I saw Suzie last week before her birthday. She has had noticeable improvements since I last saw her. Her left arm's movement is very fluid. She is able to walk with a cane. She walked out of her apartment into the end of the hallway and back. She seemed very comfortable doing although her dad was cautiously standing behind her as she walked in case she loses her balance and falls backwards. She was also able to tell me that she is not able to see out of her right eye.
Suzie's been keeping busy watching the Olympics. She reported to me that the US won the gold medal in team gymnastics that morning.
She also told me that she shares the same birthday as Barack Obama. Well, same day anyway. Obama is a quite a few years older.
Kevin is right in his last post. Her aid worker has a very positive attitude. She's been encouraging Suzie to keep walking, pushing her to keep working at it.
It was wonderful seeing Suzie. If you visit her, there is a decent Ramen restaurant near 14th Street and 1st Avenue. Bring her some ramen. She loves that stuff.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
February 10, 2012
I saw Suzie today - I ran into her and her caregiver at the grocery store. It's the first time I've seen her since August.
She looked very well. And from talking to her and her caregiver it sounds like she has a new doctor (thankfully) and is back in some therapy. This caregiver, who is amazing, said Suzie can now get herself up and move a few steps from the chair with a cane. Suzie's also been working with a computer on her speech and I noticed some improvement, more vocabulary than the last time I saw her.
But the best thing was that Suzie seemed excited about it all, about 'working' - about being alive. She had a drive and a purpose that was missing last summer. The last few times I'd seen her she seemed tired and sad - she seemed content to spend her days watching TV and was very focused on going to lunch. Her most repeated refrain at the time was "Too hard."
Today I saw a very different Suzie. She was very bright-eyed and aware and seemed excited about what she's been doing - the work she's been doing. It was a really great change to see. I think a lot of it has to do with this caregiver, who I think has been a daily and very positive influence / advocate. But whatever the reason, Suzie seemed really well today, and it was great to see.
kevin
She looked very well. And from talking to her and her caregiver it sounds like she has a new doctor (thankfully) and is back in some therapy. This caregiver, who is amazing, said Suzie can now get herself up and move a few steps from the chair with a cane. Suzie's also been working with a computer on her speech and I noticed some improvement, more vocabulary than the last time I saw her.
But the best thing was that Suzie seemed excited about it all, about 'working' - about being alive. She had a drive and a purpose that was missing last summer. The last few times I'd seen her she seemed tired and sad - she seemed content to spend her days watching TV and was very focused on going to lunch. Her most repeated refrain at the time was "Too hard."
Today I saw a very different Suzie. She was very bright-eyed and aware and seemed excited about what she's been doing - the work she's been doing. It was a really great change to see. I think a lot of it has to do with this caregiver, who I think has been a daily and very positive influence / advocate. But whatever the reason, Suzie seemed really well today, and it was great to see.
kevin
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Update on Suzie
Hi, everyone. I just want to post up some recent developments and updates on Suzie for those of you who haven't seen her in a while.
Suzie is currently getting physical and occupational therapy three times a week. Her therapy is definitely paying off (more on this later.) In addition, Suzie has a special laptop computer at home to help her with speech therapy. She showed me how the laptop works the other day. I was impressed with both the laptop and Suzie's ability to navigate around the different applications. The laptop is a special apple notebook. I think the app is called SmartTalk. Anyway, it has very large icons of different speech exercises. Suzie is able to navigate using either a normal touch mouse or a stylus pen on the laptop screen. It has quizzes and practice exercises. She's been using it every day. There has been improvement in Suzie's vocabulary although she is still struggling to communicate. In one instance, Suzie's father was on the way out and he said something to Suzie in Korean. She translated, "hospital" to me. Suzie's mother later explained that he was going to a doctor's appointment.
Now for the exciting news: Suzie is showing some improvement in the movement of the right side of her body. During my visit today, I noticed that there were handrails setup in the hallway of the apartment, leading to the bathroom. I asked Suzie's mother if Suzie is able to use the rail to walk. She said, "Yes." I was a bit skeptical and said, "Even if she can't move the right side of her body?" She said, "Yes" again. I sat next to Suzie. We continued watching AFV (America's Funniest Video - it's Suzie's favorite TV show followed by Deal or No Deal.) She said to me, "Look." I didn't know what she was referring to but when I looked down, there it was. Her right foot lifted up 5 inches off the floor and then down and up and down. This is HUGE!! This is the side of her body that she has not been able to move. In fact, I didn't think she would ever be able to move it. I could not believe it. She was so proud and happy. She was crying with joy. She tried to also show me something she has been able to do with her right hand. Unfortunately, whatever it was, she was not able to do it today.
I told her that I would post this up on her blog to let all her friends know. I explained that her friends have started a blog to help keep everyone informed about her status. She was so moved that she started crying again.
Her sister, Cindy, has taken Suzie to a few movies, which is a great idea. Suzie has seen Avatar, Sherlock Holmes and Nine. She has seen more movies than I have!
If you haven't seen Suzie in a while, please pay her a visit. She looks forward to having visitors. Even if it's just to sit with her to watch the latest episode of AFV. Her therapy is usually on Mon, Wed and Fri's so it's best if you visit her on the other days of the week. Just give her parents a call beforehand.
Suzie is currently getting physical and occupational therapy three times a week. Her therapy is definitely paying off (more on this later.) In addition, Suzie has a special laptop computer at home to help her with speech therapy. She showed me how the laptop works the other day. I was impressed with both the laptop and Suzie's ability to navigate around the different applications. The laptop is a special apple notebook. I think the app is called SmartTalk. Anyway, it has very large icons of different speech exercises. Suzie is able to navigate using either a normal touch mouse or a stylus pen on the laptop screen. It has quizzes and practice exercises. She's been using it every day. There has been improvement in Suzie's vocabulary although she is still struggling to communicate. In one instance, Suzie's father was on the way out and he said something to Suzie in Korean. She translated, "hospital" to me. Suzie's mother later explained that he was going to a doctor's appointment.
Now for the exciting news: Suzie is showing some improvement in the movement of the right side of her body. During my visit today, I noticed that there were handrails setup in the hallway of the apartment, leading to the bathroom. I asked Suzie's mother if Suzie is able to use the rail to walk. She said, "Yes." I was a bit skeptical and said, "Even if she can't move the right side of her body?" She said, "Yes" again. I sat next to Suzie. We continued watching AFV (America's Funniest Video - it's Suzie's favorite TV show followed by Deal or No Deal.) She said to me, "Look." I didn't know what she was referring to but when I looked down, there it was. Her right foot lifted up 5 inches off the floor and then down and up and down. This is HUGE!! This is the side of her body that she has not been able to move. In fact, I didn't think she would ever be able to move it. I could not believe it. She was so proud and happy. She was crying with joy. She tried to also show me something she has been able to do with her right hand. Unfortunately, whatever it was, she was not able to do it today.
I told her that I would post this up on her blog to let all her friends know. I explained that her friends have started a blog to help keep everyone informed about her status. She was so moved that she started crying again.
Her sister, Cindy, has taken Suzie to a few movies, which is a great idea. Suzie has seen Avatar, Sherlock Holmes and Nine. She has seen more movies than I have!
If you haven't seen Suzie in a while, please pay her a visit. She looks forward to having visitors. Even if it's just to sit with her to watch the latest episode of AFV. Her therapy is usually on Mon, Wed and Fri's so it's best if you visit her on the other days of the week. Just give her parents a call beforehand.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
December brunch & manicure
Suzie had a great time, and some delicious french toast, with a group of us this past Sunday.
After brunch she, Jenny, Janine and Kay went for a manicure - Suzie chose brilliant PINK, of course.
If you want to visit Suzie, her parents can be contacted at 212-598-0467. They live in Stuyvesant Town near 14th Street and Aveune A and they welcome visitors.
It's usually easiest to meet Suzie outside of their building and take a stroll around the Stuyvesant Oval with her and her caregiver.
However, Suzie loves to be social, so if you want to take her shopping or out for dinner, just call the Moons and arrange it. It's not difficult and, as I said, they welcome it.
Happy Holidays.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sunday, Dec. 20th
Suzie's heading for a holiday brunch and a manicure Sunday. Brunch will be in the E. Village around 1:30pm. Manicures will happen around 3pm. If you want/can attend give me call. 347.782.2204.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
november news
As many of you know several of us took Suzie out to dinner a few weeks ago. She had a great time - we all did. The group included Jenny Moss, Will McKinley, Scott Peehl and Tim Holm. I'd encourage everyone to move beyond the "visitation" mode with Suzie and engage her in an activity. Take her shopping. Go to a movie. Go out to dinner. As we all know, she's a party girl and you'll all have an excellent time. We certainly did. Her love for margaritas has not diminished at all. Cheers, Suzie.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
News from Suzie's sister
Hello Everyone,
Maybe you already know but I just came back from Poland and run into Suzie's sister today and she told me that the family was contacted by NYU and Suzie is going everyday though intense rehabilitation. The reason is that she belongs to a small percentage
of brain damaged patients who qualify for their program. Mostly because Suzie is so young and has surpassed the doctor's original prognosis. She said that Suzie is doing really well. They are trying to activate her brain. She mentioned stemsel research.
It all sounds very promising . Cindy said that Suzie will be in this therapy through november and probably it will be difficult to catch her until then. I am just forwarding what Cindy told me. Hope you al had a great summer.
Love
Danusia
Maybe you already know but I just came back from Poland and run into Suzie's sister today and she told me that the family was contacted by NYU and Suzie is going everyday though intense rehabilitation. The reason is that she belongs to a small percentage
of brain damaged patients who qualify for their program. Mostly because Suzie is so young and has surpassed the doctor's original prognosis. She said that Suzie is doing really well. They are trying to activate her brain. She mentioned stemsel research.
It all sounds very promising . Cindy said that Suzie will be in this therapy through november and probably it will be difficult to catch her until then. I am just forwarding what Cindy told me. Hope you al had a great summer.
Love
Danusia
Sunday, August 9, 2009
More Photos of the Birthday Queen and Friends!
More photos of the talented Ms. Moon and her friends (human and canine) at her birthday bash.What a perfect day!
Adrian
NYTimes Article
There's an article in today's NYTimes that talks about brain injury. The article is about a specific man and his specific brain injury, but the science of brain pathways and recovery is, it seems, somewhat universal. The biggest key to recovery is activity, mental and social activity. Here's the web page for those interested:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/health/research/09brain.html?hp#
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/health/research/09brain.html?hp#
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Birthday BASHED!
It was a great day in StuyTown's Oval where Suzie had a huge crowd gathered to celebrate her 36th Birthday (which was last week). It was a great way for a lot of people to reconnect with her and each other. The only things missing were the margaritas... ah, next time - seriously, next time.The great news is that Suzie's mom, Mrs. Moon, is very happy to welcome visitors for Suzie and if you haven't seen her since she was in one of the hospitals, StuyTown is a much more mellow experience. The best time to make a visit is from 10:30am-12:30pm - any day. Those are the hours when Suzie's ready to spend some time outside, and the StuyTown Oval is the perfect place to spend an hour or two with her.
If you haven't been to their building in StuyTown before, take the L train to the 1st Avenue stop, walk to Avenue A and instead of walking downtown on Avenue A, walk uptown into StuyTown. Their building is the 3rd building on the left (1-Stuyvesant Oval), just before you get to the Oval. Their phone # is 212 598 0467, and it's best to call the day before you want to visit, just to make sure she doesn't have other visitors or a doctor'
s appointment. Here are some pictures from today. kevin
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
BELATED BIRTHDAY BASH - COME SEE SUZIE & CELEBRATE!
Last minute......Suzie Moon-Birthday Bash!!!
Saturday August 8th 2-4pm
Stuy-Town- Enter @ 14th St. and Ave. A walk toward the Oval pass the playground and head toward the fountain-keep a look-out- for familiar faces & the festivities.
Feel free to bring light-snick snacks to share. If you could shoot me an RSVP e-mail (just to get a head count) that would be much appreciated.
Her birthday was actually yesterday but she was at the doctors all day. Spoke with her mom briefly last night. She put Suzie on the phone and all Suzie did was laugh when her mom told her it was me. Her mom quickly grabbed the phone and said, "She is laughing is that okay?" To which I replied "Sure we laugh all the time." I took that as a compliment.
If you are in town and would like to swing by that would be great! Please feel free to forward this info to anyone you think might like to attend.
Hope to see some of you beautiful people,
Jenny
917.797.3212
Saturday August 8th 2-4pm
Stuy-Town- Enter @ 14th St. and Ave. A walk toward the Oval pass the playground and head toward the fountain-keep a look-out- for familiar faces & the festivities.
Feel free to bring light-snick snacks to share. If you could shoot me an RSVP e-mail (just to get a head count) that would be much appreciated.
Her birthday was actually yesterday but she was at the doctors all day. Spoke with her mom briefly last night. She put Suzie on the phone and all Suzie did was laugh when her mom told her it was me. Her mom quickly grabbed the phone and said, "She is laughing is that okay?" To which I replied "Sure we laugh all the time." I took that as a compliment.
If you are in town and would like to swing by that would be great! Please feel free to forward this info to anyone you think might like to attend.
Hope to see some of you beautiful people,
Jenny
917.797.3212
Sunday, May 31, 2009
home full-time soon
Jenny Moss and I hung out with Suzie this morning at the Stuyvesant E. River park. Her mom (and a few of her aunts) met us outside their apartment in StuyTown and then Suzie, Jenny and I wandered east until we found a table and some chairs by the river, where there weren't as many distractions. We chatted, did a little stenciling, played some word games and had a good time. It was the best visit I've had with Suzie in awhile, partly, I think, because we were engaged in activities, initially, and we talked about those activities, rather than trying to have open-ended conversation. It was the first time in the past few visits that she really seemed to be answering questions, rather than just saying "yes" "no" or "absolutely" and she really seemed to have a good time. It really felt like we were just kind of hanging out, which was fun.
When we returned to their apartment building, I asked her mom if she would bring some of the "games" Suzie has in Queens home so we could continue to work with her here the way we had been working with her out there. That's when her mom told us that, as of this Thursday (June 4), Suzie will be home full-time. I don't know the specifics of the therapy and the nursing help, but I know there is something. And while I'm hopeful Suzie continues to work toward more in depth communication, her being home seems like a really good thing. She seemed really happy when her mom told us about it and her mom and aunts seem really happy too.
What it will mean, hopefully, is that she'll get more visitors. If you haven't been to their building in StuyTown before, take the L train to the 1st Avenue stop, walk to Avenue A and instead of walking downtown on Avenue A, walk uptown into StuyTown. Their building is the 3rd building on the left (1 Stuyvesant Oval), just before you get to the Oval. Their phone # is 212 598 0467. Obviously, call before you go, though her mom seems very excited for Suzie to have visitors.
kevin
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Weekender
Had a good visit w/ Suzie today, along with Leona Brown, Jenny Moss and Scott Peehl. It was great to see her after not having seen her for many weekst, although for me it was odd seeing her in a group - I'd grown accustomed to seeing her on my own. She's a lot more shy/reserved in a group. Still it was fun, it was just a side of her I don't see very often. We did sit outside for a bit, which was much nicer than I expected considering it's right next to a highway. And it's really great knowing that she's at her folk's place on the weekends now, from about 4:30pm Friday until Sunday evening. She seems very excited about it too. Since they live in Stuy Town (just above 14th Street, E of 1st Avenue) it will be a lot more convenient for most of us. Excellent news. k
Monday, May 4, 2009
SUZIE IS HOME ON WEEKENDS!
Hi All,
As of last weekend Suzie will go home on Friday nights to her parents home in NYC and not return to Park terrace till Sunday evening. Last visit i had with Suzie she was very shy but still rocked her pink shades when we went to get some air... Let's try and plan a trip to the Moon's soon..
JANINE
As of last weekend Suzie will go home on Friday nights to her parents home in NYC and not return to Park terrace till Sunday evening. Last visit i had with Suzie she was very shy but still rocked her pink shades when we went to get some air... Let's try and plan a trip to the Moon's soon..
JANINE
Thursday, April 16, 2009
THE RETURN OF THE DIVA
I paid an Easter weekend visit to Suzie on Saturday, and saw something I haven't seen in a long time: Suzie with attitude.
I've known Suzie for a long time, maybe seven or eight years, and I can't claim that we've always gotten along. There were definitely times where I found her difficult, or she found me difficult, or both. I haven't necessarily seen that dynamic between Suzie and other people, but it's happened more than once between the two of us. And it wasn't always pleasant. Actually, it was never pleasant.
Since last Summer, I haven't seen that aspect of her personality -- or what I consider to be that aspect of her personality -- come out. Until now.
I arrived at Park Terrace in the late afternoon on Holy Saturday and Suzie's mom and her two very friendly, non-English-speaking aunts were with her. There was a cake in a box, tied with that braided, red and white string that only seems to be available at bakeries (this one came from Staten Island, courtesy of one of the aunts). Small plates and forks were all around.
"Happy Easter," I said.
"Happy Easter," Suzie repeated.
Mrs. Moon offered me some cake (sadly, it was carrot, so I only has a taste) and she and her family exited. I took off my jacket, jammed it in my backpack and sat down in a chair next to her.
"So what's going on?" I asked.
"Over there!" Suzie blurted out in a loud voice, pointing out the door towards the elevator with her left hand.
"What? Do you want to go downstairs in the elevator?" I asked.
"Over there!" she repeated, with the same urgency.
"Do you want to go to the TV room?"
"Over there!"
"Do you want to go for a walk?"
And then, silence. Suzie frowned, turned toward the TV, fixed her eyes on an episode of Extra with Mario Lopez and proceeded to give me the silent treatment.
"You can't get mad at me when I don't understand what you're trying to say," I complained.
More silence. She stared at the TV and turned up the volume on the remote.
"So what's going on?" I asked, with no answer. "How are you doing. What's new?"
I followed each question with "huh?" to cover the silence and, in part, in an attempt to badger her into an answer. It worked, sort of.
"Huh? Huh? Huh?" Suzie repeated back at me with a mocking eye-roll. Then she went back to staring at the TV.
"Look honey, I don't come out here for my health," I said. "I come out here to try to help you, so you can ease up on the attitude, okay?"
Me fighting with Suzie -- same old, same old, right? Definitely, and that's why it's good news. Ever since last summer I've been visiting Suzie and telling her everything will be okay, comforting her, hugging her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Yes, I've demonstrated tough love as well, in my efforts to help her relearn and regain function, but never have I seen the diva that I knew (and often didn't love) back in the old days.
On Saturday she was back.
Eventually, I determined that Suzie wanted to follow her mom, so we went down to the first floor common room. As I wheeled Suzie in, half a dozen residents were staring intently at a No Money Down real estate infomercial on TV. The sound was near-deafening.
Mrs. Moon was sitting on a chair next to the out-of-order snack machine, reading a book. Out the window behind her the sky was inky and a cold, early Spring rain was streaming down.
"Outside?" Suzie said to both of us.
"Not today," Mrs. Moon replied, as we rolled her over to look at the rain soaked courtyard.
As Suzie got to the window, she caught her reflection in the glass, and quickly readjusted the bangs on her forehead. It took just a second or two -- that moment where you see yourself and primp -- but it felt to me like a breakthrough. It was so subtle, so second nature for her. That was the second sign of the day that the old Suzie is still there, inside. Even amongst the indignity of not being able to care for herself, she still wants to look her best.
"You want to play the piano?" Mrs Moon asked. Suzie shook her head, yes.
I opened it up and wheeled Suzie over. Mrs Moon began playing scales and Suzie smiled broadly. Then her mom took her left hand and helped her bang out a few notes on the keys, which seemed to make Suzie very happy.
The infomercial ended and the viewers began to disperse, so we moved over to a table near the giant aquarium. I pulled out a box of picture cards and held up a card with a bottle of milk and another with a bright red apple.
"Which of these two things comes from a cow?" I asked.
Suzie correctly pointed at the milk. I continued quizzing her and she continuing answering. Cognitively speaking, her answers were perfect, but her speech clearly isn't progressing at the same pace. I would ask her what something was, or what it was called, and she would hesitate, or try unsuccessfully to say the word.
Whenever that would happen, Mrs. Moon would chime in with the answer. I understand why a mom would want to do that -- it's natural to want to help your child, when they are suffering -- but it frustrated me. Suzie won't re-learn things if people coddle her, or feed her answers. I don't want to push her too hard, but I also don't want her to be unable to communicate for the rest of her life.
"No help from the audience!" I said, playfully chastising Mrs. Moon. That didn't work. So I altered my plan and instead, when I would ask a question, I also added the first syllable of the word I was asking for. For example, I would hold up a picture of a snake and say, "What's this? Ssssss.."
In most cases Suzie got it, without additional help. It's fascinating that she often can't find the word on her own, but she can when she's prompted, even with just a sound.
After this we took Suzie back up to her room, where her dinner was waiting. Her mom began feeding her and I said my goodbyes.
"Happy Easter Suzie," I said.
"Happy Easter," she repeated, with a mouth full of chicken.
I've known Suzie for a long time, maybe seven or eight years, and I can't claim that we've always gotten along. There were definitely times where I found her difficult, or she found me difficult, or both. I haven't necessarily seen that dynamic between Suzie and other people, but it's happened more than once between the two of us. And it wasn't always pleasant. Actually, it was never pleasant.
Since last Summer, I haven't seen that aspect of her personality -- or what I consider to be that aspect of her personality -- come out. Until now.
I arrived at Park Terrace in the late afternoon on Holy Saturday and Suzie's mom and her two very friendly, non-English-speaking aunts were with her. There was a cake in a box, tied with that braided, red and white string that only seems to be available at bakeries (this one came from Staten Island, courtesy of one of the aunts). Small plates and forks were all around.
"Happy Easter," I said.
"Happy Easter," Suzie repeated.
Mrs. Moon offered me some cake (sadly, it was carrot, so I only has a taste) and she and her family exited. I took off my jacket, jammed it in my backpack and sat down in a chair next to her.
"So what's going on?" I asked.
"Over there!" Suzie blurted out in a loud voice, pointing out the door towards the elevator with her left hand.
"What? Do you want to go downstairs in the elevator?" I asked.
"Over there!" she repeated, with the same urgency.
"Do you want to go to the TV room?"
"Over there!"
"Do you want to go for a walk?"
And then, silence. Suzie frowned, turned toward the TV, fixed her eyes on an episode of Extra with Mario Lopez and proceeded to give me the silent treatment.
"You can't get mad at me when I don't understand what you're trying to say," I complained.
More silence. She stared at the TV and turned up the volume on the remote.
"So what's going on?" I asked, with no answer. "How are you doing. What's new?"
I followed each question with "huh?" to cover the silence and, in part, in an attempt to badger her into an answer. It worked, sort of.
"Huh? Huh? Huh?" Suzie repeated back at me with a mocking eye-roll. Then she went back to staring at the TV.
"Look honey, I don't come out here for my health," I said. "I come out here to try to help you, so you can ease up on the attitude, okay?"
Me fighting with Suzie -- same old, same old, right? Definitely, and that's why it's good news. Ever since last summer I've been visiting Suzie and telling her everything will be okay, comforting her, hugging her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Yes, I've demonstrated tough love as well, in my efforts to help her relearn and regain function, but never have I seen the diva that I knew (and often didn't love) back in the old days.
On Saturday she was back.
Eventually, I determined that Suzie wanted to follow her mom, so we went down to the first floor common room. As I wheeled Suzie in, half a dozen residents were staring intently at a No Money Down real estate infomercial on TV. The sound was near-deafening.
Mrs. Moon was sitting on a chair next to the out-of-order snack machine, reading a book. Out the window behind her the sky was inky and a cold, early Spring rain was streaming down.
"Outside?" Suzie said to both of us.
"Not today," Mrs. Moon replied, as we rolled her over to look at the rain soaked courtyard.
As Suzie got to the window, she caught her reflection in the glass, and quickly readjusted the bangs on her forehead. It took just a second or two -- that moment where you see yourself and primp -- but it felt to me like a breakthrough. It was so subtle, so second nature for her. That was the second sign of the day that the old Suzie is still there, inside. Even amongst the indignity of not being able to care for herself, she still wants to look her best.
"You want to play the piano?" Mrs Moon asked. Suzie shook her head, yes.
I opened it up and wheeled Suzie over. Mrs Moon began playing scales and Suzie smiled broadly. Then her mom took her left hand and helped her bang out a few notes on the keys, which seemed to make Suzie very happy.
The infomercial ended and the viewers began to disperse, so we moved over to a table near the giant aquarium. I pulled out a box of picture cards and held up a card with a bottle of milk and another with a bright red apple.
"Which of these two things comes from a cow?" I asked.
Suzie correctly pointed at the milk. I continued quizzing her and she continuing answering. Cognitively speaking, her answers were perfect, but her speech clearly isn't progressing at the same pace. I would ask her what something was, or what it was called, and she would hesitate, or try unsuccessfully to say the word.
Whenever that would happen, Mrs. Moon would chime in with the answer. I understand why a mom would want to do that -- it's natural to want to help your child, when they are suffering -- but it frustrated me. Suzie won't re-learn things if people coddle her, or feed her answers. I don't want to push her too hard, but I also don't want her to be unable to communicate for the rest of her life.
"No help from the audience!" I said, playfully chastising Mrs. Moon. That didn't work. So I altered my plan and instead, when I would ask a question, I also added the first syllable of the word I was asking for. For example, I would hold up a picture of a snake and say, "What's this? Ssssss.."
In most cases Suzie got it, without additional help. It's fascinating that she often can't find the word on her own, but she can when she's prompted, even with just a sound.
After this we took Suzie back up to her room, where her dinner was waiting. Her mom began feeding her and I said my goodbyes.
"Happy Easter Suzie," I said.
"Happy Easter," she repeated, with a mouth full of chicken.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
From the 8th
I forgot to post from my visit on Sunday the 8th, which was after Suzie hurt her shoulder, but before the sling or the change of beds. She was in a good deal of pain because of her shoulder, but that didn't stop her from wanting to do a number of activities. Both her mom and dad were there when I arrived and, as always, they seemed happy to see a Suzie visitor. They both vacated the room and Suzie and I agreed to turn the tv off and we got to work. I'm always amazed at how quickly the time flies once we get working. We played several games of "concentration" with the paired cards and she was relentless. With each card we would talk about the image - if it was a train we'd talk about the sound a train made, about train tracks, about subways, etc. My hope is always to find things that hook the words and the concepts together in her head, and I feel like the more details - sights, sounds, pictures - she gets the better the chance of that connection happening for her.
We also did a little painting and tried to listen to music while we worked but found it too distracting (me probably more than she).
Thanks for all the recent updates about her shoulder and her move. I love the idea of taking a laptop out there. Will, is there internet access or were all of these pictures on your harddrive?
kevin
Monday, March 23, 2009
A WEEKEND DOUBLE-HEADER IN QUEENS
It was a busy weekend out in Queens.
On Friday I flew back to JFK from a week-long work trip to London, which had prevented me from visiting Suzie last weekend. I've been trying to get out to Rego Park once a week, so I felt bad that I had to to miss a visit. As my cab drove by Park Terrace on the L.I.E, I vowed to make up for my lost weekend.
On Saturday I found Suzie in her room, looking fresh from a shower or bath. Her hair was damp, she was wearing an over-sized Moosehead Beer t-shirt. She had great color in her cheeks, the best I've seen yet. You might even call it a healthy glow.
As Betty reported, Suzie had her right arm in a sling, and she appears to have been moved to the bed closer to the door since her injury was discovered. What is unclear, however, is what she actually did to her arm, when she did it or how she did it.
Nobody seemed to know for sure, except maybe Suzie. And she's not telling.
Like Betty, I heard the words "break" and "fracture" from one or more of the nurses, but a nurse named Michelle told me that it was a sprain. I hope it is just a sprain, because allowing a break to heal with the arm in a sling (not a cast) is far from an optimal healing method.
When I arrived, Suzie was sitting near the door with her mom and her aunt. Every other time I have visited recently, Suzie has been with her father. It was good to see Mrs. Moon again, particularly since she is better able to communicate in English than Suzie's dad.
Mrs. Moon told me about Suzie's arm, and she said that the Korean doctor who had been visiting Suzie was no longer coming, due to her injury. She also said that Suzie had been taken to NYU Hospital in an ambulance for x-rays. As she told me this, she fed Suzie with chopsticks, pulling what looked like green kimchi out of a deli container.
"Suzie doesn't like Korean food so much anymore," Mrs. Moon said, sadly.
After that, Suzie's mom and aunt left us alone. Her new roommate (a middle-aged Hispanic lady) also vacated the room, which I thought was very considerate of her.
"What happened to your arm, Suzie?" I asked.
"I don't know," Suzie said. "Surgery."
"Did you have surgery?" I asked. "Or did you have x-rays at NYU?"
"Surgery," she repeated.
I don't think this is correct, but it's interesting to hear her use that word, perhaps, as a catch-all for medical treatment. It led me to believe that she was, to some degree, associating this medical procedure with the ones she had experienced last year.
"Do you remember when you had surgery last year?" I asked. "After your aneurysm ruptured?"
Suzie was distracted by the TV, so I asked her if we could shut it off. She said no, so I instead turned down the volume.
"Do you remember, being in dance class?" I asked. "You had an aneurysm in your brain and it ruptured. The blood vessel burst. Then they took you to the hospital. Some people thought you were going to die, but you didn't die. We're very happy about that. Are you, Suzie? Are you happy you didn't die?"
"Oh yes," Suzie said. "Absolutely."
"Good, I said. "But you don't remember what happened?"
"No," she said.
I told Suzie again about the brain aneurysm I had, which was treated back in 1997 before it caused any lasting damage. Although my situation was nowhere near what Suzie is enduring now, I did experience some issues with speech, memory and comprehension.
"I had some of the same problems that you are having now," I said. "I could understand what something was when I looked at it, but I couldn't think of the word, of what it was called. Does that happen to you?"
"All the time," she said.
"So it's all up here," I said, touching her head. "But now we have to get it to come out of your mouth."
"Absolutely," she said.
I know there are some people who may think I shouldn't talk in detail to Suzie about what happened to her. But I don't agree. I'm trying to put myself in her position to whatever degree is possible and, if what happened to her had happened to me, I would like to know why. I'd like to know how I got brain damaged, partially paralyzed and stuck in a long-term care facility out in the ass end of Queens. And, most importantly, I'd like to know how I could get out of there some day.
"I know being here sucks," I said. "Do you want to be here for the rest of your life?"
"No," she said, her eyes widening.
"You wanna get the fuck out?" I asked.
"Get the fuck out," she agreed.
"Good, then let's turn off the TV and get to work."
"Absolutely," she said.
The first assignment was for her to stop using the word "absolutely." I suggested "definitely" or "I'm in complete agreement" or "I agree 100 percent!"
"100 percent!" she repeated.
Then, since we were talking about numbers, I pulled some bills out of my wallet.
"This is money," I said. "Where do you keep your money? A wallet or a purse? Wallet or purse?"
"Purse," she said.
"Very good, which of these is a $5 and which is $1?" I asked.
We kept this up, rapid fire. I switched the five dollar bill with the one, and sometimes replaced the five with another single. Every time she got it right I gave her a high five. When she got it wrong I gave her a thumbs down. Whatever we did, I said the words, again and again, over and over. At then end of this exercise, she let out a deep sigh.
"Tiring, huh?"
"Absolutely," she answered.
"You can't say absolutely anymore," I reminded her. "What can you say instead?"
"100 percent," she replied.
Then I pulled out my computer. I asked her what it was.
"Cell phone," she said.
"That's close," I replied, pulling my iPhone from my pocket."This is my cell phone. And this is my computer."
I then repeated all the words I could think of relating to computer: laptop, Apple, Macintosh, Mac, keyboard, email, Internet, Facebook, screen. Then I pulled up the pictures we had used in earlier sessions: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Hilary Clinton, Hilary Swank, the Beatles, Madonna and Darth Vader.
We went through each picture. She got Obama right with no prompting, but the others required some help. When we got to Madonna, I started singing. Badly. "Feels like I'm going to lose my mind. You just keep on pushing my love over the..."
"Borderline," Suzie sang in a sweet voice, finishing the chorus.
Then I played her an MP3 of the Facts of Life theme and she was able to sing some of the lyrics to that as well. She did the same thing with a few Beatles songs, singing "Yeah yeah yeah" to She Loves You. Suzie remembers these things, and they make her smile. And it's good to see her smile.
At that point Mrs Moon walked in with Suzie's dinner, followed by Janine and Mia. Suzie ate like I have never seen her eat. I guess all that work made her hungry.
And there was more work to be done -- and fun to be had -- when I went back again on Sunday.
Suzie recognizes this picture every time.
On Friday I flew back to JFK from a week-long work trip to London, which had prevented me from visiting Suzie last weekend. I've been trying to get out to Rego Park once a week, so I felt bad that I had to to miss a visit. As my cab drove by Park Terrace on the L.I.E, I vowed to make up for my lost weekend.
On Saturday I found Suzie in her room, looking fresh from a shower or bath. Her hair was damp, she was wearing an over-sized Moosehead Beer t-shirt. She had great color in her cheeks, the best I've seen yet. You might even call it a healthy glow.
As Betty reported, Suzie had her right arm in a sling, and she appears to have been moved to the bed closer to the door since her injury was discovered. What is unclear, however, is what she actually did to her arm, when she did it or how she did it.
Nobody seemed to know for sure, except maybe Suzie. And she's not telling.
Like Betty, I heard the words "break" and "fracture" from one or more of the nurses, but a nurse named Michelle told me that it was a sprain. I hope it is just a sprain, because allowing a break to heal with the arm in a sling (not a cast) is far from an optimal healing method.
When I arrived, Suzie was sitting near the door with her mom and her aunt. Every other time I have visited recently, Suzie has been with her father. It was good to see Mrs. Moon again, particularly since she is better able to communicate in English than Suzie's dad.
Mrs. Moon told me about Suzie's arm, and she said that the Korean doctor who had been visiting Suzie was no longer coming, due to her injury. She also said that Suzie had been taken to NYU Hospital in an ambulance for x-rays. As she told me this, she fed Suzie with chopsticks, pulling what looked like green kimchi out of a deli container.
"Suzie doesn't like Korean food so much anymore," Mrs. Moon said, sadly.
After that, Suzie's mom and aunt left us alone. Her new roommate (a middle-aged Hispanic lady) also vacated the room, which I thought was very considerate of her.
"What happened to your arm, Suzie?" I asked.
"I don't know," Suzie said. "Surgery."
"Did you have surgery?" I asked. "Or did you have x-rays at NYU?"
"Surgery," she repeated.
I don't think this is correct, but it's interesting to hear her use that word, perhaps, as a catch-all for medical treatment. It led me to believe that she was, to some degree, associating this medical procedure with the ones she had experienced last year.
"Do you remember when you had surgery last year?" I asked. "After your aneurysm ruptured?"
Suzie was distracted by the TV, so I asked her if we could shut it off. She said no, so I instead turned down the volume.
"Do you remember, being in dance class?" I asked. "You had an aneurysm in your brain and it ruptured. The blood vessel burst. Then they took you to the hospital. Some people thought you were going to die, but you didn't die. We're very happy about that. Are you, Suzie? Are you happy you didn't die?"
"Oh yes," Suzie said. "Absolutely."
"Good, I said. "But you don't remember what happened?"
"No," she said.
I told Suzie again about the brain aneurysm I had, which was treated back in 1997 before it caused any lasting damage. Although my situation was nowhere near what Suzie is enduring now, I did experience some issues with speech, memory and comprehension.
"I had some of the same problems that you are having now," I said. "I could understand what something was when I looked at it, but I couldn't think of the word, of what it was called. Does that happen to you?"
"All the time," she said.
"So it's all up here," I said, touching her head. "But now we have to get it to come out of your mouth."
"Absolutely," she said.
I know there are some people who may think I shouldn't talk in detail to Suzie about what happened to her. But I don't agree. I'm trying to put myself in her position to whatever degree is possible and, if what happened to her had happened to me, I would like to know why. I'd like to know how I got brain damaged, partially paralyzed and stuck in a long-term care facility out in the ass end of Queens. And, most importantly, I'd like to know how I could get out of there some day.
"I know being here sucks," I said. "Do you want to be here for the rest of your life?"
"No," she said, her eyes widening.
"You wanna get the fuck out?" I asked.
"Get the fuck out," she agreed.
"Good, then let's turn off the TV and get to work."
"Absolutely," she said.
The first assignment was for her to stop using the word "absolutely." I suggested "definitely" or "I'm in complete agreement" or "I agree 100 percent!"
"100 percent!" she repeated.
Then, since we were talking about numbers, I pulled some bills out of my wallet.
"This is money," I said. "Where do you keep your money? A wallet or a purse? Wallet or purse?"
"Purse," she said.
"Very good, which of these is a $5 and which is $1?" I asked.
We kept this up, rapid fire. I switched the five dollar bill with the one, and sometimes replaced the five with another single. Every time she got it right I gave her a high five. When she got it wrong I gave her a thumbs down. Whatever we did, I said the words, again and again, over and over. At then end of this exercise, she let out a deep sigh.
"Tiring, huh?"
"Absolutely," she answered.
"You can't say absolutely anymore," I reminded her. "What can you say instead?"
"100 percent," she replied.
Then I pulled out my computer. I asked her what it was.
"Cell phone," she said.
"That's close," I replied, pulling my iPhone from my pocket."This is my cell phone. And this is my computer."
I then repeated all the words I could think of relating to computer: laptop, Apple, Macintosh, Mac, keyboard, email, Internet, Facebook, screen. Then I pulled up the pictures we had used in earlier sessions: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Hilary Clinton, Hilary Swank, the Beatles, Madonna and Darth Vader.
We went through each picture. She got Obama right with no prompting, but the others required some help. When we got to Madonna, I started singing. Badly. "Feels like I'm going to lose my mind. You just keep on pushing my love over the..."
"Borderline," Suzie sang in a sweet voice, finishing the chorus.
Then I played her an MP3 of the Facts of Life theme and she was able to sing some of the lyrics to that as well. She did the same thing with a few Beatles songs, singing "Yeah yeah yeah" to She Loves You. Suzie remembers these things, and they make her smile. And it's good to see her smile.
At that point Mrs Moon walked in with Suzie's dinner, followed by Janine and Mia. Suzie ate like I have never seen her eat. I guess all that work made her hungry.
And there was more work to be done -- and fun to be had -- when I went back again on Sunday.
Suzie recognizes this picture every time.Team Suzie Video
Hi All,
Just wanted to let you know we finally showed Suzie the benefit video and she LOVED IT! It was great to watch her view it. She laughed and AWWWWW'd alot. She seemed to pretty much know who everyone was. Our visit (frosty was with me) was very short and sweet. We basicallly just fed her dinner and watched the video.
Suzie was moved closer to the door so the nurses could keep an eye on her. As much as it stinks that she hurt her arm, it was great to know she feels the pain. This means she actually does indeed have feeling in that arm.. (which doctors before her fracture were unsure of)
Get out there and visit if you can! She needs the visits. The more visits she gets the happier she is and the stronger she becomes...
xoxox janine
Just wanted to let you know we finally showed Suzie the benefit video and she LOVED IT! It was great to watch her view it. She laughed and AWWWWW'd alot. She seemed to pretty much know who everyone was. Our visit (frosty was with me) was very short and sweet. We basicallly just fed her dinner and watched the video.
Suzie was moved closer to the door so the nurses could keep an eye on her. As much as it stinks that she hurt her arm, it was great to know she feels the pain. This means she actually does indeed have feeling in that arm.. (which doctors before her fracture were unsure of)
Get out there and visit if you can! She needs the visits. The more visits she gets the happier she is and the stronger she becomes...
xoxox janine
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Suzie - Fractured in right shoulder and new roommate
I saw Suzie this weekend (3/21) and have a few things to report.
Suzie has a fracture in her right shoulder. I asked the nurses how she got it but they don't seem to know. Suzie is on pain medication to help her out with the fracture but please do not move her right arm.
The other thing is that Suzie is still in room 211 but for whatever reason, they moved her to the bed closer to the door. She also has a new roommate now. When I walked in, there was so much action going on in the room. Her roommate had her TV blasting very loud and had many visitors in her side of the room. Suzie had her TV on the same channel that her roommate was watching. I guess if you can't fight them, join them but unfortunately, the channel they were watching was a spanish channel that I don't think Suzie was able to understand. I turned off Suzie's TV and tried to talk to her but Suzie was very distracted by what was going on in the other side of the room. Eventually, I moved her out of her room to the dining room for some quiet instead.
Suzie's mom said that it doesn't look like Suzie will be going home on weekends soon. The doctors are going to reassess the situation in June.
Suzie is still being her sweet self. She did a great job with the photo flash cards. She was able to name quite a few items and worked very hard to remember the items she didn't know.
Suzie has a fracture in her right shoulder. I asked the nurses how she got it but they don't seem to know. Suzie is on pain medication to help her out with the fracture but please do not move her right arm.
The other thing is that Suzie is still in room 211 but for whatever reason, they moved her to the bed closer to the door. She also has a new roommate now. When I walked in, there was so much action going on in the room. Her roommate had her TV blasting very loud and had many visitors in her side of the room. Suzie had her TV on the same channel that her roommate was watching. I guess if you can't fight them, join them but unfortunately, the channel they were watching was a spanish channel that I don't think Suzie was able to understand. I turned off Suzie's TV and tried to talk to her but Suzie was very distracted by what was going on in the other side of the room. Eventually, I moved her out of her room to the dining room for some quiet instead.
Suzie's mom said that it doesn't look like Suzie will be going home on weekends soon. The doctors are going to reassess the situation in June.
Suzie is still being her sweet self. She did a great job with the photo flash cards. She was able to name quite a few items and worked very hard to remember the items she didn't know.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
SUZIE'S HISTORY LESSON
On Saturday morning I flew in to JFK on a red eye from Heathrow and grabbed a cab to the city. A few minutes later my car passed right by Suzie's building.
I think we were on the Grand Central, but don't quote me on that. I don't really drive, so every highway looks the same to me. I noticed the Park Terrace sign from the distance and, as we passed by, I was close enough to see into the courtyard.
I looked for Suzie, hoping that she was outside enjoying the warm, early Spring weather. When I didn't see her I thought about asking my driver to pull off the parkway so I could make an impromptu visit, but I decided against it because I was tired.
I felt guilty for the rest of the ride home. Of course. In retrospect, telling Suzie about my trip, and showing her pictures, seemed like it might be a good teaching opportunity. So I put down my bags, took a nap and headed back out to Queens on the R train.
"Guess where I was today," I said to Suzie as I sat down next to her. "London."
Her eyes widened. She seemed to grasp that concept that London was far away. Then I pulled out my laptop and pulled up a Google map of England.
"Right there," I said, pointing to London. "That's where I was. Then I got on a plane and flew back to the United States, to the airport right near here. I looked for you when we drove past."
I then switched to a world map and traced the course of my plane ride with my finger.
"Far," she said.
Suzie seemed really engaged by the computer, almost like it was a window to the outside world. I asked her if she wanted to do a picture quiz. She said yes, so I pulled up a picture of the president and showed it her. She smiled knowingly.
"Who's this?" I asked.
She looked at the picture with clear recognition, but struggled to tell me what she was thinking.
"The captain?" she asked.
"Close," I said. "He's like the captain. He's the president. His name is President Barack..."
"Obama," she said. Then I went back to the US map.
"Very good. And he's the president of the United States of America. That's where we live. And that's where I flew to today."
When I arrived at Park Terrace Suzie had been watching a rebroadcast of American Idol. She was distracted by it while we talked so I decided to ask her about it.
"What's this show called?"
Suzie shook her head.
"It's called American..." I said, waiting for her to finish.
"Singer?" she said.
"Close. It's called American Idol. Do you know who the host is?
I pulled up a picture of Ryan Seacrest and showed it to her. She seemed to have no idea who he was, which is probably for the best.
"Okay how about more presidents?" I asked, pulling up a picture of Bill Clinton. "Let's see if you know who this is."
Again, she registered recognition. She said a few things that didn't make any sense, but she was clearly trying to express something.
"You're thinking it in your head, but having trouble saying it," I suggested.
"Yes," she said with a big sigh. She seemed to be happy that she was able to communicate that fact to me.
"Okay I'll give you a hint," I said. "His first name is Bill. President Bill...."
"Clint," she said. "Clinto..."
"Close enough!" I said. "President Bill Clinton. And his wife is Hilary..."
"Swank?" she said.
I laughed. "Well, he might prefer to be married to Hilary Swank, but unfortunately he's married to Hilary Clinton."
I showed her a picture of Hilary Swank from Boys Don't Cry. Again, she seemed to recognize it. Then I brought up a picture of Bill and Hilary.
"This is a picture of Bill and Hilary Clinton," I said. "Did you know he cheated on her with the intern?"
"Oh no," Suzie said, her eyes wider than I have ever seen them. "Oh no!"
She seemed genuinely disturbed by the fact that the former president had cheated on his wife. And shocked. Interesting that she seems to have an understanding of who these people are, but not necessarily what happened to them. So I talked about it for a while and then I decided to show her one more picture.
"Who's this?" I asked, "I'll give you a hint. He was president too, but a long time ago. His name was President Abraham..."
"Lincoln," she said definitively.
At this point one of the nurses came in, a young woman I had never seen before. She told me her name was Cara.
"We're doing a history lesson," I said. "So how is Suzie doing. How's her mood been?"
"It's much better than it was this morning," Cara said. "She wouldn't get out of bed this morning, right Suzie?"
Apparently, the Korean doctor that Suzie's parents have hired came by in the morning, but Suzie wanted no part of him. Her dad told me that he had to send the doctor away and ask him to come back the next day.
"Over all, how is her mood?" I asked.
"Better," Cara said. "It's way better now than when she first came here."
"Well we're trying to get more people to come out and visit," I said. "But it's hard because this place to is so far from the city."
"That really helps," Cara said. "You can really see the difference in her after a visit."
Following up on this, I pulled up Facebook on my laptop and started showing Suzie pictures of our friends from work: Janine Panico; Ciro Caso; Kay Hayward; Pauline Leung, Kevin Corstange and others.
"And here's one who lives in Los Angeles now," I said, showing her a picture of a former co-worker. "His name is Doug..."
"Loftus," Suzie continued. Last week I had mentioned Doug to Suzie and shown her a card that he sent. I wondered if she remembered that.
Suzie's dad came back in the room, and mentioned that Suzie's friend Betty had been by for a visit. I asked Mr. Moon about what had happened that morning.
"Suzie kept saying space, space, space," Mr. Moon said. "Do you know what that means?"
I told him I didn't know for sure, suggesting that maybe she was trying to say that she needed space, or felt cooped up, or wanted to go outside. Mr. Moon told me that Betty had taken Suzie out to the courtyard before I came.
"Suzie, do you want to show your dad what we worked on today?" I asked.
"Yes," she said.
I went through our quiz again, and she remembered most of what we worked on. Mr. Moon was very impressed. He thanked me and gave Suzie a hug. Then the nurse brought in Suzie's dinner and I said my goodbyes.
I think we were on the Grand Central, but don't quote me on that. I don't really drive, so every highway looks the same to me. I noticed the Park Terrace sign from the distance and, as we passed by, I was close enough to see into the courtyard.
I looked for Suzie, hoping that she was outside enjoying the warm, early Spring weather. When I didn't see her I thought about asking my driver to pull off the parkway so I could make an impromptu visit, but I decided against it because I was tired.
I felt guilty for the rest of the ride home. Of course. In retrospect, telling Suzie about my trip, and showing her pictures, seemed like it might be a good teaching opportunity. So I put down my bags, took a nap and headed back out to Queens on the R train.
"Guess where I was today," I said to Suzie as I sat down next to her. "London."
Her eyes widened. She seemed to grasp that concept that London was far away. Then I pulled out my laptop and pulled up a Google map of England.
"Right there," I said, pointing to London. "That's where I was. Then I got on a plane and flew back to the United States, to the airport right near here. I looked for you when we drove past."
I then switched to a world map and traced the course of my plane ride with my finger.
"Far," she said.
Suzie seemed really engaged by the computer, almost like it was a window to the outside world. I asked her if she wanted to do a picture quiz. She said yes, so I pulled up a picture of the president and showed it her. She smiled knowingly.
"Who's this?" I asked.
She looked at the picture with clear recognition, but struggled to tell me what she was thinking.
"The captain?" she asked.
"Close," I said. "He's like the captain. He's the president. His name is President Barack..."
"Obama," she said. Then I went back to the US map.
"Very good. And he's the president of the United States of America. That's where we live. And that's where I flew to today."
When I arrived at Park Terrace Suzie had been watching a rebroadcast of American Idol. She was distracted by it while we talked so I decided to ask her about it.
"What's this show called?"
Suzie shook her head.
"It's called American..." I said, waiting for her to finish.
"Singer?" she said.
"Close. It's called American Idol. Do you know who the host is?
I pulled up a picture of Ryan Seacrest and showed it to her. She seemed to have no idea who he was, which is probably for the best.
"Okay how about more presidents?" I asked, pulling up a picture of Bill Clinton. "Let's see if you know who this is."
Again, she registered recognition. She said a few things that didn't make any sense, but she was clearly trying to express something.
"You're thinking it in your head, but having trouble saying it," I suggested.
"Yes," she said with a big sigh. She seemed to be happy that she was able to communicate that fact to me.
"Okay I'll give you a hint," I said. "His first name is Bill. President Bill...."
"Clint," she said. "Clinto..."
"Close enough!" I said. "President Bill Clinton. And his wife is Hilary..."
"Swank?" she said.
I laughed. "Well, he might prefer to be married to Hilary Swank, but unfortunately he's married to Hilary Clinton."
I showed her a picture of Hilary Swank from Boys Don't Cry. Again, she seemed to recognize it. Then I brought up a picture of Bill and Hilary.
"This is a picture of Bill and Hilary Clinton," I said. "Did you know he cheated on her with the intern?"
"Oh no," Suzie said, her eyes wider than I have ever seen them. "Oh no!"
She seemed genuinely disturbed by the fact that the former president had cheated on his wife. And shocked. Interesting that she seems to have an understanding of who these people are, but not necessarily what happened to them. So I talked about it for a while and then I decided to show her one more picture.
"Who's this?" I asked, "I'll give you a hint. He was president too, but a long time ago. His name was President Abraham..."
"Lincoln," she said definitively.
At this point one of the nurses came in, a young woman I had never seen before. She told me her name was Cara.
"We're doing a history lesson," I said. "So how is Suzie doing. How's her mood been?"
"It's much better than it was this morning," Cara said. "She wouldn't get out of bed this morning, right Suzie?"
Apparently, the Korean doctor that Suzie's parents have hired came by in the morning, but Suzie wanted no part of him. Her dad told me that he had to send the doctor away and ask him to come back the next day.
"Over all, how is her mood?" I asked.
"Better," Cara said. "It's way better now than when she first came here."
"Well we're trying to get more people to come out and visit," I said. "But it's hard because this place to is so far from the city."
"That really helps," Cara said. "You can really see the difference in her after a visit."
Following up on this, I pulled up Facebook on my laptop and started showing Suzie pictures of our friends from work: Janine Panico; Ciro Caso; Kay Hayward; Pauline Leung, Kevin Corstange and others.
"And here's one who lives in Los Angeles now," I said, showing her a picture of a former co-worker. "His name is Doug..."
"Loftus," Suzie continued. Last week I had mentioned Doug to Suzie and shown her a card that he sent. I wondered if she remembered that.
Suzie's dad came back in the room, and mentioned that Suzie's friend Betty had been by for a visit. I asked Mr. Moon about what had happened that morning.
"Suzie kept saying space, space, space," Mr. Moon said. "Do you know what that means?"
I told him I didn't know for sure, suggesting that maybe she was trying to say that she needed space, or felt cooped up, or wanted to go outside. Mr. Moon told me that Betty had taken Suzie out to the courtyard before I came.
"Suzie, do you want to show your dad what we worked on today?" I asked.
"Yes," she said.
I went through our quiz again, and she remembered most of what we worked on. Mr. Moon was very impressed. He thanked me and gave Suzie a hug. Then the nurse brought in Suzie's dinner and I said my goodbyes.
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