Pete's UpdatesUpdates
Dear Friends,
We would like to thank you, once again, for four years of successful “Fore Pete’s Sake” tournaments. These tournaments have shown us how much we are loved by all of you and have enabled Pete to have so many things to improve his quality of life that we would not otherwise have been able to provide him with.
Due to your unwavering support, after last year’s golf tournament, Pete was able to get a titanium manual wheelchair which is being used for therapy as well as for getting into places that he might otherwise not be able to go to (i.e. friends’ homes, crowded restaurants). Last September, Pete was also able to travel to the 2nd Annual Spinal Cord Symposium in Boston sponsored by the CRF where he met numerous scientists, other SCI individuals, and members of the community dedicated to helping spinal cord injured individuals. As a result of the symposium, Pete is participating in the application process to obtain a Helping Hands monkey (www.monkeyhelpers.org)! These monkeys undergo 5-7 years of training to be human companions before being placed in qualified homes; they help in so many ways by bringing drinks, picking up things that have fallen, pushing buttons, and more! We are very excited that Pete will be getting a monkey to assist him in his everyday life—it’s just one more step toward his independence!
At last year’s tournament, Pete announced that he would like other quadriplegic individuals to benefit from this wonderful golf tournament. As he liked to tell everyone at the spinal cord symposium, “We’ve started a little foundation out in San Diego...” Starting in 2006, Pete has turned the Fore Pete’s Sake tournament over to this non-profit organization, the QUAD Foundation, Inc., and the proceeds from 2006 will be used to better the lives of many. Pete is an active member in the QUAD Foundation and will continue to receive support for his role as such.
The QUAD Foundation’s major project is H.O.W.—Hope On Wheels. As you may recall, the proceeds from the 2nd Annual Fore Pete’s Sake tournament went toward the purchase of an ERGYS-2 F.E.S. bicycle – the very exercise equipment so strongly supported by Christopher Reeve. The maximum health benefit is obtained by riding the bicycle 1 hour per day, 3 times per week – that leaves hours and hours each week that Pete cannot use this equipment! As a family, we began seeking a way to share it with others upon learning this, but one of the main issues for quads is transportation. H.O.W. was our solution: using a specialized trailer, this project brings the ERGYS-2 bicycle to the homes of our clients. So far it’s been a great success, and it never would have been possible without the “Fore Pete’s Sake” tournament!
Our 2006 event will take place on Sunday, September 10th and Monday, September 11th – it will be magical. On Sunday evening, we will be hosting our second wine-pairing event at Orfila Vineyards in Escondido – here, the finest restaurants will join us to create phenomenal dishes for you to enjoy. There will be music, an unbelievable silent auction, and an amazing speaker. On Monday, the Quad Foundation’s 5th Annual “Fore Pete’s Sake” golf tournament will take place, followed by a Golfers’ Awards Dinner and the very popular raffle.
We appreciate all that you have done for Pete since that fateful day in 2002, and we would love for you to join us in September!
With love,
Debbie
Update from Debbie: July 30, 2005
Dear Friends,
As the 4th annual “Fore Pete’s Sake” golf tournament approaches, we are filled with amazement and wonder, and most of all, gratitude. Who would have believed that your wonderful support and generosity would still be overflowing in our lives after all this time! We want you to know that we feel the love every single day, and you have changed our lives forever.
Quadriplegia is a ride that no one can imagine or prepare for – even after three years every day is an adventure and a challenge. There are so many facets to this, so many secondary conditions; this injury affects every aspect of the human body and spirit. Every Spinal Cord Injury is different and each of the survivors has their own personal trial, both medical and social. Many of you know that Pete is battling kidney stones, the likes of which even the SCI doctors have never seen. In the past 24 months Pete has undergone 14 medical procedures to his kidneys, including 2 invasive surgeries, a laser surgery, a 9-day kidney infusion therapy (hospitalized) and 9 Lithotripsy procedures. Pete’s new van makes a big difference with all the doctor and hospital visits! In the past year we changed insurance companies, we changed Pete’s entire team of doctors, and I’m happy to report we are making progress! Pete’s positive attitude and unwavering spirit lift all of us around him each and every day. He is a true champion, and as his mother I am proud beyond words of his courage and commitment to be the best person he can be.
We still believe without question that exercise and physical therapy is the key to recovery for spinal cord injuries. Pete does his own version of physical therapy every single day. As a result, his right shoulder and bicep are stronger and less painful, and we are exploring the purchase of a titanium manual wheelchair for Pete! This will serve several purposes – it will be tremendous physical therapy, it will be a back-up chair if his powerchair breaks down, and it will “fit” better if Pete wants to visit friends in their homes, or go to a restaurant.
As you can imagine, it has been difficult for Pete to ride his ERGYS 2 bike. However, beginning next week Pete will attempt to ride his bike again with his sister, Maggie, acting as therapist. He is starting from scratch, 2 days weekly at probably less than 15 minutes ride time. So we appreciate your thoughts and prayers as Pete begins this difficult, life-changing therapy once again.
Pete and I will attend the second CRPF Spinal Cord Symposium in Boston on September 15 and 16, right after “Fore Pete’s Sake”! This is an unprecedented opportunity to meet with the world’s leading scientists and researchers in the field of spinal cord injury, and learn of new approaches to the care and rehabilitation of people with quadriplegia. Maggie and I attended the first symposium in Chicago 18 months ago, and I am really thrilled that Pete wanted to go this time to hear firsthand about all the great things happening in the world for people like him. And as a special treat, we hope to catch up with some of the Boston Flynn’s while we are in town! It is because of “Fore Pete’s Sake” and your generosity that we can travel to Boston and purchase the manual wheelchair for Pete, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
I especially want to thank Bret and all the FPS volunteers for their time and energy in organizing this amazing event. And a special thanks to Debbie Heath who takes care of Pete during the week, and loves him like a mother loves her child. Thanks to Maggie and Devin and little Caitlyn for bringing their sunshine into our home everyday. And thanks to Doctor John Martin and his wife Nancy for treating Pete like the most important patient in the world – John coached Pete in little league years ago. Thanks to all my friends in the electronics industry for helping me through every day. And thanks to our church family for holding us up and praying for God’s healing touch fervently and endlessly, never ceasing. Thanks to the QUAD Foundation for sharing our dreams, to my friends who still cry with me, and to my family who surround us with love and protection with their prayers every morning and every night. Thanks to Pete’s friends, who re-define “Hero” every single day. Thanks especially to Pete’s Dad. He’s still here. We could not do this without him. Thanks to Christopher Reeve for his marvelous example, and for giving us hope. And finally, thanks to God for allowing Pete to stay here to make us laugh, and teach us about strength and courage…..
I love you, God Bless you,
See you September 12th!
Debbie