July 05, 2007 at 10:49 AM MDT
Holiday stress is over and the laundry still needs to be done, dishes still need to be washed, and I STILL need a nap. It'll come.....
Our benefit concert was fun! I wish I could say that it was a rip-roaring success, but it wasn't. We made enough in ticket sales to pay for 1/2 of the rental hall, and I really started panicking. Great, more out of our meager stores. Then that still, quiet voice came saying to relax and consider it our gift to all those who helped us before. So be it! The Cluff Family band was awesome, Cherie Call was fabulous, and Clog America was unbelievable! It was a very upbeat evening. Thank you, family and friends, for coming to support us. It was much appreciated! And thanks to all those who were there in spirit. Cam sang a song between acts, and I MC'd. He also had 2 people ask him to speak after he announced that he wanted to be a public speaker.
I went to therapy yesterday and watched Cam crawl on the carpet (we have very little carpet now), and he was doing so well! He was exhausted, though. Today he has to go around the gym TWICE. That's better than a sleeping pill!
Hope everyone had a safe and sane (is ANYTHING in life sane anymore?)
Birthday party for our wonderful America. God bless her, and all of us!
Love ya,
Sharon
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July 04, 2007 at 06:52 PM MDT
I would also like to again express my appreciation to all of you who have shared your concern regarding pain and pain killers. My great concern has been regarding the opiates and the way the pain seemed to increase to more than it was before when they wore off. I've heard enough about Loretabs and the like that they really scare me. Fortunately Sharon found some herbal tabs that are supposed to be like the non-narc tabs Ginger told me about and which I am using, Tramadol or Ultraset. They work well enough for now until the herbal ones come.

In the meanwhile I keep exercising and trying to loosen the muscles up by doing what I call the "funky chicken". It works some and coupled with meditation and relaxation and massage, we are making it through the days.

Thank you again for your concern, faith and especially your prayers in our behalf. We love you, too.

Cameron & Sharon.
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July 04, 2007 at 06:40 PM MDT
July 4th, 1776 was the date certain Americans declared the colonies'
independence from British Rule. Today, 231 years later, I can declare
certain independence from my wheelchair because I can now crawl, which
thing I could not do just one month ago. I say certain independence
because I will certainly strengthen more and more from here until I am
ultimately walking everywhere. Crawling is just one of the several steps toward my ultimate independence from the wheelchair.

Just as the Declaration of Independence was followed by a series of hard fought battles to establish that independence, so I still have many battles to fight of my own. I have to develop greater core strength and learn greater coordination to achieve more speed in a four-point crawl. I have to develop the strength and balance to be able to learn to crawl on my knees in an upright, 2-point position. I need to learn to isolate and activate many other muscles in order to achieve a solid upright stance on my feet. The fight has just begun and there will be much sweat and strain, but there are several others further along this road of independence to whom I look as mentors and friends.

This last month has been good because of measurable successes, particularly learning to crawl 4 days before the end of the month. The goal was to learn to crawl by the end of June and I've been able to do that. There is nothing like achieving the steps along the way to final goal accomplishment. The next goal is in sight. I should have another success story for the next newsletter and will continue to work to that end.

Happy Independence Day. Let the battles begin!


Cameron Sevy
801-623-3691-cell