HealthSouth Rehab Institute of St Louis
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HealthSouth Rehab Institute of St Louis
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While we wait for the nod to proceed from the assembly area to the facility, Bruce takes the time to hone his Frisbee skills to a razor edge. We couldn't help but notice that he appeared without his usual garter belt. Methinks that Bill and his pink shorts was making him nervous.
Kody, our new Jr. Ambassador has joined us and is ready to ride to Terre Haute and eventually Evansville, Indiana. Welcome Kody, who is accompanied with his mom and grandmother and his twin brother Kyle.
Here Bruce is getting ready to administer the traditional AAA welcoming beating, pink belly, and noogies but Kody seems to be a cut above the rest. He shrewdly avoids all of Bruce's ploys and by holding up the dreaded AAA jersey manages to divert Bruce's attention away from himself and directed towards Joe.
Here Kody and Kyle maintain formation with the group. Bill runs Kody off the road on several occasions but our Hoosier friend always manages to recover and get back on the road. Bill just smiles his evil smile.
Here Chris Baechle, Director of Clinical Services, welcomes the happy group. A large crowd had gathered to witness the event and to give support to the riders.
After the assembled crowd was lulled into a state of stupor by the remarks of the adult riders, Kody took his turn and expressed his thanks to HealthSouth and all of the well wishers.
Bill meets Bill from Agile. We are looking forward to meeting this group of amputees. Please notice the absence of wrist watches on those who finish shaking hands with our Bill.
Things never seem to change.
Here the AAA group of riders mingle with well wishers and other amputees directly after their arrival. Bill continues to work the crowd, shaking hands, pocketing loose change, and collecting watches, rings, and necklaces.
Kody sits patiently for a group of admirers. He is not too sure about this celebrity bit.
Harry and Nancy from Ontario, NY kept us laughing as they related several stories of Harry's antics. Seems that this gentleman, an amputee for 55 years, has a lot to teach us young whippersnappers. His spirit is boundless and nothing will keep him back from living life to its fullest. Our thoughts are with Nancy who has to try an keep up with Harry and to keep him out of trouble. Harry's philosophy is, "I do it because I can... not because I shouldn't." You keep the faith ole buddy and we hope our paths cross again some time in the future.
After a BBQ, Joe signs some posters while Bruce goes comatose and pines for the days in 2003 when he could ride the roads of freedom with AAA.
During a moment's lull in our HealthSouth activities, Trish cannot understand why she keeps coming up with six when she tries to count her fingers. This activity keeps her confused for a little over an hour until Bill comes over, shaking his head, and says with a Kentucky twang, "yall giofinghash ihsing and laaaaang ya'll nose." Relieved by this evidence of the superiority of Kentucky schooling and dialect, Trish is once again right with the world.
Matt, an avid bicyclist, and his wife are joined by the torrid threesome. Somehow we believe that Matt will be ready to ride sooner rather than later. We know he will do it and he has AAA Ride 2007 written all over his face.
Our thanks to the staff of the Rehabilitation Institute and to Karen Reeb who organized and attended to the many details of our visit. Our thanks to Karen and Bill Bott and all the members of Agile, who turned out to welcome us and who so graciously invited us to their evening meeting. Their support was even greater this year than last.
Finally, it is with deep regret that we bid farewell (at least for this year) to Wolfman Bruce who has been with us all the way from Topeka. His steadfast support and untiring patience, having to put up with Bill's antics, will sorely be missed. Godspeed Bruce... gracious host, friend, and counsel. Blue skies!
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