What happened to that guy?

That's what I have said to my reflection more than a few times since September so I'm not surprised when little kids do a double take or just stare at me when I'm out. What continually surprises me is how quickly many kids just accept a 3 fingered man who is missing half of his other arm.

Sure, my niece and nephews have been great ever since invading their house; 9 yr old Jack even told me that my hand "didn't look that bad" over a month ago (of course he followed it up with "It didn't look like a hand for a long time"), but I'd chalked that up to coaching by my sister and brother-in-law.

But I've also had these experiences:

When my buddy Chris told his 2 year old to "hold uncle Johns hand" while we were walking through a restaurant, she reached up for my right hand, moved to my left, took a second glance at my fingers then took hold of my middle finger (I think she even shrugged like "whatever").

Yesterday I had a similar experience with little Nicolas. He and his parents were in the area and dropped by to take me to lunch here in Encinitas. After lunch we decided to go for a walk down to the beach. I guess for Nicolas walking is code for "lots of arm swinging" so he grabbed my hand reached out for Christoper's and the fun began.

Not everyone can be so accepting, but I'm hoping to learn more from these kids.

You said it Jack

I wish I could say that I have lived like this, but luckily there's still time.

How to open a coke...

with only your ring and pinky.

*Those of you that know me will know how important my daily can of coca-cola is.

I can already hold the can with these two 1/2 fingers (I can move what used to be my middle finger, but the knuckle and tip are still kicking my butt).

toes up

My buddy Chris sent me the link to this story from Gizmodo yesterday and I was going to let it go, but then The Worlds Best Ever just posted it so now I have to share:

http://www.theworldsbestever.com/2011/12/06/big-toe-thumb/

I should be getting mine early next year, but my doctor is going to use my second toe.

A new first

I've learned to do quite a bit with just my pinky and ring finger while my wrist recovers some of its range of motion and my middle finger starts to play nice.

Some highlights:

• putting on socks (and not just the hospital kind)
• using a fork & spoon (cereal, salad and even yogurt which impressed my nephews the most)
• soloing an in-n-out burger
  
• brushing my teeth (the brush is electric and the process is not pretty)

BUT THIS AFTERNOON...

I PULLED OFF MY FIRST SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF A COKE (without tools).

I hope to post a video if/when I can re-create it.

another guy who gets it

A friend sent me a link to this blog and it didn't take me more than a few paragraphs to notice that the writer also penned the testimonial on the Maui Channel Swim website. I have read how the afternoon of Sept 3rd has affected several people via e-mails, cards and letters, but I think this is the first to get me teary.

The propellers of that boat took a lot from me, but I will never let anyone or anything take away the feelings I had during that crossing, of seeing the sandy bottom after 6 hrs and 15 min of swimming and spotting the finish line. Those are all mine and I earned them.

I hope that what happened to me will never happen to another swimmer, but I also hope it does not stop people from challenging themselves in the open water.


http://lifeinrestandmotion.blogspot.com/2011/09/maui-channel-2011.html

Only a visit...this time

It's been a little over a week since my parents and I made it to the Bay Area, but there are still a couple days left until we have to make the drive home. Several people have asked if it's been "weird" to be home. I guess it has, but then what hasn't been weird since Sept 3rd???

I do know that I needed this trip and from the moment we pulled into the driveway I've felt home...and missed.
My newly cleaned car was in the garage.
The yard looked better than it has in years (although the bar was set pretty low here).
There was a welcome basket on the counter and...
My house had been cleaned. (This one felt a bit strange because I had left the house thinking I'd be back in a short week and not almost 3 months and I have no idea how big a mess I'd left).
Thanks to all involved.

I've enjoyed the silly things like showering in my shower. Sleeping in my bed. Walking down to my beach and around my town. But these pale when comparing them to seeing my neighbors or when I've walked into the club and out onto the pool deck and visited with my coaches and teammates. It might be awhile until I can live up here on my own, but I will be back.