Boy, it has been one heck of a holiday
By Thoroughrob
@Thoroughrob (11742)
United States
January 1, 2010 3:49pm CST
It has been very nice, but busy. Having everyone home has sure been crazy.
My son, Bryan, was surprised Christmas Eve, when they brought his new power wheelchair. It is a cadillac style. the footrests are power, it tilts, reclines and he is so much more comfortable in it. He was so surprised with it, that he had fun opening the presents, but the chair was more exciting! I am glad he has had time to get used to it before having to use it at school.
My son, Michael, had mentioned he wanted a welder for Christmas, but he knew they cost too much. We found a stick welder that is a big one, used, for $40. It was in great shape, so we bought it for him. We then had to wire the garage with a 220, so he could use it. We would not have had to get him anything else, as he was totally thrilled. He is taking welding in school and loves to do it.
Bryan was surprised again on New Years eve, as we had a shower/toilet chair delivered to the house. I cannot believe insurance approved all this at once. It is another deluxe chair, we can tilt him back almost in a laying position to give him a shower and it rolls over the toilet so that he can use it. He wants a shower every time we take him into the bathroom, lol
Bryan had two doctors appointments this week. One was 2 hours away. The weather was pretty nasty coming home. It was a long day.
We have had some company almost every day, except today, and we are just relaxing.
How was your holidays? Did you have anything real nice happen?
6 people like this
15 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
1 Jan 10
Wow! Congratulations on getting all of the equipment that Bryan needs. So often I hear of people being denied the equipment. This news is wonderful! I know quite a few people who would benefit from the deluxe shower chair. We often have to bathe people in bed. That doesn't give them the feel of having a nice warm shower.
Great buy on the welder! I try to buy things second hand. They cost so much less and 99% of the time they are just getting old and the person wanted to buy new.
Our Christmas was wonderful. We had quite a few people in our house. We got to see all of the kids. The boys were visited on Christmas morning and my daughter on Sunday. My eldest daughter joined us for dinner with her fiance and his mother along with my brother, his wife and daughter, my nephew and his daughter. It was such a good time. There is nothing better than having a houseful of people to warm your heart.
Big Huggers to you!
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
1 Jan 10
I could not believe everything came so close together. I have a great case manager with our insurance, he also has medicaid, but they did not have to pay for any of it. It sounds like you definitely had a house full. Hopefully things are going well with your kids, as well as they can for now. It is nice to have lots of company, but I am enjoying the quiet today also.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
1 Jan 10
That is great that your primary insurance covered the much needed items. I recall times when I submitted for prior approval for an item with the primary insurance and has to wait for a denial in order to submit it to Medicaid and then have to wait again. The process is too long. When people need something, they need it.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
2 Jan 10
The wheelchair was started back in the summer, we tried it out for a week. We had home health due to his surgeries, so we were with a different therapist for a while, and they would not even try. We have really have been waiting on it about 2 months. The shower chair was just ordered the beginning of December.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Oh how wonderful for Bryan So glad he like the chair and that he has learned how to get around in it yeah he could have got no better present that I can see. BUt for the operations to have worked miricales hugs
NAd A welder for 40 buck wow . Stick welding is and art in its self.
I love welding too but just havent found one I could afford guess I need to look harder lol
and then I would hav eto find things to weld together lol
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
5 Jan 10
It was a nice holiday, and seeing both kids happy was a plus. My son has been hunting for things around the house to weld, unfortunately there is not much here.
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
4 Jan 10
I am sure the new year will bring fond memories in future. For me, christmas and new year holidays are just another day where I do not have to go to office. Perhaps I am asocial, but I simply do not enjoy attending parties where there are big crowds. I prefer the bliss and serenity of being alone, basked in the arms of that someone, oblivious to the surrounding. lol.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
5 Jan 10
I do like the peace and quiet also. Have a Happy New Year.
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
4 Jan 10
Congrats on insurance coming threw for you and your son,isn't it wonderful when good things happen to good people?
My holidays were ok nothing exciting happened but I am fine with that 
My daughter got a V motion which is kinda like the Wii and she has to move the controller with her hands in certain ways to make it work she loves that thing!
All in all it was a busy but good holiday.
My daughter got a V motion which is kinda like the Wii and she has to move the controller with her hands in certain ways to make it work she loves that thing!
All in all it was a busy but good holiday.@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
5 Jan 10
I am glad that your daughter is loving her game. It is nice for something positive to happen.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
5 Jan 10
That is such great news! Bryan has the new things he really needs and he must be so happy because they would make a huge change in his life and it seems Michael has done well with his presents too. It is so wonderful when you can put a smile on your children’s faces; I think that is what life is all about; watching their faces light up...I loved watching my little daughter open her presents convinced that Santa had been...We have had people over almost every day too which has been really nice but it is nice to have a bit of a break too. All in all it’s been a great Festive Season! All the best to you and your family for the New Year!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
5 Jan 10
It was really nice, but I am glad for the break. I am ready for a little bit of a break. The smiles do make it worth it.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
4 Jan 10
We didn't have anything especially exciting to happen to us over the holidays, but it was great to be able to spend the two weeks with my daughter being out of school. As odd as it might sound to say it, I miss her while she is at school. Both of the children were thrilled with the gifts that they got this year even though most of them were practical as opposed to fun, they did get their fair share of fun things as well. I believe a favorite to both of them was their new scooters that Santa brought to them.
I think it's wonderful to hear that insurance approved all of the new equipment for Bryan. I bet he is so happy to be more comfortable in every way.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
5 Jan 10
He is really more comfortable, as the wheelchair he had, no longer fit him right. I am glad you had a good Christmas.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
3 Jan 10
that is great things are looking up, that is the main thing, I was unable to get my grandson his christmas gift on christmas told him he would have to wait until his birthday in february but there was a half price boxing day sale and voila he now has his xbox and is so happy.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
5 Jan 10
It really made his day. I am glad that you were able to ge his xbox. It is nice to see kids happy.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
3 Jan 10
Sounds like both your sons did real well with CHriustmas presents from you and were both very happy. NIce to have the insurance companies cooperate for once.
Its great how technology has developed enough to give your son the support he needs.
On Christmas Day my daughter, myselef and my parents went to my brothers hoiuse. There were 15 people there for lunch. I ate twice as much as usual. With ham, turkey pork, lamb and lots of swweets, it was to hard to resist.
My daughter was very happy with her xmas prersents. She got fancy training bathers, a DVD on meercats, 10 books (yes, its true), and a pink bean bag.
Two days after Christmas we left on a 7 day vacation.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
5 Jan 10
It really is nice when the insurance cooperates. I hope you had a great vacation.
@horsesrule (1957)
• United States
2 Jan 10
That's great you got the medical equipment he needs!! It sure is skunky that it takes so long. I had put in for a wheelchair last year, well, I guess 2008 now, gotta try to remember that! LOL But it was denied because they said that my doctor said I could walk and I said sure, I CAN at least stand up and walk a couple of feet but anything more than that and I get shaky and sick and after I fell a couple of times, I'm scared to try walking. We had a good Christmas here, we had the entire family to our house for Christmas dinner, some 19 people total and it all went great! The kids got presents and while we did get a little help from a couple of people, I still think it was good. Sometimes getting help from people makes me feel a bit bad for not standing on my own two feet but for my daughter and her three sons, I would give up every bit of my self-respect if I had to! I love them very much and since they had a great Christmas, I am one happy granny!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
2 Jan 10
I am so sorry you had trouble getting your chair. I do know it takes the right wording and usually a therapist is the best one to do it, although she sends it to the doctor to have it signed. I have learned to swallow my pride when it comes to my kids, and accept the help. With my son, alot of the extra things for him, have been given to us by organizations and without it, there is no way we would have gotten things. I am glad Christmas went well.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
2 Jan 10
What a wonderful thing to happen for Bryan!! If someone has to be in a wheelchair, it should be something like he has now.
I got to spend another Christmas with my dad, who is 87 and in poor health. I expect that this may be our last one together so it was a blessing. My niece came to visit for a couple of hours on her way from Florida to New Jersey and that was great, too. It was a great Christmas! And one of my sons will be visiting in mid-January!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
5 Jan 10
I hope that you enjoyed your Christmas with your dad. Times like that are special.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Happy new year, Rob. i am glad y'all had such a blessed christmas. Good for bryan, i'm sooooo glad u were able to get those things for him. Not onlywill it help him but sure it will make it easier on u & that's real good.
i bet michael was pleased w/his gifr. I love to give if it is liked.
Hope u have a nice quiet weekend . Sounds like u could use some rest.
Christmas at my house was very quiet. To be honest i'm glad the holidays are about over. Take care of yourself & those boys of yours. jo
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
2 Jan 10
It sure has not been quiet here. It has been pretty crazy, but Bryan is in heaven. Michael really liked his too, we have overheard him talking to his friends on the phone, we definitely surprised him! He looked it up and the price of the welder that we found to buy it new was around $1000. I guess we did good. I am glad the holidays are about over too, but it has been a good one.
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
1 Jan 10
Wow, you have your hands full don't you? This is my first time that I can remember responding to one of your posts. I'm so happy for your Son and you for getting the help you need. Those power chairs are so wonderful. My late second husband was so happy with his and so was I. Before he passed away, I had to do the driving. I'd just get behind him and steer it.
How old is you son? Do you mind if I ask what is wrong with him? It's amazing how Mylot has brought people together who have mental and physical disabilities. Where else could you sit at a computer and have someone to talk to and to listen to others who need an ear. I'm so happy you and your family had such a blessed Christmas. You sound as though you really deserve it. Have a wonderful New Year.
Leenie
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
1 Jan 10
We do have our hands full. My son is 15, and has cerebral palsy, he had another chair, but it did not fit him well. He has surgery in March, to put rods in his back, because his spine was curved 110 degrees. He developed infection and had to go through 2 more surgeries the beginning of April. One took out his baclofen pump, which makes him stiff as a board. The equipment we are getting now is because of all that. Hope you have a wonderful New Year.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Hey Rob! Great to see ya! Happy Holidays to you and your wonderful
family! I am so happy to hear such wonderful news about the gifts
that you were about to get for Bryan! I know how much easier
that will make his life and yours! Go Bryan! You deserve every
gift you get! May God Bless You honey! And as for Michael, I
know that he also deserves the wonderful gift that you got him
too! I am so happy to hear that your family had such a wonderful
Christmas! I can't think of any family that deserves it as much
as yours! I hope that you will have a wonderful New Year too!
Hugs, Opal
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Thank you so much! I hope you had a nice holiday also!
@MrKennedy (1978)
•
2 Jan 10
Wow, sounds like you have had a VERY busy festive season.
For me, it has been rather relaxed and mellow (apart from Boxing Day when I had to visit distant relatives which required me to plough through 4-hour traffic jams
). Unfortunately, after Boxing Day, it was business as usual and I was back on the road and away from my family and friends over New Year's Eve
). Unfortunately, after Boxing Day, it was business as usual and I was back on the road and away from my family and friends over New Year's Eve
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
13 Jan 10
i AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU HAD A WONDEFULTIME TOGETHER AND PRAY OT gOD THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR. YOU SOUND LIKE A WONDERFUL FAMILY. SORR FOR CAPS- NO TIME TO RETYPE. I ALSO HAD A GOOD CHRISTMS AS 3 OUT OF MY 4 CHILDREN WERE HERE AND IT WAS WONDEFUL.ONE SON FROM THE U.K.WILL BE GOIN BACK TBIS COMING SATURDAY
WILL SEE HIM IN JUNE WHEN I GO TO THE U.K.-SO IT IS NOT TOO LONG AWAY.
WILL SEE HIM IN JUNE WHEN I GO TO THE U.K.-SO IT IS NOT TOO LONG AWAY.