June  18, 2004

HealthSouth Colorado Springs

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Today, June 18th, was the  scheduled HealthSouth visitation in Colorado Springs.  As our luck has it, this city is now celebrating the end of a five year drought. The skies were cloudy and the clouds low with rain.  They supposedly have mountains around the city but today they were nowhere to be found.

Howard and Emma, the saintly parents of Luke, displaying their support in the rain.  Howard is wearing a shirt listing the AAA riders.  As you can see, Luke has learned this week to ignore his father.  His retraining, though, began as soon as he returned home.

Noretta Watts, AAA2004 guest rider, along with hubby Lavar, arrived at the staging area to prepare for the ride to the facility.  They gave the AAA riders a warm welcome.  

As he passed the  baton of being the Junior Ambassador to Joe Kalicki, Luke began to tell Joe of his adventures and how nice everybody has been to him.  Joe will be with us across Kansas and Missouri and will have the opportunity to experience this for himself.  Welcome Joe!

Welcome to Julie Suttles, our guest rider from Atlanta.  Her trike wasted no time in bonding with Richard's.  Just look at the easy, relaxed way they are able to ride.  No wonder they have such big smiles.

Our two wayward convicts, graduates of a local work release program, are seen plotting their next escapade.  Kip and James, who were model prisoners in the program, are attempting to find appropriate ways to show their appreciation to the warden for all of the nice things he has done.

Warden Joe seen here riding herd on his people inside the prison yard.  It takes a lot of courage for him to join the group like this in an unprotected area after the treatment he dishes out.  He quit riding before the rain started.  As short as he is, we wouldn't want him to get wet and melt down all of the way like the witch in the Wizard of Oz.

The arrival of the at the HealthSouth facility made it seem as if the circus was in town.  Look, here come the clowns.

The ride to the facility was a little wet since it rained on us the whole way.  We were not sure if Kip was drying his tears or cleaning his ears.  Need a Q-tip?

The number of people and their warm, positive welcome at the facility warmed the riders as they networked in the meet and greet.

The presentation of colors began the ceremony at the HealthSouth.  Some soldiers from Fort Carson presented the flags.  Thank you for your support.

Mayor Lionel Rivera's proclamation of Amputees Across America Day in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  It was a privilege to be honored in this way.   

Mouth exercising same. This is a kid who last year would not say boo.  What demons we have unleashed.  The cute and cuddly Kitten has become quite a wildcat. 

The group was attentively listening to the speakers and the presentation during the ceremony.  How different they act when they are in polite society. 

Captain Rosell lost the lower part of his leg in action in Iraq.  He was honored by HealthSouth today for the sacrifices he has made for this country.  He has returned to active duty with a new command.  What an Inspiration! 

The riders were deeply involved in their poster signing.  They were working on a special one to Estella Allen, one of the two HealthSouth honorees.  This lady is so full of life.  Even though she did not speak during the ceremony, she lit up the room with her energy.

Deb, from HealthSouth, with friends, mentors, parents.  Zany?  Wacky?  The apple does not fall far from the tree.  We love you Deb.  This visitation and ceremony was a lot of fun and laughs.  We really appreciate the show of support and love from the people of HealthSouth and the Colorado Springs area.

Talk about wacky?  Here is James during one of his serious moods.  He is quite the dancing machine.               The AAA2004 traveling circus.  It is hard to tell the difference between the clowns and the animals.                   Bye Rookus, Mouth, Kid, Kitten.  We are going to miss your presence in the command truck.  Hope the bruises heal.  You are so right, you do really bring it on yourself.  It has been a real treat meeting you, hearing your perception of the world, sharing the oldies music with you, and just seeing the world through the eyes of someone who knows everything.  We are proud of you and will miss you.           Our thanks to the sponsors, local as well as national, who made this event possible: Abilities Unlimited Adams Mark Hotels Audobon Orthotics and Prosthetics Coca Cola Distributors Colorado Springs City Council DeVry University FedEx Kinko's Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics LeBaron Hotel Memorial Hospital American Odyssey Magazine Ohio Willow Wood OroWheat-Entemann's Bakery Penrose Hospital Sinton Dairy Taylor Farms Ted's Bicycles Weisberg Landscaping HSRH employees And last but certainly not least, Mary Ellen Benson and Deb Nottingham and Kati Lambert, our guardian angels.  Were it not for their vision and support, this event would not have happened.  Thank you all.

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