Visitation
HealthSouth Rehab Hospital of Albuquerque
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Visitation
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The motley crew assembles for the ride into the HealthSouth facility. Jerry and Abel help their grandson Ethan hold up the banner. Please note that with Joe and Abel holding the sign up from each corner, that the sign slants DOWN in the direction of the shortest rider, conclusive evidence we think of the superior height of Joe. Cliff stands next to Tom, a local amputee we met in a soup kitchen while having breakfast, and Phillip, prosthetist of some renown who, thus far resists Abel's attempt to get a longer artificial limb to raise him up, at least when he stands on one leg, above Joe.
Ethan leads the pack into the HealthSouth facility. Cliff with his latest laser sight on his helmet attempts to follow.
We are welcomed as we ride our bikes into the courtyard behind HealthSouth. Cliff's larger frame has a bit of trouble negotiating a narrow gate but with an extra amount of saddle butter, we are able to squeeze him through the portal.
Abel schmoozes a bit with Judy, a local prosthetist and amputee of great renown. Her ability to walk as she does on a disarticulated hip continues to astound all that see her. She walks better than Joe.
Mark Farrell, an Amputees Across America rider in 2003 demonstrates his technique for riding a bicycle. Losing the use of his fingers from smacking Joe on the side of the head every time he made a J turn, Mark is shown here using his thumbs to steer a fictitious bicycle. This is another case of fiction being stranger than fact.
Ray is talking to Abel trying to find out what form of insanity it take to spend two months on the road with Joe while Joe peddles posters and Cliff uses his laser sight to zap an errant dog passing through the courtyard. Despite Abel's recommendation, Ray hopes to join Amputees Across America in 2008.
Dr. Cliff is shown here standing at the bar as Earl continues to make great progress in his rehab. In lieu of a monetary donation to Amputees Across America, Cliff is eyeing Earl's sterling silver belt buckle.
Here Cliff is shown operating the "Have a Picture Made with Cliff $5.00, Wear His Hat $10.00" concession. Maxine as his first customer buys all of the tickets but realizes her error when she has to listen to all of Cliff's war stories. Thank you Maxine for keeping Cliff entertained and we wish you well.
Joe has found his sweetheart in Albuquerque. Beth touches your heart with inspiration and shows what can be done with determination and courage.
Abel and Will, a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, exchange yarns as they play a game of Acey Ducey. Abel attempts to keep the game honest by constantly removing cards that Will has hidden up his sleeve. Talk about honor among thieves. Abel has his cards secreted inside the socket of his artificial limb. By using technology built into his computerized knee, Abel gets a continuous readout of the odds with each deal of the cards.
Joe continues assisting the speech and occupational therapists by demonstrating to a patient the sentence, "Where's the FOOD?" It is time for intervention when Joe's speech pattern causes the patient to fall on the floor in laughter. Joe, never one to be discouraged, takes his hat and seeks other less discriminating patients.
Abel's grandson, Ethan and grand nephew, Isaac, hang together and hope some day to grow to be as tall as Abel. Ethan is shown here riding with only one hand and is ready to join his Popa on the road.
To Sylvia, CEO, Pam, DMO and her able assistants, Becky and Heather, thank you so much for a wonderful visitation. We were wined and dined and most importantly we were able to meet so many of your wonderful patients. Your continued support over the past three years and warm welcome makes us feel a definite familial connection. Thank you for all that you do for your patients and for Amputees Across America.
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