Scooter Relief Fund

Caught Mike awake the first time since his birthday. The last two times I went he was asleep. Today I got to spend a while with him. Mikes getting a lot stronger. I had to help him straighten up the cushion he sits on in his wheel chair but he put a lot of weight on his legs while I was doing that as well as when I helped him back into bed.

Mike kept asking if I was “really there”  which was odd.  He also talked about school a lot. He asked about the math teacher and asked to see a map. I had my GPS with me so I showed him that. He looked at it for a while, and I pointed out S. Tampa.  Next time I go I’ll bring a map and see if he can find his house on it.

We also played tic-tac-toe for a few games.

Mike was in better spirits and I was happy to catch him awake. His roomie, Ron, said that his Mom comes out almost daily to see him and his step mother is there often as well. Both of them offer a whole lotta love and get him out of bed which is tough.  Mike still prefers to stay in bed as much as he can… his back is killing him but that is old news for all of us who have known Mike for a while.

I told him about Kelly Chandler having a baby and he was REALLY excited and I told him that Jules, in Seattle, is pregnant too and he was excited about that as well.

Hopefully I can make it out to see him next week. I’m trying to think of good coordination and logic games to play with him so if anyone has some ideas, give me a shout at 813-270-2673.

-Scott

Scooter ride 11:15 AM @ Barney’s

Here is the link to the flyer:
http://www.tampa2stroke.com/wp/?page_id=21

Please see the Events page for details: http://mikeformato.info/?page_id=5

Scott here! Went to see Mike today and when I got there his mom was just leaving. Mike was in good spirits and joking. He was also asking about current state of political affairs, which kind of shocked me. It is great that Mike is more and more aware of the world around him and that he is taking an active interest in it! Unfortunately I didn’t get to spend much time with Mike because he was tuckered out and fell asleep after about 45 minutes but all in all his spirits are high and he clearly enjoys having visitors.

got to see mike last thursday at the st. pete place. went with jill, joe and andy. now i don’t know mike like most of you guys might, i only know him like i know most of you, i’ve lived in south tampa for more than a decade, so we’re more than aquaintances, but not best friends. i don’t share a lot of the same inside jokes and what not (strawberry milkshake anyone?) but i can say that while i was there he was very coherent, though he was tired and tried more than a few times to drift off on us. it was great to see him get some of those inside jokes, and to laugh, like whole hearted laugh. that made it all worth it. i know he’s got a long way to go but he seems comfortable right now and in good spirits. we took him a tv so he has his own. and i believe andy is taking him a dvd player and some video games to help with hand eye coordination. so if anyone has dvd’s they’d like to lend i’m sure they’d be appreciated. we only stayed about an hour but i’m glad we went. this was my first time seeing mike since the accident and i really can’t wait to visit again so i can gauge the progress he’s made

Scott here, I went and spent 4 hours or so with Mike yesterday on his birthday and had a great time. Mikes mom, mother in law and a friend of his mother in law were there in the morning for cake and pizza and Sarah came over with Ian a bit later. We spent the day outside and it was perfect weather.

Mike is doing better, his dexterity is improving and he is gaining weight. All in all Mike’s improvements have been amazing. His speech is still slurred and he tries to say too much too fast… his brain is still ticking faster than his mouth like always!

I’m looking forward to going back out on Monday or Tuesday so give me a shout if you want to ride out with me! 813-270-2673

Andy went to visit Mike today around 2 PM in the afternoon. Mike was tuckered out and asked to sleep, so Andy had only about 20 minutes with him. Mike is looking better–he has gained some weight and is looking healthier. Andy speculated that Mike was tired from physical therapy and perhaps was on pain medication. Don’t forget that this Friday is Mike’s birthday. There is no official plan, just go visit him and say Happy Birthday. Thanks!

To register for a user name and password so you can post go to http://mikeformato.info/wp-login.php?action=register. Once you are registered, go to http://mikeformato.info/wp-login.php to log on. If you lose your user name and password, go to the logon page and click the little Lost Password link and enter your email address. The system will send you a new password. Please make an effort to post if you do go to visit.

Mike cannot have unthickened liquids of any kind. No soda, juice, etc. Milkshakes and smoothies are ok. I’m posting this because several times unthickened liquids have been left in his room by visitors. Visits and kindness are appreciated, but the unthickened liquids are a choking hazard. Thanks, and please keep up your support for Mike, Sarah, and Ian.

-Margaret
10/3/2009