Canadian Western Agribition -- Canada's Premier International Agricultural Show and Marketplace featuring over 4,000 head of livestock, over 450 commercial trade show exhibits, the CCA Finals Rodeo, and western entertainment, is taking place in Regina this week.
Isabel has chosen not to attend the event with other residents from Wascana, however is watching as much of the show as she can on the tellie. The smells won't be quite the same but the views are excellent.
Isabel was amused to discover a photo of herself and her good friend, Nelle, in this year's show booklet. Mum, your many years of attending Agribition have gone down on record!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
"A Plus to All This"
"Getting to know every one is the plus to all this."
So writes Isabel's new friend and co-star of "After the Bite", Don Bell of Dubuc. Don is also a West Nile Neurological Syndrome Survivor. He and Isabel were featured in the Globe & Mail article and video by Wendy Stueck and Co. Don and his wife Glenda, and Isabel now stay connected through e-mail and visits at Wascana.
For Don and Isabel, there are several new friends as the result of surviving the bites of the summer of 2007.
Don also writes:
"Drs. think I will plateau but I won't hear of it because they really don't know about us and this West Nile. And Isabel -- we have to prove them wrong for the next victims -- to give them hope and encouragement. I think we can come out of this even if some of us are at different degrees. Strong willpower goes a long ways. I am doing things and not sitting so I think it helps. People tell me 'you shouldn't be doing this or that', but it's not my nature."
We all take courage from attitudes such as Don's. We are grateful for the day-in-day-out support of friends and creative therapists who are determined that Isabel will gain as much strength and movement as possible in her contractured limbs.
Here's to you, Don and Glenda, and your own determination and spirit and the hope that you share with others!
So writes Isabel's new friend and co-star of "After the Bite", Don Bell of Dubuc. Don is also a West Nile Neurological Syndrome Survivor. He and Isabel were featured in the Globe & Mail article and video by Wendy Stueck and Co. Don and his wife Glenda, and Isabel now stay connected through e-mail and visits at Wascana.
For Don and Isabel, there are several new friends as the result of surviving the bites of the summer of 2007.
Don also writes:
"Drs. think I will plateau but I won't hear of it because they really don't know about us and this West Nile. And Isabel -- we have to prove them wrong for the next victims -- to give them hope and encouragement. I think we can come out of this even if some of us are at different degrees. Strong willpower goes a long ways. I am doing things and not sitting so I think it helps. People tell me 'you shouldn't be doing this or that', but it's not my nature."
We all take courage from attitudes such as Don's. We are grateful for the day-in-day-out support of friends and creative therapists who are determined that Isabel will gain as much strength and movement as possible in her contractured limbs.
Here's to you, Don and Glenda, and your own determination and spirit and the hope that you share with others!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A Rainbow of Binders
Every teacher loves the versatility of three ring binders and Isabel has 6 of them to keep her reading life organized.
Several of you have written letters with a PS that says something such as: "I hope someone can read this to you" or "how are your eyes? can you read?"
Isabel's eyes are fine and she reads a lot, although her eyes tire fairly easily. (The nurses say it is because of the smoke coming off her letterboard when she is in high-gear!)
Isabel has use of a few fingers of her left hand. It is not easy to turn pages that lay on a wheelchair table so we have devised a coloured three ring binder system for her various materials. A binder can sit on Isabel's angled reading board for easy turning. The various colours make it easier for Isabel to communicate with staff about which binder she wants on her angled reading board.
Her red binders are the favourites. We three hole punch each letter, news article, etc. that comes from you (and sometimes greeting cards as well before they go up on her card ledge). The contents of each red binder changes weekly, and is read daily by Isabel. The housekeeper on the south end of 2-6 opens Isabel's mail for her early each morning.
The dark blue binder is for The Seniors' Newspaper. Thanks to an Aber friend's generosity with this gift subscription.
The orange binder is for farm newspapers.
The green one is for magazines. This week's is a Scottish one. Thanks to all of you who have brought a variety of magazines.
The purple one tells the story of Isabel's teaching career and is a well used one as she and former students have frequently looked through it.
We still have the pink, purple, and yellow ones to fill.
Now if we could just get our desks (and staff!) organized as well as Isabel has hers!
Today is November 11, and Isabel will be watching programming from "the Hill" in Ottawa. Together, we remember........
Several of you have written letters with a PS that says something such as: "I hope someone can read this to you" or "how are your eyes? can you read?"
Isabel's eyes are fine and she reads a lot, although her eyes tire fairly easily. (The nurses say it is because of the smoke coming off her letterboard when she is in high-gear!)
Isabel has use of a few fingers of her left hand. It is not easy to turn pages that lay on a wheelchair table so we have devised a coloured three ring binder system for her various materials. A binder can sit on Isabel's angled reading board for easy turning. The various colours make it easier for Isabel to communicate with staff about which binder she wants on her angled reading board.
Her red binders are the favourites. We three hole punch each letter, news article, etc. that comes from you (and sometimes greeting cards as well before they go up on her card ledge). The contents of each red binder changes weekly, and is read daily by Isabel. The housekeeper on the south end of 2-6 opens Isabel's mail for her early each morning.
The dark blue binder is for The Seniors' Newspaper. Thanks to an Aber friend's generosity with this gift subscription.
The orange binder is for farm newspapers.
The green one is for magazines. This week's is a Scottish one. Thanks to all of you who have brought a variety of magazines.
The purple one tells the story of Isabel's teaching career and is a well used one as she and former students have frequently looked through it.
We still have the pink, purple, and yellow ones to fill.
Now if we could just get our desks (and staff!) organized as well as Isabel has hers!
Today is November 11, and Isabel will be watching programming from "the Hill" in Ottawa. Together, we remember........
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Contacting Isabel
Several of you have inquired how to contact Isabel.....
By leaving a phone message in her room: 306-545-5994.
By sending a letter:
Unit 2-6
Wascana Rehab Centre
2180-23rd Ave.
Regina, SK
S4S 0A5
Thank you!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
"Trick or Treat or Halloween Apples?"
Halloween is one of Isabel's favourite days and this has been a full
Halloween week. The 2-6 staff have decorated the unit with witches,
goblins, and jack o'lanterns. One of Isabel's quilting friends has
created a Scottish witch wall hanging (in two tartans) that now hangs
along side her Fall pumpkins.
Halloween week. The 2-6 staff have decorated the unit with witches,
goblins, and jack o'lanterns. One of Isabel's quilting friends has
created a Scottish witch wall hanging (in two tartans) that now hangs
along side her Fall pumpkins.
On Monday, Isabel's Cousin Mary who turns 90 the same week as Isabel turns 80 arrived to visit with family members, a singing birthday
plate, and 7-Up for birthday toasts. Two other former Abernethians
dropped in at the party. Riddle of the Day: How many people can you
stuff in one resident room?
On Thursday, five other Abernethy friends came by (several to show
off their Halloween costumes) and to discuss the latest happenings in
the village.
In between these party times, other family members and friends
visited to catch up on news from the summer.
There is still time to participate in October 31 activities! Isabel
has her Halloween costume and is ready to go to Wascana's Haunted
House and Social Hour. Guests welcome, too. Departure time is 1:00
sharp!
Some weeks are very quiet in Isabel's room. This is not one of them!
Happy Halloween everyone!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Recipe for a Fine Fall Day
Take:
* 1 sunshiny day and a turquoise cloudless sky
* 1 Wascana van and a relaxed driver
* 1 Grandmother, 2 daughters, 1 granddaughter and three of her friends
* 1 wheel-chair accessible college on a beautiful University campus
close to Wascana
What do you have?
Isabel's afternoon outing to Luther College at the University of
Regina to see granddaughter Megan's new digs, cafeteria, lecture
halls, new friends and hang-out spaces. Thanks for the tour, Meg!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Wasn't That A Party!!!!
Wascana was rocking last Thursday evening when Larry & Marj Middleton of Abernethy brought their blend of keyboard and sax for the pleasure of many of the residents of Wascana. 50 residents settled in at ground level and 20 more were entertained from the second floor "balconies". Through the mix of swing, folk, latin, country, old tyme, polkas, and gospel music, the staff kept the residents and their wheel chairs dancing. Isabel and her friends had front row seats.
Remembering her own coaching from Larry while she was learning to play the sax a few years ago, Isabel remarked:
LARRY MAKES IT LOOK SO EASY and THOSE TWO CAN PLAY ANYTHING.
When you use a letterboard to communicate, you can "talk" throughout the concert, and the ushers don't tell you to "Keep quiet!"
Isabel closed the party down when she saw her guests to the door to wish them good night. On her way back home to Unit 2-6, the cleaning staff were the only folks left reminding us of a fine evening of music and dance and friendship.
Thanks, Larry & Marj and Regina friends for bringing your music and appreciation to the halls of Wascana.
Remembering her own coaching from Larry while she was learning to play the sax a few years ago, Isabel remarked:
LARRY MAKES IT LOOK SO EASY and THOSE TWO CAN PLAY ANYTHING.
When you use a letterboard to communicate, you can "talk" throughout the concert, and the ushers don't tell you to "Keep quiet!"
Isabel closed the party down when she saw her guests to the door to wish them good night. On her way back home to Unit 2-6, the cleaning staff were the only folks left reminding us of a fine evening of music and dance and friendship.
Thanks, Larry & Marj and Regina friends for bringing your music and appreciation to the halls of Wascana.
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