Visitation at HealthSouth Rehab Institute of Tucson
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Visitation at HealthSouth Rehab Institute of Tucson
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 Jeff (HealthSouth of Tucson, CEO) welcomes the riders and asks that all patients please secure their belongings as they’ve heard of Abel and Luke’s penchant for jewelry, wallets, and hospital bracelets. |
 The
crowd at HealthSouth of Tucson, which included patients, therapists, and
some marvelous people from the VA, wait for the festivities to begin. They
also hide their valuables. |
 Tucson’s Vice-Mayor, Nina Trasoff, welcomed the riders to HealthSouth and Tucson where cyclists are warmly received. She is also seen with her purse on her shoulder. Evidently, she heeded Jeff’s warning. |
 Abel begins his talk by trying to re-familiarize the audience with how to do the Hokey Pokey. When it doesn’t work, he just talks about what it’s like to be taller than Joe. |
 After an inspiring discussion that ended in a frenzy of applause, AJ lapses into thoughts of grandeur and fabulosity. It comes to an end abruptly when she is escorted away wearing a tight, white jacket. |
 Luke, after being worn out by the “oldsters” on this year’s ride, ends up with a sore and has to spend the day on crutches with only one leg left to stand on. |
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 Luke, bored with all the hoopla, tries to see what’ll happen if he pushes Joe down a flight or two of stairs. Joe, who went from healthy to a quadriplegic in 8 hours, is working hard to gain back 100% of his normal function. We’re very proud of you, Joe! |
 Marie is amused as she listens to AJ fumble her way through the story of the disappearance of one Mojave Desert rattlesnake. She ended up telling Channel 4 that it was all Joe’s fault. We expect Joe to be arrested shortly |
 Channel 4 out of Tucson does an interview for Unsolved Mysteries. They heard that one Mojave Desert rattlesnake has been missing for 5 days and is being very sorely missed by its family. |
 Gladys, now 100 years old, has a great outlook on life and says that a sense of humor is what keeps her young. Not bad for someone who has the names Hurt, Payne, Ayles (ails), and Eakin (aching) in her family |
 Ingrid takes a few short minutes out of her therapy time to talk with AJ. She’s survived moving from Germany to the USA, two strokes, and taking care of her beloved husband who has dementia. Yet, she has a very hard time putting up with AJ in all her Southern glory. We wish you and your husband the very best, Ingrid! |
 AJ, after being introduced to a new style of Arizona rap by DJ Dustin Flash, tries to reciprocate by teaching him how to make a realistic Georgia hog-call. |
 Pervin, Megan, and Lynn take the time out of their busy day to pose for a photo with the riders. Unfortunately, they found that their jewelry and sharpie markers were missing after the riders left. |
 Jealous that they didn’t get to learn AJ’s authentic Georgia hog-call, Megan and Pervin bug AJ to teach them until she gives in. Incidently, 2 minutes later a large stampede of 1,400 wild Georgia hogs leveled the entire building. Thanks a lot Megan and Pervin! |
 Don and Meg pose for a snapshot. It’s simply another testament to the friendship that can form when patient and therapist work together so closely |
 After Abel attempts to reteach the patients how to do the Hokey Pokey, they got as far as putting their left arm in before they told him to get lost. We’re just happy that there are a select few people that can tolerate him for more than 45 seconds. |
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Our thanks to Marie Marchal, DMO for putting up with us and the antics of AJ. Special thanks to the entire staff of the Rehab Hospital of Tucson whose support made our visit a great success. Your efforts and care that you afford your patients each and every day, clearly shows in all that you do, whether you are working with a patient, or suffering through a visit by a traveling band of amputee vagabonds who ride bicycles. Thanks for everything. |
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