Chapel Hills Ice Rink Closes -- an episode in our lives ends

Today (June 3, 2006) we said "Good-Bye" to the place our family "grew up" at.

The Ice Arena a Chapel Hills opened exactly eight years ago. Rebekah was only two then and that rink gave us so much hope and happiness. The day the rink opened, Jo Ann wore her hockey skates and Dan took this wonerful photo of her and Rebekah.

Jo Ann helped build the program at that rink and it is very sad to see the rink close. Our children learned to skate there and many happy weekends were spent with Dan skating with the children at the rink. The Chapel Hills rink staff was very supportive to us during the time of crisis right after Dan's accident.

As we say good-bye to a chapter in our lives, we are so grateful that Dan is alive and with us. Hopefully, one day, Dan will be able to skate with us again.

Dan mows the lawn and Annabelle rides a 2-wheeler!

On this Mothers Day, we have two memorable photos to share!

It might be nice to buy a better lawnmower though...

Who would have thought this could be possible? Children riding two wheeled bikes, do make that step, but people who almost died -- mowing lawns -- is quite a feat!

Wow, what a day of celebration!

Dan can ride a bike -- By Himself!

"Wow!!!!" is the only thing that can be said about seeing Dan riding a bike BY HIMSELF! Who would have thought this could be possible 7 months ago?

Passover 2006 -- A time of hope, a time of new beginnings

Earlier this week, our family sat down together for a Passover Seder. We had the best seder we've ever had together as a family. We laughed and sang as we rejoiced in knowing that Dan is alive and with us.

Like the Hebrews rejoiced when they were freed from slavery, we rejoiced. We remembered how Miriam and other women sang and danced after the Hebrews made it safely across the Red Sea.

We remembered how God delivered the Jewish people and how wonderful God truly is. We remembered that miracles do happen.

Yes, our family is very grateful to the miracle God brought to us by bringing Dan from near death back to life.

April 7, 2006 -- 27 years of marriage

Today, Dan and I celebrate 27 years of marriage. Nearly 7 months ago, Dan almost died. I rejoice that we get to celebrate an anniversary today.



Below is a reflection I wrote about our marriage on our 23rd Anniversary. Now, I would end this reflection with ".....I'm grateful that Dan is alive and that we have a loving and supportive family. We have so much to be thankful for!"

Anyway...enjoy the reflection I wrote on our 23rd Anniversary! When I wrote it, we'd spent over two decades together -- now, we are getting close to three!

----------------------------------

'We met on a camping trip to Catalina. It was Labor Day weekend 1978.

I was attracted to Dan since he was the only college grad on that
camping trip. I had just finished Colorado College, and Dan's older
brother had gone to Colorado College, so we had something to talk
about.

Our dating only went on for 3 months! We spent most of the time taking walks in the
Belmont Shore area of Long Beach talking about our families.

At the end of November we were engaged!

One day, we told eachother we were in love
over melted ice cream cones from Dairy Queen as we too a walk.

A month or two later, we were sitting in Dan's old Ford Falcon in
front of my Grandma Fannie's house, and we were talking about
marriage and committment. Now (don't laugh!), I blurted
out, "Dan, I think I'd like to marry you someday!" Dan was kind of
shocked at my statement, and said, "Is that a deal?" We shook hands!

Then we went inside of Grandma's house and told her, and she said
Mazel Tov!

That evening we took Grandma and her sister Molly out to the Katella
Deli and celebrated. Dan had his first kosher dill pickle that night!

When I look back now, it amazes me that I married someone I barely
knew, but we've somehow had 23 years, and
still like eachother!

We had a very quick engagement, and had an informal wedding. I wore
a borrowed dress and platform shoes from Goodwill since the dress was
too long. Dan wore a sportsjacket.

(Sidenote: I cried at weddings for years after that. That is why 10 years later, Dan and I had a 10 year wedding renewal. Anyway, I still cry
at weddings, but not because I didn't get a formal one. I wore a
beautiful dress at the 10 year renewal in 1989 and Dan wore a tux. I
smiled and felt loved that day. )








Well back to 1979. We were married on April 7, 1979 and spent our
honeymoon at my family's condo in Colorado Springs. Our honeymoon
consisted of us visiting the places in Colorado Springs that I had
told Dan about and also visiting the friends I had that
were still in Colorado and at Colorado College.

We returned home to southern California. Eventually, we moved into The Atherton House, and became part of a Commune for 3 years.

I started teaching skating in 1983 which took over our lives.

In 1988 we moved to San Francisco, and in late 1991 (it was almost 1992),
we returned to Colorado Springs, the place where our marriage really
began, the place where we honeymooned, and began a new life in
Colorado.

The past 10 plus years in Colorado Springs have been ones that have
been different in our marriage. Wow, a lot has happened! We had 3
children! In San Francisco, I had seen an infertility specialist
just before we left; our years of infertility seem like a vague
memory now. We bought a home here in 1995. I became a published author and
the book HOW TO JUMP AND SPIN ON IN-LINE SKATES is selling all over
the world. Dan quietly works in the background, but has become
admired and respected at the Veterans Affairs office he works at here
in the Springs.

Sometimes, I admit, I wonder what keeps us in love.
Things are not always easy. I do know that Dan loves me and we have
wonderful memories that cover more than 2 decades now.

Well, these are my reflections on 23 years of marriage this Sunday
morning. I am grateful for Sundays with Dan. They are the one day
we don't rush to work; I don't teach skating, and we just have a
chance to enjoy our family and our life.'

We've"come a long way" in 6 months

Here is a picture of Dan and Rebekah one week and two days (September 25, 2005) after the accident. Rebekah is smiling because on that day, I took the children to see Dan for the first time and she was so happy to see her father. I had been advised to not allow the children to see him, but...

I took the children to see their father that day because I believed Dan was not going to live and I wanted the children to see their father just in case that happened.

Take a look at Dan now! Dan can ride a scooter!

Wow, it is incredible to see how far we've come in only SIX MONTHS!

Dan's brother Mike left tonight

It is exactly 6 months and 1 week since Dan's horrible accident.



(Dan has made so much progress and was even able to ride on the back of our tandem bike with Mike just a couple of weeks ago!)


The night of the accident, Dan's parents and Dan's brother Mike, flew out to Colorado Springs and saw Dan in the hospital ICU at 3 AM.

Mike stayed. Mike stayed to help. Mike stayed at Dan's side. Mike loved us. Mike loved Dan. Mike linked the rest of Dan's family to what was happening with Dan.

Mike has lived with our family and helped our family and been on Dan's side for over six months.

Today we said good-bye to Mike and today, Dan walked more than ever! Today, our family became five again. Today, we remember that our life changed 6 months ago.




Thank you, dear Uncle Mike, for loving us, being there for us, being at Dan's side at the hospital and at home for so long. We begin a life without you tonight, but we will never ever forget how you sacrificed so much of yourself for Dan!

How is Jo Ann? How are the children?

To the friend who logs checks for updates here every once in awhile:

Our "Novel or Movie" is coming to a conclusion it seems. Music should be playing in the background and there should be a scene where there are lots of hugs and smiles.

Yes, that is happening.....each day our family does cherish the fact that Daddy is alive.

However, things are not "the same."

The children have done well. They are back doing many of the activities that they did before the accident and they are back skating everyday. They are slightly behind on their homeschool goals, but will catch up.






Jo Ann's small private lesson skating clientele is gone though. To build it up again is quite difficult and Jo Ann is seeking other ways to bring some income into our home. She does hope to give a few lessons again too. Yes, we do have financial worries at this time, but hope that somehow something will turn up so Jo Ann can bring some much needed extra income into our household.

The problem is that Jo Ann can't take on much more. The children and Dan take up so much of her energy, and she has put all her efforts into the care and well-being of Dan and the children. She has trouble sleeping at night because so much is on her mind these days. Yes, Jo Ann is overwhelmed.

Jo Ann has taken on more and more responsibilities, but the children have begun to help out around the house much more than before. We have all realized that Dan's main goal is to continue to get well, so we all try to help him do that daily.



We've gone swimming, roller skating, skiing, and out to eat as a family again. Although Dan can't roller skate or ski, he can accompany us to these activities. How neat is that?



Dan takes Joel to hockey games and practice again and drives Joel to Boy Scouts. Dan is working full-time from a wheelchair and is driving! Wow! We do rejoice that Daddy is with us and "so well" and wonder now what the rest of 2006 will bring.

Will we ever find out what really happened? Probably not -- Dan doesn't remember....but....does that matter....no...our life together now, for 2006 and beyond is what needs to be focused on.

If you pray, please continue to keep the Farris Family in your prayers. Pray that Jo Ann can continue to be strong. Pray for our financial needs. Pray that our children live their lives without remembering much of the negative things that happened to their family in 2005. Pray that our children continue to grow and learn as we continue to homeschool. Pray that Dan completely recovers and walks really well again.

Things will never be the same again; we know that.

Hugs to all who read this.

President's Day 2006 -- Dan goes swimming

We went swimming as a family on President's Day and Dan joined us in the pool. In the pool, he doesn't have to put weight on his feet, so he was able to "mix-in" and play with the children and swim too. He did do a lap or two!

The last time we all went swimming together, was on Labor Day, 2005. This was really nice for the entire family and we can't wait to do it again.

Months in Review -- a poem

Months

September
Daddy almost died in September

October
Daddy woke up from a coma in October and miraculously lived

November
Daddy was home from the hospital but still very sick

December
Daddy celebrated the holidays with his children and began to get better

January
Daddy "sort of walked" again

February
Daddy went back to work in a wheelchair

Months

Working full-time worked out fine

Dan is tired, but adjusted to working full-time with no problems

Things do feel like they are returning to "normal."

Dan will return to work full-time on February 13!

Dan will return to work full-time on February 13.

Pretty amazing!

Dan climbs up and down 20 steps!

Dan took Joel to Boy Scouts last night.

Boy Scouts meets on the top floor of a two story building and the only way up is up stairs.

Dan climbed up 20 stairs before the meeting and went down 20 stairs when the meeting ended.

Wow!

Dan attends Cub Scout event with his new walker

On Saturday, February 4, Joel became a Boy Scout.

Dan and the rest of the family accompanied Joel to a special banquet and ceremony at a hotel in Colorado Springs.

Dan left his wheelchair home for the event, drove the car, and used his walker to enter and leave the banquet room.

Hopefully, more ventures with Dan walking more and more will occur.

February 1, 2006 -- Dan returns to work part-time

Dan returned to work on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 (in a wheelchair).

All went smoothly. Dan returned to the same office and the same job.

He will work part-time (3 days a week, M-W-F, 8 am to 2:30 PM) for about 2 weeks and then return to full-time status.

Having Dan back at work is such a time of triumph and excitement for our family and shows us things will soon feel normal.

We do have a time of adjustment ahead. We have only one car at this time and physically getting Dan to work and getting the children to where they need to be, is a challenge and we anticipate some exhausting days until a 2nd vehicle can be obtained. Before Dan's accicdent, we were able to function with one car since Dan took the bus to work, but that is no longer an option.

Dan continues to have physical therapy and doctor visits that need to now be squeezed into a busy schedule.

When will Dan walk?

Although Dan is now able to put weight on both legs and balance a bit, it is going to take a long time to walk without assistance or more than a few feet again.

Dan will continue in physical therapy and also be able to return to work, but will have to work from his wheelchair.

A new walker, that includes a seat, is expected to arrive at our home sometime this week. We are hoping that using the walker will help Dan walk or be more mobile.

He has come a long way and we are grateful.

Saturday 1-28-06 -- Dan takes Jo Ann out to dinner

Dan was able to get his wheelchair in and out of the car on his own and was able to take Jo Ann out to dinner the night of 1-28-06. Wow, what an accomplishment when once we wondered if such a moment would ever happen again.

Dan talks about his trip (1/18--1/24/06) to see his family

To listen to Dan talk about his trip to California, click below.

Dan will return to work part-time after February 1st!

Dan is excited about returning to work (at the same office he worked at prior to the accident) part-time after February 1st. He will begin by working six hours and day, M-W-F, then eventually return to full-time status as his energy returns.

Dan can drive again! 1-22-06

Dan reports that he did 1/2 of the driving to Long Beach and also did all the driving across the Los Angeles freeways when he visited his brother Pat and his sister-in-law Monica!

He is still in Long Beach at his parents house, but will return to Colorado by mid-week.

Jo Ann and the kids had a nice week enjoying playing in the snow, shopping, eating out, and being together, but the children do miss Daddy and have called him every day.

Dan goes to visit his parents in California

Dan (and his brother Mike) rented a car and left for Long Beach, California today. Last time Dan's parents saw Dan he was in traction and in a coma and in critical condition. This visit should be quite different.

A few small steps

On Monday, October 16, Dan's physician gave him the okay to put weight on his left foot.

So, that evening (like in the story HEIDI) , Dan got up out of his wheelchair and walked about 3 feet to Jo Ann's arms.

You guessed it...Jo Ann cried tears of joy.

Look Ma, No hands! 1-10-06

Look Ma, No hands! (Well, it was about 60 seconds of standing without holding on to something.)

1-10-06 -- Dan "walked" with his walker down our driveway and back!

Dan "walked" with his walker down the length of our driveway and down the street for a few feet and back into the house today! We are looking forward to borrowing a pair of crutches and seeing how he does using crutches. He is still not able to put weight on his left foot yet (doctor's orders).

Surgery went smoothly!

Today's surgery went smoothly! Now we wait and see if Dan can walk again.

It is just marvelous to know that Dan is not paralyzed or brain damaged or...or...or dead.

Wow.....our family will never forget the miracle of Dan being alive!

What will 2006 bring? We wonder; we wait.

Surgery scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2006

Dan will have the pins removed from his left foot during an outpatient surgery on Friday, January 6, 2006 at 4:30 PM.

We now will wonder how long before Dan will walk again? It may not be long.

Will he walk perfectly? That may take time, but we are so grateful Dan is alive and with us.

Wheelchair at Chanukah on Ice - Decenber 28, 2005

Take a look at Dan on the ice with his brother Mike and "Dan's girls."

Inline Skating while pushing Dan in his wheelchair!

I wrote this to a Yahoo Group of artistic inline skaters.

I just had to share it with those who log in to check on updates on Dan.

Enjoy! I did take a photo of this wonderful memory and will ad it to this entry when I get the film developed.

'Today was a beautiful day in Colorado and I took my children
outside to play and my 6 year old put on her Pic Skates and began
pushing her doll which was in a stroller. She dashed down the
sidewalk and inspired me with an idea!

I asked my brother-in-law (who is 61 years old!) if he wanted to try
putting on my husband's inline skates and try pushing my husband down
the street in his wheelchair.

Well, imagine this: my brother-in-law (he's been helping up take care
of my husband since the accident) has never inline skated and only
ice skated a few times in his life and he had a blast pushing that
wheelchair and skating!

I HAD to try it and it was SO FUN to push my husband down the
street! My husband even got some speed going! I was wearing my
Entry Level Artistic Figure Skates from China and it seemed as we
were going down small hills that I was taking a ride!

I even did spirals and jumps and brackets as we "strolled"
and "rolled" down the street while hanging on to his wheelchair!

Anyway, this is a very happy "skating memory" that I had to share in
the midst of much stress.

Happy Holidays!'

Dan stood on one foot while pushing a walker!

It was a time of emotion at 5:15 PM on 12-16-05 (exactly 13 weeks since THE ACCIDENT). Dan stood on one foot (right--he can't put weight on the left yet) and pushed a walker in our kitchen for about 5 feet. Jo Ann cried. The children jumped up and down and clapped!

Big excitement -- Dan can take a shower at home now!

Dan's wheelchair has not been able to fit in our bathroom and he's been home a little over 7 weeks now, so Dan has had to take sponge baths and use a commode (not fun!).

Well, last weekend, the children and Jo Ann went to Office Max and bought an office chair that has wheels. Now Dan can transfer to that chair from his wheelchair and get into the bathroom and do things we all take for granted.

We also bought a bath stool that goes right in the tub so Dan can take showers!

Today, Dan got to take a shower at home -- 12/14/05.

Yeah!

A Day Like Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates 12-10-05

On Saturday, December 10, the children participated in a holiday ice show at the Chapel Hills Ice Rink.

What made the experience a time of celebration and joy was that Dan got to come and watch the children perform!

We pulled his wheelchair right to the rail and he video-taped their performances.

Annabelle dressed up as Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" and did a pair program with Sam Anderson. Rebekah wore a red candy cane skating dress and put a Santa Claus scrunchie in her hair and Joel wore a bright green turtleneck, black pants, and red boot covers and Joel and Rebekah skated to "The Chipmunk Christmas Song" while skating the Dutch Waltz and Starlight Waltz and doing a spiral-spin ending.

After the performance, we all went out to dinner at Jason's Deli.

Yes, it was like the end of the movie "Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates" because in that movie the children were so excited that their father was able to watch them skate even though he was not fully recovered, but able to celebrate from a wheelchair.

We continue to be thankful as Dan continues to recover.

Dan begins physical therapy on his right foot 12-8-05

Today Dan will begin physical therapy on his right foot. He will go to an out-patient rehab facility 2 times a weeks for 6 weeks.

Jo Ann has asked Santa if Dan could stand on one foot by Christmas.

The "thing" on Dan's right foot has been removed -- Yippee!

The "thing" or external fixator on Dan's right foot was removed Monday, December 5! Yippee! That means he may be able to put weight on his right foot soon.

12-1-05 Dan went out to eat and took the children to see Santa!

Yesterday Dan went to the mall with us and watched the children skate and we all went out to eat as a family and we took the children to see Santa. Dan's sister Penny is visiting. Dan still is not feeling completely well, but the kidney stones seem to be under control.

Here's who is in the photo: Joel, Annabelle, Rebekah, above them is Santa, Dan is in the wheelchair, above him is his older brother Mike, Jo Ann is next to Dan, and Dan's sister Penny is next to Jo Ann.

Monday morning 11-28-05 --- More Pain and Vomiting

We are disappointed this morning.

Dan spent the night with more pain and vomiting. He says he is passing another kidney stone.

I hope that is all.

It had been so nice to see Dan well for the Thanksgiving Weekend and we hope this episode will pass before Dan's sister Penny visits from California this coming Wednesday.

Dan goes out! Friday 11/25 and Saturday 11/26

Yesterday, we went to the Colorado Springs Southeast YMCA as a family. The kids and I went swimming and Dan (with Mike helping him) used the handicapped restrooms and got to take a shower. Our house's bathrooms have not had a door large enough for the wheelchair to get through, so Dan has had to take sponge baths since he left the hospital. Now that we know Dan can get to the YMCA without too much problem, he'll get showers! Yippee!

Also, today, all of us visited my parents' house in Larkspur, so Dan has been "out" twice for more than trips to the doctor or hospital.

We are so happy to be together as a family again!

Thanksgiving Day!

Our family had the BEST Thanksgiving Day!

My parents came and we ate in the dining room and Dan was able to sit in his wheelchair all day and we had a feast.

We are so happy that Dan is well and with us. Our fear that we may have had to spend Thanksgiving at the hospital did not come true.

Happy Thanksgiving -- Hurray, Hurray, Hurray!

Thanksgiving Eve -- Dan is better!

Good news -- the pain and vomiting have stopped and if the source was really just a kidney stone (not related to THE ACCIDENT), well, the kidney stone has been passed this afternoon!

Dan didn't need to have surgery afterall and our family will have a Happy Thankgiving!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Dan not getting better -- 11/22/05

Dan is not getting better; however, there is some hope tomorrow: he will go to a doctor in the morning who may be able to figure out what is wrong. He has not been able to stop being in pain for a week now and keeps vomiting. It has been discouraging. We had thought earlier today that he'd have to return to the hospital and stay overnight, and we are grateful that he can be treated as an outpatient tomorrow. We do hope we can have Thanksgiving together as a family.

Dan still not well -- Sunday 11-20-05

Dan did go home late Thursday night from the ER and..

...Friday, he was home, but still in horrible pain and vomiting
and yesterday morning he returned to the ER. He was home again by Saturday afternoon on a new medication that hopefully will stop the vomiting.

Sunday, he slept a lot and was still in pain. We will try to get an appointment set up with his regular doctor on Monday or Tuesday.

Dan rushed to hospital by ambulance 11-17-05

We don't know quite what is wrong, but Dan was rushed to the hospital by ambulance yesterday. He was in severe pain and was vomiting constantly.

We spent hours and hours in the emergency room while the doctors tried to figure out what was/is wrong.

We still don't quite know -- it could be Dan is passing multiple kidney stones. This recent set back could have nothing to due with Dan's accident and the related injuries, but we are not quite sure. It's was "strange" and "not fun" to return to the hospital again yesterday.

Dan did go home late last night and..

...today, he was home, but still in horrible pain and vomiting.

Continue to pray for Dan. Jo Ann and the children are so, so tired. Dan's brother, Mike, has done an incredible job of helping us and Dan and continues to stay at Dan's side all the time.

No, Dan has been unable to eat any meals with us for two days now; in fact, he has been unable to eat or keep much down.

We do hope he gets better soon, especially by Thanksgiving. Tonight marks exactly 9 weeks since THE ACCIDENT.

Dan can eat all his meals at the table now!

This past weekend, Dan was determined to sit in his wheelchair and eat at the table with us for all of his meals and he succeeded! It was so neat to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together as a family and not see Dan get tired.

Also, Dan has joined us at the table for two different Shabbat meals (11/4/05 and 11/11/05). It has been so special to be together as a family on Shabbat once again!

He also went outside a bit on Saturday afternoon and even pushed his wheelchair on his own a bit and talked to neighbors!

We are excited about Thanksgiving now since we have so much to be thankful for!

Dan describing his feet

Here are some photos of what Dan's feet look like as of November 7, 2005.

A photo of Dan at home about 7 weeks later

Dan looks pretty good for someone who fell off a bridge 7 weeks ago and was near death.