More transportation need or less?

More disabled than ever but trying to move back up the scale of assistive devices.

Like many other diseases and disabilities, Parkinson's Disease usually involves, at some point, a significant loss of mobility.  My first indication of this was actually when I tried to keep up with a grandson at the park and I discovered I wasn't coordinated enough to jog or run.  Even walking a little faster than usual made me feel more prone to stumble..  As time goes on, I've found that life has been easier through the use of mobility aids.  First it was a cane, then a really simple walker, then a more complex walker, then a power wheelchair, and finally a power scooter. Notice that I said, "Life has been made easier" not "I needed..."  Big difference.  Many insurance programs and HMO organizations fail to recognize this difference or choose to ignore it for the purpose of saving money.  But I have been so much more productive with transportation than I would have been otherwise

Actually in my case, more intensive transportation assistance has not only kept me healthier and more involved with life, but it has tended to be self-limiting and therefore cost effective.  I started using a cane sooner than I needed to.  Likewise, I was regularly using a walker when a cane was really sufficient.  But once I knew what I could do with a walker, I tried using a cane as much as possible because a cane could be more easily transported in a car, through doors, up stairs, etc.  And I always knew that the walker was available.

When a walker wasn't providing enough mobility support, we looked for and bought a power wheel chair.  Suddenly my decreasing mobility was reversed and I could go places again.  Negotiating the large Sac State campus to attend Renaissance (senior student) classes was once again possible and even enjoyable.  But the chair is cumbersome and requires special transport equipment itself.  Think that I would be using the power chair more and more, we began widening doorways in our house and installing ramps.  I had started to resign myself to the idea that there would be places I'd never visit again, especially family homes.

 

Then we discovered the Dashaway walker and my use of the power chair has decreased to almost nothing.  For the past year and a half, I have been able to reduce usage (transporting) of the heavy, cumbersome power chair.  I know that eventually I will need to go back to the chair and having it around has made it possible for me to get along with the Dashaway.  I feel that health care organizations are being short sighted by not broadening the definition of transportation equipment needs.

The future is already here with my power scooter.  We purchased it because it can be taken apart and transported in pieces.  On our upcoming cross country trip we anticipate that we'll need to do that when we have a rental car.  But already Mom and I are finding areas where it is still easier to use the Dashaway so we'll have to take it on vacation, too.

Isn't "Dancing for Persons with PD" an oxymoron?

If nothing else, the past 56 years has made me more open to experiences that as a teenager I would have run from with my life. For example, a few weeks ago an advertisement made the rounds of the local Parkinson's Disease Support Groups promoting a class called Dancing for Persons with Parkinsons. Now for someone who needs a support structure when I walk anywhere, dancing seemed out of the question.  But I went and signed up.  

The number of attendees varied from 20 to 24 and all but 3 or 4 had a diagnosis of Parkinsons.  The instructors were affiliated with the Mondavi Center at UCDavis and seemed to have a good grounding in modern or interpretive dancing.  Now when I think of such dancing, the image that flashes in front of my eyes is that of Hippos in tutus dancing to Waltz of the Flowers.  And no one looked more like that image than me. 

Fortunately, Kathi & Joy, two classmates who carpooled with me, were slender and graceful so watching them dispelled the image a little.

I was successful in dancing clumsily but never confidently.  Three-fourths the way through the class I would invariably get a very sore, very tight back.  This hippo decided he could pass up re-enrollment when it came around.

Purchasing DellieMay 12

Our lap was three years old in March of this year.  The computer was getting slower and slower when booting up and accessing the Internet.  We had  purchased a 3-year warranty on the machine and had reached that point so we were optimistic.  Besides, our System Mechanic software always seemed to be able to repair the problems it found.  So at the middle of May when the laptop refused to boot up, it didn't take much to convince us it was dead.  And not replacing it was not an option.  There were just too many times when a second computer was needed.  When we thought it over, though, we realized that the "laptop" part of the equation was not one of the important variables.  In fact, with iPads and iPhones, a laptop is beginning to look like a dinosaur.

I knew what I wanted for a computer - have known for several months when I saw the Dell Inspiron One, a touch screen All In One computer, at Sam's Club several months ago.  The hard drive, DVD drive, and computer innards are all in the back of the screen which is 23" diagonal screen.  It is such a cool gimmick that we dropped into Sam's Club and bought the last one they had except for the floor model. It felt so good to have a backup computer again.





Footnote: Dellie May 12, purchased May 30, 2012.  Pavlov purchased July 2010.  Lazurus brought back from the dead 6/11/2012.

What good is a reunion anyway?

Now that it is over a month since we held our 50th High School reunion, I feel that it is time to do a post mortem, an autopsy if you will.

Of course in deciding whether the reunion was a success or not, one has to set out some criteria for judging. Which brings me to the question: "What good is a reunion anyway?"  As I tried to encourage classmates to attend I got lots of opinions on this topic ranging all the way from "No good" to "a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with former friends and classmates."  I don't think I met anyone who felt that a reunion was essential to life and there were certainly a number of classmates who weren't at all interested in maintaining any kind of connection with the school.  The scar tissue was still tender.

As I mentioned to many of my classmates, I have only good memories of high school because I have forgotten all the bad experiences.  I was worried that seeing some of my old classmates would trigger old emotions of resentment, exclusion, or hurt feelings.  After all, there are still "in" groups among those who still live in Springville and still communicate regularly.  But I didn't see it.  Everyone seemed to truly accept everyone else.

On the other hand, I don't see many long term friendships being formed or changed as a result of the reunion.  Maybe one or two.  After all, we're all getting on in age and pretty set in our ways.  While retirement might free some people for more travel or less restriction, church missions, health, and family responsibilities will make some less able to travel and visit as much as they say they'd like to.

The one comment I did NOT hear at or since the reunion is "I sure am glad _______ didn't make it here."  Even if only to extend a short greeting and thanking the person for being part of my life, I appreciated every person who made it there.  That goes for the spouses, too, who made it easier or more pleasant for the class member to attend.

If you'd like to see pictures of some of the happy people who attended the reunion, check out our Class of 1962 Website.

Libby & Jill pay us a visit

Natalie and family stayed with us the week of July 4th enjoying the say Carmichael celebrates our nation's birthday.  Almost as if on cue, Jessica flew into town on Saturday, July 7 with her daughter Jillian and Lee & Stacie's Libby.  We would be trading a family for two girls aged 9 and 10.  Jessica left with Natalie and her family Sunday morning before the sun was up.

The first thing to greet us that Sunday morning was the knock on our bedroom door and a call from one of the girls that the other had thrown  up.  It was a warning/notice we would hear again and again over the next two weeks.  Since Edward's Timmy and Natalie's Nathan and even grandpa had had some stomach flu, our first thought was that Libby and Jillian were just having their turn..  However, as first one and then the other and back to the first, they traded use of the barf bucket, we began to wonder if there wasn't something more involved.  They never felt sick enough to miss their nature camp or art camp experience but otherwise their behavior was consistent with some stomach flu.

To keep the girls somewhat busy, Carolyn had arranged for them to attend one week of nature camp at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center located about 5 miles from us at the edge of a beautiful state park and not far from the banks of the American River.  Without trying to you can see wild turkeys, deer, and several other native species running around the center ignoring the human visitors.  The girls had an opportunity to go on several nature walks as well as have special instructors come to talk about snakes and raptors.  One day of the camp was spent at the Folsom City Zoo which is more of a injured animal sanctuary than a zoo.

The second week of their stay with us, Libby and Jillian attended an arts program put on by our local Parks and Rec department at the park just a couple of blocks from us.  The nausea continued to plague the girls but they continued to want to attend their class.  Carolyn finally decided that a little over the counter medicine might be appropriate. The second week was more of an inside experience but both girls are into arts & campcrafts so that didn't bother them.

Natalie & family

We were pleased and honored to have Natalie and her kids come to visit us for a week.  Richard apparently couldn't get away but his nephew Ryan was able to travel with the family. Having recently taken time off to travel to Utah for  my 50th High School reunion, neither Carolyn nor I had a lot of time to go places with them.  We did try to do a few things with them such as visit Six Flags World of Discovery in Valejo.  Carolyn played tour guide for a day trip to Black Chasm Cave, Volcano Town, and Indian Grinding Rock.  

Our boys waiting outside Black Chasm Cave for their turn at the sluice runs.  Each of them rinsed away the dirt from a sack of "diggins" to recover precious "jewels".

Natalie and her three waiting at the entrance to Black Chasm Cave.

 Natalie's family at one of the hut at Indian Grinding Rock State Park.

Tiffany, her three and an extra at the Grinding Rock.

High school class mortality rate

One of the reasons I wanted to get involved with our high school reunion this year was that I had felt left out of the last reunion.  Another reason is that we're not getting any younger.  In trying to find all 204 members of the Springville High Class of 1962 we duscivered that 41 of us, a full 20%, have partaken of that great graduation ceremony and pressumably join us in that great beyond.  That seems like an awfully lot but I haven't figured out whether it is higher or lower than another comparable group;  I've googled aand look at actual mortality tables but that isn't helping me much.  Can anyone help me out there:  With a group of 204 people all born in 1944, what number would be expected to be living in 2012?  How many can we expect to die in the next 5 years?

Advertising blitz

As I mentioned in the previous post, I have been writing, composing, sorting, answering e-mail, etc., all of which has gotten in the way of my posting to this blog.  All this activity has been in support of the 50th Reunion of the Springville High Class of 1962 which occurred on June 8 and 9.  Through the graciousness of    the organizing and steering committee I was given access to the email and other demographic data of my classmates.  With that I mounted a persistent campaign to make everyone think twice before missing the reunion. And it worked!

Of course you never know who really changed their minds but at least a dozen people came up to me and said they were there because of me, or at least partially because of my nagging.  A couple of other people asked if I had had a career in marketing.  No one seemed particularly put out about the numerous messages.  And a couple of old time Springville residents even thanked me for highlighting some of the events of Art City Days.

The following is way too long but is necessary to give you a feeling for my advertising campaign.  Sample messages:

4/28

Fellow classmates-

With only six weeks left before our 50th HS Graduation anniversary it's time to start putting our travel plans in place. If you live more than a couple hundred miles away or have a 10 year old Subaru, you may want to consider an appointment with your mechanic or appropriate airline tickets. In spite of all the improvements Utah made for the 2002 Winter Olympics, building a new airport for Springville wasn't one of them so you'll have to rent a car or find some other way to get to Springville after you've landed in Salt Lake City.

We now have everyone's name on the Reunion Website, at least I hope so. Come check it out and register if you haven't done so yet. We've tried to be inclusive so if you spent 10 or 11 years in the Springville education system and then ducked out the last year or two, you're still part of us. Just as you would be if you transferred to Springville in 10th grade and managed to find your way to the graduation ceremonies 3 years later. Some rough statistics for your interest: Our graduating class numbered approximately 200. Twenty percent of us (40 people) have died. Of the remaining 160, half (80 people) have submitted pictures and biographies to Becky Turner (or Bob or me) for inclusion in our memory book. Too bad we can't get everyone. We do have obituaries or eulogies from most of those who have died. I understand we'll have a special memorial section in the memory book for them. We don't need that section to be any bigger,

About 25 classmates have given me permission to copy their pictures and biographies from the Memory Book to the Reunioin Website. Enough to show how nice it would look if everyone submitted pictures and stories for both the web site and Memory Book.. Remember that your phone number & address will never be available to non-members of our class.

It's my intention to keep the website up even after the reunion if it serves a purpose. With that in mind, please tell me what thiiings should be on the site or what things you think should be changed.

Arnold Loveridge

4/30

Fellow classmates-

This past weekend I've been lookling over the biographies that have been submitted for our 50th HS Reunion Memory Book. It was almost like having a brief conversation with each of you.

Two things occurred to me: 1) Wouldn't it be great if people could see these stories before the reunion so they can actually talk with each other at the dinner instead of reading the book;; and 2) If people could read this before the reunion they'll have a lot more to talk about at the dinner. And that brings up the website. Thirty-one of your classmates have given us permission to share the biography and current picture they sent in on our reunion website. We have, of course, screened out the addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses so they cannot be accessed by anyone other than you. The exception is that you can flag the email address for release to classmates if you desire.

If you'e like to share your bio and picture on our website, please reply to this email and include your initials below.

And by the way, check out the Reunion Website, when you get a chance.

Arnold Loveridge

5/5

Hi Terri

Well, the time has finally come.  We held the deadline open  for submitting  the Memory Book biographies just as long as possible.  There does have to be some final proofreading and design/editing and then, of course, the printers need a little time to work their magic.  And we want to make sure that the books are ready the evening of the 50th Reunion dinner - June 9, 2012.  

So Terri, if you sit down right now and write up your entry for the Memory Book and send it to me by tomorrow evening (May 6, 2012), you'll be included.  Otherwise, you can explain to your kids why you're not in there.  Remember, this is the only 50th reunion our class will have.

So please take 20 minutes and write down what you've been doing since graduation, where you've been, who you married and how many kids you have.  Your biography will almost write itself and you'll wonder why you put it off so long.  And don't forget to send us recent picture of you and your spouse as well.

Arnold Loveridge

ps Call me if you have any questions (916) xxx-xxxx

5/9

You'll be amazed! You'll be surprised! You'll be delighted!

It has scores of contributors and dozens of pictures.

Some stories will amuse you. Others may make you cry.

I'm talking, of course, about the Springville High Class of 1962 Memory Book 2012

Actually, it's not off the press yet. Becky, being the perfectionist she is, is making final adjustments. But I've seen the work in progress and I'm impressed. Becky has included not only the senior yearbook pictures of our class members and the current pictures of our now Senior Citizen class members but she has also gone back in time and included pictures from our formative years. She wants some of these to be a surprise so I can't be specific. I'll just say that I'm sure you'll wonder how she got hold of some of these pictures since you haven't seen them before.

When everyone else at the reunion is wiping the tears from their eyes while reading their Memory Book, what will you be doing?

Email your order today only $15 per copy.

Arnold Loveridge

5/10

You know, I'm just a little puzzled. The final count of contributing memory writers for our Memory Book is close to 100. But the number of Memory Books ordered is 61, give or take a couple. Which means that 40% of our class were gracious enough (or were hounded enough) to submit a memory page but so humble that they don't want a copy around their house for fear their family or friends might discover their past association with the SPRINGVILLE HIGH RED DEVILS. That can't be right.

So what will it take to convince our fellow classmates they should order a Memory Book. (I've ordered mine. You've ordered yours, right?)

Well what is in our class Memory Book? In addition to all the memory pages and the surprises I mentioned in yesterday's email, there will be a tribute to our class members who are no longer with us (and I don't mean they've become Democrats).

Of course there are memories, memories from almost 100 of our classmates.

I mean where else could you find the answers to such questions as:

Who served in Vietnam as a combat medic until he himself had to be medivac'd out of the war?

Who was the only girl in her Algebra II class?

Who worked on the costume team for the 2002 Winter Olympics?

Who showed up in dressy top hats to take their dates to the Rivoli theater?

Who served on the national committee of Fight Crime, Invest in Kids?

Remember, this is a one-of-a-kind book with significant historical value. The Class of 1962 will never publish another 50 year Memory Book! Order one for each of your children and prevent a nasty inheritance fight over who gets the book when you die. Order one for your classmate who hasn't ordered one so that he won't have to borrow yours.

Email your order today only $15 per copy. To order your copy (or additional copies) reply to this email with how many you want and send a check for $15 each (plus $4 shipping if you can't pick the book(s) up at the reunion.) Send the check to

Robert Livingston

Thanks again,

Arnold Loveridge

5/11

There is never enough time at the reunion to catch up the way we'd like to . The idea of a Memory Book for our class was conceived as a way to share with each other some of the experiences of the past 50 years. So maximum distribution to our class members is a higher priority than selling a certain number of books. I apologize for giving the wrong impression in my previous emails.

Although the book has not come off the press yet, we have a pretty good idea of what it looks like. Likewise, we do not have a CD-ROM yet that is the "equivalent" of the book but we think we know how it will look and work. There is even another medium which may be possible and more desirable for some people. Let me try to compare the 3 possibilities:

	Bound Book	CD-ROM	Internet File
Cost/Price	$15	$2	Internet charges
Advantages	Most portable Easiest for EVERYONE to use Can be autographed and annotated Easiest to read	Low cost Allows for computer searching Easily duplicated Good for backup storage Image enlargement	Minimal cost No physical space needed Unlimited portability with newest technology Cannot get lost Works on all computers with Internet access
Disadvantages	Moderate cost Old technology Non-searchable Image cannot be enlarged or reduced Easily damaged or lost Requires physical storage	Requires equipment to read Subject to technology obsolescence Not easy to read "spur of the moment" Limited portability	Requires Internet connection Requires equipment to read Can be withdrawn from circulation

If you have used a Kindle, a Nook, or an iPad to read an e-Book you probably have some additional comments of your own. There is no clear winner yet which is why I recommend all three media.

Bob is taking the final order quantity to the printer on Monday, May 14. If you reply to this email by tomorrow evening, you can proabably still get your order. Thanks for putting up with me.

Arnold Loveridge

5/19

What a great way to start the Reunion weekend! In less than 3 weeks, Mary Jane and Grant will open their hearts and their home to the Springville High Class of 1962. Plan on coming early and staying late or vice versa. No one's gonna keep track. Your hands will be full of snacks and a drink so you don't even have to shake hands. On the other hand, you might see the person you took to the senior hop, throw your arms around each other and laugh at how time has treated you both.

Just remember the Date: June 8

Time: 6:30 -ish

Dress: Comfy casual (if you're not comfortable, you're not casual enough and

canyon breezes can be chilly)

Bring: Appetite & thirst, since drinks, snacks, and sandwiches will be provided

Note on the enclosed map that Houtz Ave runs behind the Palfreyman house parallel to South Canyon Drive. Its a much better place to park.

Our records indicate you are planning to attend. It would be helpful for planning purposes if you would please reply to this email to confirm and indicate whether we should expect 1 or 2 of you.

Arnold Loveridge

5/29

Hi, it's me again.

I'm sure you're aware that the date selected for our reunion was not random. No, sirree, this date was chosen so that we could ride in that grand parade which kicks off Summer in Utah County - Art City Days!. And while you're in town you can participate in dozens of other activities from a 5K Family Fun Run/Walk this Saturday, June 2 to our sit-down dinner and reunion at the Art Museum Sculpture Garden. Below is a sampling of things going on. You see we're right in the middle of things!

Don't forget the parade. Our flatbed trailer with luxury hay bales and hand painted signs will be located somewhere around the Springville Stake Center and Junior High School. The whistle blows and the bands start marching at 10:00 am so you'd better be on board 30 to 45 minutes before then. And give yourself another 10 to 15 minutes to get lost trying to find the trailer. Come prepared for a leisurely tour down 4th South to Main and then along Main to 200 North. Prepare for about an hour. You can then meet up with the rest of your family there or ride on the trailer back to where you parked your car.

Oh, and did I mention the parade? You can watch it from the inside out this year. Sort of like watching a play from the stage. Remember Saturday morning, on the trailer before 9:30. If its raining bring an umbrella. If its sunny bring a parasol. A bottle of water wouldn't hurt. But no water balloons. See you there.

Arnold Loveridge

6/4

When was the last time you dragged Main Street? With the blessing of the cops?

Here's the latest scoop on the Art City Days parade and our part in it. Thanks, Leon!

Just received the parade # for the trailer. We will be # 37 out of 95. We will be parked just north of the LDS church. It is about 600 East 245 So. The parade starts at 10:00. We will have the trailer there at 9:00. Those wanting to ride on the trailer should be there no later than 9:30 or 9:45. See you Friday.

Leon
Arnold Loveridge

Friday, June 8 Meet & Greet

Saturday, June 9    Grand Parade

               Reunion Dinner

6/4 School fight song

Loyal to the Springville High

Long may our colors fly

Stand, the Red and Blue passes by

Let every loyal fan salute.

Here's to all the victories.

Here's to the faithful team

Let us praise the Springville High School

And shout for the Red and Blue.

To the coach, to the team,

To the faculty members we all esteem,

To the pep, to the vim,

To the loyal supporters who help us win,

To the red, to the blue,

To the sportsmanship that will pull us through,

Let's shout, let's cheer,

Let's give nine rah's for the best school year!

Loyal to the Springville High

Long may our colors fly

Stand, the Red and Blue passes by

Let every loyal fan salute.

Here's to all the victories.

Here's to the faithful team

Let us praise the Springville High School

And shout for the Red and Blue.

I hope you're all looking forward to a great weekend of fellowship and reunion. Enough water has passed under the bridge that we can all forget any unpleasant times and just remember the best times, the BEST School Year we had at Springville High and greet friends one and all.

Saturday evening's affair is a time for renewing old friendships, not worrying about how many wrinkles we've gained or haow much hair we've lost. Relax, jackets and ties are not expected. You can arrive as early as 5:30 but dinner will be served at 7:00 to give us plenty of time to shake hands and share hugs. And yes, we may just sing the school song sometime during the evening just because we can.

Back from vacation(?)

If you have been following my blog enough to see the date intervals between entries, you've noticed a rather large gap between the last one and this one.  There are many reasons for such a gap, laziness certainly being one of them.  But there was also a more significant and justifiable reason for not writing -- I was writing.  And sorting, and editing, and experimenting with various programs to create slide shows and capture captions.  We also had a computer failure during this time which can throw even the best of schedules out the window.

I'll address the various adventures I've had to deal with in separate posts.  Hopefully, there won't be such a gap again without other equally disrupting adventures.