Being vulnerable

I'm hearing a lot lately about being vulnerable. There is no great gain with out great risk. There is no creativity with out failure. And all the things you say....

I decided to take a risk today. I put our blog link up on some Rett Syndrome sites and FB pages.

I feel passionately about getting this sidewalk done for Chrissy. There is so little we can DO for her. Even simple things, like Christmas and birthdays... what does she need? Nothing.

But this. This would bring more joy to her life. This we can help accomplish.

So I'm putting us out there.

Putting me out there.

I hope it helps us get this gift done.

We're back!

Did you think we were lost? We were, in a way... lost in vacation!

We spent 5 lovely days in Phuket, Thailand. We didn't earn much for Klicks, but we are back in Beijing recharged and ready to go!

So happy on our way to the airport

Anna, aka "The Sherpa" moving through the airport. The picture is a bit fuzzy because we were MOVIN'. Our layover was just barely long enough....

We made it!

Mom and Dad, These are sips, not klicks.

Elephant Klicks

Morning walk in the rain

Tough days for chrissy

As we sit in Beijing celebrating 600+ kilometers, Chrissy is in the hospital back home. She began moaning and grinding her teeth (her ways of communicating that she is in pain) so Oma and Nonno took her in. She has a urinary tract infection along with other issues.

She is on antibiotics and the doctors are working on helping her get back home.

One of the amazing things about Participation House is the care they provide. Chrissy has had a staff member from her home present around the clock.  The house staff know Chrissy, they know her medical history and personality. They are able to communicate with the hospital staff; they record every comminication or treatment so they can communicate with Oma and Nonno. What a blessing.

Please keep the family in your prayers: Healing for Chrissy, strength and fortitude for Oma and Nonno, wisdom for the hospital staff and gratitude for the PH staff.

Wistow Picnic, Guest Post

On Sunday August 23rd Christine and Housemates at Wistow invited friends & family for a potluck Luau BBQ. The weather was tropical: hot, sunny and humid.

Guests were escorted to the beautiful backyard where each received a lei. Guests were decked out in colourful attire befitting the tropical theme.

As per the nature of potluck gatherings, there was an overabundance of delicious food which was enjoyed by all.

The smile on Chrissy's face tell us she was so happy to entertain in her garden: a little slice of paradise.

Exciting update!

It's another cloudy, smoggy day in the Jing. But we managed 13.5klicks today!

This whole "Klicks for Chrissy" idea came about after a strategic planning meeting with Chrissy over the summer. A fantastic PH worker sat with Chrissy and her family to set dreams and goals for the year. The girls and I were fortunate enough to participate in the last portion of the planning session. It was fascinating to watch this woman work with Chrissy and read her responses. The PH worker incorporated our verbal input and Chrissy's subtle cues. I was impressed with how well she included Chrissy in the conversation and made the planning session about what Chrissy wants, not what we all thought Chrissy wants.

One of Chrissy's dreams is to be on the London Tour of Gardens. Broken down into time specific and achievable goals... build the sidewalk.

Another dream and goal is to stay more connected to her nieces (the girls) and her brother

And one more dream? To go swimming.

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to get this note from Mom/Oma:

A short report re: Chrissy's swimming experience. The Y was recently renovated and they did well; larger change rooms with change tables and ceiling lifts. The therapeutic pool itself is warmer and has a ceiling lift for getting in and out of the water. The smile on Chrissy'e face was unbelievable, I have not seen that smile since before her kidney stones. It lasted the whole 45 minutes she was in the water and beyond. At on point I held her upright and her legs were down. I told her we could actually measure how tall she is when she is in the water. She was very relaxed and we are planning to go on Mondays for the time being. A rewarding experience.

I am so very excited for Chrissy and for Mom/Oma. They have wanted to get this done for Chrissy for as long as I can remember. I can imagine Chrissy's radiant and beautiful smile in the pool!!

I wish I were closer to give everyone a giant hug in celebration. 

Klicks for Chrissy

We need to build an Angel’s path. A special way for a special person…

My sister-in-law, Chrissy, has Rett Syndrome (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rett_syndrome) is non-verbal and is confined to a wheel chair. She lives in a home, provided by Participation House Support Services, London Area (http://participationhouse.com/), with three other women who are also confined to wheelchairs and are non-verbal.

But they are more than people with special challenges. Chrissy is more than a person with special challenges.

Chrissy is an Angel who blesses all who know her. She shows with sparkling eyes and a contagious smile what she can’t say.

Chrissy loves being outside. The back yard of her house has become “Chrissy’s Garden” because she and my Mother-in-law work long and joy-filled hours there. She would love to access the whole yard but the sidewalk is not complete.

We have consulted a gardening expert and a contractor. We have a plan and a quote: the house needs $10,000 to complete the sidewalk extension. We would like to have the funds by May 2014.

Our family is raising funds to complete the side walk so Chrissy and her house-mates can enjoy the beautiful flowers, sounds of nature, changes of seasons… things that bring a sparkle to Chrissy’s eyes and a smile that lights our hearts.

Our little family of 5 is committed to traveling 5000 Self-Propelled Kilometers.

Klicks for Chrissy.