Monday, July 6, 2003

HealthSouth Visitation, Little Rock, Arkansas

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Today was a visitation at the HealthSouth Rehabilitation facility in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Joining us on our visitation was Glenn Crumpton of Alabama Artificial Limb.  It was also reunion day as John Keating joined us for the ride to the HealthSouth facility along with his son Lane.  John was one of the riders on last year's AAA journey and it was great to meet him.  Pictured here are the boys with with the guests and alumni who donned their "colorful" riding jerseys for the event.  Actually we really don't ride in these shirts as they are far too "valuable" for everyday wear.  

The boys talk trash (Bruce is seen here picking his nose) while waiting for the visitation to begin.  Pictured with the boys is Glenn.  Mark explores his "toy" from a recently consumed happy meal.

As usual its hurry up and wait as the boys contemplate the Arkansas heat and humidity.  Mark, upset by the quality of his happy meal toy, hangs his head in despair.

Mark places playing cards on his bike to give it that realistic "motorcycle" sound while John relaxes with Lane prior to our ride to the visitation.

Still more pictures of the boys waiting for the cue to ride to the visitation.  These events are timed so precisely that an arrival of even one minute too early or too late places the whole schedule in chaos.  Hey these are serious affairs.

Finally the boys are given the go ahead and the ride to the HealthSouth facility begins.  Riding with the boys are Glenn, John and Lane.  It was great to have them with us.  They will also be with us for a week or so while we ride into Tennesee and Alabama.

John and Lane talk with one of the many patients we met at our visitation.  The staff were, as usual, wonderful to be with and the response from the patients was overwhelming.  It feels so good to be able to talk with others who are going through many of the same experiences we had with our own rehabilitation.

Trish, ever the gracious lady, talks with one of the patients during our visitation.

The boys tell tall tales about imaginary attacks by giant, salivating armadillos while riding the back roads of Arkansas.  It's obvious from their defiant posturings in this photo that the heat has rendered the lads incapable of coherent speech.  But the talks were humorous and the patients seemed to enjoy our informal banter.   

Here Jim talks with one of the amputees we met during our day's visit. 

Pictured here is Mark with Hal Steelman, a local bilateral amputee, and high school coach.  Hal was a recent winner of the "Attitude" contest sponsored by Ohio Willowwood and his courage and determination was a great addition to the day's event.  It was a pleasure meeting Hal and we feel as if we have made a new friend in Arkansas.

Here the boys listen as Hal recounts his story and answers questions for the patients.  His talk was inspirational and made us glad to be a part of the AAA endeavor.

Here Bruce gives an interview for one of the local TV stations.  Note that Bruce's fingers are behind his back and crossed.

Here Bruce talks with one of the many patients we visited with at our visitation.  The encouragement and thanks we receive from these fine people really makes the trip so worthwhile.  We had a great time at our visitation and the reception sponsored by the HealthSouth staff made us feel right at home.  Many thanks to all who helped but this fine reception together.

Tomorrow we head out to Memphis, home of the blues.  Good night folks.

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