany today...if any locals can pop in that would be great.
5/10/2010 Day 73 of Jonesy's Journey-Thanks to Kevin Clancy of Clancy Real Estate who was going to sell our house without commission-he took me to see many homes before we decided to stay put. Why did he spend hours with us knowing he wasn't going to make a penny? Because he's a decent human being who believes in paying it forward, just like the many who read this page...thanks Kevin.
5/11/2010 Day 74 of Jonesy's Journey-Jonesy is trying out a new sleep mask (which is essential to eventual trachea removal) and he would like me to watch him sleep-hey whatever gets you through the night.
5/12/2010 Day 75-Jonesy doesn't want to leave Kessler soon- hoping wishing praying for a last minute miracle- Mike is really missing Liliana tonight it makes him sad thinkng about how she calls out Da-Da everytime she says good-bye on the phone or in person
5/13/2010 Day 76-I spend 10 hours a day on the phone, trying to be Erin Brochovich,trying to be there for Michael, trying to be long-distance mom, and today, I just couldn't handle it all. I am saying yes more often when people ask to help out so today it's thanks Jen, I know I am coming home to a clean house tomorrow, thanks Andy for tonight's airport run, thanks Jay for keeping Jonesy company while I tried to shut my eyes today. A fear we have: since this is a forever situation, will we forever be relying on the kindness of others to help us survive the rest of our lives?
(posted 5/14/10) We are thrilled to report Jonesy will be staying at Kessler for 45 more days. We are grateful for the cooperation between our insurance company, the AG's office, our elected officials, Mike's employer and the countless others who have made this day possible. We rejoice knowing Michael will be receiving the therapy he deserves and hope for further recovery. Thank you all for your prayers. We'll see you tomorrow at Cook Park!
5/15/2010 Day 15 of Jonesy's Journey-The gratitude we feel today cannot be measured. The Jones Family Fundraiser was another example of our community coming together to support Jonesy. The Saddlewood and South Colonie Community opened their hearts (and purses) today at Cook Park. I know it took an incredible amount of organizing to orchestrate such a well run event-this thank you list is far from complete, just a start….thanks to Saddlewood School, SCTA, Carrabbas, The Village of Colonie, C&M Productions and the community business owners and families who donate raffle items (a complete list will be posted soon) It was a beautiful day.
5/16/2010 Day 79 of Jonesy's Journey-Thanks again to Jennifer Gish who reported our story in the Times Union with accuracy and compassion. Web version available tomorrow for the out-of-towners.
(The article - http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Not-a-part-of-the-plan-551566.php)
(posted 5/17/10) The 1st "Jonesy Open" at Capital Hills was a smashing success. Thank you to Mayor Jennings, Steve Vatter & the Capital Hills staff, Paul Buhlmer and The Albany Kicks Fundraising committee, corporate sponsors and our family and friends. An excerpt from my thank you speech it's too long for FB "Right now, Michael’s body may not be able to move - but his spirit will move mountains- that spirit will be the fuel our family needs to face the lifetime of challenges that lay ahead because 'this is forever'. We’ll do it with grit and grace and advocacy and perseverance. And that is where you all come in- we will survive by relying on the kindness and generosity of others now and in the weeks, months and years to come- we know you will be with us on every step of Jonesy’s Journey"
5/17/2010 Day 81 of Jonesy's Journey-Back at Kessler with Jonesy-showing him pictures of the amazing events of the past weekend and reading him FB posts (which he LOVES). Much to accomplish in the next few weeks- business with lawyers, builders, bankers or we will be in the spot we were just in-so I will spend more time in Albany between now and June 29th-to figure out where Jonesy is going next and begin the addition on the house-the plans are with the Town of Bethlehem. So much to do...so little time.
5/18/2010 Day 82 of Jonesy's Journey- Naptime at Kessler
5/20/2010 Day 83-The $15,000 man....that's how much this machine costs...it was combined with electrical stimulation and moved Jonesy's legs for him...if you listen close he said he is getting ready for Saranac!
5/21/2010 Day 84 of Jonesy's Journey-Three weeks, 3,000+ miles on the car......this schedule can’t be kept up the next month….too much to do with finding Jonesy a placement somewhere up north 6/29 will come quick, and planning the addition which means lots of time for visitors! Including this Sunday-we won't be down. Have a nice weekend, All.
5/22/2010 Day 85 of Jonesy's Journey-Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength. -- Author Unknown
5/23/2010 Day 86 of Jonesy's Journey- Thanks to the Gardiner Family for bringing their 3 beautiful children to Jonesy today and the highlight of his day.....they fed him steak!
5/24/2010 Day 87 of Jonesy's Journey-Mat work today in the sci gym-working on core stability and strength-who has more core strength than Jonesy?
5/25/2010 Day 88 of Jonesy's Journey-Electrical stimulation on all limbs today-DWTS seems to be motivating Jonesy tonight.
5/26/2010 Day 89 of Jonesy's Journey-more power wheel chair practice in PT - today's goal: navigate doorways- Jonesy ran over his therapist (just once)
5/27/2010 Day 90 of Jonesy's Journey-Three months ago today this journey started, thanks all 4,488 of you for following us -more major challenges headed our way especially in the coming months-cheer us on, Jonesy asks for post readings daily-he reads/listens to every single one.
5/28/2010 Day 91 of Jonesy's Journey-poked and prodded in the lab today, knocked Jonesy out-he was in bed by 7:30pm so he could gear up for family day at Kessler tomorrow.
5/29/2010 Day 92 of Jonesy's Journey-Celebrating Liliana's 2nd BD today at Kessler- trying to find the joy in the day, though our hearts are heavy.
5/30/2010 Day 93 of Jonesy's Journey-Thanks Jay and Bill for keeping Jonesy company all day today-extra thanks to Bill for keeping our lawn mowed weekly.
5/31/2010 Day 94 of Jonesy's Journey-one month from today will be Jonesy's last day at Kessler-we do not know where we will be July 1st-options include nursing home for custodial care or renting an apartment with private duty nursing care until our house is ready (we haven't started yet)-Make the most of these last 30 days Jonesy!