Mary's Page

Wow Mary! Your trip sounds like it will be amazing! I bet you will need tissues handy when you get off of that plane. I am excited for you just hearing about all the family members you will be meeting in person for the first time! How cool is that!

You are so wise Mary to keep learning different things. You can juggle? And it took you 2.5 years, wow! That is dedication and perseverance. You go girl!!! Learning the Irish whistle will come in handy while in Ireland. My husband and I heard this instrument played in many pubs. It is a beautiful sound. There was an elderly gentleman that sat playing the tin whistle at the beginning of the Cliffs of Moher when we were there. It made the moment a memory I will cherish forever. I think keeping the mind young and alert is a very good thing.

I also agree that having family and friends that are supportive goes a long way in how you feel. Old age is not supported as well as it should be or use to be in the good ole days. Family pets are helpful too in healing. You’re Jellybean seems mighty happy to be your friend! He looks quite content sitting on your lap :)

Take care Mary and have a very safe trip to Ireland!
~ It's been very nice chatting with you, Donna

Thanks Mary, I will look into this. I haven't taken anything for pain since about 3 weeks after the accident. I have tried to do this "get well thing" without any meds but I am beginning to think that maybe I really don't have anymore options. I really thought as the bones healed I would be fully recovered from the pain but not sure anymore. Exercising daily does help me a lot, but not completely. Thanks again for your suggestion.  ~ Donna

Mary, I am refreshed by your positive outlook on life even though you have had health obstacles along the way. You are the type of person that has made me realize how fortunate I have been and still am even with the health issues that I face today. I think having a bit of stubbornness is a blessing. I too posses this quality :). It has helped me overcome and not be a quitter. I admire your perseverance in staying independent.

I wish you a wonderful safe trip while in Ireland. You call it your dream trip? That’s funny because that is what I called it too! Have you been there before? It turned out to be a memory of a lifetime that my husband and I will not soon forget. If you have any questions regarding places to stay, hotels, or restaurants we found along our travels I would be glad to offer advice. Of course out trip was in May 2011 so there may be some changes since then but I would share anything we learned while there. One thing we found constant was that the people there were amazingly friendly folk. Just lovely!

Thank you for your kind words regarding my pictures. I have always enjoyed taking pictures, even as a young girl. I was fortunate enough to receive as a gift from my husband a real nice camera before our trip. I would say that helped a lot. I am working on making a slide show of my pictures to hopefully finish someday. Slideshows take a lot of work and of course learning the program takes time. I am a work in progress. My pictures have helped in my recovery also. It gives me pleasure that others like you, have enjoyed looking at them and as well as I enjoyed taking them.

Regarding the adrenalin rush I got riding my quad, yes I do miss it. My husband is hoping that someday I will not be afraid to get back on mine. At this moment the pain still supersedes the adrenaline rush keeping my feet flat on the ground. I have also acquired a healthy fear of heights since this accident. Will see…not holding my breath to accomplish riding one again. I have other things that make me happy, like taking pictures :)
Donna

*By the way, what a cute dog you have! I love his sunglasses! I looked at your pictures and your warm, happy, personality shows through in your beautiful smile Mary :)

Hi Mary,
The accident on my quad was purely recreational. I have ridden for years but got careless this one time. Unfortunately, that’s all it takes. I was being a “girlie girl” and tried to miss a mud puddle getting a little too close to the edge of a 30 ft. cliff. Luckily for me I was going pretty slow. I went over the cliff in slow mo, sorta. I count my blessings everyday that I am still here. The quad hit me in the middle of my back and landed on my chest. I fractured 2 vertebrae, broke 10 ribs, small tear in my rotator cuff, and got a frozen shoulder. This accident happened 8/3/11. Lucky for me this happened after my trip of a lifetime to Ireland! All bones are healed but I have pain everyday. I cannot stand or sit for extended periods of time so I don’t work anymore. I exercise daily to stretch muscles. Like I said before, I am really a lucky gal to be able to write about this change in my life.

May I ask why you get weak after walking short distances? My heart reaches out to you my dear. I always thought of myself as a compassionate person but after my accident my eyes have widen to all the pain people are suffering on a daily basis. Being healthy with no pain is something most take for granted. I know I did. Getting weak after walking short distances makes one plan what they can get done in small doses. Like something as simple as a trip to the grocery store. Hang in there Mary and good luck in your search for a slower go cart! Also, I hope you had a wonderful St.Paddy’s day yesterday! ~Donna

Hi Mary, we have had no contact with the family to date. We are going to send a card to the son in Calgary and ask for the information of the daughter in Sudbury.  We really miss seeing Joe on his walks with Cooper around the lake.  I keep plowing his driveway hoping that someday he will return.

Sincerely,

Wayne