Gene:

Thanks for the update on Kyle.

The situation of a person living with a C6 injury is well-known to me, as Paula once had a home care patient that had an injury like that. I spent some time with this guy, as I went there to fix some computer problems he was having.

Whenever I get depressed about my own situation --- I thank GOD that I can at least stand up and walk short distances. It hurts like Hell --- but at least I never gave up.

I have a really good friend who has non-spastic Cerebral Palsy. Jon is also in a wheelchair --- we met at the Buffalo RUSH concert for the COUNTERPARTS tour in 1993. I had just gotten injured a few months before this show --- and it was my first ever concert in the wheelchair section.

Jon needs aides to come to his apartment to help him do just about everything. Just the other day, he reminded me that it takes him THREE HOURS to get dressed with assistive devices --- if there is no one there to help him. He also told me about how he recently had to wait for more than ninety minutes at his podiatrist --- just so someone could help him get his shoes and socks back on --- so he could go home with shoes on his feet.

So --- whenever someone here thinks about their own life and how hard it is --- please put yourselves in their place for a moment. Imagine if it took you THREE HOURS to get dressed in the morning.

If Kyle's home life is problematic like you say --- then our gifts should help somewhat.

Keep praying people . . .

KDB = Buffalo, NY USA