~^~SET SAIL~^~ at Spaulding!

The last time I ever laid my "googly-eye" on Spaulding Rehab Hospital was August 6, 2010, as I was gratefully being brought up to Crotched Mountain Rehab to begin the final phase of in-patient recovery.  

Now, here I was, this past Sunday, returning to Spaulding; different location, brand-new facility, but still the hospital that had claimed the entire summer that should have been marking the completion of my first year of college. 

My mom, sister, and I were all looking forward to this event, as it was bound to be an enjoyable afternoon out; along with the opportunity to see fellow survivors and their families, four years after meeting them, and under much different circumstances. 

[Jason, Jonathan, I, & Jason's fiancée]

[Courtney, Mom, & I... posing with the Bruins' mascot, <^>BLADES<^> !!!]

<3 [Where would we *SURVIVORS* be without our moms?!] <3

[My beautiful big-sister and I, with a great view of Boston in the background!]

Although the whole afternoon was incredible, the highlight of the entire event, for me, was the opportunity to meet WCVB[Boston's ABC-Affiliate]'s very own Kelley Tuthill. 

She graciously acted as the "host" of this event, somewhat as a celebration of all she has overcome as a SURVIVOR of breast cancer. 

The smile of relief I had on my face, helmet resting on my pajama-lap four years ago, was replaced with a humongous, happy grin. Standing tall and grinning proudly, next to a woman whose career-path I will call my own in the near future!!! 

A Little ~>Venture<~ Into BOSTON!

Now, THAT'S how Boston 

(especially the North End)

is supposed to be experienced!

My first venture into Boston's North End since Summer of 2010 was quite a different experience. As you all know, I wasn't exactly in the "best-shape" during that time, and the only way I was getting around was on four wheels, donning the
oh-so-fashionable crash-helmet. 

[with my mom & cousin, Julie]

Well, what a pleasant adventure today was! Rather than almost dying of heat-stroke, getting jostled and cramped while my father was pushing my rear-end up&down the small cobblestone sidewalks, I was comfortable, walking alongside my dad, and perhaps most importantly, FREE!!!

 

It's days like these, when I truly realize just how FAR I've come. When I can see it, feel it, experience it! (... and let me tell you, my back-side is definitely in better shape than after the last
North End "excursion"!)

Experiencing *~>The ABILITIES Expo<~*

Yesterday, with much excitement and anticipation, my mom and I attended~>Boston's Annual Ability Expo<~

We did not know what to expect, but knew it would be an unforgettably inspiring and eye-opening experience. Immediately upon arriving, we were inundated with various pieces of equipment, whether they were for mobility or communication. They included, but definitely were not limited to, the tricycle pictured below. A rush of nostalgia came over me, as that trike was awfully similar to the trike that had been the biggest portion of my
in-patient rehabilitation up at Crotched Mountain Rehab, from August-September 2010. Crotched had been the "final-step" of in-patient rehabilitation before I was finally allowed to return home after five months of hospitalization. 

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Another >EYE-OPENING< experience was when we were able to witness, root for, and enjoy the Boston Renegades Baseball Team. The Renegades, run by the Association of Blind Citizens, is a unique program of competitive baseball for the Blind, allowing visually-impaired athletes to play ball, while also, "Creating Opportunity One Step at a Time"!

^--there I am, up at bat, wearing a blindfold, to fully grasp what it's like to be a member of this team

...you may be wondering how on earth would one be able to tell when the ball was nearing the plate.
Well, the pitcher acts as the batter's eyes, and the batter relies on his or her own ears to listen for when the pitcher counts '1,2...3!" I soon realized that waiting 'til the "3!" would not work for me, and had to adjust my swing accordingly. THAT photo is the snapshot of my BIG-HIT, to which I received encouraging hoots&hollers!!! 

After what felt like a GRAND-SLAM, here I am posing with the a few of the actual members of this terrific team!

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The day had really just begun after I "cleaned-up" the baseball diamond, and it was time to explore what else the Expo had to offer. My mom and I had no trouble locating which show we wanted to experience, as we could hear the " bumpin' " music from the other side of the arena. 'What could it be?' you may be asking. Well, it was the Wheelchair Dancing Demo and Workshop by Auti Angel, Abilities Expo "Dancebassador"!