Thank-you

Thank-you for caring email My server was down . I'm healing.... I'll be out tomorrow....see you in a few days..luv ya

Angel Reading from a New Friend

I had a very unbelieveable Event happen that I may share with you how I met this young lady...People will think I'm nuts. I believe was God's will that we meet But B gave me this reading which has reminded me to never give up hope

I knew as soon as I saw your picture this morning that the picture I had drawn was you. I think the spirits are trying to show us both to have faith and believe for they are with us always. I have done a reading for you because I wanted to. I hope you don't mind. This is the messages I received for you. The Angels want you to know they are always with you, and will always be with you, they can not leave you no matter what , they are your angels for eternity for that is what God asked of them from the day your were conceived. The angels told me to tell you that your life was no mistake. you chose to live this life before you came into it and god granted it to you because he loves you and he wanted to watch you succeed in this choice you made. For you are one of god's most beautiful children for you chose one of the hardest lives to experience. He is proud of you as are the angels who watch over you. The angels want you to try to find balance in your life. Balance between work ,exercise, spirituality,meditation and play, for in balance you will find comfort and peace.The angels said do not fear child for all you have to fear is fear it's self for you are always safe because the angels are always with you. The angels want you to listen to beautiful music for music will sooth you and comfort you and help you to connect to your divine self. The Angels tell me they are here for you always all you have to do is speak to them and they will be there to help you in any way you ask.
I hope this reading brings you peace and comforts you in some way. Your friend B



Thank-You B

T- File Update

Here are some notes I sent to my family on The Tube File

March 10

I'm so much better when the RN's cut out the Drama. It's difficult enough for me as it is. I'm glad I put the brakes on. That new wound looks good..then gets wider. I've been dry for 3 days. Tomorrow I need to do it. I hope they do it Well...I haven't opened the dressing in 2 1/2 days...I don't want" it's wider "news.. I wish C_ was off at the head somedays..That C_ always tall's A_ exaggerate truth. Before you know it I hone THE WOUND TEAM stand over me. That C_ sits on her tush all day but shows off at my expense...OK I will send them



My gear for all wounds Scissors ,, Alovista (aka Sproam cleanser) Biotane, MEFIX..Mepelex Boarder Aquacell..Oh yeah chopped up new incontinence product 3" x5" ( not called an adult diaper)

then roled from The truth is that it does worry me enough. . That extra hole scared me as some people get them her & GSS size of dinner plates..Lots of people give up then..I'm not their yet. but they made it out like I was procrastinating fixing itBbut I know THEY are the ones who could not get a surgeon to consult an opinion on me. Like you heard with your own ears from Dr. Murgi..2006 Sept when I had Heart attack symptoms I can't get on a Normal Medical or Surgery Unit due to ventilator politics..who'-da-thought I could not get in a Hospital on a ventilator. LOL---LOL---LOL :) Either a Emergency or ICU. Even that night they were complaining when I got there. What the point.I don't even get all my medication represcribed..I am getting into medication technic. I wonder if Aimy Gillard still does Raki? I will try to call her

Oh Got my new bed...pretty fine I Say I can fly..


tate-of-the-art Advanta http://www.hill-rom.com/usa/Certified_Advanta.htm No pump..self contained..very quiet technology..has a low hum occasionly shifts to conture my body. Feels like warm firm jello...with slight air movement....The Manual attached was on another site found it by accident seems big but has only 1 setting where are your feet?The bed does the rest.
Love Michelle



March 4 2009
Subject: Old Stab Wound Are Hard to Heal- My Bed Mapping Adventure

What a day my bed's been mapped by a $8000 Crazy carpet hooked to a laptop. laptop very high-tech. It Maps your body's pressure points and bumps according to the points yor skin touches the bed. Has a temperature grid to.. You lay on it the way you naturally lay. Would be a great deal more effective without a cellophane sheet could have charged admittance for a waterslide. To make a long story short I'm getting a whole new bed to trial It has the zones . Just to find out all that I was telling them...To be fair the toy may real wonderful with an average size able bodied adult. The good news is the new bed with air & Zones


G-tube is not doing well this is serious guys my g-tube is leaking bad It's too big for the staff as it is barely manageable. I Need a Miracle...thank God that Him & Jesus with Holy spirit are in The Miracle Business...I could use one. There is no quota I've had many.

This time the colostomy bag is over both stomach holes...I'm not holding my breath could use a miracle. a 4th consult for a surgeon will be put in. Why the 3 surgeon and 2 G.P.'s have been useless so far Everyone agrees it must have an appointment not sending me williy-nilly to Emergency by myself is out. Some of the treatments poured out today the Medications I take. may or may do are not in agreement with my normal routine, medications are all working now will be not feasible with treatment *taking out both tubes is drastic when the doctor took so . The big one is I don't want to be in Hospital longer the 3 weeks to a month . Months in a hospital waiting it too much for me to with 2 open stab wounds which have had 3 years and best care still have not yet healed . I have a right to be a sceptic. But I have Hope I have a Family and a Laptop (If was case would temporary hold TELUS phone and internet and get a Bell internet card.I need to make things safe and comfortable so I can keep sane in a Sanatorium .
Michelle Laverdiere

Nine Orders of Angels

This is not only Beautiful is interesting Flash.

In Memory of Aunty Carolyn

I dedicate this to Uncle Wayne and Cousins Brent and Michael

I want to redo this post For My Beloved Uncle Wayne and my cousins Brent and Michael Z
I rededicate this beaytiful poem which has been giving me comfort with that part of Death I personally fear which is the pain suffering we face on this end
For Uncle Wayne the loss of His much missed Wife, my cousins Brent & Michael 's Mother and my Aunty....'Carolyn" Who passed away last year. Welove you...Michelle L



Go Down Death
James Weldon Johnson



Weep not, weep not,
She is not dead;
She's resting in the bosom of Jesus.
Heart-broken husband--weep no more;
Grief-stricken son--weep no more;
Left-lonesome daughter --weep no more;
She only just gone home.

Day before yesterday morning,
God was looking down from his great, high heaven,
Looking down on all his children,
And his eye fell of Sister Caroline,
Tossing on her bed of pain.
And God's big heart was touched with pity,
With the everlasting pity.

And God sat back on his throne,
And he commanded that tall, bright angel standing at his right hand:
Call me Death!
And that tall, bright angel cried in a voice
That broke like a clap of thunder:
Call Death!--Call Death!
And the echo sounded down the streets of heaven
Till it reached away back to that shadowy place,
Where Death waits with his pale, white horses.

And Death heard the summons,
And he leaped on his fastest horse,
Pale as a sheet in the moonlight.
Up the golden street Death galloped,
And the hooves of his horses struck fire from the gold,
But they didn't make no sound.
Up Death rode to the Great White Throne,
And waited for God's command.

And God said: Go down, Death, go down,
Go down to Savannah, Georgia,
Down in Yamacraw,
And find Sister Caroline.
She's borne the burden and heat of the day,
She's labored long in my vineyard,
And she's tired--
She's weary--
Do down, Death, and bring her to me.

And Death didn't say a word,
But he loosed the reins on his pale, white horse,
And he clamped the spurs to his bloodless sides,
And out and down he rode,
Through heaven's pearly gates,
Past suns and moons and stars;
on Death rode,
Leaving the lightning's flash behind;
Straight down he came.

While we were watching round her bed,
She turned her eyes and looked away,
She saw what we couldn't see;
She saw Old Death.She saw Old Death
Coming like a falling star.
But Death didn't frighten Sister Caroline;
He looked to her like a welcome friend.
And she whispered to us: I'm going home,
And she smiled and closed her eyes.

And Death took her up like a baby,
And she lay in his icy arms,
But she didn't feel no chill.
And death began to ride again--
Up beyond the evening star,
Into the glittering light of glory,
On to the Great White Throne.
And there he laid Sister Caroline
On the loving breast of Jesus.

And Jesus took his own hand and wiped away her tears,
And he smoothed the furrows from her face,
And the angels sang a little song,
And Jesus rocked her in his arms,
And kept a-saying: Take your rest,
Take your rest.

Weep not--weep not,
She is not dead;
She's resting in the bosom of Jesus.

James Weldon Johnson

Regina Spektor - The Call From Prince Caspian

I'm not the only one with no comfy bed issues!

The Real Princess

There was once a prince, and he wanted a princess, but then she must be a real Princess. He travelled right round the world to find one, but there was always something wrong. There were plenty of princesses, but whether they were real princesses he had great difficulty in discovering; there was always something which was not quite right about them. So at last he had to come home again, and he was very sad because he wanted a real princess so badly.

One evening there was a terrible storm; it thundered and lightened and the rain poured down in torrents; indeed it was a fearful night.

In the middle of the storm somebody knocked at the town gate, and the old King himself went to open it.

It was a princess who stood outside, but she was in a terrible state from the rain and the storm. The water streamed out of her hair and her clothes; it ran in at the top of her shoes and out at the heel, but she said that she was a real princess.

‘Well we shall soon see if that is true,’ thought the old Queen, but she said nothing. She went into the bedroom, took all the bedclothes off and laid a pea on the bedstead: then she took twenty mattresses and piled them on the top of the pea, and then twenty feather beds on the top of the mattresses. This was where the princess was to sleep that night. In the morning they asked her how she had slept.

‘Oh terribly badly!’ said the princess. ‘I have hardly closed my eyes the whole night! Heaven knows what was in the bed. I seemed to be lying upon some hard thing, and my whole body is black and blue this morning. It is terrible!’

They saw at once that she must be a real princess when she had felt the pea through twenty mattresses and twenty feather beds. Nobody but a real princess could have such a delicate skin.

So the prince took her to be his wife, for now he was sure that he had found a real princess, and the pea was put into the Museum, where it may still be seen if no one has stolen it.

Now this is a true story

Old Wounds can be Slow to Heal

What a day my bed's been mapped by a $8000 Crazy carpet hooked to a laptop. laptop very high-tech. It Maps your body's pressure points and bumps according to the points yor skin touches the bed. Has a temperature grid to.. You lay on it the way you naturally lay. Would be a great deal more effective without a cellophane sheet could have charged admittance for a waterslide.

http://www.hill-rom.com/usa/Surfaces_Adv.htm


To make a long story short I'm getting a whole new bed to trial It has the zones . Just to find out all that I was telling them...To be fair the toy may real wonderful with an average size able bodied adult. The good news is the new bed with air & Zones



G-tube is not doing well this is serious guys my g-tube is leaking bad It's too big for the staff as it is barely manageable. I Need a Miracle...thank God that Him & Jesus with Holy spirit are in The Miracle Business...I could use one. There is no quota I've had many. I'm sharing this who also struggle a long time witha going nowhere health Issue. You are not alone.Kep-on-Day to Day

This time the colostomy bag (for my gastonomy stoma not a colostomy stoma)*like my air-sickness bag ;)* yucky but contained under my shirt is over both stomach holes...I'm not holding my breath (I guess I could not anyway, I'm on a ventilator )lol could use a miracle. a 4th consult for a surgeon will be put in. Why the 3 surgeon and 2 G.P.'s have been useless so far Everyone agrees it must have an appointment not sending me williy-nilly to Emergency by myself is out. Some of the treatments poured out today the Medications I take. may or may do are not in agreement with my normal routine, medications are all working now will be not feasible with treatment *taking out both tubes is drastic when the doctor took so . The big one is I don't want to be in Hospital longer the 3 weeks to a month . Months in a hospital waiting it too much for me to with 2 open stab wounds which have had 3 years and best care still have not yet healed . I have a right to be a skeptic. But I have Hope I have a Family and a Laptop (If was case would temporary hold TELUS phone and internet and get a Bell internet card.I need to make things safe and comfortable so I can keep sane in a Sanatorium .I was reminded today that I still have a Right to say no. I still have some enpowerment left.
God Bless you,
Michelle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urlTBBKTO68

A place to Reflect

www.blogtalkradio.com Rocks
www.dailyaudiobible.com

Thank You For Fourty, and Fabulous

On July 6th, 2008 I threw a Big Reunion to Celebrate the special people who helped me reach 40. A guide post marking a point in my journey. My Birthday was in June but I had the Party after Summer Break. Dad hired a caterer;I hired a band. I picked the Homey Norwood Choice Center as a venue. Because my Norwood Friends residents were attending, I got a deal on rent ;). I had over 70 family members and friends. I am truely blessed. All my immediate Family came...ALL MY SIBLINGS BOTH FAMILIES...Including by lost adopted out, 3 rs older, only full sister; who refound me for a 2nd time after 10 years... from this blog in Fall 2006...(we met first time 1996, adoption discloser united us then...a promise I made to Mom but the timing was off then...we lost contact). All is well now. I only wish she lived in Alberta.

I'M HONORED. Thank-you Blogspot for this site. We have never been all together before Despite many issues...I'm a very lucky Woman.

From a blogger:

Point taken, however, you mentioned the employer's portion of EI an CPP. This is something that you have NO WAY contributed, again it is taxpayer's money. I realize that you are not at fault for your disability and I'm most sorry that you are forced to cope with it. What I am not hearing though is any sense of personal responsibity..you got pneumonia because of a DATS driver...you couldn't complete school because of the high standards of the faculty...

Michelle's answer:

As a matter of fact I have paid into revenue Canada both as an empoyer and emplyee. I hadself-manged care for all those yes I paid into it. At the time it was cheap for the goverment to give me self-manages $ ...no middleman. It was a fair exchange about $20 percent went to Revenue Canada. Before 1995 the government exe.mpt people under $600 I did not have an issue paying but was hard to find part time help for weekends. The gov't budgeted me $XX and a portion went to my services in house. All costs were creeping so cut my hours back to accommodate. As far as I know the maximum aloud is the same as 11 years ago but wages have doubled.

At this point I only want an attendent 3-4 days for 5hrs. I don't need an Lpn. Much cheaper than Norwood staff. They can train anyone with common sense. Sometime make excellent attendants. If they ever opened a grouphome for ventilators would be cheaper with a good planning team. They have a model in BC and Sask which are thriving . Perhaps in the future. Paying a partime attendant would mean budgeting for government's portion of course. I had an excellent system after trial and error. I had a good friend who was a treasurer and I gave her free baby sitting would audit me monthly by choice, write out check for staff, Rev Can, WCB. By choice . I was allowed to pay her small bonus'. When homecare was established in 1992 ish. I had an awesome working relationship with her. Prior to this welfair was handling this 87-92

I have a progressive Disability call SMA I go through peaks and valleys. Perhaps you have had a bad experience with someone has given up but do you think people create there progressive disabilitied www.fsma.org Modern medicine has come a long way but not enough to save the many babies who die every year from it. My parents both from different cultures had no idea of the gene they were carring. My parents were told I would be dead before I was five.

I've learnt a great deal about my disability and try to prevet sickness but stuff happens

I was always prone to illness but have not had pneumonia in 7 years. I have had many accomplishments. Sometimes life takes different avenues. I have had to make choices based on the hand I've been dealt. Leaving University was the hardest thing I ever did. I wanted to be a teacher...so I volunteered as a teachers aide. It turned into a job for 6 years (paying rev canada..also for my attends..don't make assumptions )and was the school examination office. However life happens. There are times you have no choice in the cards you get. You can suffer, live with it or make a choice to make life better for other with similar experiences. Things change and the information I've had. Sometime had regrets from a wrong hands. But decision making is not easy. I always investigated before make a decision. I have never been so strong. Remember the internet was not yet in 1991 my last University year. to general public availiable to the average person and technology was still achaic then. Had I stayed the coarse the quota was removed the following year. I even asked the dean for advice. I had many physical barriers like heavy books and even using whiteout was a challenge. I did my best but the responsible choice was to leave. I did manage to pay back EVERY PENNY of my student loan when I worked.

You can fill in the gaps of my life with the information I have given you. You have to remember that you cannot know everything in my life by what is in the blog. I've had many joys and heartaches I chose not to share. So please refrain from making asumptions.

The Co2 poisoning was not a choice but I made a choice to deal with it. I live in pain daily. But I deal with it. Perhaps you have never met someone with a long-term disability. Trent I've been making decision for my I could have died many times over but I'm here. I have been making my own decisions since I left home with my mother's consent at 15. Things were not handed to me.

I'm a spiritual person and feel we all have a purpose. The resident council was loosing its power. At the time I moved to GSS I thought it was the end. The council was down hill nobody had any leadership so I filled the gap and became a Leader. Before I was trached I watched so many people just give up it was really sad. The ICU staff were amazed that Day 3 I insisted on getting put of bed. It really surprised them. I know laying around make you WEAKER ..The week I was back at home . I felt I had peaceful feeling of having a new life purpose one step at a time. I've had many mentors over the year some were on ventilators . I had never in my life seen this kind of Apathy as I witnessed at GSS they need someone to show them that people can make changes. There were people dying lack of care and sprit. I had to start somewhere it became a passion and gave me my own self esteem back. I have been for yeas building a net work

I started working on my own personally goals again. I feel now I've played my part as a teacher. Non-profit organizations and humanities are my interest now. Realistically I will never be able to work full time is currently physically impossible. I would do anything to but need to use the cards I've been delt. I've been take free credit courses in bible study for now. I already am an advocate. I just want to do it better. When you are shut-in It is hard to leave. I can't promise I won't fail. I might not be here next year but if you live your life like that you will live a long geriatric life. Taking on a full load would be unfair to anybody. but by starting by auditing courses but doing the reading and small assignments would be a start. How will I know if I don't try. Of course it means working at it.

I seem to get a few people who letters writing letters may not seem like much. It has value because one is taking responsibly for starting something. A letter is a physical document which makes....at the smallest level make a reader contemplate the other side.. It gives someone a glimps of wearing someone elses shoes.

Just think of Christopher Reeve who had resources to be involved. He made a difference...Yes he was fairly wealthy...nobody ever questioned him on the enormous insurance cost...He could have laid back and wasted what life he had left. Perhap he over did it.compromising his health. But he tried and was famous with the money and a devoted wife. What would have happend if he was just a joe smith and no family.

The last movie he made was about another young brilliant quadrapalegic woman who used a ventilator. The movie was called The Brooke Ellis Story . The girl had the brilliance to earn scholarship and graduated College Valedictorian....(beyond my scope) HER MOTHER HAD TO LEAVE HER FAMILY to go with her. A sacrifice to the other siblings...I no longer have a Mom who would be in her 60's. I have to start somewhere.


The Ventilator Forum was all started by letter writing and got people together and putting our heads together. With the right people who have a little drive anything can be done. We had over 100 people. I strongly believe network is so important and when you are trapped and cant get out letter writing is a good start. It was 3 years of writing, talking, meeting and begging family to take me out to meet people.

I am not in favour of handing out money to people with disabilities who don’t use the money for what it is intended for. I won’t get into specifics but people who want a disability to get money. Yes as small percentage of people abuse the system. It goes the other way how many able bodied people do know who call in sick regularly when they what to hang out with friends or are hung over. There is always abuse. I don’t agree with it. But the unemployment rate is so low people don’t care if they are fired. I’m not asking for money for my pocket but money for an attendant…giving someone a job...paying EI, CPP WCB ohh yeah AND INCOME TAX TOO (Canadian Government Departments)


Also, regarding the CBC article, I was thinking about what the Alberta government did to people with mental disabilities. Yes they closed Michener Centre. They gave them a monthly check with little support they didn’t know what to do with it and ended up living in the street.

A gentleman asked me what I was planning to contribute to society beyond letter writing. After all writing is not contributing to society. Better not tell the journalist…authors, lawyers, Stephan King...so is Dear Abbey… All FIRED…all… out of work. NO CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY. I myself have contributed much time on committee's not just yakking but creating documents, planning internal events, problem solving, negotiating, interviews. I have been on committee’s all of my adult life. After my being institutionalized have been more than ever. I was the president of the resident council for 5 1/2 years and was involved on many types of council. During the move we met biweekly to plan. The ventilator forum was a result of my initiative. I sat on the Alberta committee of Citizen's with Disabilities for 5 years. I've done many, many hours volunteer before and after I had a job. I even tutored for free when I could. So I've been contributing for years. I think going shopping for my own toiletries would be a start but if I drive through a door an hook my hose so I'm disconnected I cannot speak. Telling a stranger heya... buddy!!! Is not even physically possible. would you mind putting my hose together . I'm a liability you see when your on a ventilator you can't even travel on public transportation alone as I'm a liability. I need help eating ect. I have been offered to do many volunteer potions to talk to school kids. (I'd do it for free if my Aide was paid)I could go volunteer ACCD'S office with my mouse (which I bought myself) and do computer work are going to see it a contributing or just the $150 I was allowed to keep out of my $350 wages? (you can now make a little more now but not much.)Have you also thought money for an aide would give somebody a job and over a certain amount is money being put into EMPLOYER'S PORTION OF CPP AND UI. not to mention.Imagine a world with no disabilities. Look at the job loss. Not just in caregiver, wheelchair venders, adult pads, Catheter supplies. All the ventilators get recycled for over 10 years. Every $ spent on me goes back into society in this country...every cent. It creates jobs generates business and yes it goes back into the tax system. But how many big tax breaks for corporation get spent oversea's expenditures, travel.

CBC Obstacles

CBC release a report today http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/11/02/disabled-forum.html Disability Rights are upset that 25 years ago the government promised better inclusion for people living in long-term care. Well very little has been done. Well I've been slacking since the move so thought it would be a good reason to let our new reps here about us.

I also sent a copy to the non seated Alberta Progressive Conservative Rep Bill Stewart and Weslyn Mather (was my Millwoods MLA).






Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 3:17 PMTo: 'edmonton.calder@assembly.ab.ca'

Subject: Obstacles


Dear Honourable Mr. Eggen, (Mr. Hawn, Mr. Stewart, Mrs. Mather)

Today on CBC New they were discussing a report released 25 years ago. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/11/02/disabled-forum.html called appropriately "Obstacles" as the promises made to people living in institution remain unfulfilled.

My name is Michelle Laverdiere I'm a 38 year old woman with a Disability called Spinal Muscular Atrophy type II. Until 2000 I lived in the community with Self-Managed care I went to University. And even though that program became to competitive for my health was had begun fail. I developed pneumonia when a careless DATS driver left the door open after picking me up from my Dec. final exams, After returning from 6 months recovery a new stiff 3rd year quota was added.I filled my longing to be a teacher by working as a teachers aide. But the cutbacks and health issues brought my disability again to progress 5 - 9 years later. My life stopped when I was forced to move into institutional living. The nice term "Assisted Living" Meant " NO MONEY" I struggled to get out asking strangers in malls for assistance that I before had my aide do.

I have had SMA since birth. Although I have always been an advocate most of my adult life but never really learned what it meant until I had to make a decision to use a ventilator. I was slowly dying of Co2 poisoning and decided my life was worth saving. At the time I thought would be the end of my life but to my surprise felt great. My life was not over;or so I thought. I was living at the Good Samaritan in Millwoods. At the time was the ONLY program for those of us on a ventilator. There were many, many problems from safety to inclusion issues. I became an advocate. My life had purpose again and wrote letters, papers and invited Millwoods MP & MLA's as well as candidates for providence and Federal elections. I was tired of residents basing their vote on issues which the TV deemed important. And posed the question; What are you doing for people with disabilities? Both the delegates and the residents learned a great deal from each other.

Last year at this time we discovered that we would be moving to Capital Care Norwood . We demanded to have a say, negotiating with CHA Norwood for 8 months on many things from safety to comfort. According to the Alberta Legislate website we fall in the Calder district. We moved in to Capital Care Norwood. May 2006 and found much has been improved for saftey and the faculty is lovely but may still be our prison.

We are now your headache Mr. Eggen! It appears that many of the safety issues appear to be being worked on. But the problem of inclusion is still a BIG issue. They have be addressed. I still have dreams beyond . I want to start by auditing class and talking and meeting real people. I was a member of the Organization Committee of the First ever Ventilator Assisted Living Forum. This was many of the many themes found (Transcripts through Canadian Paraplegic Assoc in Edmonton ) at the conference. But why are other provinces dealing better. Are not we the richest province?


So please assist us in making inclusion beyond the classroom of children but possible for adults in long-term care. As I asked the election candidates; "What are you going to do for people with Ventilator related Disabilities?"

My advocacy blog is http://www.mermel112.blogspot.com/ I've included 2 achieve papers I wrote as well as a recent article in CHA's "People and Places" attached (bloggers they are below)

Michelle Laverdière

Capital Health Athority "People & Places"

In Oct 2006 Note the top portion is in reference to a different Unit located in the North Building

Ventilator Conference

I know I have not written since July. I needed a rant rest. I have been busy with a few great projects. I have some very exciting this happen this conference is one of them. This Conference is a result of My friend Gary McPherson (now in the Race for Premier of Alberta..can't think of anyone more qualifiedhttp://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=44b1b17d-6205-4724-80fd-b9f9acec7c83&k=0 ) and myself writing emails to the Government on the Lack of Supports for those of us living with Ventilators. Gary was fortunate that the Ventilator Unit was on campus and did not have many of the barriers others now face. He has been able to do a great deal more with his life because of it. I think the conference will be a good way for the government to access the situation. The dedline has been extended until Sept 26 so even if you want to go last minute you have time yet. Please submit your registration.

Well, I moved Wednesday, May 10 I know some of you are wondering where or how I am. I have been hooked up to the phone and internet by some miracle and some aggravating moments before my move with Telus.
It was a little bit rough. Unfortunately, I was physically weak with my g-tube[Michelle's note] issue March 27..ian update isn progress, which is still healing. Norwood is lovely and my room looked like a honeymoon suite. It does not look like a hospital room even the beds do not look institutional. The facility gave us beautiful gift baskets. They have all wonderful X-track ceiling lifts . The management is so pleasant and bending backwards to work out our issues. Anju Sharma the best part of GSS is a best practice who has been with the program since the Abrehart is so caring and been working with new staff in training with vents and communicating with us. The RT�s are all the same and have been a Godsend throughout all this going beyond there scope of duties.
Norwood housekeeping has helped so much too on the first few days and cleans daily. Moving my stuff and packing were hard on me and the GSS manager was supposed to get movers to help. Brad, Cathy (another residents wife) I both heard this from CHA and Norwood. GSS was given the funding and responsibility. Sarah, the dippy GSS manager told me 3 days before it was up to friends, family, volunteers and staff. Thank God I was almost packed. Three wonderful GSS staff finally finished after the other four residents left. Cathy said that a note was left after the fact right before the move. Because the date was moved she was not able to be here for the move.
To top things off GSS was not replacing people calling in sick it was getting really bad. One day 8 of the 4 caregivers for the 30 residents on respiratory showed up. I know they are so cheap. They will not pay overtime for those willing to come in. So I know was the right thing to move us. They will be loosing many caregivers soon. The GSS caregivers that were still there should be commended in helping me the last 24 hrs. Betty, Lasha, Doris and John were the Volunteers who helped and Auntie Colleen, Carolyn, Maria, (saved my sleep the last Tuesday, came to say good-bye and feed me supper was enlisted) (Cleo�s Friend) Dad and Darlene all did a huge Job.
I am so glad that my Friend Mike packed & moved my electronics as well did a beautiful job setting it up again with a brand/new 2nd Samsung Monitor (built in TV) that he found at a bargain. I purchased it a few weeks ago�It is so SWEET!�It is mounted up on the new Norwood ceiling mount and is easier by far for me to use my computer in bed. Auntie Denise, Lori, Dad, and Darlene helped unpack but there is lots to unpack and tons to do yet. So I still need more help which would be greatly appreciated. It is going to take some time to make it feel like home
The hardest thing was that all the LPN caregivers are new. They had only 2 days hands-on at GSS and not always on their correct shift. My first morning was so hard. So are still very rough and do not know how to handle or balance me
My room is so pretty that my Dad does not want to put any holes in the walls. So he bought me some new shelving and gave me some excellent ideas. He is currently painting and redoinh my cuoboard to match the shelves I�m glad he is so excited about it I made a little kitchenette area my living room area needs work but no longer see the mountain of boxes. Auntie Colleen is dry-cleaned my sofa cover so it will look fresh.
Things are going so well the new staff are quickly getting to know my care and sort out important details. It is going better than expected. The first week was tough the first morning was rough. It takes a lot of energy. This week was much better. A few staff who had in the past worked in Long-term care do not like taking directions but are learning that the have no choice. There are only a few. They are mostly a fantastic group happy to work with residents who can talk. Managment is extremely supporve. The food is quite good to. They also created a small menu if we do not like the special. I however am just taking one day at a time.
Michelle

 

LEGALIZING PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED DEATH:

LEGALIZING PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED DEATH:

It is a very good article from WWW I feel very grateful that I was able to choose life not everybody is able to choose. I wish some things were better but feel l still have have a purpose to life. I can be a voice, teach comparison, love my family, have a life it's still me, and I value it. I am on life support but still have dreams and goals and may live a long life. Yes I advocate for improvments and I'm still learning. But would not change my choice of life. I kind like being me.

I am still working on healing my g-tube. It's been an adventure of trial and error an hopefully finish that chafer soon.

I am in the Middle of moving with all 8 of the GSS residents who are trach-ventilated. It feels sad to move into a complex continuing care , called Norwood Capital Care Centre (see photo) from assisted living and some others are upset. It is connected by tunnels to The Royal Alexandra Hospital (large acute care..Where I was born), The glamorous Rehabilitation Hospital/School (my elementary school..Played hookey and went AWAL through the tunnels...occationally) and The Hys Professional Building. I feel like I'm going home and am getting more excited about the Big M. Day.

The Norwood has been total supportive negotiating every 2 weeks for 6 months our rasom lists. The region is spending big bucks to start the 16 bed project in time may expand to the entire floor. I may even get a volunteer to help me blog. This all is promising. I move Wed, May, 10. I think will be challenging at first but worth the disruption.

I have been meeting monthy regarding the First Ever Edmonton, AB ventilator conference. It stems from our letter writing. It's very exciting. I am working with my mentor Gary McPherson www.garymcpherson.con used a trach-vent for over 30 years but trained how to Frogbreathe using voluntary muscles so NOW ONLY uses a vent with mouth piece while sleeping. We are also working the New provincial Office of Disabilities and a few other organization. We have a wonderful hotel booked it is in September 2006 all the speakers are almost booked. I will blog the details soon.

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