Vol1, Issue9

 Volume 1, Issue 9 - September 2001

Here We Go…

By Vinny Distefano

On August 8, 1999, all of the lives that Angie and Larry touched changed. It seemed we had cried as much as humanly possible. And the world went on as if nothing had happened. Holidays, birthdays and anniversaries pass. September 5, Larry’s birthday, just passed. Certainly not a day to celebrate as it once was, but still a special day. Family and friends pause again to wonder what might have been. And the world went on as if nothing had happened. We learned this month another friend, Deanna Henderson, also a head trauma victim, has emerged to be able to communicate with us. She can now point to a chart of letters and spell out words, put sentences together and convey her wishes. A major accomplishment! And the world…

So why should the world notice all of this? Countless numbers of families are going thru the same things. All of us in the same pain and asking the same questions. But it’s not news. Not in a local, national or global sense. On September 11, 2001, all of that changes. The tears of individual families are being viewed by the world. No one will be immune from this. Terror and tragedy has touched everyone and everyone wants to help in some way. Even people, whose friends and families were not affected by this, now feel it personally. What was once a private, personal emotion, a single family’s pain, coping with an injured loved one, has become a global concern. If only we could find one more person alive in the rubble of the World Trade Center…The Pentagon. If the hero’s aboard the jet that crashed in Pennsylvania could have somehow landed that plane. Just one more person. All of the hero’s, …please God, just one more person…

We all just go on our daily lives never thinking of what might happen. Never thinking of when the last good-bye will be spoken, the last hug, the last kiss. Such things are unimaginable. The sun will set today and it will rise tomorrow. Nothing changes. Those of us that have experienced a tragedy personally know better. Every day is precious. Every hug is special. All of us matter to each other. Anyone who can help is welcome into our lives. Each one is important to the others. We are united in a common goal. Angie!  Her recovery is paramount.

The world’s outpouring of support, with aid and dollars should not have had to wait for a horrific tragedy like this to take place before we helped each other. Maybe there are some thinking there’s nothing they can do. I’m sure on September 10, many thought that. Once again, in the blink of an eye, as on August 8, 1999, lives have changed forever. We must all be aware of others in need around us. It’s personal now. From the man or woman in your building, who is leaving their family behind and is now part of the troops around the world that will take up this fight for us, to the little girl you knew next door who wants so desperately to play again. We can all help someone.

Where We Stand

Getting Closer…

I want to mention Tanna Paris at this time. She is the speech therapist who is helping Deanna. Deanna’s efforts have inspired us anew. I watched Tanna work with Dee one afternoon with amazement and we are hoping to soon secure her services to help Angie. Her techniques for relaxing muscle spasms and awakening oral reflexes is a wonder to view. Angie continues to exhibit an emerging awareness. Her gazing is slowly turning to viewing and the intervals between being either “here or there” in her mind are getting shorter. Of course, we don’t know where “there” is. It might just be a different level of concentration she is capable of, at this time. We’ve been told, though, she is not at an appropriate level of consciousness for the established programs to assist her. This is her and our limbo. And when that time arrives, what will the financial challenges be? Our fight is to find the answers and funding to get Angie and all the others like her, the help they need. Once we do, we will be a resource to others looking for these very same answers. It’s been a little over two years now. Some of what we have learned may have been able to help Angie, if only we had known about it sooner. I will not let others stumble around looking, hitting one dead end after another as we have, when the answers are out there. Cost is always a factor in whether a patient gets “quality” help. I want this to end. So many of us are helping the relief efforts underway now, anyway we can, most in small ways. But it adds up. Dozens of organizations are aiding the victims’ families. They all say the same thing. Please do what ever you can. That’s all I ask. See below how to help Angie.

Here’s an example of an answer. This website was given to me by Angie’s Mom. HospitalSantaMonica. It’s another answer for those with cancer. No one should do anything without talking to their doctor, but people need to be informed about any alternatives. Like the now so distant debate about stem cell research, answers need to be found to help people. And if it is out there, then it should not be buried or difficult to find. It should be available to everyone!  

I will continue to pray for the families of the 9.11.01 attack. Please go to www.Helping.org to help them. I also want to give out a phone number for a company, Summit Products. They are in Mineola, TX 903-569-0731. They are manufacturing bracelets and dog tags similar to the Vietnam MIA bracelets we wore (and some of us continue to wear) from the 60’s. I learned about them on FOXNews. They are no longer making donations, though. We are “the lucky one’s” left behind to wonder what to do next. Please hug a friend today and tell someone you love them. Two years ago my life changed and I stopped taking everything for granted. The only reason I get thru it day to day is because I know I’m doing something to help my friend and her family. I know you’ll feel the same way, too.

Till next month, be safe…and please…

Pass it on and tell a friend to stop by. Thanx.