Answers

Can Aviana go in the hot tub?

Yes, Aviana can go in the hot tub. We too, thought that would be a great idea for her so we went to drain and refill it, which we have done for the past 7 years and there was some sort of problem. We have not gone back to fix it with how busy everything is, but we should. I agree with you that it would be enjoyable for all, especially Aviana. She loves being in a pool, so I am sure she would love that too.

Before the accident, did you and your husband consider having (or adopting) more children? Would it prove impossible due to Aviana's therapies, and schedule?

Before the accident, I don't think we were planning on having anymore kids. Brace yourself when I say this...we are not really kid people. It's not that we don't like kids, but adding another to our family is not something we will ever do. There are so many reasons why. As I said, we are not kid people. We can't have kids so we would have to adopt again. We don't have that much cash lying around. I had severe bonding issues with Aviana, and couldn't handle that again on top of this. I suppose if the want was there, everything else would be a moot point, but it is not.

I know my answer might be confusing after what I wrote about a void and a detailed description of a healthy child. I just miss Aviana. I miss her voice, her mannerisms, her smile, her love, her presence, everything. I just miss her. I don't want anything back, but her. So, we will stick with dogs for the rest of our lives :o)

I love you just the way you are. Isn't that a song?

Yes, Cameo "Just the Way You Are" is a song and you have come to just the place to learn everything you maybe didn't really want to know about it. My love of music compels me to move forward with this though. I am always fascinated with how songs came about, so I must continue.

So, it's by Billy Joel and was released in 1977. He dreamt the melody, but not the words. He wrote this song for his first wife and gave it to her for her birthday. After Billy Joel recorded it, he didn't think people would like it and did not want to include it on the album. He thought it was a chick song. Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow heard it and convinced him to put it on. The song won Grammys for Song of the Year and Record of the Year in 1978. Billy Joel said, "I was absolutely surprised it won a Grammy. It wasn't even Rock n' Roll." Minus the close up sweat shot, this is a great video ;o)

Have you considered Equine Therapy?

Yes, we have considered it for a very long time. We have also thought about a whole host of other therapies. We had decided on The Institute and from then on it has been double, and triple time. They have left no time or room for anything else. Now that the plan is shifting slightly, we might seriously look into it. We are still doing tons of The Institute program, so I am not sure how likely it is just yet. We will have to go with what we feel.

Having a child with this kind of needs is one thing, but carrying out the program we do is a completely different animal. I am so exhausted from it in every way possible, that in the short periods of down time the very last thing I want to think about is more therapy. Phew...it's a lot. We sure need to simplify, rather than add more, but this is one that is on the top of my list if time allows!

Do you know if there is a facility near you to do this?

Yes we do. It is pretty close to our house and we have driven by a few times. It's called Ride to Walk.

Have you ever thought of joining some sort of support group? 

First I wanted to say, there is never a stupid question. Through the Institute, I have met some of the best families ever. A few of us stay in contact throughout. We have become very close and share a tight bond of not only what it's like to have a Special Needs child, but what it is like to be on, and survive such an intense program. They are like family to me. I love them dearly!

I also find some comfort in reading blogs of other peoples struggles. I follow a number that range in every type difficulty.

Being that you love Tahoe so much, I'm surprised you don't live there - why not?

If it were at all possible, I would be there now. The problem with Tahoe is it is very hard to make a living. Dave is a structural engineer and I have spent years hounding him to try to figure out some  way we can make this dream a reality.

Before Aviana arrived I worked for a company that actually had been looking for years for someone who was willing to work in Tahoe. That just about killed me ; / Dave has been working on Tahoe Forest Hospital, and when that job began, I thought, "Oh my gosh, could it be?? Could it really be?" and no, sadly it couldn't be.

I was a pest before, but I really became one after Aviana's accident. I feel that if life can end in the blink of an eye, why waste it in a place you don't want to be. Sadly, it doesn't necessarily work that way. If it were just me, I would be back there bartending. I would do whatever I had to do to be there. Like I said before, I would have been much more careful with coming out of college and finding a job. I would have definitely selected a better place, than where we currently live.  Dave always says we will move there when we retire, but that feels much too far off in the distance.

I guess I better start playing the lottery...