The End Of This Site

So, I cant help but look back to April when everyone's life was turned upside down. One of my brothers was kind enough to create this site for me to update all the extended family and friends on Richard and Christie's condition. We have choosen, until now, to keep our site filled with positive and encouraging comments. Unfortunately, people have taken it upon themselves to speak there mind about things that they are seriously uneducated about. I will no longer update this website anymore. The people who truely care about Richard and Christie I speak to constantly anyway and can receive their info that way.

Now, let me educate some of you. Fact: Richard has guardianship and custody of Christie as he did BEFORE the accident. Fact: Richard makes the decisions for Christie, same as he did BEFORE the accident. Rumor: Christie has TONS of money that Richard controls. The small amount of money in Christie's trust fund (that isnt even controlled by him, the court does!) isnt even enough to pay for her hearing impaired phone. Fact: Becky (or any of her so called concerned friends and family) hasnt visit Christie in almost 2 months. If all of you are SO worried about her well being and if she is being cared for properly, where are you? Rumor: I used Christie's trust money to add an addition to my house. I paid for that with my own money. I have never had ANY access to ANY of Christie's money. That is controlled by the courts! Fact: Becky has been fradulently receiving monthly Social Security Benefits for Christie. Cant wait to see what the government has to say about that. Fact: I did say that Becky would have to be responsible for Christie, however, it is now being used in a different context. I love how you twist my words to try and benefit you. I said that if they BOTH remained in the disabled condition they were in that I could not take care of both of them. It would not be a safe enviroment. Rumor: Katrina visits Christie weekly. She has not visited Christie in more than a month. How is that a positive influence. Fact: Christie is 2 hours from Richard, not 4. Quit exaggerating everything. Fact: Richard loves Christie with all his heart. He constantly talks about Christie, calls her, write her notes daily, and constantly tries to find ways to get her closer to him. He has, since the begining, had her best interest in mind and he will continue to do so. If you dont agree with him, too bad!

It is so sad that instead of using your time wisely to find a way to be with your daughter, you sit behind your computer and cause striff between the families. You and you alone are making things difficult for yourself. Feel free to continue in any behavoir that you so desire, that certainly is your choice. However, I dont see you getting anything positive accomplished with the way you are acting currently.

Clearing Confusion

I have been doing the finalization of guardianship legalities and as anyone knows about paperwork, it must be done properly. Christies Mother will still be able to call and visit and send items to her. There was a brief time period between the Court Guardian and I where the place Christie is at was required to keep some items sent aside for whom was the Guardian after signing for them. There was never any malice in place by anyone.
Christie is doing very well and is kept busy. She has been doing much reading on her own. I am proud of her. There are many therapies that are helping her and I would not be suprised to hear that she is walking soon.

The picture above is a wonderful reminder to all of us about Christie's spirit!

Our week with christie

Dave, Richard and I (Madge) visited Christie on Sunday morning. When we arrived there, Christie was in the hall near the nurses station and she was reading her Harry Potter book. I asked her if she liked the book and she said very emphatically that she loved it. Christie was in a very communicative mood. She communicated the whole time Richard, Dave and I were there. We went for a stroll in the park with Christie where she was so happy to feel the sun and wind on her face. It was nice to see a smile on her face but even better when she reached over and grabbed Dad's arm to pull him closer and held his hand while they walked/strolled together. She tried to vocalize a few times when she wanted to get Richard's attention. All in all it was a very great day for all.

We went on Monday at 1:45 so Richard could go with her to her doctor's appointment but she left earlier than was scheduled so we missed her. We stayed until 6:00 PM hoping to see her before we had to leave but she was late comming back. This was very dissappointing to us but we knew we would see her on Thursday for her Thanksgiving festivities.

Thursday we arrived just before she got back from another doctor's appointment. This was her hearing test. She was so glad to see us that she gave us all a big hug and lots of kisses. She talked and talked (with her letter board) so much that we had to slow her down. She told her dad about her Florida friends Courtney, Jackie, and Donella and asked him to contact them to say hello. She wrote a little note to them for Richard to send. Dave upgraded her DVD player and she asked to watch a movie. She picked a Naruto movie, took the remote and turned it on herself. We are so proud of her and her accomplishments. We all were dissappointed that she could not join the families and other patients in the dinning room for the breaking of the bread but it would not have been wise to have her in there as she can't eat and it would upset her. Hopefully soon after her swallow study she can join us. The staff agreed. Richard met with Christie's teacher to see how her studies will go. They will do her schooling in house instead of taking her to school. She has to have a thorough neuro eval prior to this so they can properly place her. Richard had to go to work the next day so we left at 7:30 but we wish we could have stayed with her longer. It takes 2 1/2 hours to get home. This was a very positive and uplifting day for everyone. Unfortunately, Angie and Philip couldnt join us. They spent the week on a WELL DESERVED vacation down in the Carribean but they were with us in spirit.

A New Toy

Hopefully soon, Christie will have a new toy that will help her communicate better. About one month ago Richard began looking into a phone system that allows Christie to type her responses. They well exceed $500 and we would need two ( one for her and one for Richard). Dave was able to contact some companies that help disabled children and there was grant money out there that helps cut the cost. It will take a little more time to work everything out with AT&T and Florida Club Care to get everything installed and working properly but we think it will help Christie better communicate. Looking forward to a conversation with her soon. Also, Richard is spending four days with Christie this week and he cant be any happier. The FCC is having a Thanksgiving day celebration this Thursday for the patients and all there family. It will be a joyous day for all of us to be together and celebrate what we are all thankful for.

Christie's New Home

Richard and I went and hung out with Christie this week. She seems to be settling into her new place. We found her in the activities room watching Harry Potter. She immediately wanted us to take her outside. Outside we went! It could not have been a more beautiful day. She played with the local cat "cookie" that hangs out there. The birds are used to being fed also so they would come right up to you. She kept mouthing 'come here birdie birdie'. We stayed outside for most of the day. She said she felt free out there. She seems to be more alert than normal. It was pleasant to see here happy. I let her use my cell phone to text page her mom. She was getting mad at the phone because she thought the I was an L so she was mispelling words but she figured it out. She will start attending school soon. They have enrolled her in a school for special needs children. They said it usually takes a couple weeks to get accepted. Then she will go by bus everyday to school. She wasnt sure what to think about that. Anyway, we are looking forward to our next visit.

New Home For Now

Just wanted to let everyone know that Christie was moved to a skilled nursing facility on Tuesday. She did well during the transition. The facility is in North Miami Beach. Chrisite has been on a waiting list for several facilities because her insurance benefits were not paying for her to remain in FINR anymore. When this facility became available, she was moved. The decision was not made by ANY family member from either side. We actually all found out about it the night before. She was transferred upon the request of the court guardian. She is still however on a waiting list for a facility much closer to Richard's home. If and when it becomes available Richard will most likely move her there. Please continue to pray that she continues to get stronger! Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for our family.

Hello Everyone

I know I havent blogged for a while and its for a reason. Richard is doing well. He is back to working full time. Although it proved to be difficult, he is overcoming the small obstacles he runs into. Christie is doing fantastic as well. Richard is not comfortable with me discussing Christie's personal health issues in a public forum for all to see. I respect that and have chosen to not talk about Christie in-depth. I will say that he enjoys the time he spends with her. She looks great and we have wonderful conversations with her! Continue to pray that they both improve daily!

Monday

Again, sorry I havent written. We have had company this week. Lee came to visit his father. He stayed for a week and hung out with Richard around his schedule. He enjoyed seeing him. I took the both of them up to see Christie and she was happy to see Lee. The look on her face was priceless. Lee wrote her a note that said 'Hi fruitcake" She immediately wrote back 'not so bro' I could tell she was happy to see him. Lee drew her pictures and she added to them. We watched and helped with her therapies. She has the other brace back on now. Her hair is almost long enough on top now to put it in a ponytail. She asked me to cut a little off. She even used her fingers to show me how much. I didnt do it though. All in all, we had a good time! Richard has returned to work and has been released from all his outpatient therapies!!!!! What an awesome blessing that is.

Mystery Solved

Sorry I havent written in a while. Things sometimes get hectic going here and going there that I fall asleep before writing a blog. We spent the day with Christie today. She looked wonderful! We had great conversation with her. She does really well with her letter board. I havent even seen her mispell a word on it. We tried to play UNO with her but she said she couldnt remember how to play. Once we explained it to her she was so tired and we knew she wouldnt be able to concentrate. Also, we heard several sounds today from her. They werent words but odd sounds. Whatever it was, we liked it. Once it was a squeek and once a loud moan. So the mystery is this...for the last two weeks or so everytime we go up there Christie tells us her shoes ran away. I show her all her shoes (i.e. slippers, boots, flip flops) and she says not those. Then she gets mad that we cant figure it out. So today shortly after we got there she wrote down...something ran away. I write...what ran away and she writes...shoes. Again I showed her all her shoes and she says...not those. I asked her...who took them. She wrote...I dont know you tell me. I wrote...when did they run away. She writes....when I was sleeping. Then she writes...have you seen my right shoe, only have the left. It finally dawned on me she was talking about her braces. She hasnt been wearing the right one because she has a pressure sore on that foot. I got her left one out of the closet and asked if thats what she is talking about about. She writes...yes, I used to have two! Now to some people this might sound silly but its hard to communicate with Christie sometimes so when we can figure something out for her its a victory!!! Thank you for your continued prayers.

Wednesday

We went and spent the day with Christie. We got there right at lunch and stayed until she was falling asleep talking to us. She had an excellent day. Her speech therapist said she said a full word today...not just a whisper...but an actual loud full word. We participated in her afternoon therapies with her. She worked really hard but started falling asleep on the bike so they let her go to bed. She was actually going like 43 RPM's but appeared sound asleep. Her blue toenails look lovely and she kept admiring them and said they looked awesome. I guess they will match her new wheelchair when it comes in! :) Christie also had a very mature conversation with us using her letter board. It was amazing to see her put together such deep thoughts. Also, when she was done with her first therapy and asked if she wanted to go back to her room, Christie typed on the computer...OK, you drive...to her therapist! :) Certainly has a sense of humor.

Saturday

We went up and visited Christie today and received an awesome surprise. She said HI when we walked in. It was very faint and it sounded like a whisper but she said it. Then for awhile we couldnt hear her. She asked why we couldnt hear her so we explained that her throat is hurt so we cant hear her...we are reading her lips. She said Oh, I see! Im sure she has been told that before but she forgets. Then later, she actually said Ball. Again it was faint but clear as a bell. So we started picking up objects and encouraging her to say it. So we HEARD her say...HI...BALL...PHONE...PEN. she tried to sat horse but some words dont come out right. I also took out my cell phone and took a picture of her. I showed it to her and she said it was a bad picture of her and to do it again. I ended up taking like 10 pictures and she didnt like any of them. Then she took the phone and asked me how to do it. I showed her and even with her unsteady hand, she took a picture of me, looked at it, then ACTUALLY laughed. I was centered in the picture and everything. She asked me to paint her toenails blue and asked her dad to buy her blue flip flops. So we got that stuff and will bring it tomorrow. She did say some repetitive odd things today. She kept saying her shoes ran away. We thought we misunderstood her but then she wrote it. She does think she is 14. We told her she is 16 and she said where did the other two years go. But when we asked her where she lived she wrote "Florida...I think" She had a sense of humor today....laughed alot. Cant wait until tomorrow!!

Future Comments:

Hello All,

As most of you know, the purpose of this forum is to communicate about the progress of Richard and Christie, and to provide uplifting support to Richard and Christie in their time of need.

There are some people who feel this is their personal forum to vent their juvenile frustrations.... Well it isn't, and I am tired of seeing  cowards verbally attacking both Richard and the rest of our family. Your soapbox time here has come to an end....go play elsewhere.

From now on, this forum's responses will be moderated. There may be a brief delay between the time you post and the time that the post appears while we sift through the trash. 

I am sure this will not be an issue to those who truly care about them. Please continue to post your positive comments as they are very important to Richard and Christie.

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day everyone!! Richard and I went up to see Christie this morning. She looks wonderful. She had her sense of humor back and was making faces at us and laughing. We are looking forward to hearing her speak. Her speech therapist said they are working hard on that but with the vocal fold paralyzed , she'll have to see the ENT doctor again. She also is moving her left arm around a little. Sometimes its big movements sometimes small but whatever it is, we'll take it. Richard is also doing great. Therapies have been extemely helpful! Keep praying for both to continue healing.

Richard posting again

I left a comment in the last post, but wanted to share that I had a chance to speak to Christie at the hospital that she was transferred to. Yesterday afternoon one of the nurses was able to take the time to give Christie the phone. It was nice to know she could hear me and was mouthing words back to me. I told her that the nurse desk told me that she was doing alot better and would be able to go back to FINR late last evening or first thing this morning. The nurse told me she was nodding also and understood what I was saying. Which is good since some medications have a confusing effect.( I'm sure anyone who has been hospitalized can attest to this comment)
I am glad she has been well cared for and will continue to make sure I do everything in my power to keep her on the road to recovery. Thank you all for helping her.
Richard

This is Richard for the first time

Christie and I have been through alot! I am very thankful to all that supported both of us. I have made enough progress healing to have the chance to go back to work. Christie has made tremendous progress and more of herself shines through on a regular basis. We were even able to play Connect 4 a couple of times.
I just wanted to thank all of you that know of the "Martel" fighting spirit and kept us in your thoughts and prayers. It will never be forgotten.

Sunday

Richard and I spent the weekend with Christie. We played tic tac toe with her and yes...she won. We watched some animae movie her friend brought to my house. We also brought Cheyenne and Christie would call her by making a kissing noise. Christie had the ever annoying hand mitt on today. She pulled out her feeding tube again so on went the mitt. We wrote notes to her about not pulling out the tube and she kept saying she didnt need it. Then she wrote when is lunch? She made several noises this weekend also but no words. Her left vocal fold is paralyzed. It might correct itself...might not. Time will tell. I also had some gum in my mouth and she was encouraging me to blow bubbles then she she would try to smack it on my face. Then I blew real bubbles from a wand and she was catching them on her hand. All in all, it was a good weekend. Richard spent some real quality time with her.

Thursday

We went up to FINR today and did all of Christie's therapies with her. She played connect 4 with Richard 5 times. The first time, he blatantly let her win. Then he realized she was actually good at it. She won the next two times and then He won the last one. When she won Richard joked with her and said that he won. She got serious and said no I did. Richard turned the board around to act like red was his color. She turned it back around and said NO, I WON!!! She even pointed at herself and then Richard and said NOT YOU!!! Then she got on the computer and did some questions but she was really tired. We really enjoyed being there, She wrote us a long note today. It took a while but she was asking where Lee was. So she remembers her brother which we thought was awesome!

WEDNESDAY

This week has been great. Richard is doing well in his outpatient therapies and has added some extracurricular things he does everyday. He spends as much time as he can with Christie which he enjoys immensly. She seems to just fight each day to improve. Richard will spend the day with her tomorrow in therapies to encourage her. We take one day at a time....thats our motto.

Saturday

Today was a wonderful day. We went up first thing this AM to see Christie. She gets so excited to have visitors. She waves here hand and mouths HI! We tried our best to get sound to come out of her mouth today. I would make a sound with my mouth and she would try to mimick me. She was trying so hard...you could see it in her eyes. We could hear air coming out so I guess thats close. We wrote notes back and forth. She also would tickle me when I turn my back from her. Then she would pretend she wasnt doing it when I turned around. I brushed her hair for quite some time because she said that it felt really good. She asked me where her hair went so I told her that they cut some at the hospital. She asked why would they do that. I told her they fixed her head and she asked what was wrong with her head. I told her she hurt it but its getting better. She said oh, I see! Her words are so cute. This week we will visit during afternoon therapy so Richard can participate with the therapy. He enjoys seeing her improve.

Thursday

Sorry I havent updated lately. Richard and I have busy with so much stuff. He has visited Christie twice this week. Both times she was awake and excited to see him. They have conversations with the magna doodle and its really cool to see her write stuff. Yesterday I told her I had big muscles and she flexed her right arm like a body builder. I didnt realize what she was doing at first. She kept doing it until I figured it out. We felt her muscle and she really was flexing it. It was getting late last night and she said she was tired and for us to leave so she can sleep. We got a kick out of that also! Richard has dramatically improved just from being home. Its a different enviroment so his brain is used more. There is no monotony of days. We make everyday different. His neuro doctor said he is doing phenomenal and he doesnt have to see her again for two months. And even that is just for a check up!!!