8.25.08

The techs from the wheelchair company came and brought over the wheelchair parts that Steve had been waiting for. The pole for his feeding tube was installed, as well as his new head piece. These elements will allow for more mobility. Now Joe can attach Steve's portable vent so that he will be able to move about more freely. This is huge! The chair is much more comfortable and Steve's just about all set to go!

Steve had tons of company today. It was Joe's birthday. And Kylie's, she turned four! Happy Birthday Joe and Kylie!

Below are the photos from my recent visit to AL. Steve looks pretty great huh? Nice to see that smile. And the place looks amazing, doesn't it?

Tomorrow I leave on a trip to Greece for one of my best friend's weddings, so I won't be posting for the next week or so. In the meantime, feel free to keep Steve busy by dropping a line of encouragement and love. Thanks all, I'll see you soon. xo Aunt Jean.

6.20.08

Here's a photo from a party that Marie had with friends after last Saturday's basketball game. Everyone was so moved by Steve's fight and determination, that Team Steve-O just keeps growing and growing. The fundraiser was an amazing success. Once again, thank you to each and every person who contributed and particpated. The whole family is so grateful.


Movie night was a hit last night. Steve had quite a few laughs. They are changing the format, and going to go with one movie, so there is more hang time. Ya know, boy bonding. Good stuff. Kris and Asley slept over last night and Steve's lungs seem to be much improved over a few nights ago. MaryAnn and Joe located an eye doctor who has a wheelchair accessible office, so now Steve will finally get to receive a new prescription once they schedule an appointment. That's all for tonight folks.

8.19.08

Thanks for the offers of help with the inventory! Thankfully, MaryAnn's got the help she needs now.

Steven's chest is sore from the increased amount of suctioning due to the sinus infection. He's also had a low grade fever on and off and some temperature discomfort.

Yesterday Steve had a visit from a company that will be able to supply him with assistive technology. That's great news because it means that down the line, he will be able to access his email, etc. We're not sure exactly when he will have the software to begin, but it's so exciting.

My parents leave on Saturday and Nana and Aunt Karen arrive that day for a week's stay.

8.18.08

Steve's doing okay, a little bored maybe, but okay otherwise. The sinus infection gave him a lot of fluids over the weekend, so he needed to be suctioned a lot, but hopefully, it's almost out of his system.

The jeep is at the house; it has been for a couple of weeks now. Steve had asked for it to be brought there, and Jeremy drove it past the window so that Steve could see it. Steven loves that jeep, no question. When we were down there, Steve told Uncle Joe to go out and start it up (he really wanted for Uncle Joe to see the engine he had put into it). I heard it revving from upstairs. Since my Dad has been there and is not one for sitting still, Steve suggested that he wash the jeep, which my Dad did, top to bottom.

I updated my profile to include my book suggestions, but unfortunately, the format of that window automatically turns everything into a link (as in, it's in blue and underlined). I would add that text into my profile, but there is a limit on the word count. I just wanted to let you know why it looks so funky in case you check.

One thing that I've been meaning to mention is that in the Christopher Reeve book that I recommended, he says that he had 17 full-time staffers. Same injury as Steve: 17 people helping out. How's that for perspective. And on that note, MaryAnn could use a hand creating an inventory list of Steve's medical supplies from someone who can swing by the house to do it. I only mention that in case anyone reading this is a whiz at excel, has a mind for organization, and a little time on their hands. That was something we had hoped to tackle while I was there, but we were just so busy with other stuff.

I should know later today or tomorrow the total of the Enterprise funds. We'll keep a continuous drum roll until then....

8.16.08

Thanks to everyone for your participation at Steve's fundraiser today. Below is a recap from Aunt Karen, as well as photos, including one of Marie--who made today's event possible!

Everything was great. The storms came through last night and cleared for Steven today. It was Alabama hot on Long Island but the players didn't mind. It was a fun day for all. The winners even got a gold (paper) medal. I don't think the NBA has anything to worry about. Thanks again to Marie from 1042 Collision and all of our new friends at Enterprise Rent -A- Car for setting up today's event. Thanks also to all of the wonderful friends, relatives and strangers who have contributed toward Steve's donation fund, your generosity has been overwhelming.

REMINDER: LONG ISLAND FUNDRAISER TOMORROW

Hey everyone,

Lot of family and friends will be on hand to support this fundraiser exclusively for Steven! If you can make it, please come on out and share the love:

WHAT: A Basketball Game Competition that will knock your socks off! ALL ARE WELCOME! The local offices of ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR will be challenging each other, on the court this time!
ALL are playing to win for ONE REASON...STEVEN J. COLLINS!

WHEN: Saturday, August 16, 2008, 2 P.M. Sharp

WHERE: Gibbs Pond Road Park in Smithtown, New York

Get there early to meet, greet and get a good seat! All profits from the game, concessions and others will go directly to supporting Steven and his rehabilitation.

THANK YOU THANK YOU! xo

8.14.08

Steve had a visit to the pulmonologist on Tuesday and the checkup went well. He had needed lots of suctioning the night before the appointment, and the doctor determined that Steve had a sinus infection, so he's on a course of antibiotics. Since Tuesday was also movie night, Steve ended up being in his chair for about 11 hours total! He had a pretty active day, and unfortunately yesterday, he was very uncomfortable. He was napping when I spoke with MaryAnn.

The responses that we've received from the Fundraiser post have been amazing. People indeed reaching out from far and wide! Thank you everyone! Unfortunately, I will not be able to be at the game on Saturday, but I hope that anyone who attends will send me photos (my email is jpannasch@gmail.com). I know it's going to be incredible!

Long Island Enterprise Rent-a-car Fundraiser

Our very dear family friend Marie Malerba at 1042 Collision in Farmingdale, Long Island has shown her enormous heart and love in organizing a fundraiser for Steven this weekend. Basically, Enterprise Rent-a-car will be collecting funds this Saturday at a benefit basketball game, as well as throughout the week at various body shops in Nassau County. And Enterprise will match whatever funds are raised!

Below are all the details:

PLEASE join us in our mission to make a Slam Dunk in donations for Steven J. Collins!

WHAT: A Basketball Game Competition that will knock your socks off! ALL ARE WELCOME! The local offices of ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR will be challenging each other, on the court this time!
ALL are playing to win for ONE REASON...STEVEN J. COLLINS!

WHEN: Saturday, August 16, 2008, 2 P.M. Sharp

WHERE: Gibbs Pond Road Park in Smithtown, New York

Get there early to meet, greet and get a good seat! All profits from the game, concessions and others will go directly to supporting Steven and his rehabilitation.

IF ANYONE knows someone that works for or uses ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR services, PLEASE tell them IMMEDIATELY To participate. ENTERPRISE is a National Company that prides itself on Service with a motto that states “We’ll Pick You Up”. Let’s ask every office to support their own slogan and “PICK UP” Steven’s cause! Don’t Wait, Don’t Hesitate…..Call and DONATE NOW!

The Last Shot Clock for collections and any that can’t make the game is August 18th, 2008! Please get them in because at the stroke of midnight we will add up all donations and ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR WILL MATCH IT! This is One Shot You don’t want to miss!

If you cannot make it to the game on Saturday, you can drop your donations off at 1042 Collision at 1042 Fulton Street in Farmingdale through Monday (Marie promises a free personal hug in exchange!) Please make all donations to:
Steven J. Collins Donation Fund

On behalf of my family, I extend many, many thanks to Marie, as well as Alex Kushner and Matt Sollecito at Enterprise for helping to pull this event together.

8.11.08

I have not had a chance to be on a computer since I returned on Thursday, and I apologize for not updating everyone sooner. The night before I left we watched a few old home movies (thanks April). After watching some embarrassing footage of me circa 1990, I realized that between that and the Rambo movie, Steve definitely takes a little delight watching me squirming in my seat. Seriously. That fact was only reinforced at another moment when I thought that Steve was going to fall forward in his chair, and I reacted by calling MaryAnn repeatedly. Once Steve stopped the tilt on his chair, I looked and him and he was smiling, definitely at my panicked response. I am telling you, he loves to watch me squirm. No wonder why he wanted to watch the other Rambo movies. We had hoped to watch the first in the series, but time got away from us as it often does during visits. So, I'm thinking that on my next trip down, we should have a girlie Rambo viewing. If we multiply my squeamishness by a room full of girls-- that just might make his night.

Steve had an okay day today. My parents arrived on Saturday, so I'm sure he's been amused watching my Dad dart about. Yesterday he had a slight fever, and some leg pain but thankfully he was feeling better today. Since the temp has dropped some, he's had a opportunity to get out into the driveway and practice driving his chair on a few nights.

I have some photos of Steve and his new place to upload once I am back home. Well, tomorrow is movie night. I know the need for furniture to seat all you boys is real. They're working on it. Hope you guys all have fun and I'll be back as soon as I can. Again I apologize because my computer time this month is really limited. Sorry all!

8.6.08

Steve had a packed house for movie night last night. I had to walk through two rows of boys to get through the room. Pretty awesome. I know that Steve had a good time. The flicks were Semi-Pro, and then Spies Like Us, which seemed to earn more laughter than Semi-Pro. Uncle Joe stocked Steve with a bunch of new movies before he left.

Steve's been feeling pretty good and sleeping through the night, for the most part. His chair has been re-programmed and yesterday he got to drive it very briefly. It's going to take some time to get used to. Kris is going to mount the vent onto the back, and they are going to add a pole to hold his feeding bag, and then he will truly be mobile. The chair is so zippy now that trying trail Steve with the vent pole is tricky. And as you might imagine, Steve's pretty fast. We've been talking about how he needs to get out into the driveway to practice, it's just been so damn hot. Joe keeps saying that he's going to get him up at the break of day so that the temp is tolerable. Sounds like a plan. I know that Steve is ready to go.

When I asked Steve what he would like for me to tell his fans, he said, "I'm OK."

And indeed he is; Steve looks great. We think he has put on some weight since Shepherd, and his smile definitely seems closer to the surface than it was there.

The amazing house design allows him to come out into MaryAnn's living room. So we watched some home movies that Uncle Joe brought of Patrick and Bryan and his boat, and even some footage of doing a pool repair, something that Steve is very familiar with. Last night we all watched Rambo 4 together: Steve, MaryAnn, April, Kris, Ashley, Uncle Joe, Cheech (Steve's old partner when doing pools), and me. As I cringed and fidgeted from the goriness, Steve smiled wide. It was bizarrely wonderful.

His new living space is beautiful. I personally extend big hugs and thanks to everyone who had a part in bringing Steve's home together in the time you did. It's astonishing. Wow.

Unfortunately, Steve's been waiting on new pieces for his electric wheelchair, so he hasn't been able to be as mobile as he would like. But the repair guy is due to come this afternoon. We are crossing our fingers that he will be good to go after that. Although the manual chair is great, Steve really wants to be moving on his own. Our first excursion out will be to Kris's house (Kris lives very close by) and we hope to be able to do that all together today or tomorrow.

The workload for Steven's care is immense--it cannot be overstated. And it's around the clock. I do not know how these guys have been doing it. They have Tracey during the day now which is great, but they cannot continue to not sleep through the night.

I'm going to get back to Steve. These last few days here have been hectic and head-spinningly busy, but more than anything, it great to see Steve smile and it feels so good to all be together.

8.1.08

Hey, I miss you guys! It's strange to not have been with you for a few days. Steve's had ups and downs in that time. I'll be able to give you a better report once I am there in the morning. I leave at the crack of dawn so I land at 9:30 A.M. Joseph flies into Nashville and then is driving from there, so he'll arrive around 11:30 AM. We're both so, so excited. More for AL!