July 8, 2005

Visitation HealthSouth Rehab Hospital of Central Kentucky

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We are met at the assembly area by a few of Bill's fans from Tennessee Gas Pipeline's Central Division.  Shown here (Left to Right) are Bob Arnold (IT Department), Sherry Kiel (Central Division HR officer, also shown here saluting), Joe O'Steen (Division Safety), Bill, Mandi, Trisha, John Pannell (Central Division Director a.k.a. Big Cheese), Joe a.k.a. Little Cheese, and Janette a.k.a. No Cheese. 

This series of photos is not a re-enactment of Lee Harvey Oswald's assassination, but actually shows Bill taking his own life in his hands by turning the water gun on the hand that feeds him.  The first frame shows John telling everyone that Bill knows better than to even think of pulling the trigger.  The second frame shows Bill's delight after being dumb enough to actually pull the trigger.  Bill was able to get all up in John's Koolaid and he didn't even know what flavor it was!  The third and final frame shows John hauling Bill back to work.  "But I don't wanna go back yet, Mr. Pannell...... and you're hurting my arm"!!  Bill promises not to shoot him again and John is kind enough to give Bill a second chance for the 50th time.

We prepare to shove off as folks from HealthSouth assemble with us for the trek to the facility.  Joe sneaks back to let the air out of Bill's bike but discovers that Bill has already put a tack in Joe's rear tire which causes Joe to have to pull out his trusty recumbent.  As we prepare to leave, Joe is overheard to be saying, "Does anybody remember where the pedals are on this thing?"

It's finally time to leave and our dynamic duo, Ampuman and Captain Inferno once again set the pace followed by the fine folks of HealthSouth, El Paso and the Elizabethtown Police Department.  The mistake was to allow Bill and Joe to lead the pack.  After taking a wrong turn and winding up in the parking lot of the HealthSouth Outpatient Building, the parade was halted until Bill and Joe could be notified and sent back to the front of the line.   As soon as everyone stopped laughing, we finally reached our proper destination on time.

Joe O'Steen looks on admiringly as John Pannell completes the "Mandi The Clown" school of balloon designs.  Joe's lips are pursed after blowing up all the balloons for Mr. Pannell.  Here John shows the latest in plastic wear.  With his new hat that resembles a welding hood, toy poodle and his lady bug-on-a-wrist designs, he's sure to attract a whole new breed of pipeliners in the Central Division.  Bill is shown congratulating Mr. Pannell on his new craft (not to mention trying to get a raise out of him) and would like everyone to know that should you pass by his office and his door is shut, he is probably secretly  performing more "plastic surgery".   Be sure and ask him for a demonstration!!!

"I swear, that fish was THIS BIG"!  John is telling another big tale here.  Bob Arnold can't believe that John is telling the same story over again and politely snickers to himself.  Sherry and Joe are totally disinterested and are wondering why in the world they drove two whole hours just to hear the same story ONE MORE TIME!

Joe tries his hand at Bill's craft by stealing Wanda's earring.  Funny thing though, as Bill is later spotted wearing not only both her earrings but her sunglasses as well.

Mandi (with one i) is shown here "bugging" patients with her new found talent.  All the patients proudly wore her creations and were later seen trading and upgrading the bugs to poodles and other plastisity.  Mandi has a way of putting smiles on lots of people's faces.

While Joe distracts one patient, Bill swipes a wristwatch and ring from James with his right hand and slides a watch off from the other patient with his left hand. 

John is a recent amputee who is part Indian.  He is shown here standing up for just the second time since his amputation amid cheers and thumbs up from the guys.  John's determination, resilience and fortitude will serve him well in the coming months and we hope you'll soon be back on the banks of the Cumberland with fishing pole in hand.  Never let those dreams die out and we wish you the best of luck.

Lewis is a veteran amputee of 40 years.  His big smile and overachieving attitude is a big reason for his success.  He's an avid golfer and loves to have a good time.  Keep up the good work and spread the cheer!  By the way, can you ride a bicycle too????? 2006 is calling your name!!!

Here Bill gets instructions from a patient on the proper procedure for using a "hand squeezy thingy".  This exercise will serve him well in his ability to swiftly and gracefully extract more bling bling in the future.

We would like to thank the staff and patients of The HealthSouth Rehab Hospital of Central Kentucky for their hospitality and for allowing us the opportunity to visit their facility.  Thanks to Lorrie Young, DMO, Eileen Nelson, CEO and Kim Jones (EI EI O)for all their hard work and dedication into making today such a special event.  Special thanks  also to the Hampton Inn for their generous support and accommodations.  Thanks to the E'town Police Department for their help in escorting our crew to the correct place.  And a big thanks to the members of Tennessee Gas Pipeline's Central Division for their presence and continued support along the way. 

Tomorrow we travel to Lexington, Kentucky and will do a visitation at the Shriner's Hospital.

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