Ceilings

Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma, we finally got a bed, but the mattress came in and it is the wrong size!!! Things that used to seem so simple have become so complicated. We are hoping the new bed will be much more comfortable for Ryan; not only will it be long enough, but the head of the bed will raise to 40◦ - 50◦, which is critical for watching TV…not to mention keeping the airways in his lungs open!!

Geralyn and I met with the State Medicaid Office today and completed the next step in getting Ryan approved for the NM Disable and Elderly Waiver Program. Hopefully we are again on the right track to get Ryan’s needs met. After fifteen years of dealing with government entities, I am continually amazed at the “red tape” which the public has to go thru to get anything done. Thanks to our local State Representative, who has helped us get thru some of the paperwork more rapidly. It was also nice to have Geralyn there, as she has worked the system in Wyoming and knows a lot of the “particulars.”

Ryan has been called to be the Ward Prayer Coordinator for our Ward; which is, for those who don’t know, to make assignments for the opening and closing prayers for Sacrament Meeting. It is so nice to have a Bishop who listens to the spirit and comprehends that Ryan needs to be a part of things. As he was telling his grandparents about his new calling he commented that he was called to do that because, “I can’t hand out hymn books!!” Grandpa and Dean assured him that they could “hitch” a trailer to the back of his chair and he could do that too!! His positive and spontaneous sense of humor is so great.

Monday, we had to go to the hospital for blood gas tests; Ryan wanted to go out to lunch before he had to “give blood” so we went to Red Lobster, had a real nice lunch and found that their tables are high enough that he can actually pull-up underneath the table so he can sit as close as the rest of us. The little things we take for granted! As we got out of the van, the sidewalk was blocked so he wasn’t able to maneuver his chair up the handicapped ramp but rather had to “pop the curb!” Luckily, Dean was with us and was able to help him so that he didn’t “pop” another wheelie!! If he would have, he would have hit a huge rock. After we had ordered, Ryan asked if he could speak to the manager – we all looked at him and thought, Oh, no, what is he going to do. The manager came over and Ryan is so polite, he first told him that he always loved their food and he was glad that he could pull-up under the table, then asked him if he wouldn’t mind “making some improvements” to their handicap access. He continues to amaze me, his patience, his positive outlook and constructive mannerisms; we all could take note!!

As we were awaiting our food, he did a “weight shift” which he does about every twenty or thirty minutes. As he was reclining in his chair, he said matter-of-factly, “I know what I want to do for a career,” we were all very attentive awaiting the new revelation. We waited patiently and then he stated, “I want to be a Ceiling Consultant…I see most ceilings everywhere I go!!” We talked of the pros and cons and than all had a good laugh!!

We try to count our blessings thru this trial. We have become closer as a family, we have made wonderful new friends and acquaintances, we are learning patience, and most importantly we are trying to become closer to our Savior and truly understand his atoning sacrifice. After Meredith drove the five hours - 305 miles from Flagstaff this past weekend, she told Ryan that one of his blessings is that he doesn’t have to buy gas. We just need to look at the positive – she forgot we are in the gas business!!

Sincerely, we are so grateful for our blessings, some days we have to look real deep, but when we do we are richly blessed. May we all look a little deeper each day for the blessings that fill our lives.

With Love,
Dean, Terry and Ryan

Finding Help

It is good to be home, but we are experiencing reality!! Ryan’s caregiver resigned. Caring for Ryan is a “big” job and his caregiver wasn’t up to the challenge. We had heard from several patients after leaving Craig that they had to go thru two or three caregivers until they found one that worked for them. We were hoping that we would be able to “sing a different tune” but we are not exempt.

I spoke with my new found friend Laurie, Dan Leslie’s mom; she lived in Provo this summer trying to find good help for Dan. At the end of the summer semester, she felt like she had succeeded only to find when they returned, after the break, she was at square one again. I think this is going to be an ongoing challenge.

We were aware when we made the decision to come back to Farmington that this would be one of our biggest hurdles.

We weren’t able to make it to Salt Lake this weekend for Ryan’s mission reunion and General Conference. Ryan was quite sad about not being able to go. He loved his mission and made lifetime friendships with his mission companions. He was hoping to get to see some of them. Hopefully in the next couple of months he will be up to traveling and making the seven hour trip.

Since we weren’t able to get to Salt Lake, it was nice to be able to watch General Conference in our home; we were afraid that we weren’t’ going to be able too. We had a satellite installation date of October 10th, but Dean called the office here in town and was able to get the installation date moved to the 30th of September. The installer came out about 1:00 p.m. and was here until 4:30 p.m and still couldn’t get the signal, she called her boss and he came out and got it all set up, finishing up about 9:00 p.m. We told then that our “church” was going to be on TV this weekend and we would really appreciate it if they could get the satellite up and running. They were so kind and generous of their time to get it going.

We enjoyed conference and then Dean and Ryan went to the General Priesthood meeting Saturday night. Ryan came home quite depressed – I wondered what they had talked about!! It wasn’t the meeting, it was seeing a lot of his friends who are now married and are starting their families. He thinks about the future 24/7. We continue to hope and pray that we will know Gods’ will thru this trial.

Meredith was planning on meeting Ryan in Salt Lake for Conference, but since we weren’t able to go, she came to Farmington. She sure can brighten his day!! It was fun to see her and have her here for the weekend.

We had two new caregivers come in yesterday and today; we will see what tomorrow brings!! I feel like our front door is a revolving door. Everyone in Farmington is going to know what kind of a house keeper I am; I guess that is the least of my worries!! Maybe I will ask them to help!

May the Lord bless each of us as we strive to know and do His will. We are so grateful to you all for the visits, the food, the cards, the e-mails, the kind words and most especially the hugs.

Love,
Dean, Terry and Ryan

New Addresses

My mom asked me to post their new address information:

Griffin’s
4525 La Colina Court
Farmington, NM 87401

Ryan:
Dean:
Terry - Note that this has changed!! Mom's redmesa address will not be valid much longer.

Thank you all for your letters, love and support. Scott