Visitation at HealthSouth Rehab Hospital of Toms River
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Visitation at HealthSouth Rehab Hospital of Toms River |
 Finally, after the usual ride to the facility with Joe, involving three u-turns, five left turns with his right blinker on, three right turns with his left blinker on, and four complete lane crossings across three or more lanes of traffic, we arrive at the facility to be met by Mike and his mom, Arlene. Of course, Mike comments on how much shorter Abel is in real life compared to his optically distorted height in the picture. Mike's daily active participation in his mom's therapy is nothing less than remarkable and we were in awe of his total commitment to her rehab.
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Abel visits with Nick as he waits his turn for therapy. Looking down on the top of Abel's head, Nick wants to know if Abel has always been so short or if it was some kind of compression injury that occurred with his accident. Luke is seen in the midst of the PT gym, prostrated by hunger, begging the therapists for food. Fortunately, a week old Twinkie is found and Luke is finally able to continue his search for the elusive Candy Striper of his dreams.
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 After a gargantuan lunch, Luke is joined by Joe and James for the ceremonial arrival ceremony. Shown here, riding through downtown Toms River, the riding crew is escorted by members of the Toms River Police and Fire Departments.
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 Probably
the largest escort in the seven year history of Amputees Across America,
Toms River went all out to welcome us. We were escorted by one
motorcycle, three police cars, six fire engines, and three rescue vehicles.
Our thanks to all who serve and protect. It was an awesome two mile
ride.
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 Our ride into the Toms River HealthSouth facility was just as awesome as our escort. The entire hospital turned out along with a color guard comprised of all of the military services.
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 Shown here, is the color guard of soldiers serving who in some cases were on leave from Iraq. We really appreciate all they have done to protect our freedoms and were particularly touched by their support of HealthSouth and AAA.
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After welcoming speeches and the motivational talks of the riders, James gives his testimony. As is so apparent in the photograph on the right, James has the audience mesmerized and sitting on the edges of their seats, hanging on his every word.
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 Abel continues to be amused by the antics of Luke. At the picnic, Luke is finally able to curb his appetite and focus on his quest to find the girl of his dreams.
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 Luke tells everyone who will listen, about the traumatic experience he had during his last visit to Toms River in 2005. It seems that his accidental dousing of Denice at the arrival event of that year, caused her to run him down in the parking lot like a dog, and to chastise him in front of the Candy Stripers and members of his fan club. He pleaded for mercy and cited confusion with a local re-enactment of the Lincoln assassination.
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Denice, shown here on the left, with other members of the Lincoln re-enactment team, readies her weapon in preparation for a pre-emptive strike on Luke as Luke, holds a picture in his mind of his rescue of Candy from the clutches of Denice (shown on the right).
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 Clueless and dreaming of his imminent meeting with Candy, Denice strikes and puts fear in the hearts of all men.
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As usual, Toms River showed their class with an event
that awed and inspired us. The excitement and enthusiasm was so
evident throughout the HealthSouth hospital staff. Our thanks to Patty
Ostaszewski, CEO, for her warm hospitality and generous support, for Denice
Gaffney, the New Jersey Area DMO for all of her efforts to make us feel
welcome, even though we brought Lukas, and Kathy Panchak and her entire
marketing team, who put together an event that brought together an entire
community and which will always be in our memory. Thank you
HealthSouth not only for what you do for Amputees Across America, but for
the message of hope that you bring to every patient and to those who hurt.
You have our admiration for what you do every day to touch so many hearts
and to changes so many lives. |
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