June 10, 2005

HealthSouth Valley of the Sun

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We arrived early at HealthSouth, found the assembly point at Thunderbird Park with no difficulty.  Things were looking good for Joe.  We even had time to go to the facility to make sure we would know where to go.  Joe couldn't stop patting himself on the back for his clearly superior navigational skills.  So on the way back to the assembly point, following John's white Suburban, with only about 1 mile to return to the assembly point, another white truck placed himself between Joe and John.  Now normally Joe would not fall for this ploy of confusion, but Bill was in the middle of a new Donald Duck imitation, thereby distracting Joe just long enough to fixate on the wrong white truck and follow that white truck to his home address which was nowhere near the assembly point.  Fortunately, John noticed the absence of Joe's truck in his rear view mirror just in time to see him turn and head towards Mexico.  A quick pursuit and all was made right with the world.  

We finally assembled at Thunderbird park and joined up with HealthSouth staff, and friends.  Here is the AAA group with Beth Bacher, CEO  and family, Tyler and Daniel of Limbs To Life, and Summer Witkemper, DMO. 

We departed the assembly point, following Asa and Gabriel Keating who led the group to the HealthSouth facility with unerring accuracy for an on-time arrival.  A flawless performance. 

Here is one of the finishers of the Kentucky dwerbe... or is it Curbee? 

Anyway, Bill shows his riding skills in avoiding Joe who is weaving as usual all over the parking lot.

John brings up the rear, keeping a safe distance from the other AAA riders while keeping a close eye on his brood. 

His protective surveillance, however, didn't help Asa avoid running into Joe when Joe came to an unannounced and erratic stop.  Nice try John.  Next time tell Asa to wrap himself in bubble wrap whenever he is within 100 feet of Joe

Here Bill is doing an interview with the local network media.  As Bill has crossed state lines while on a work release program, the warden has revoked his parole and he will be appearing on America's Most Wanted instead.

With but a little trepidation, Beth allows Joe, Bill, and John to address the assembled group of HealthSouth patients and visitors. 

Here Joe discusses the history of Amputees Across America.

Below is the poster on the wall from the 2002 AAA trip when John and Joe first visited HealthSouth Valley of the Sun. 

John Keating takes a few moments to address the group about the importance of the rehab process.  The rest of the time he spends telling lies about Joe.

Here Bill continues to enthrall the group with his Donald Duck and Scooby Doo imitations. 

Here the torrid two-some talk with Bob about all those things that amps talk to one another about.  Things like, "Do you ever come up with the wrong mathematical answer when you have to count something higher than 15?" 

Even though Joe's falls are legendary, they are very much overstated and exaggerated.  But the HealthSouth Risk Management department felt duty-bound to affix the fall alert sticker to Joe's prosthetic socket. 

A great meal was put on by the HealthSouth food staff.  Though our chef of 2002 is no longer here, he evidently left his mark in the ability of his staff to produce wonderful food.  Thanks for your efforts.

Here Summer Wittkemper is aided by Gabriel Keating in picking the winning tickets for a raffle that was held to raise funds on behalf of Amputees Across America.  We first had John Keating doing the picking but he was caught pocketing the Hooters gift certificates.  So Gabriel stepped in and did a great job.

Our heartfelt thanks to Beth Bacher, her staff in general, and Summer Witkemper in particular who expended extraordinary efforts to coordinate and organize all of the activities of our visit.  Thanks to all of the contributors for the raffle and for the La Quinta hotel for their provision of rooms during our stay.  Each and every staff member and the numerous patients we talked with all exuded thanks, appreciation, and support for our efforts.  This made our visit so very inspirational for each of us and gives us the strength to move on to the next leg of our journey.  We will hold HS Valley of the Sun close and dear to our hearts for all that you have done for us.

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