Mike Rea's Recovery Info & Updates

Mike is back home / GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER

2009-10-05T20:58:00.002-04:00

I thought I would update everyone and paste my post here and Mike's also from Alex Brown's racing site. We have to keep the Fans of Barbaro up to date because they just help Mike so much in every way but of course we want to update each and every one of ya'll too.

okay everyone,

I've been home a week now and it's still hard to believe that this accicent has left me so handicapped.I think the hyperberic chamber has made my mind work faster than my body can keep up with.It's like dealing with two people at the same time.I hope my body catches up soon or I'm going to go crazy.It was easier when my mind wasn't working so well.I guess we gotta start somewhere.It's obvious it's going to take allot of work.Nothing worthwhile is easy I just thought it was going to happen quickly.Atleast there is something to work towards.I realize now that I could be dead or hurt so bad that there's no hope of recovering.At least I realize that with hard work there is a chance at returning to as close as possible to normal.You guys have been great with your support and now this golf tournement.I don't know how to handle all this.Thankfully I think Rick and Mary are going to be here and actually stay with me.I haven't heard from them yet but my sister has talked to them.I just need to get busy and get back to the therapy and everything to keep working towards recovering.Thank you guys for everything and I'll write more later. Mike

Hello everyone. Well it is ONE WEEK from today when the BIG GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER ARRIVES. We are all getting very excited. Mike is back home now. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber helped him so much brain wise that now he says his body has to catch up to his brain. He feels like his brain is faster than his body movements allow and since he has been back home he has fallen quite a bit but is doing alright. One elbow is pretty scraped up though. And of course he is lonely. After being around someone 24/7 for a long period of time and then being home all by yourself, I can see that. It was so easy to get him up and going when he was at Nancy's home because she or her husband was always there pushing him. Now we have to try to motivate him over the phone and get him up and moving. We keep encouraging him to keep practicing his walk and that practicing makes perfect. He did receive over 40 treatments there and will return in 3-4 months to get boosters. The physical therapy team there was also amazing. It's Mike's balance that is so bad and that's the part in his brain that has been so badly affected. We'll keep praying and we'll keep pushing him though. We all appreciate all that ya'll do and these FOB's, hey there is nothing like them anywhere. MAY THEY ALL BE BLESSED FOR ALL THEY DO.

HERE IS AN ALL DAY BUMP FOR MIKE REA AND THE FOB'S !!

WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA
WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN THE FOB'S

Miracles Do Happen

2009-09-09T21:00:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone, I have some great and promising news for you. Mike has been at my sister's home now for three and a half weeks and oh what a difference in him from what I saw before. I spent Labor Day weekend with him and Nancy and I just kept being amazed at the progress Mike has made. The hyperbaric oxygen therapy has made a difference in Mike's speech, his thoughts, and his mobility. No he still has no balance but is moving a lot smoother and with not as much effort as it was taking him before. Mike says he feels better, has way more energy, and is just more fluid in everything he does. What we have to understand is it was very hard for Mike to even get out of bed, get dressed, put his shoes on, and tie them. It exhausted him to do these things and he would take naps during the day and just be out of it after physical therapy and now he is not taking naps and is able to sit down, get back up, and walk short distances without his cane. He was also falling down a lot and has only fallen (lost his balance and went boom on his bottom or side) a couple times since he has arrived to Nancy's. Mike is almost at 40 oxygen treatments now and will be going back home soon to continue his physical therapy there and his therapeutic riding. The neurologist that he has been seeing in South Carolina is going to try Botox in Mike's bad leg/foot because the muscles are so tight and that might be some of what is keeping him from walking better. But what he does have to do is practice, practice, and more practice of walking. That is what the neurologist has said to do. We walk without even thinking about it and Mike has to think with every movement and step he takes. Mike always says, "If you only knew how hard this is for me to do." Which we don't and never really will but we do know that Mike just keeps on keeping on and we will always be there to help in any way that we can.

We are so proud of him. My sister and her husband has also had a lot to do with Mike getting off this plateau he was on. They are right behind him constantly pushing him all the way. They do all sorts of extra exercises with balls, stretchy rubber bands, and with a pilates machine. Their working him hard. But it is all helping him recover better than ever. Keep your thoughts and prayers coming and may God bless all of you.

A New Beginning?

2009-08-25T21:44:00.003-04:00

Oh where to begin, where to begin? I’ve been asked by my family and friends (especially my sister and some very special FOB friends!!!) to share the following story with you and to try to put it in writing. I don’t think I can find the words to truly express what an incredible “chain of events” that have taken place over the past week or two, but here goes:

I begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for the thoughts, prayers, support and generosity given to my brother by so many since his accident June 16, 2006. It seems like a lifetime ago when we were told by the doctors Mike was lucky to be alive and facing a very long and uncertain recovery. We thought we knew what lay ahead. It has been over 3 years and Mike and we have experienced much fear, sadness, hope and joy as we have witnessed Mike’s miraculous journey towards recovery and healing. He is a miracle and although he has made incredible strides, facing each day with courage and perseverance, surprising his health care providers more than not, Mike recently hit a plateau and had begun to feel he could not accomplish anymore. Recovery has been Mike’s job these past few years, with almost daily physical, occupational, speech therapy and of course his favorite, therapeutic horseback riding. And although all of us can see how much he has accomplished and are amazed at how far he has come, Mike wanted more………

And along comes a dear friend and FOB, Mary D.! During the fun filled Barbaro Legacy weekend in Delaware, she hands me a copy of an article she had come across regarding a recent grant Dr. Paul Harch has received from the government for the study of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for TBI war veterans. The article also had testimonials from some of Dr. Harch’s private TBI patients who had experienced great results from Hbot. Cathy shares with us that she had asked Mike’s neurologist many months ago about this type of therapy and was told he thought it had been too long since Mike’s injury for it to do anything for him. A few days later, back in SC, I pulled the article out of my purse, read it again and went straight to the internet. After a few hours of research, I had a list of names and telephone numbers of doctors, nurses, hospitals, etc. The next day, I was receiving return telephone calls from just about everyone I had left a message with. Just as I had discovered what a close knit community the horse racing world and the Fan’s of Barbaro were after Mike’s accident, I discovered yet another community of people who were willing to rally with open hearts and whatever resources they had to offer support of a man who has and continues to endure a life changing event. Each conversation with a doctor or nurse involved in this therapy gave me (then Mike and family) hope that Mike could possibly recover more than he has so far.

Now this is where it gets serendipitous or fate like. I don’t know what to call it except that we all know it was meant for Mike to try Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. We had been trying to figure out a way for Mike to undergo treatment with Dr. Harch in New Orleans (Harch Hyperbarics). Since the treatments were going to be out of pocket, they were offering a greatly discounted rate. Still, including food and lodging and one of us staying with Mike, it just wasn’t feasible and I was beginning to think that although Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy sounded like a wonderful opportunity for Mike, it wasn’t going to happen. Then, Mrs. Paul Harch (Juliet) calls me bright and early Monday morning and tells me she and her husband had discussed Mike while on a plane over the weekend. She then refers me to Dr. Pete Stephens of Hyperbaric Treatment of the Low Country in Hilton Head, SC. I called him immediately and I believe would have treated Mike for free if he could have! As we were discussing the possibility of Mike and I coming to Hilton Head, Dr. Stephens asked me if I lived anywhere near Mt. Pleasant, SC. I LIVE IN MT. PLEASANT! It turns out that Dr. Stephens had recently assisted two doctors in beginning a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatment facility less than 1 mile from my home! Before I knew it, I was speaking with Dr. Tim Osbon of Oasis Hyperbarics. Dr. Osbon and his partner, Dr. Eric Brittain, offered Mike treatments for only $100 each! One treatment can cost as much as $840! Within another 24 hours, Dr. Osbon had arranged an appointment for Mike with a neurologist and East Cooper Physical Therapy so that Mike could continue his other therapies without a hitch! Done! Just like that!!
Now the question was where to get the money and how to get Mike down here!
Knowing that trying to raise funds for the treatment would take some time, Mike called a former race horse owner he trained for and asked if she would loan him $5,000 so he could begin his Hbot treatment right away. Done! Just like that!! Two days later, Mom and her husband Durwood, picked Mike up from Newark, DE. Durwood driving Mike’s car and Mom driving hers. From there they drove to Fayetteville, NC where Cathy and her daughter Nicole took over. On Saturday night, August 15th, my brother arrived excited, apprehensive and hopeful!
Here it is, a week later and Mike has undergone 10 treatments. After the first treatment, when they rolled him out of the chamber, his first words were “I finally feel like I’m doing something for myself!” After 2 treatments, Mike’s speech was less forced and his enunciation much improved. After 3 treatments, we suddenly realized he was bringing his leg and foot up to tie his shoes rather than leaving them on the floor and bending over! After 4 treatments, the feeling of pressure across Mike’s jaw and chin is completely gone! These small signs of progress are so promising! Of course Mike would like to jump out of the chamber and immediately run around the block! But we all understand that any progress is good and more, even better. It would be such a shame not to give Mike this opportunity…
So that is why I’m telling this story. We are determined to find a way to afford this for Mike. And as I’ve said before, were it not for the generosity of Mike’s family, friends, FOBs and those that have come to know Mike’s story in other ways, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

So we’re asking again….Please help Us help Mike! Let’s help him continue his simply amazing journey!

FOBs and friends have already begun to rally together! Golf tournament! Raffle! Per Treatment Sponsors! We’re overwhelmed! Thank you, thank you all for continuing to care, to help, for your prayers and for your support!

Nancy

Three Years Ago Today

2009-06-16T21:05:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone, I am going to paste what my brother wrote on Alex Brown Racing site for him and then what I wrote also. I just know that my whole family is so very thankful and grateful for all of your prayers and support during Mike's road to recovery. He is still in that race and will cross that finish line one day I truly believe.

Mike's post
Okay I'm back from therapy now and still can't believe it's been 3 years since I had that trip from hell on the filly from hell that I was trying to convert. I guess when they're actually demon possessed there is no converting them. I wish I had thought of that a month earlier when the filly did the same thing with me on a farm where I had met the other trainer on to give her a good workout up a hill with 3 other horses and she bolted past them at the end of the workout and I couldn't pull her up and we fell that day crossing a driveway into the farm. That day I was fortunate enough to only break a finger that stays bent to this day. I should have known that day that this filly was too misbehaved to go on with. But my stubbornness and need for the money I made training her for my friend Bruce Miller kept me working her. Brue and I havae helped each other out for years leading up to this day so I didn't want to disappoint him. Instead I've disappointed him and lots of other people being so ignorant. My faith in God has definitely been tested and still I believe "everything happens for a reason". That's the only way I keep going and to be introduced to you all and everyone I met through this whole FOB site and made good friends with so many of you guys which never would have happened if me and Barbaro hadn't been hurt at around the same time. I just came back from 4 days at Rick and Mary's which was unbelievable.I never new such wonderful people existed and I'm sure they're not the last special people I'm going to get to know a lot better through this whole experience.I just feel like I've taken advantage of a site that's supposed to help horses and other animals. It's definitely been a real blessing to read and write about myself and look forward to the day I can help more with all the wonderful things this site has stood for. Till then I hope I don't get in the way of the good things that this site accomplishes. Be good and keep up the prayers, their working. Later. Mike Rea

Mine(Cathy)
Like I have always said, "Yes, my brother is SIMPLY AMAZING"! Today is the day 3 years ago that I received that devastating call about my brother and hit the road thinking would I even make it to Shock Trauma in Maryland in time to tell him how much I loved him and good-bye. I can remember trying to stay cool for my mother who I knew would just loose it if she knew how serious his accident and he was. Can you believe this? I called 911 on Interstate 95 and even asked them if I could put on my flashers and speed. Of course they told me no. Then I even asked if someone could escort my mother and I through each state. Your mind just doesn't even think right at times like that. My mother is terrified of flying and does not fly so I didn't even bother asking her that. But as we were flying down I95 she was calling directory assistance and asking about flying by helicopter the rest of the way. There was so much private praying going on the dear Lord was on our side and my brothers. When we arrived there he was on a ventilator and lifeless and now look at him. Thank God and everyone for where my brother is today. Seriously, I really don't think Mike would be where he is today if it wasn't for everyone of us. I thank my mother and my sister Nancy for making it possible for me to be able to stay with my brother for all those months and help him in his recovery. When my brother gets so depressed and down I remind him that he couldn't breath, think, talk, eat or drink, urinate and the other, move his limbs, nor drive or walk. So if anybody didn't believe in God or miracles, just look at MIKE REA. He's SIMPLY AMAZING!! I still believe the best is yet to come and he is still on his race to recovery. He will be crossing that finish line one day and we will all remember to always believe, believe in miracles, and believe in Mike Rea. May God bless each and everyone of you.

WE STILL BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE STILL BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO
WE STILL BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

I can't believe how long it's been

2009-02-16T17:59:00.003-05:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I last sat down here and poked through these letters enough to write a post much less a good one. I can't even remember the lst time I sat down here and wrote till I felt like I had caught everybody up on what's been going on since I last did. I guess the brain injury is a good excuse for that. I think I've been using that as a good excuse for alot of silly things I would have normally been doing anyway what with a wife leaving and taking all the kids with her. She has been good about letting me see the kids and spend all the time I feel like I can take with them. That's one area that I would change if it wasn't for this crazy brain injury...I would be running all over the place with these kids especially like yesterday at the barn where Rochelle now works which is a perfect place to spend time with the kids and horses. She is lucky to be at such a nice place where she can take the kids in the afternoon and mess with a couple of ponies that are out there and one big enough for my oldest son Jesse to ride. He actually has the most experience than all the kids and looks great sitting on their backs and I'm hoping to get where I can actually go out their some more and help give some pointers to him and the others. All the kids look like naturals. Now I wonder where that came from with their mother and father being so involved in horses. Now Gracie has her own pony that was given to her and will be perfect for her and Hunter for many years and is only 18 years old and looks like he has alot of years left in him. So I am much happier seeing the kids so comfortable out there and knowing how Rochelle is with horses know she'll be there for quite a while. Now that that worry is gone, the time to just worry about myself and recovery is here. It's been hard to just worry about myself with so many unknowns in a very important part of my life. Now I feel like I can put the concentration into my recovery I should have put into it before. Everything seems to be working out in somebody's timing that knows a whole lot more than me and that's great because learning that there's someone in control of the whole situation gives me alot lot of confidence I should have had already but not until you go through something like this are you really sure everything happens for a reason. Also like the other day at riding therapy I had been having a lot of trouble keeping my hands down and still while posting at the trot and I looked liked a beginner rather than someone who has ridden his whole life. This new place has been trying to get me not to have to hang on to a pomel strap I've been hanging onto the whole time I've been in theraputic riding since the accident. I've been having alot of trouble keeping my hands down and still because my arms and elbows are so siff. So as I was driving out there the two weeks ago I started thinking about that part of my riding which used to be my best part, my hands. So while picturing the posting I came up with the idea why I didn't push my hands down while I rose to the post and relax my arms when I sat to the post. So I tried it and it worked great! My hands stayed down and still for the first time without any extra help from a strap! Then the other night at a pig roast I went to and saw Tim Woolley and his wife there and after talking to them a while they invited me to come out to Fair Hill and ride their pony to the track with a couple sets of babies just for company and I would love that. So I agreed, once the weather staightens out. So I hope you all can tell why I'm so excited 1)my wife and kids being somewhere I know they like 2)My therapy going well 3)using my injured brain to come up with a trick that worked with my riding 4)the chance to get back in the racing scene riding Tim's pony 5)learning God is in control, all of it just excites me knowing only God knows what's next and after all the negative things that have happened in my life only positive things are in store for me and that's about all the typing I'm good for. Mike Rea

Wishing Everyone A Merry Christmas

2008-12-21T11:56:00.004-05:00

I kept wondering when this day would get here and for some reason it seems like it's taken a long time. MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone and may you be found in good spirits and happy with the way life is treating you. I couldn't be any happier even if I was well and working normally.Just about everything that goes on in my life is due to this accident so all the good things and good people I have met would definitely not have happened if the accident hadn't occurred. And it just continues on with the renewing of old friendships to the starting of remarkable new friendships and being used by God in ways I would have never dreamed possible and the best is yet to come. I am so thankful to the Lord and the old friendships he has rekindled and the new friendships he has ignited. From all the special people from The Friends of Barbaro to All the people who have been friends for 20 years or more to the new friends I've just met like Dawn, the girl who suffered a similar injury some 18 years ago and I feel a very close connection to. What a Christmas season to be getting back to where I can remember so much more. Next is to work at the physical side of recovery and see that continue to improve. And I'm sure with work and prayer and help from all my friends it will improve to a level that amazes everyone. MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR and I'll write more as it comes. Thanks again!!!!! Mike Rea

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

2008-11-27T22:32:00.002-05:00

Okay everyone, Here is my new and Thanksgiving day post. I just want to thank everyone for all the attention they have given me including prayers and good wishes.I honestly don't know where I would be without all the miraculous creations from above and mainly due to the endless outside intervention of all the Fans of Barbaro and endless group of friends due to the Horse World.I suppose I also need to thank Barbaro for his input which is also endless.The people that have been brought back into my life and also the ones that have been part of my life for over 30 years all due to horses. I just got in touch with a guy who was a remarkable friend in Lexington,Ky and was in business with for many years then actually trained a horse he owned and bred himself over 30 years ago who knew nothing of my accident but gave me some great advice on which directions to head for in the future and plans on keeping in touch,And the maintenance man from my new apartment has a step daughter who received a horrible brain injury from a motorcycle accident many years ago and is partially paralyzed and we have talked on the computer more in the last two days than I've ever talked to anyone and I feel like I can really relate to her,with it being winter outside,staying in and messing with the computer is a good thing. I've also just started taking some Internet courses on ministerial work which is something I'm really looking forward to and can't wait to get started.I wanted to start this some 20 years ago and is one of the good things that has come out of this accident.Well I have to go start getting ready to go to the girl that runs Carousel farms,where I do my therapeutic riding, mother's house for Thanksgiving and that should be real nice.Happy Thanksgiving everyone and God Bless. Mike

Life is good

2008-11-07T20:53:00.004-05:00

Life is good when you have such a large group of people and family that care so much for you. It's a shame you had to almost die and go through such life changing events before you finally realize who cares and how much they care for you. Now I don't know who's at fault for it having to take that major of an event to bring it out in the clear. But It wouldn't be surprised if I'm the one at fault in that department because I was so consumed and overwhelmed with just what's involved in just training a barn full of horses. Especially doing it the way I was. I'm also sure that's the biggest lesson God wants me to learn from all of this. What's really important and what's not. It's also a shame to have to loose a family learning all this but if it took this to do that then something else would have caused it and it's better happening now than later to give everybody a chance to recover and go on with their lives. At least I'm getting to look at it like this and not be all depressed and worried how God feels. Because he promises to love us all through everything and who could be more understanding about any situation and is waiting for the asking of help. So far things have gone amazingly, well just I haven't been healed overnight but that even though it's possible, wouldn't teach me the biggest lesson I have to learn "patience". Thanks again to everyone for praying and thinking of me and my family. Love, Mike

God's love is forever

2008-10-22T11:40:00.009-04:00

Hello again everyone,

I just want to tell everyone how things have been since I moved to my new apartment here in Newark,Delaware close to Delaware Park, my old stomping grounds before my marriage, and close to Fair Hill, my stomping grounds during my marriage. Now I'm close to all my new locations involved in my recovery, the University of Delaware and Carousel Farms where I now ride once a week. There for a while I was feeling like I had disappointed God in letting my marriage fall apart and that greatly affected the way I felt about everything but so many great things have happened lately I realize that I'm not the one disappointing God about anything. In fact he is actually proud of me and all I've gone through and still have the desire to serve him. There have been so many ways he has shown me he is still concerned about my well being and happiness. It started with me being able to drive myself to a cookout I was invited to by an old friend who now works for Michael Matz and saw lots of people I haven't seen since the accident. Then an old friend of over 30 years who I used to be very fond of who then married a trainer and had a baby boy so I lost touch with her she saw the extreme home makeover show I was fortunate to be a part of and called me and we had a great conversation and she informed me she has been divorced for 15 years and her baby boy who once peed on me is now in law school. My how time passes when your having fun. So she just spent the weekend with me and all the feelings that were there 35 years ago are still there for both of us now that my wife has decided to live another life away from me. Rachelle asked me to be the God father of her beautiful baby boy Aaron who is named after Erin who is the little girl that passed away after a determined battle with a brain tumor and I'm very impressed with her mother who has been selected to be the God mother of Aaron. All of this combined with me having lunch with one of the first therapists that worked with me at the University after I was even well enough to leave the hospitals and start riding with Renee at Freedom Hills, then have spent the last year allowing the physical therapist at the University make all the decisions on my rehab thanks to Delaware Park footing a big part of the bill once my insurance stopped and they're the ones that got me started at Carousel Farms who by their generosity foots that bill and now to find out that the one therapist there is a born again christian who I had lunch with and invited me to his church and I invited two of my friends that live close to where the church is and have also been close friends of mine from the past. The wife I met fist at Atlantic City race track with my old golden retriever and first horse I ever owned or trained, then met the guy who became her husband and the one jockey that has won the most races for me through the years and the two of them have been my closest friends in the Lord and shared lots of spiritual closeness and meaningful experiences with. And after a beautiful church service went to their house and spent some quality time and had dinner with them. What a way to end a beautiful week and for me to remember God never lies. I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU is now one of his promises I live by. Thanks for the time it took you to read this for those who did and thank you Lord for giving me the strength to type it all. Mike Rea

Dealing with a brain injury and many other changes

2008-09-04T20:47:00.012-04:00

First of all I just want to thank God for all that He has enabled me to go through and experience through this whole seemingly disaster. I am finally writing on my own blog spot that my sisters have been keeping up with since my accident in June of 2006. With the more time that goes by, the more I realize how God has turned this whole thing into a blessing and an unbelievable opportunity to spread what is possible through faith in God and his Son Jesus Christ. Many years ago I lived a life of recklessness and at the same time enjoyed a life of success and developed a closeness to horses as well as dogs since I had a golden retriever for 17 years who traveled the country with me and horses and past away of old age the day after I ran my first race horse and won! The dog used to stay right beside his stall all the time I was working on him and getting him ready for his first race. That dog had been with me from the time I was 9 years old and even went to all the famous horse shows I went to as a kid and as a young adult working as a groom. I also was able to meet some of the greatest horse people I've ever met and who played an enormous part of my ability to communicate with horses which has always played a big part of my success with horses. Through my dog and the first horse I owned and trained the Lord was constantly talking to me telling me I better change the way I was thinking or I was going to run out of time. The horse continued to win races up the ladder to a level that was unbelievable,50,000 claiming at Laurel race track, 2ND in stakes and allowance races and we started out at 3,500 claiming at Delaware Park in 1984. After all the wins I thought I could do no wrong and went out one night with a jockey friend but not before we bought some cocaine and wine to help make the trip to New Jersey since we had closed the bars in Delaware. On our way home with one headlight out we were pulled over by state police and I was so messed up I couldn't even repeat the alphabet. So I was arrested for drunk driving and put in jail over night. Luckily the jockey friend ate the little bit of cocaine we had so they didn't find that but I still had to spend the night in jail and wait for a friend to come and get me and my car the next day. If that had been today I'd still be in jail but I was fortunate enough to be allowed to go home to Delaware and the first person I called was a close friend of mine who I was freelancing riding his horses everyday and listening to his preaching everyday about what faith in God could do for you and I had no question it was time I went to church with him the next time I could. I went a couple of times and always got real emotional at the invitation time but not until a guest preacher who just happened to be an Italian like me did I respond to the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as your own personal savior. From the next day nothing has been the same. One month later I had to face the charges for the drunk driving so after praying in the court room the officer that had arrested me called in saying he felt I deserved another chance and would drop the alcohol charges if I would plead guilty to wreck less driving. So of course I did and that was my first proof of God answering prayers and a million more since then I just don't have the time or typing ability to tell you more. What I can tell you is about a year later I was very involved in starting the first bible study at Delaware Park and I was convinced the Lord wanted me to be a racetrack chaplain then I got the first opportunity to train horses and ones that Allen Jerkins would have been training if the man hadn't met me so I took that as a sign from God to start training. It was a very long and up and down career and then I also met Rochelle who I was convinced was the most beautiful girl I had ever met before, so my goal was to help her and her husband get back together so I started keeping touch with Rochelle under the impression of helping her marriage work out which is exactly opposite what I was really feeling so when Rochelle moved out to her mom's with her first son, Matthew, I went on with it and invited her to move in with me. As soon as their divorce was final we got married and had our first child, Jesse,about a year later. Our 14 years of marriage has been a mixture of great times and terrible times. Maybe that's why our 3 children are spread so far apart. Now she has moved backed to her mom's again,with our 3 children,and I couldn't really tell you what her desires are except she says she can't be a part of my family as long as my mom and sisters are a part of my family. I don't know where I would be without them and as long as I'm allowed to spend time with my kids once I've healed as much as the Lord wants me to and I think He has a whole lot more in store for me now than ever. I just have to keep focused on what He wants for me and my kids. Not what I want. That's not always easy.God Bless everyone. Mike Rea

IN GREAT NEED OF AN UPDATE

2008-07-06T14:11:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Yes, it’s been a while again since we have blogged but we’re back now. Mike has had a lot going on in his life and there have been a lot of changes. First and foremost, Mike is now a single father. His three beautiful children whom he loves dearly are living with their mother. Through it all, Mike has continued to recover, but very very slowly. He walks with a cane but it is very hard for him because he continues not to have any balance. This is the area of the brain injury that was most affected. When he is sitting, he can do almost anything, including driving a car. But when he is standing watch out, he might become the leaning tower of Pisa and fall sometimes! What we really want to do is let you know that Mike is continuing his therapies. He endures physical therapy five days a week and, his favorite, therapeutic riding once or twice a week. Mother has been staying with him for several months now to give him help with household chores and cooking. Mike can do just about everything by himself, but all of us would rather he use his energy concentrating on his recovery. If it hadn’t been for our mother and Mike’s dear friends, I don’t know where he would be right now. His very special friends took time out of their very busy lives and were always there to help in getting Mike to his doctor appointments and therapies without even batting an eye. I don’t think they’ll ever know how much we all appreciate them. They are truly angels on this earth.

Today Mike is visiting with his children at one of those friend’s home and they are letting the children enjoy visiting a pony. He is also being interviewed by Becky Witzman from HRTV. She might sound familiar. She won the Mustang car when we had the raffle two years ago and let the world know of Mike’s accident and the fund raisers we had to help in his recovery. I can’t believe it has been two long years since his accident and how far Mikey has come. He is a miracle and “SIMPLY AMAZING.” Mike made up that phrase “simply amazing,” but I use it all the time to him because I believe that is exactly what he is, and we all know God has big plans for him. The doctors all say the same thing too.

If it hadn’t been for family, dear friends and the Fans of Barbaro, I really don’t know what Mike would have done or where he would be right now. That’s why my mother, Nancy and I want to thank every one for everything. After Mike sold his home, truck, and horse van, yet another special friend of his allowed him to live on one of her farms in an old refurbished farm house. Mother has it all fixed up for a newly bachelor father. They soon will have to move from there and find another place to live. Hopefully he’ll love it just as much. His children should be visiting more often now and we are helping him think of fun things to do with them. It is very hard for him to play catch and he sure can’t run and jump with them like he used to, but we are all thinking of fun things they can do together, like puzzles, board games, books and video games too.

The Fans of Barbaro are having the Celebration of Barbaro’s Life next weekend and there will be a golf tournament and special raffle in Mike’s honor. The proceeds go to his recovery fund which is in great need right now. Mike still doesn’t have insurance yet and is on medicines for his blood pressure and traumatic brain injury that he has to pay for out of pocket. He also has a 13 year old chocolate lab that is a diabetic and requires two insulin injections daily plus special food. So hopefully the tournament and raffle will do real good for his recovery fund. As you probably noticed, we took the Extreme Home Makeover petition off. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. We still want to thank you for all your support and prayers and we want you to continue praying for Mike. He needs all the support he can get right now. Hopefully he’ll start blogging here soon for everyone. He has learned to post on www.alexbrownracing.com and enjoys his new cyber friends so the next thing is Nancy has to teach him how to post here. Again Mother, Nancy, Mike and I all thank you for your support you have given us over these past two years and may God bless each and every one of you! Please leave Mike a comment or two. The support does him so good. He never feels like he deserves it, but his spirits are always lifted for days! Hope to see a lot of you at the Barbaro Celebration and Mike’s Fundraiser Golf Tournament. Bye for now.

WE STILL BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE STILL BELIEVE IN MIKE REA
WE STILL BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE STILL BELIEVE IN THE FOBS

Cathy

Mike is back in Pennsylvania

2008-03-22T08:48:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone. Just wanted to let everyone know that Mike is back at his home in Pennsylvania. He truly enjoyed his visit with us and his long time dear friends. We talk to him a lot and encourage him to stay active. Especially with his therapies. I myself told him to look at it like going to work everyday. It gives him a reason to wake up and get out of that bed and move that body. He does go to therapy almost everyday Monday through Friday at Delaware University. The really cool thing about going there is that he gets new physical therapy students every so often who come in with new ideas. They see he is just an amazement to have come so far and tell him about other traumatic brain injury patients that haven't come as far as him. They also have different ideas for him to try to get his balance and walking back. They work him hard and try to find new things for him to do, so it keeps him not doing the same things all the time. I also told him to look at it like going to a gym and working out. Oh how we hate that sometimes and we have to push ourselves so hard to get there but love the results we get.

So Mike will definitely be in Physical Therapy for a long time to come. His recovery will continue but very slowly. Please continue to pray for my loving brother and wish him the best. My family and Mike thank everyone for all their support and may God continue to bless each and every one of you.

WE STILL BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE STILL BELIEVE IN MIKE REA
WE STILL BELIEVE IN THE FOBS

Vacation Time for Mike

2008-02-01T16:16:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. Well I had my gallbladder surgery yesterday and everything went great. I never knew you could feel 100% better by removing a body organ. But enough about me. So my sister came from South Carolina to make sure all was well and then her and my mother left to go up north to Pennsylvania to pick up my brother. Yes he is coming for a visit finally. We are all so excited and happy. As I write this they are about 3 hours away from North Carolina and should be here around 7PM. Nancy will stay through Sunday and then go back to home to work. I hope I'll be able to help drive him back home with Mother when it is time for him to go back home. We have a lot planned for him while he is here and I'll write all about it. I will have new pictures to post and stories to tell. So again thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. God bless everyone.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA
WE BELIEVE IN THE FOB'S

How Lucky Mike Is To Have Such Dear Friends

2008-01-22T19:45:00.000-05:00

Sorry we haven't posted a blog in such a long but I am sure everyone knows how it is sometimes. Mike is doing very well. He is a very strong willed person and he wants to be back to normal so bad. He has a very dear core group of friends that have helped him so much with his ongoing recovery that really have made a big difference in his life. He needed rides to his physical therapy classes, groups work outs, doctor appointments and anything else he needed. The core group has been fantastic. They are Angels sent by God.

We had let Mike drive in parking lots when we were visiting last and he didn't do to bad. He made the comment that he use to tell people that he could ride a horse better than he could drive a car but that it is reversed now. He can drive a car better than he can ride a horse. So he was set up with a driving instructor and he passed Mike to drive. Mike even had a flat tire one day and changed it himself. I asked him how he loosened and tightened the bolts and he told me he did what he could do with his hands and then would jump on the tire wrench to loosen or tighten it more. Wow!!!

Yes they sold their home. But before that they had sold Mike's horses, horse van and all the horse things and equipment, his truck and some home furnishings. They were going to live with his wife's mother but then a dear old friend of Mike's offered them to live in this 200 year old farm house on their farm. It has been refurbished but still has oil heat and no air condition. Mike says he loves it though and the children like watching the horses and cows on the land.

I feel like when people are saying that my brother is walking and driving that they picture it like we drive and walk and it is just not like that. He still has a very long way to go and a whole lot more recovering to do. He loses his balance a lot because he hardly has any balance at all. What he has accomplished is all on his own and with his such strong will power like I have never seen before. The riding therapy and water therapy are the two main things that helps him to get his balance back, if he'll ever get it all back only God knows. He still has a very long way to go and a whole lot more recovering to do. Yes he is walking with a cane but he walks very slowly because he still doesn't have very good balance. It is like watching a little old man with a cane if you can picture that but it is my brother trying his hardest to walk right and with a steady gait. When we say that he's driving we mean that he is driving an old, old Honda Accord that does have some heat. He has to be very careful and have no distractions while driving. His concentration has to be totally on his driving. His wife won't allow him to drive the family car or drive with the children in the car. I guess the liability of it all. He still has a very long way to go and a whole lot more recovering to do.

We have received so many calls, emails, and communication from AlexBrownRacing site that we know everyone is still hanging in there with us. And due to the very needed Extreme Home Makeover for the Luther family there still is hope for Mike. Thank you to Alex Brown and Laurie Hammer for everything.

We all still believe in miracles and want to thank everyone for everything that they have ever done for my brother and us. We love you all and think of you often (everyday). May God bless each and everyone of you.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA
WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO

Thank You So Much Laurie

2007-12-23T21:45:00.000-05:00

My sister Nancy, Mother and I were sitting around the Christmas tree, exhausted from wrapping, cooking,(and staying up way too late last night catching up!) when I received an email from Laurie H. Nancy on her laptop, me on mine and Mother on hers all went to AlexBrownRacing.com immediately. We were all so touched! Once again the Fans of Barbaro have lifted us up, made us speechless, and reminded us how lucky we are to have each and everyone of them in our lives! Here is Laurie's poem.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS MIKE

'Tis Christmas now we all do see,
The greatest of heroes Mike is he.

For love of horses all see your care,
You inspire us all with courage rare.

You never gave up or did give in,
We followed you close and you did win.

Please know you're always in our hearts,
You're number 1 and there it starts.

If we could make it there would be,
Home brand new and stables to see.

We wanted you to have your dream,
Your very own Home Makeover Extreme.

Although it's not happened now just yet,
To us you're the greatest we've ever met!

Our love to Mike Rea, his family and his horses always. Mike, you are the best!

Laurie Hammer

I promise to blog again probably after the New Year and give everyone an update on Mike's life and everything. Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!!

We're Back Home Now

2007-10-24T19:37:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful weekend we all had with Mikey. We didn't get home to North Carolina until late Monday night. Nancy had to spend the night with us because it was so late and she got up early Tuesday morning to go home to South Carolina. So now I will tell you about our fabulous weekend.

We picked up Mikey Saturday morning at his home. He was packed and rip roaring ready to go. His wife was giving her sister a baby shower later in the day and had some shopping to do. First he wanted to get a hair cut. So we took him to the place that he wanted to go to. He and Nancy went inside while I got him one of his favorite hot coffee's at the Fox Hollow Coffee Shoppe. After that, we went back to the hotel to drop off his stuff and pick up mother. Talk about a tearful family reunion. Well a mother's love and a son's love is always something and so strong.

So off we go to find this brain game my sister Nancy read about. It was by Nintendo. Mikey hasn't forgot his since of direction. He took us right to Best Buy in Delaware. We found it and the game just happened to come with the brain game also. It measures your improvements with each game you play and keeps a graph to show you how you have improved. Mike loves it!

Then he asked if we could go the Bayard House on the Chesapeake Bay to eat on the water. It was so beautiful and the food was so good. We headed back to the hotel. Mikey wanted to go swimming and get in the jacuzzi at the hotel. With me being the only real swimmer in the family I knew I was going to be the one in the pool with Mikey. I thought that when he had been going to the YMCA that he had been kicking his legs, swimming a little bit, and at least dunking his head under water. But he wasn't. He was just doing leg exercises. I had no idea that was all they did. So we put on our bathing suits and went to the pool. I had Nancy go with us just in case I needed her to help me with him. So we started in the shallow in. Seeing that he looked like a fish out of water I got the buoy that you throw to rescue someone with. I had him hold on and I would pull him through the water while he was kicking his legs. Well what we found out is that he swims just like me or a pro under water. Using his arms and legs on top of water not too good. At first he was swimming from side to side back and forth and then we started doing the length of the pool. I got so tired and he just wanted to keep going and going. Then we got in the hot tub for awhile. I think it makes you feel like a wet noodle when you get out and also leaves your pores open. So I said we had to jump back in the pool to cool off and close our pores. First I went and then yes, Mikey jumped in with the promise that I would be right there. Back to the room we went. I fell asleep but they ended staying up awhile visiting.

The next morning Mike was doing push ups on the floor. We were so proud of his improvement and just wish he felt as positive about his improvement as everyone else does. We have pictures and Nancy is going to put them on here for you. Mike had to be at the Extreme Home Makeover at Freedom Hill that afternoon so we took him home and we all headed out there. Mother, Nancy and I rode the shuttle bus to the site. I can't even tell you how many people were there but I can tell you it was so hot that I got sun burned. We yelled, "Move that bus!!" and "Move that trailer!!" because of the house and the barn. It all was very exciting. Mikey was supposed to be riding in the new indoor ring when the Luther's came in to see the new barn but with all the confusion and people that didn't happen. He did get to welcome Renee and her family home though and was interviewed again. Then we all met at Pat's Pizzeria to eat dinner. All the children, his wife, and a family friend. We had a great time. We all had a long , hot, exhausting day.

Monday we went to tell Mike good-bye. He had already played his brain game that morning and rode his adult tricycle. We asked him to ride again so we could get some pictures for ya'll. So I hope you enjoy these pictures. The trip seemed so short and we can't wait to come back to visit. Mike is continuing his therapies at the University of Delaware. Hopefully getting three visits per week soon. He will also continue his therapeutic riding at Freedom Hills where he is also helping out around the barn two to three days per week. I recommended trying to get some swimming therapy because it makes you use so many muscles, arms, and legs. We'll just have to see what happens. He is going to ask about it.

Again thank everyone for their support and prayers and please continue praying for my brother. He has come a long way but does have a long way to still go. God bless everyone.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

Up, down and I promise he came back up about 5 to 8 times.

Mother and Mike, Looking at Alex Brown's Racing Site,
Abigail, my baby girl

Great Exercise!!!

Hello Everyone, We're in Maryland

2007-10-19T21:27:00.000-04:00

We are so sorry for not blogging lately. With all of us back at work and trying to live a normal life we've been so busy. I myself have seen Mikey two or three times since Barbaro's Celebration in April. One just being this past weekend. I am here to tell you that he looks great. I mean he always has been such a handsome man but disabled wise he is doing well. I will try and catch you up on his progress.

Christiana Physical Therapy released him to Union County Physical Therapy. Then they released him to swimming at the YMCA. He has been therapeutic riding at Freedom Hills for a while now. First it was one day a week and then it went to two or three. Lately I think it got up to four days a week and he was also cleaning tack (bridles) and helping around the barn. Mikey is now going to the Delaware University to get his physical therapy one day a week. This he has to pay for out of own pocket since he doesn't have any health insurance. Well the students there enjoyed him so much and were so interested in him and his progress they have decided to do a study on him and brain injuries. So now he goes two days a week and he is going to start going three. Thank God for students and their studying.

Mikey is so strong willed that he got an adult tricycle. It has two gears also. He rides it a lot. All around his neighborhood. He even rode from his home to Sunbridge where he was on the rehab floor for almost 3 months to visit everyone. I about died, only because he had to cross a very busy highway to get there. He also walks on his treadmill. He still walks very slowly with a cane and practices all the time without the cane. He walks farther and farther without his cane weekly.

Mikey's birthday was September 12th and the Fans of Barbaro just made his day. He loved all the cards, donations and the giant gift basket. He wants to thank everyone so much but his computer is so messed up right now. He is going to get on mine tomorrow night and get on their site and talk to everyone. My mother, sister and I arrived in Maryland tonight and we are picking up Mikey in the morning early. He is going to spend the day and night with us. We can't wait.

So for now I am going to go and will blog more tomorrow night. When we get back home hopefully I will have new great pictures to post. Thank everyone so much for being there and hanging in there with us. May God bless each and everyone of you.

WE STILL BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

Yes, We Are Still Here Alive And Kicking

2007-06-17T16:47:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. We are so sorry that we haven't blogged in a while. Nancy is hard at working with her real estate business, and I have been working hard at the military hospital here at Fort Bragg, NC. I work on the mother/baby floor and boy I've never seen so many babies born in a day. We are always so busy. Almost all of the mothers husbands are gone. Their in Iraq, Afghanistan or somewhere that has to do with the war. It is hard for everyone involved. Mother is still trying to cope with Mikey's accident that he had one year ago yesterday. Mike being her only son, her age and just the accident itself has really taken a toll on her. We all try to help her understand it and work with her almost daily.

Just to let everyone know though, Mikey is doing well. He lost his insurance because of the disability he and his family receives. So he is doing his own physical therapy right now. They gave him a list of things to do daily. He says he does them plus a lot more. He told me he walked around his neighborhood block with his cane. He said right now he doesn't have enough courage to do it without his cane. But he tries to get around the house without his cane. He told me he makes the bed, takes dishes out of the dish washer, helps in straightening up the house, and even pulled some weeds out of his yard. He was sitting on his porch and throwing the ball to his son to hit with a bat, but his son got so good at hitting the ball back they had to stop that before they broke a window or something. Most of all Mikey loves going to Freedom Hills for his therapy riding. He was only going once a week but now that the children are out of school they are going to try to go three times a week. That would be great for him. So all in all this past year has been a series of ups and downs for everyone involved but Mikey has really come so far it is truly amazing. Of course he doesn't think he has and is always striving to improve in everything he does. One good thing is that he goes back to his neurologist for his check up soon and I know that doctor will let him know how well he is doing and if he needs to be doing anything else to help him with his recovery. Boy it has been a long road but I know God is watching over him and helping him with everything that he does. It just doesn't seem that long ago that we got that dreadful phone call and got in the car and raced to be by his side and help in any way that we could for him. But I do know for a fact that we would all do it again if needed.

Well I hope that all the Fans of Barbaro are doing well. It was great to meet and see everyone. Hopefully we will all be able to get together soon again. Oh yeah, the other thing that has kept me so busy is my only child's wedding. She is getting married on June 30th. It has taken up alot of my time with all the planning and getting everything ready. I'll get my sister Nancy to post a picture for everyone to see after it is all over with. We are still trying to get Mikey to come. The road trip would probably be too much for him but we have offered to fly him. We will just have to see what happens. She is the first grandchild and his first niece to be born.

It's time for me to go now but I promise I won't let more than a month go by without blogging again. We always want to thank everyone for everything ya'll do for Mikey over and over again and may God bless each and everyone of you.

Our Gift to Mike

2007-05-10T00:28:00.000-04:00

When we visited Mike for Barbaro's Celebration, I had purchased one of those digital photo frames and filled it with all the pictures we had posted during his hospital stays and our visits. One sleepless night many months ago, while Mom and Cathy were in Maryland with Mike, I made a "photo story" for Cathy to play for him on her laptop using Windows Movie Maker (my first and only experience with that program!). It was very therapeutic for me at the time. Cathy found the CD recently and sent it to Mike a few weeks prior to our visit and he played it often for his friends. Since this new frame could hold movies, I somehow figured out how to convert it so it would play on the frame too. Doubt I could do it again, but it worked! Mike loved the frame so much that I took it back to add pictures from that magical weekend. If anyone has pictures of him, his family, or themselves with him, please email me a copy to nrehm@century21properties.com so I can add them to the photo part of the frame too! Mike asked me if I could share the movie on his blog and since I never say no to by brother, I figured out how! So, here it is, set to the music of his favorite song, I Can Only Imagine. I love you baby brother. Nancy

Continuing the Barbaro Effect!!!

2007-05-01T20:11:00.000-04:00

What a weekend!! Will we ever forget it or get over it? No, we will remember it forever. Mikey was so overwhelmed with every aspect of this weekend. I know for a fact it has jump started his determination to become even more than he thought he could be before this weekend. He was already so strong willed and determined to beat his brain injury but now after hearing so many encouraging words and feeling the power of everyone he was around and how much they really cared about him has given him a new perspective and has even made him more determined.

Mother, Nancy and I want to thank everyone for all their support and beautiful comments. We always thought the Fans of Barbaro were something else but now we know that you are all great people. You all have helped to keep us going strong with Mikey's recovery. God bless each and every one of you.

I know when Mikey got up to speak he was so overcome with emotion that it was hard for you to understand. So Nancy asked him to tell her what he said so she could post it on TWR's site for everyone. She did post it on he discussion board but I am going to post it hear for ya'll also.

Mike's comments: "It is an honor and privilege to be here as a part of Barbaro's celebration. I would like to thank the FOBs for being my friend. And I would like to thank Tim and Alex for including me on their website so that everyone could come together. Thank you all for your prayers and support - most of all for your prayers."

Again I want to thank everyone for all their support and prayers. Hopefully we will all get back together again soon.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN THE MIRACLE THAT IS BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

A Long Overdue Update

2007-04-16T08:50:00.000-04:00

Hello family and friends,

This post is coming from Mother and me, Nancy. Cathy left Friday night for a well-deserved 4 day cruise with her daughter and her daughter’s bridesmaids. Nicole, Cathy’s only child, is getting married in June and we say well-deserved because Cathy has been working nearly 24/7 at her new job and planning a wedding and keeping everyone up to date on Mike’s recovery. We all talked long and hard before she left because we all knew we needed to bring everyone up to date on our efforts with Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Mike and his family’s future.

It seems we have started many a post of late with an apology for the time lapse between updates. This isn’t because we don’t care or because we don’t want everyone to know what is happening, but more because we just get lost sometimes….

Mike’s story, the petition to EMHE, and the fans of Barbaro did get the attention of a casting director, a truly “real” and caring individual who obviously had an interest in Mike and his situation as a human being, not just a possible story line for the show. (And this in itself is a miracle due to the 1,000’s of applications received weekly by the show!) He and I talked by email and telephone for quite some time and as I brought him up-to-date on Mike’s remarkable physical progress since the initiation of the petition – that even though no one ever expected him to be able to walk again, he was out of the wheelchair and mobile with the help of walkers and canes - it became apparent Mike’s story was much more complicated than just that of being wheelchair bound and his home’s lack of handicapped accessibility. Mike’s needs were totally different now; a one story home with a patch of land and a barn would allow him to be able to provide for his family and work with his beloved horses gainfully employed in a new career.

Even though this gentleman knew it was a long shot, he took Mike’s story to the large number of EMHE’s “decision maker powers that be.” And when I received his call the next day I knew as soon as I heard his voice the news was not what we had all hoped for. Being ever so gracious and kind, he explained the show was not set up to purchase land but rather, to take a home that needs rebuilt due to disrepair, safety or handicapped issues and the like. Mike didn’t need that anymore and they just couldn’t find a way to proceed with the sort of makeover Mike and his family needed. HOWEVER, HE SAID, “I’M NOT CLOSING THE BOOK COMPLETELY ON THIS!”

We were pretty much at a loss as to which way to turn when, as has always been the case since Mike’s accident, Mike’s fans and supporters, the Fans of Barbaro (particularly, Mercy and Mary) “held us up” and well, basically, won’t let us give up!

Mike is alive! And that is first and foremost the thing to be most grateful for! We thought our biggest challenge was Mike’s injury. Once we found out he would survive it, our fear subsided somewhat because we had our brother and son. But we soon realized that the ups and downs of his recovery and other situations brought on by the accident were taking a tremendous toll, more than we had imagined, and has affected each one of us in a different way. But, here it is, the facts of life….Mike’s life now…..

Because Mike became injured and now has physical/cognitive disabilities that may or may not change, he is unable to earn a living doing what he knows how to do. This is a disability in and of itself. While Mike is making huge progress, the fact remains that he will probably never go back to training race horses again. He still has the talent to work with horses, and he certainly has the desire and love for them, but due to the inherent risk and danger of dealing with training thoroughbreds and the fact that Mike will always have to be careful not to injure himself, the risks far outweigh the dream of going back to doing what he loves most in this world. Because he cannot ever earn a living, the same way he used to, he cannot provide for his family and they will most likely lose everything they own including their home, which soon they can no longer afford. Funds have been donated, his church is helping as much as they are able, but these monies are running out and once that is gone there is no renewable source of income. This situation has become a reality to all of us now and we sort of became frozen with fear that we might say the wrong thing or forget something and be responsible for Mike not getting the help he needs. Then it hit us – don’t worry about flowery words or the perfect telling of his story – Mike is a miracle, as is his story, and that is enough. Let Go And Let God continue to work His miracles, through his friends, through the Fans of Barbaro, just ask for help….
Mike can and wants to be able to board horses. He would be capable of taking care of thoroughbred yearlings, as well as lay-ups and the like. He believes he could make a living and gain back his financial independence by doing this. And, as he has said since the accident, he is also interested in a Christian day camp for kids that involves giving them interaction with horses and an opportunity for him to be a testament to the power of faith. We haven’t exactly worked out all the details on this, but ideally it would be something Mike could do from his home. The problem is he currently lives in a subdivision. Given his present condition, Mike will most likely be forced to sell his perfectly livable home so he can afford to obtain some sort of home with land and stables that will allow him to do this.

But where do we go from here? We would be doing our own version of Extreme Makeover Life Edition. This will be a huge undertaking! And to quote again from my last email from Extreme Makeover Home Edition: “Like I said last week, we encourage people to go on with their lives naturally. It would be better to communicate to your support base that even though you spoke with us and couldn't figure out an approach, the need is still there in Mike's life. His fans will want to support him with or without EMHE's involvement. If Mike needs a new house with property/barns, that’s what Mike needs, with or without EMHE. His supporters could work to get that to happen. Again, I'm not closing the book completely on this. But I would need to see natural progression first. I don't want you all to do anything with the intention of getting our attention. I want you to do everything because Mike needs it, and being the loving and dedicated sister you are, I know that’s exactly what you do.”

So now….We now are soliciting your ideas for fundraising and would like to hear input from anyone that would be willing to help out with this mission. We are not only interested in monetary donations and fundraising (although this is very important) we are also interested in volunteers to help build when the time comes and anyone that has contacts with home builders to donate material, services and time. We will also need donations of fencing and horse supplies, etc. Actually, we really have no idea of what we will need to make this happen. It seems we need to create another petition, but this time for ideas, thoughts, suggestions on how to proceed, how to start….anything! We could call it the LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR MIKE REA petition! Thank you Mercy, Thank you Mary, Thank you FOBs, Thank you friends, and Thank You Mikey....for “lifting us up” and for not letting us give up!

We Believe in Miracles
We Believe in the Miracle that is Barbaro
We Believe in the Fans of Barbaro
We Believe in Mike Rea

Everyone's so Excited

2007-03-21T11:04:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Well I am enjoying one of my glorious days of rest and thought that I would update you on Mike and us.

Mike is so excited about Barbaro's Birthday Celebration events that will be happening at the end of April. He said he'll be glad to get out and about and see his old and new friends. He is especially excited about meeting the Fans of Barbaro that helped push him daily and encouraged him to keep on getting on with his recovery. With the help of all their prayers, well wishes, and God, I really do believe that Mike is where he is at today in his road to recovery. This event will be even more encouraging for him and I think it will also help him.

Of course Mother, Nancy and I are all so excited for a lot of reasons. First and foremost to see Mikey. We want to see him using that cane and how much he has improved since we left Maryland. Then of course to see Mike's wife and the children. I know the baby had just started taking steps when I left. Then to see all of Mikey's friends that we had met during our stay there. Finally to meet and help the Fans of Barbaro celebrate his birthday and what a great champion he was and still is.

I talked to Mikey the other day before I went to work so it was a short conversation. He was very tired because he had just returned from a church men's group retreat. I want to say it was for three days but I'm not sure. He says it was very good for him but tiring for him. I can't wait to pamper him like I use to do. Well just a little bit. Mike is still using his legged cane while out and about and then just the regular cane around his home. He finally did admit to me that he does fall sometimes. He says he lands on his bottom though and hasn't hurt himself. I know that God is watching over him and saved his life for something very important.

Well it is time for me to go now but I want to continue to thank everyone for all their prayers and for everything that you have done for my brother. May God bless each and everyone of you.

We Believe in Miracles
We Believe in the Miracle that was Barbaro
We Believe in the Fans of Barbaro & Everyone
We Believe in Mike Rea

Mike Continuing to Improve

2007-03-09T20:37:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. Sorry it has been awhile since the last post and update. I have been working those dreadful 12 hour shifts at the hospital. They are the night ones (7pm to 7am) and they completely just drain me.

On a better note we talk to Mikey by phone occasionally and he continues his water physical therapy which is to improve his balance and ability to walk. They have now given him a conventional cane to use in his house. He still has to use the cane with the prongs (3 or 4) when he is out and about. Mikey has told me how he'll walk around the rooms in his home close to the walls to see how far he can go without catching on to the wall for balance. Then he'll give me this silly laugh like he is doing something secretly. You would have to hear him to get the jest of it.

My mother, sister and I are trying to make plans on going to Maryland soon. Mikey of course wants us to wait until he is fully recovered but only God knows when that will be. So we're working on something that will tie in some other things too.

We still are so appreciative for everything everyone has ever done for my brother. Please continue with your prayers and thoughts. May God bless each and everyone of you.

We Believe in Miracles
We Believe in the Miracle that is Barbaro
We Believe in the Fans of Barbaro
We Believe in Mike Rea

BABY STEPS DO COUNT!!!

2007-02-21T01:26:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. I have some glorious news to post. Mike is taking unassisted steps. Even though they are baby steps, that counts. Remember his recovery is like a baby learning how to do things. So in my pediatric knowledge mind my brother will be walking very well soon. He called our mother and told her that he stands up from a sitting position and is able to walk a few steps. We are elated with joy and so very excited that his balance is now slowly coming back. May God bless everyone and God speed to my amazing wonderful brother.

Mike continues with his water therapy and is helping his boys with their homework. He tries to help his wife with her household tasks and errands. He said all of the children are doing well also. They have been looking at land because Mike's dreams are to have enough land to have a barn on to house lay ups (horses recovering from injuries, ect.), maybe giving some riding lessons and also incorporating a Christian camp and helping children. Now I am sure I haven't mentioned all of his dreams, hopes, and thoughts but hopefully this will come true for him some day. We are still working on the Extreme Home Makeover nomination but have come across some rough spots. What will be, will be and we all just keep praying about it.

A Fan of Barbaro, Laurie Hammer, has wrote a poem for my brother and I wanted to share it with everyone. It is so him.

FOR MIKE REA

Uncommon love he has,
For all horses everywhere,
This man of greatest heart,
Horse trainer extraordinaire.

One day a barn he sees,
Engulfed by fire it be,
No thought for self was there,
Four horses saved by he.

For he so loves the horse,
And horses do him love,
He hears a horse's heart,
A gift from God above.

Well I just wanted to let ya'll know Mike is doing very well and is handling Barbaro's passing as well as could be expected. All of our prayers are with the FOBS also. I will keep you posted on his recovery and will post again soon. Everyone take care.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN THE FOBS
WE BELIEVE IN EVERYONE
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

Mike is doing well and Barbaro's Legacy Lives On

2007-02-07T19:49:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. I hope everyone is doing well and understand that Mike is a horseman and felt as bad as he did when Barbaro was injured. Barbaro was a true champion and a fighter and no one with that spirit should have to suffer. We all know that his legacy will continue to live on and on.

Mike has continued his water therapy. He said at first he didn't feel any progress but now he can tell that it is really working his muscles. His muscles are going to get stronger and stronger. When he is strong enough then maybe some therapy riding will take place.

Well the Fans of Barbaro and my sister, Nancy are continuing their work on Mikey's Extreme Home Makeover. We have come across some obstacles concerning land but are trying to get all this worked out. Just like what the casting director/producer told Nancy, "What will be, will be." Everyone keep praying and God bless ya'll.

Water Therapy Starts Tomorrow

2007-01-28T23:17:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. First off, our prayers continue for the magnificent Barbaro. He has had another set back and he really needs everyone's prayers.

I talked with Mike Friday and today. Again he sounds good and is very excited about starting his water therapy. This is really suppose to help with his balance and walking recovery. He still uses his cane but could hardly wait to tell me that he walked without it around his family room(den). It says he has to go really slow but did do it without his cane.

What I love and admire so much about my brother is how hard he keeps trying to recover and overcome everything. He will never give up I know. Ya'll watch. He'll be walking before the one year mark is up. Let's see, it has now been 7 months since his accident. Mikey said that it really irritates him that sometimes his legs and arm just won't do what he asks them to do. But he doesn't let it get him down thank God.

Nancy and Mercy have sent everything back in to Extreme Home Makeover and we are patiently awaiting to hear back from them again. The casting director said we had plenty of time and what will be will be. Well I'll go with that. Just remember to Believe. God bless everyone.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

YES IT WAS REAL!!! YES IT WAS TRUE!!!

2007-01-22T21:47:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. Well it is time to start thanking God and everyone for answered prayers. When I blogged last about Mercy (Fan of Barbaro and dear friend) and her angel powers I wasn't kidding. A casting director from Extreme Makeover Home Edition (EMHE) left a comment on our blog wanting an email contact to contact about Mike. So at first we thought it was just a joke because it has happened before to be just a hoax. But then Nancy decided to go ahead and leave her email address there for them. So I say again that YES IT WAS REAL AND TRUE. He told Nancy that he had heard about Mike and his story and wanted her to send everything again to him directly. He also wanted to know what Mike was like now - today. He was very interested in knowing Mike still wanted to help people and horses. So...........Please continue your prayers and we will let you know what happens next. Nancy and Mercy are putting together another packet with updated information and are deciding on if we need to do some other things to really get this going.

I have talked to Mikey and he is very excited about all of this but would love to get back to the horses as soon as possible. He even said training race horses again. I said, "Yeah from the ground." Meaning he would be standing on the ground while telling someone else what to do with the horse. Then he said, "No Cathy riding them again. " Well I fused a little bit and just had to drop that conversation topic. So then I asked about his therapy. I had told ya'll about him pushing the grocery cart and doing so well with that. He still uses the legged cane and has problems with his balance. The therapist want to find a pool that Mikey could do exercises in and try some swimming. They say it helps a lot with balance too. They are also looking at some therapeutic horse riding which really helps with a persons balance. He has come so far and is doing well. Brain injuries just take time to heal and he still is going to have his ups and downs just like Barbaro.

Well I just wanted to let everyone know what's been going on. Especially with EMHE. We love you all and God bless you all.

We Believe in Miracles
We Believe in Barbaro
We Believe in the FOBS
We Believe in EMHE
We Believe in Mike Rea

More Good News

2007-01-17T21:27:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. I know it has been awhile since the last time I blogged but with my back going out and trying to get back to work, well it has been something. All in all things are going well with everyone (Mother, Nancy, Me, and Mike and his family). Mikey called Mother and I a couple of days ago and I was going to blog then but I really had a lot of studying to do to pass the Neonatal Resuscitation Program. It has been nearly 7 months since I had to resuscitate an infant, but I passed with flying colors. Thank God. So Mikey sounded extremely well and happy. He says that he is still progressing but just wishes that it was faster. His physical therapy group went on a field trip to the grocery store for practice. Mikey said it was a lot easier to push the shopping cart around instead of using his cane. He is now using the four legged prong cane only that I am aware of. He had a dentist appointment and everything was good and then an eye appointment and only needed prescription reading glasses. You know how it is when you get past 40 years old? Boy I thought I was going blind. I couldn’t read the newspaper or vials of medicines.

The biggest reason I blogged tonight was to copy and paste this fabulous email from Mercy Turano. She is one of the Fans of Barbaro but has also become a dear friend to us. I think she is really one of those Guardian Angels that was sent by God to watch over Mikey and try to help him with his recovery. Mercy is the one who started Mikey's Extreme Home Makeover Nomination first. So here is what this wonderful Angel is doing for my loving brother and his family:

Hey Guys,
I want to tell you about my weekend - it was Mike Rea from beginning to end. Being that Extreme Makeover was doing a house in my backyard literally (10 miles away) I had to take advantage of the situation. So I started early Friday morning trying to update and rework Mike's Extreme Makeover nomination and add some new info and still put it all in one page...of course, the computer wouldn't cooperate - something screwy with the printer. But I really wanted to download Mike's picture with the two horses so I could make thank you cards out of them and I kept trying - but the color was totally off. Anyway, I nixed that idea and went out to get blank thank you cards.

At the store, I found these horses about 10" long that were a dead ringer for Barbaro with a saddle and a red blanket, so I bought 9 of them along with 11 boxes of assorted English shortbread cookies - wrapped those up in red paper and then put the Barbaro horse on top tied with raffia. I wrote on the thank you card (this was Mary Dubbink's idea) "Compliments of Mercy Turano, Friends of Barbaro and The Mike Rea Makeover Posse thanking each of the Extreme Makeover designers for taking the time to read about Mike Rea and for all the good work they perform and that I hoped to see them soon in Mike Rea's backyard." Their Executive Producer, Denise Cramsey got a stuffed Barbaro horse along with the cookies and Ty Pennington, being their "alpha dog" got the cookies along with a stick horse that also looks just like Barbaro, complete with horsey sounds. It took me practically all day to shop, wrap and get the letters done - I stuffed the "one pager on Mike " inside the thank you cards and also put an additional one tied to the Barbaros' legs (for additional leg support, HA!) on the outside of the package for good measure .

I finished just in time to meet my husband at the book store where Paige (the cute blonde, Extreme Makeover designer with the pink hard hat ) was signing her book. Of course, I had to buy one so I could get up close and personal and deliver the goodies. But it was really a great avenue - very intimate, only about 40 people, she's extremely personable, answered questions, chatted and was just a delight.

I was able to go up and talk to her briefly about Mike - she did ask about the horse on the package and of course, I went into the Barbaro connection. I had put everything in one big shopping bag and asked her to deliver to the rest of the gang. She was very gracious and said she most definitely would give it to them and that she would read Mike's story, so I hope at least one of them will read it .

THIS IS IMPORTANT - she did say that the one thing that impresses them is when a community rallies behind the person and they get a lot of nominations...go figure, early on we thought bombarding them would have the opposite effect and as a result, it was decided that Nancy should just sent in one main application with all the letters from the FOBs inside. But you know, we can't worry about that now...what's done is done and we've given it our best shot. I had originally planned on taking them Kryspy Kreme donuts but had to nix the idea 'cause when I called their manager again to place my order, he told me that they had already delivered 25 boxes to them EARLY that morning ....they STOLE my idea... oh, well...hopefully, all's well that ends well and I hope we're on our way to that Extreme Makeover for Mike!!!!

Should we rethink our strategy and bombard them - or as the Beatles would say...."Let it Be, Let it Be"???

Mercy

See what I mean everyone. So now hopefully we will be hearing some more from the Extreme Home Makeover crew.

Maybe we all should start emailing them or something. I'm going to ask Nancy and Mercy if they have any email address and I will let everyone know it.

Barbaro had a set back with his hoof but seems to be over coming it well. Just like Mikey they both will continue with their recoveries because of who they are: Champions and Heros. God bless everyone.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES, WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO,

WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO, WE BELIEVE IN EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER,

WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

No Wheelchair

2007-01-02T21:32:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. I’m going to try to fix something that my sister, Nancy accidentally posted about Mikey on Dec. 30th, 2006. First off we don’t talk to Mikey that much anymore. It is very tiresome for him to talk on the phone and his family is always so busy doing things. Nancy didn’t realize that Mikey wasn’t using his wheelchair anymore. From what Mikey has said tonight, he hasn’t used his wheelchair for about a month now. What wonderful news to hear that he doesn’t use the wheelchair at all. We are so sorry for posting incorrectly. I myself from being in his home know it was very hard to maneuver in the house with a wheelchair and it was also very hard to get the wheelchair in and out of my car for Mikey. So knowing this I think it pushed Mikey to use his walker more and more. Plus his physical therapy, prayers, and God all have a lot to do with this also. It has always been known to us that Mikey pushes himself hard and is trying so hard to make a full recovery. He told me that he uses a cane with little legs on it mostly, especially in his home. Then he uses a walker when out and about. It has been 6 ½ months now since his tragic accident and he has come so far that I don’t think he even realizes it himself.

Again I have to thank everyone so much over and over again. Please continue with your prayers and thoughts for Mikey. God bless everyone.

We Believe in Miracles, Barbaro, Fans of Barbaro, and Mike Rea

Thank You.....

2006-12-30T15:42:00.000-05:00

We hope our family and friends believe in the old adage “No news is good news!” We’re so sorry to have neglected Mike’s site these past two weeks but are happy to say it was the hustle and bustle and family gatherings of the holiday season that kept us all so busy!

We gathered in Fayetteville, NC at Mom’s home and took turns speaking to Mike in MD over the phone. Mike spent a quiet and peaceful Christmas at home surrounded by tons of cards from all over the United States! We don’t know which he was more excited about – that his sons, Jesse and Hunter were in a play at his church on Christmas Eve or the humbling knowledge there were still so many people wishing him and his family well. He sounded happy and strong and hopeful for his future and that was the best Christmas present we could ever wish for!

Mike is continuing his out patient therapy, but still needs his wheelchair when outside of his home. The walker is used mostly indoors, more out of necessity than ease, as his wheelchair will not allow him any real mobility in the house.

As the end of 2006 approaches and we look back over the events that have occurred since that fateful day of June 16th, we (Mom, Nancy and Cathy) can’t help but reflect on the many miracles and blessings that have been bestowed on Mike, his family and us. Our brother is alive; he has mental clarity, is mobile and, according to the professionals, and has a good prognosis for resuming some semblance of a normal life.

We started a list of people and places to thank for all that we have been given, but realized very quickly that it was an impossible task. The list would be so incredibly long and no matter how hard we tried, we would surely miss someone somewhere. The outpouring of love, prayers and financial support has been astounding and if we have learned anything from this experience it is belief in our fellow man and that this world is indeed full of good, caring and giving people. Mike is still unable to grasp the enormity of the number of people who care about him and still feels so unworthy of the attention of so many. Still, it is your caring and support that has made is possible for Mike to concentrate on healing rather than worry about his family’s security. He may not completely understand this yet, but that day will come and he will know it is BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU that he has far surpassed the rate of recovery expected of anyone with as traumatic an injury as his.

Indicative of our son’s and brother’s character, Mike has shared with us he has accepted the fact that he will never be able to ride again, but is grateful for all that has occurred in his life, especially since his accident. His love of horses, desire to repay the many miracles God has worked in his life and yearning to help others has lead him to hope that one day he will be able to have the means to offer therapeutic riding, boarding and/or lessons to other horse lovers. He has also stated many times he will never miss an opportunity to witness to others in need the miracles God has bestowed upon him and offer comfort and guidance.

We count on your continued support and prayers. 2007 will bring a new vocation for Mike, possibly an ABC Extreme Home Makeover and many more wonderful things we can not even begin to imagine. We hope the New Year brings peace, love and joy to all as you all have done for us.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO!
WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO!
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA!
WE BELIEVE IN ALL OF YOU!
P.S. We have to share a portion of this wonderful card received just yesterday forwarded by Sally of Fair Hill…so moving…so thoughtful…and a perfect example of His Work in our lives……

Dear Sally,
When I asked our son, (name), what he’d like for Hanukah this year, he requested that in lieu of a gift I send a check to the Mike Rea IRREV Trust. Therefore, this is in (name’s) honor and in the hope for a full recovery for Mike………. Young man, you have touched our lives and our hearts….thank you!

Recent articles about Mike:
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006612300356
http://www.cecilwhig.com/articles/2006/12/18/features/01.txt

Happy Birthday to Mike's Son - Jesse

2006-12-14T21:38:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. So much has been going on everywhere I just haven't had time to post. I've been posting everywhere else on all the threads about Mike when I should have posted on his blog first. But then again something new was happening different everyday. Foremost Mike's son, Jesse turned 13 years old today. He is now a teenager. Mother and I called and sang Happy Birthday to him.

The other news I have to tell everyone is that the Cecil Whig Newspaper and the Delaware Newspaper are doing stories on Mike. When they are published I will post them here for all to see. I've spoke with the Fayetteville Newspaper and I'm awaiting a call back. Since Fayetteville is Mike's hometown I thought it would be great to have a story about our hero.

Now the awesome news is that one of the producers of the Extreme Home Makeover has contacted my sister, Nancy about Mike. He is wanting more information and told her it takes time for these things and he was looking at their second season of filming. Nancy said he sounded very interested in the whole story and even correlated Mike with Christopher Reeve. Nancy had told him what one of the Fans of Barbaro had said, and I quote, "The big difference is that Christopher Reeve had a spinal cord injury and Mike Rea has a brain injury. The two are related in that both were thrown from a horse and had physical disability. Mike also seems to have a mental disability (because of the brain injury). Mr Reeve did not have any mental impairment. Mike has tried very hard to overcome his injury just as Christopher Reeve did. But because he had brain damage it is harder to overcome. Of course physically Christopher Reeve could not recover either. It is also easier to accept a physical disability because you have the reasoning power to accept it. It is more frustrating to accept a brain disorder because it is so discouraging." And now a quote from Christopher Reeve, "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."

Boy that quote from Christopher Reeve sums Mike up to a tee. I know he is our hero and we love him very much. When I talked to him today I had him laughing. He told me he was standing in the middle of the living room. I said can you take steps without holding on to anything. He said very slowly. Then jokingly I said I guess when you loose your balance or fall you fall like Baby Gracie. He said no mine hurts and I have further to fall. I started laughing and said to Gracie though she was falling as far as you are. He seemed in good spirits and was getting ready to take a shower. He said everything was coming along well just slow. Hey before Mike's accident he didn't know the meaning of slow. He was on the go all the time. He sure is experiencing a different life now but it has opened his eyes to some important issues in life.

Barbaro is on the recovery road to going home soon I've been reading. His owners are so grateful as are we for all the thoughts, prayers, and encouragement from everyone. God bless everyone. Like I have said before, everyone will be so blessed by all the good ya'll have done.

So this is it for now and I think Mother and I are off to Charleston, SC tomorrow to visit with Nancy and help her with things. I will post again soon. God bless.

We Believe in Miracles
We Believe in Barbaro
We Believe in the Fans of Barbaro
We Believe in Extreme Home Makeover
We Believe in Mike Rea

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2006-12-06T13:41:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. Sorry it has been awhile since the last update. Mike is doing okay. We hadn’t heard from him since Thanksgiving and we were patiently awaiting his call to one of us but never received one. So…………….We called him. He says he is doing well in his physical therapy. The therapists have him using a three legged cane there but say he is not ready to take it home for use yet. He also told me that he uses a smaller walker at his home. He tried to explain what it looked like to me but I still don’t know what he is talking about. He tires very easily and rests any chance he gets. My sister Nancy and I wanted to take a quick trip to see him and bring their Christmas presents to him and his family but was told they are going to be too busy for us to stop by before Christmas and said to wait to come after Christmas. We also wanted to take the children out shopping with some Christmas money that was sent to Nancy for them. We may still go for a day or two. So all and all Mikey is slowly recovering. Mentally I think he is just trying to do what everyone tells him (physical therapists, wife). Hopefully as he is recovering his mind is recovering too and he will start being his own person again. It has almost been 6 months since his accident happened. The neurologists said it would take a year or more for him to recover.

We all continue to pray for everyone and Barbaro. We hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. So sorry to see and hear about the TWR site going down. Nancy says Mike’s blog might have a forum. If we do get to see Mike we will take pictures and put them on the blog for all to see. Thanks to everyone again for all you have done. We are still waiting to hear from Extreme Home Makeover. God bless you all.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

HAPPY THANKSGIVING~A DAY OF THANKS!!!!!

2006-11-23T15:46:00.000-05:00

My husband and I are preparing to leave for Fayetteville to spend this Thanksgiving day with Mom, Cathy and our children. Mikey has already called Mom and Cathy this morning and told them not to forget to call me too! Cathy said Mikey sounded strong and happy. When he calls late in the day or early evening, it can be difficult to understand him, but this morning he sounded stronger than Cathy has heard him sound in a very long time. And, Mom said, his voice was deeper and not so “childlike” in his manner of speaking. Cathy asked him if he remembered who he called last (remember, he is taking turns now) and he remembered it was me. Both of these observations are very good signs!

We thank God, on this day, for Mikey’s and Barbaro’s continuing recovery.

I’m at Mom’s now….and since Thanksgiving is all about togetherness, love, sharing and giving thanks for our blessings, we want to take time from this busy day to count our blessings and thank everyone who has provided support, despite the many trials and tribulations that we have encountered. We all have so much to be thankful for this year. Thanks be to God first and foremost, and thank You that our brother is alive, well and continuing to improve.

We all express our sincere gratitude for the compassion, support, and generosity EVERYONE has shown our brother and his family. My mother, sister and I are and will be eternally grateful. We thank God for all the outside assistance we have received from various agencies and organizations and thank Him for the many prayers offered to Mike and all of us by family, friends and others. There is much solace in knowing that many people are praying for us and everyone’s prayers have been and are a powerful source of support.

We have come to know many members of the horse racing community, especially Barbaro and his fans, Alex and TWR’s site, Carol at EquestNetwork, Mike’s friends and many many others since Mike’s accident. What we did not realize was that such a close knit community existed, a family if you will, consisting of horse people, friends and strangers with a common goal, who rally with open hearts, prayers and whatever resources they may offer in support of their fellow horsemen or friends who endure life-changing events. Each of us now call friends many people we would have never met that have touched our lives in untold ways.

Please forgive us those we have not been able to thank personally and know that were we to try to list everyone we would surely run out of space!

We don’t know if Mike completely comprehends what all has been done for him, but we can tell you that knowing he and his family are in the hearts and prayers of so many is a tremendous source of comfort to him. Doctors have told us more than once the brain injury healing process will occur at a greater rate if the patient is free of worry and strife and everyone’s generosity, support , cards and notes of encouragement and rallying for the ABC Extreme Makeover has helped to accomplish this for Mike. For that, we are deeply grateful.

Thanks to the funds from the Ford Mustang raffle, The Whip’s Fundraiser and contributions from friends and supporters to Mike’s Trust Fund. It is our hope and prayer Mike and his family will be able to maintain some semblance of normalcy until he is once again able to earn a living. We all will continue to stand in faith, trusting in God, and take this journey one day at a time.

We wish all a Happy Thanksgiving!

With Love,

Nancy Rehm
Cathy Rea Bosley
Shirley Rea
AND from us on behalf of Mike Rea

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO!
WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO!
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA!

Go to : http://www.equestnetwork.com

2006-11-19T22:21:00.000-05:00

Please everyone go to the web site above and see the article on Mike. The creator of this web site called Nancy and received permission to write everything. I am going to copy it and send it to Mike so he can read it. I have been printing out his messages and sending them to him since I have been back. His petition for his Extreme Home Makeover is almost at 3,000 signatures. WOW!!! I know the end date was 11-15-06 but we're still getting signatures and we are still going to send them to ABC. The Equest article is also going too. Mike called my sister Nancy today. I think he is taking turns calling us. Remember he had just called Mother and I the other day. We passed on his messages to Nancy just like she passed them to us today. Nancy said she thought his speech was slurred/mumbled. But he had been up all day and had been to church also. When he is tired his speech does this. The children and his wife were out running errands. Mike doesn't go with her like he was because it was causing him to be extra tired. I think his physical therapist told him the same. He needs more rest than he was getting. Plus using the walker all over the house instead of the wheelchair is probably very exhausting too. Mike says he loves his therapy though. He goes three days a week. Sometimes all three together, or two days together, skip one and then the third. He said he likes it when he has breaks between the days to rest. All in all I hope and think things are going alright for him. We wants us to wait on visiting him so I don't know when we will go visit him right now. As long as he calls I think I can wait for awhile. Of course he is still having his highs and lows, ups and downs, but he is hanging in there strong. We try to keep him encouraged. He asked Nancy about Barbaro and wanted to know if he would go south to Florida with everyone. She told him didn't know but would find out. A long time ago Mike use to go to Florida with the horses. This was before he had a family. Since he was married and had children he has stayed in Maryland during the winter months.

Remember to go to the Equest web site and if you haven't signed the Extreme Home Makeover Petition please do for Mike. Thank you and God bless you all.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

I AM BACK HOME AND All IS WELL

2006-11-17T00:46:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. I know it has been awhile since the last time I wrote but besides the problem with finding the internet, I haven't been able to talk to Mike much. He told us it was hard for him to talk on the phone. He wants us to trust him, believe in him, and let him prove to us that things will all work out. He also says that when he is better he will take care of everything. Mike says he loves us and just give him a chance to heal. Of course it is very hard for me to just sit back sometimes since I found out from Mikey that he was taking his medicines completely wrong. He was taking them at the wrong time of the day and night and then wondered why he was feeling like he was and not having good nights sleeping or being so tired during the day. I told him what he was suppose to be doing with the medicines and left a message on their machine so Rochelle would know what times Mike should be taking his medicines.

Mike did tell me that he likes his physical therapy at Christiana Physical Therapy Plus and that the therapists are very nice. He thinks he has recovered from his trip to Kentucky and is feeling better. Mike told me that the trip set him back a lot. Me not being there, I am unable to give you my opinion about that for sure. But what I think is that without him not having constructive therapy these weeks that he has been at home and taking the medications wrong is what set him back the weeks he is talking about. He did say that he only had to see the speech therapist twice more and that was it. He will continue physical therapy three times a week for three hours each session for three months and then have to be recertified. Then I guess he will be prescribed physical therapy again for three months at a time. He uses his walker around his house a lot. This is probably due to him being unable to use the wheelchair easily around the house. This may be a good thing having him doing more walking exercising which helps with his balance and walking. He did say the physical therapists are working a lot on his balance this week. Mike tells me he also continues to use the tread mill daily. Sometimes up to 15 minutes at a time.

Mikey's good friend Bruce visited him at his home the other day and said that Mikey looked good and was using his walker a lot better than when he had seen him about three weeks ago.

The Extreme Home Makeover is still in the works and hopefully we will hear from them soon and it will be good news and a joyous reunion with Mike. I heard through the grapevine that Sears was looking at the blog site and the petition site. So we will keep you posted.

Since I have been back in Fayetteville, N.C. it has rained a lot. Rain, rain go away and come back another day without tornadoes. We were very lucky here today and didn't get swept away but where I was just this past Tuesday has a lot of damage. The dear Lord is watching out for me. Thank you.

Mike called Mother and I today. He had just returned from his third day in a row physical therapy. This week he went Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. He said it just fell that way this week and he was real tired. I think he was in very good spirits though. He sounded real good and told us how much he missed us and thanked us over and over again for everything we have done for him. He always makes sure that I pass on our conversations to our sister Nancy too. Which of course I do always. He says it is hard for him to stay on the phone a lot. But seriously he did sound really good. He is practicing on a three legged cane at therapy. He said not to use at home yet.

Nancy is working hard and selling houses again. Mother is doing better and trying to handle everything that has happened this year (quitting her job to care for Mikey, his injury, and the poor death of her dog Dreyfus). Boy I might of had to be put Dorothea Dix (of yeah, for those of you that don't know that place-mental hospital). But she is hanging in there and Nancy and I are keeping her busy. And I have been applying for jobs. I'm pretty picky because I love babies and that's what I have done for almost 30 years (pediatrics). I've just started applying so I'll be back to work soon.

Well it is time for me to go and again we thank everyone for all you have done for Mike. God bless each and everyone of you.

WE BELIEVE
WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA
WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX

FINALLY - AN UPDATE FROM CATHY

2006-11-07T13:21:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. I am so sorry that I haven’t been able to blog. I am at a North Carolina beach called Shallotte. There is no internet connection around here except this one coffee shop that is about 45 minutes away. I’m kind of on that vacation that I never took this summer. So for now I will try to update you on Mikey. My mother, sister, or I talk to him every day. Sometimes he sounds real good and then sometimes he is so tired that his words slur. As you know he went to the Breeders Cup and came in with Tammy runner up. He couldn’t quit talking about Pat Day and how nice he was to him and his family (Rochelle and Baby Gracie). Mike said he felt like he was a bother to everyone because of having to be pushed around all the time in the wheel chair. Also that it was a very exhausting trip for him and maybe too much to soon. He knows that if he hadn’t gone he would have wished so badly that he did. See this was the first time he had been at a race track since the accident. He also said it showed him how disabled he is. I reminded him that he was still healing and it would be a long progress but in the end he would be a testimonial for all and to stay strong. Sounds like I need to go pay him a visit!

When I talked to Mike just the other day he was a little down on himself. He said he just didn’t think he was doing as good as before, he was tired of being this way, and he wished that he would heal faster and could do more. So I gave him that pep talk that I always do but he never remembers and made him see the light on how much he has already healed in such a short period of time. It’s not even been 5 months yet. Then I remind him of all the people that still want to know about his progress, what he’s doing, and that are continuing to pray for him. Also I remind him of Barbaro and the Fans of Barbaro that are all pulling for him. Then he told me about going to a museum in Kentucky and seeing all this stuff about Barbaro and how it made him feel so much better while he was there. Appears to be the Barbaro Effect working itself again.

On a good note, Mike starts his physical therapy Wednesday. The place he is going is supposed to be really good. This may help his morale some. We can only go on what Mike tells us but sometimes you can hear it in his voice that something is bothering him. His top groom, Angel called me the other night to check on Mike. Nancy and I are looking into getting Mikey a cell phone plan that includes long distance so he’ll be able to call us and his friends more often and not have to worry about long distance or cell phone charges. Every penny counts for them right now. Anyways Angel told me how much he misses his boss and wanted to talk to him so badly. I called Mikey and told him to give him a call and he did right away. Angel worked for Mike for 14 years so you could imagine how he must feel. Another one of their friends, Bruce called Nancy and Mother for the same reason as above. So Nancy called Mikey who in turn called Bruce and they talked awhile and arranged a visit. I know Mike is looking forward to seeing Bruce again.

We are planning a trip to see Mikey soon. We just don’t know when yet. My sister Nancy is working hard on real estate and my mother is still grieving the loss of her dog some. Even though our mother doesn’t have a computer Nancy calls her and shares the prayers and well wishes from everyone who has written about Dreyfuss. I am just kind of in limbo at this point and time. I do need to get back to work soon but I just want to wait a little while longer. Probably after I visit Mikey I’ll go back to work with the babies. We are all still praying for the home makeover for Mike. Of course we will let you know anything we hear about it. Well it is time to go for now. I will write again soon. God bless everyone and remember that we thank everyone for everything from the bottom of our hearts.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES,
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO,
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA
Cathy Rea Bosley

Filling in for Cathy....

2006-10-27T14:02:00.000-04:00

I just re-read Cathy’s last post and can’t believe it’s been a whole week since Mike went home. Funny thing….it was raining the day he went home and it’s raining here in Mt. Pleasant right now. Cathy went to the beach for some much needed R&R the day after she got back to Fayetteville and has not had access to a computer. We’ve all talked everyday and have taken turns checking on Mike. We didn’t’ think it would be a good idea for each of us to call him everyday….he’d never get a chance to do anything but talk on the phone! I spoke with Mike a few moments ago and asked him what he would like me to tell everyone on his blog. He said, “I’m happy to be home and I’m doing a lot of activities. I’m working very hard, trusting in God and my faith to continue my healing. Everyday there are challenges and I work at passing those challenges. It’s a big change but I’m getting used to it all.” Then he told me he missed seeing me and I had to cut the call short so he would not hear how sad I was missing him too and not being able to see him as often either. He sounded just like my baby brother when he was a little boy. I immediately called Cathy because she always makes me feel better when I am worried about Mikey. She had to remind me that with a brain injury like Mike’s, they stay in what she is calling “a little boy mode” until that part of the brain heals and then he will come out of that mode. It is obvious to us that Mike is no where near ready to get on the computer and begin to communicate in that way. In fact, he told me that he wants to work on his physical challenges first because anything else is just too hard right now. He even likes for us to call him instead of him calling us because he has trouble dialing the phone. So….it is going to be awhile before Mike can write on the computer, but Cathy and I promise we will write what he tells us to write and keep everyone informed of his progress. Mike’s physical therapy at home consists of him going up and down the stairs, playing with his children, helping his wife, and, as he stated very proudly, walking on the treadmill at its slowest setting for up to 10 minutes at a time! He was very excited to tell me too that he starts out patient therapy next week. His first visit will be just before they leave for the Breeder’s Cup.

I guess what has surprised us the most is how difficult it would be to pick up our lives and try to continue as before after Mike left the hospital. Even though we had talked about how hard it was going to be, because we had all become so single-minded in our goals for Mikey, feeling closer than ever before, we still were not prepared for the emotions we have been experiencing. Especially our mother, who, in a way had to let go of her little boy again then endure the death of Dreyfuss, her beloved pet and companion for 13 years. Mom is here with me now, in SC. Dreyfuss began to founder a few days ago, not wanting to get up from lying down, or when out for a walk, just stopping and laying down and not being able to move. Mom was able to get him in her car and to the vet on Tuesday. The doctor told her Dreyfuss only had a couple of days left if that and that he had a tumor in his stomach and fluid in his lungs and around his heart. Mom is so incredibly strong. She made the decision right there that Dreyfuss was not going to suffer any longer. She called us after it was over. Cathy and I convinced her to come stay with me for awhile and we’re going to do girlie things all weekend together. As if she didn’t have enough to worry about. I found a poem for her though and thought I would share it here as well. The Rainbow Bridge

We can’t really put into words what we are feeling, but we all know and believe that everything happens for a reason. It has been over four months and we have experienced much fear, sadness, hope and joy as we have witnessed Mike’s miraculous journey towards recovery and healing. We all will continue to stand in faith, trusting in God, and take this journey one day at a time.

Cathy is trying to get internet access and hopes to be up and running and back in cyber space very soon!

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

God Bless Everyone…..

Mike At Home Now

2006-10-20T12:00:00.003-04:00

Mike went home this morning. I talked to him while he was awaiting Rochelle to pick him up from Sunbridge. He said, "What an awful day to go home with all this rain." He had a great visit at the neurologist yesterday from what I can understand from Mike. He doesn't have to see him again for 6 months. I was suppose to go with him but things just didn't go that way. Anyways I let it be and packed my stuff and headed on home. The doctor did give Mikey the okay to go to the Breeders Cup. He said there was no reason he couldn't fly or take the trip. Mike was real excited about that. I told Mike when he went back for his recheck in 6 months he was going to WALK into the doctor's office. He also won't be going to the Christiana Physical Therapy Plus Monday. Awaiting for insurance to come through. Mike promised me that he would continue to do his physical therapy as much as he could do at home. Hopefully the insurance will come through and he can get there soon. Mikey promised we would be talking daily. Like I said I will continue to keep everyone updated on his progress. Please keep Mikey in your prayers and pray that he has made the right decision by going home so soon.

As you can tell I am now back home in Fayetteville, NC. I am going to wait awhile to go back to work in case Mike might need me. We will continue to blog, work on the Extreme Home Makeover, and do fund raisers. God bless everyone.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA
WE BELIEVE IN FANS OF BARBARO

I Am Thanking God Today (Everyday)

2006-10-16T23:16:00.000-04:00

Good evening everyone. I was up most of the night researching on this laptop to help Mike get continued therapy somewhere. We had been told that no one would take him unless he had insurance. I just couldn't picture Mike not doing any therapies for 30 to 90 days. He has come so far in such a short period of time I didn't want him to regress back. So at 5 am this morning a found the place I thought would be the best. I had heard of it through Kernan Rehab and was told how good they were especially with traumatic brain injury patients. Well they didn't open until 8:30 am. So I just watched the clock and the news on TV. Then I looked at all I wrote down. See it is part of Christiana Care Systems. They have several offices through out this area. I was looking at the one off of highway 40 at Glasgow Springside Plaza. It is an Outpatient Physical Therapy Plus. Not knowing if this clinic would even take Mike with his type of injury, this was the one that stood out at me. Then I had a thought. I would call the Christiana Hospital information operator and she would be able to tell me if a was barking up the wrong tree. It was around 7 am now. Again I have never met such nice people. She told me that yes this was the one and could connect me right now to their receptionist. They were there but didn't open until 8:30am. The receptionist was just as nice and concerned also about Mike having to wait until the insurance came through. She knew exactly what he needed and explained to me how they do their 3 hour evaluation and give him the best of everything. They also will refer him to other doctors for any of his needs. I was ecstatic and so over come with joy. They are seeing him Monday Oct. 23rd. Can you believe it?!?!?!?! Oh there was an awful lot of praying and thanking God going on. So now Mike will be going three days a week, three hours per day to Outpatient Physical Therapy Plus. It is close to his home and if ya'll only knew how happy I am right now. It is just so amazing how everything happens and how she just knew everything that Mike will need. They are a Godsend. So of course I called Rochelle. I knew she was up, then my mother, and then my sister, and then Mike. He cried with joy. The receptionist name is Emily and she faxed me the order for Mike's doctor to sign Thursday. I just knew we were still going to be in this race for recovery.

Now we have got to get this Extreme Home Makeover to go through. I also really feel in my heart it will happen too. We're finally over 1000. I have left a couple of comments on Tim Woolley's Forum for people that had some questions about printing a petition out and for fund concerns for the Breeders Cup White Horse Award. Here I have copied and pasted exactly what this award stands for and what the statue means.

Artic White, a rare white thoroughbred stallion, is the symbol for RTCA's White Horse Award. Jesus will return to earth on a white horse, leading Christians on other white horses. Rev. 19:11-14. (Amazing that Mike wants to be a testimonial)
RTCA's White Horse Award is given annually to a racing related horse person judged to have performed the most heroic act on behalf of human or horse. It is presented at the White Horse Heroes Luncheon, held at the host track of the Breeders Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, two days before the year-end series of championship events.

The White Horse Fellowship, which elects the winner, is composed of individual and corporation partners who rank among the industry's best-known leaders. They value the contribution our unheralded workers make to the racing industry and are concerned citizens and proactive residents of racing's global backstretch village.

Each believes in the RTCA's mission to provide for their spiritual, emotional, physical, social and educational needs and have decided to take a leadership roll in not only honoring those workers, but providing direct assistance.

The White Horse Award winner receives a $5,000 cash prize, a limited-edition, white bronze statue by noted sculptress Lisa Perry and other donated gifts and prizes. The three runners-up receive $1,000 each and the final four nominees earn an all-expense paid trip to the Breeders Cup races.

The winner of the White Horse Award, presented to a horse related worker judged to have performed the most heroic act in behalf of human or horse, will be named at the White Horse Heroes Luncheon on Thursday November 2 at Churchill Downs Triple Crown Room, two days before the track hosts the $20 million Breeders Cup World Championships.

Is this Mike or what? I don't know who actually nominated him for this award but it appears to me that they sure did pick the right person. A sponser called this evening and the airline and hotel reservations are made. Mike, Rochelle and Gracie will be going if the neurologist okays the flight and trip which I think he will. If he can fly in a helicopter with a brain injury I am sure he can fly in a pressurized plane.

I came in on the visit that Mike was having with Alex, Michelle, and Alan. They were literally having a ball. Mike has this medium size kids ball that we throw to him to catch and they were all throwing it in a circle to eachother. Michelle and I starting talking and she got bonged in the head a couple of times. They are all so nice and generous. Michelle and Alan gave Mike a goody bag of mens toliet articles. That is like shaving gel, soap, deodorant, and a wash sponge. Michelle said to continue pampering him. Alex gave Mike a bobble head jockey of (oh lord I forgot) somebody Rose. Ya'll don't kill me now. Remember I'm a nurse by trade and don't know that much about horses. Hey I looked it up. Jeremy Rose is the famous jockey on the bobble head. But anyways it turned out to be a great visit for Mike. Earlier that morning Peter Alexander and Sandy also stopped in to visit with Mike. That was all he could talk about on the phone when I had called him earlier.

Nancy will be for sure flying in Friday night. She is driving from her home in South Carolina to Raleigh , NC to catch a flight here. I am go glad. We are going to fix up Mike's office in his home and help Rochelle with anything we can. Nancy is going to be riding back with me so I don't have to drive to North Carolina by myself. Do I have a good sister or what? Then I'll take her to her car in Raleigh which is only about 45 minutes from Fayetteville.

Like I said before, we are going to continue with the blog, Extreme Home Makeover, and Fund Raisers. So you haven't heard the last of us yet. The Barbaro Effect continues. We believe!!

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA
WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO

8 more for 1000 Signatures

2006-10-15T23:03:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. I was really hoping for 1000 by now but it's alright. We will all survive. Mike enjoyed his weekend overnighter very much. I have his bathroom done now. The extension bars worked wonders. They really do work. I even got his 5 year old son, Hunter to hang and swing on them and they held in place. A friend of theirs is putting in a hand rail up the staircase Tuesday. A comment/message that had been left about making Mike a bed downstairs I need to address. Believe me, we have tried to suggest this, but Mike won't have anything to do with it. He wants upstairs in his bed with his wife and family all around him. Can't really blame him. He will be only going up the stairs once daily anyways and coming down on his bottom step by step. He still needs to be spotted for anything out of his wheelchair. Like going to the bathroom, taking a shower, or going from wheelchair to bed, couch, chair, using the walker or showing off standing. Like we have said before, Mikey is very strong willed and pig headed and he is going to pretty much do what he wants to do at this point and time.

Sunbridge has been a Godsend but they have done all they can do in their area of expertise. They are just not equipped or trained for a traumatic brain injury patient to continue with his recovery there. They can and have made recommendations to his caretakers. They can't enforce what they have recommended though. Mike is following his heart. He doesn't have the intellect or cognitive skills to do or know the difference or know what is best for him. It has only been four months since his accident and two of those months Mike hardly even moved in the hospital bed and it was dead weight to move him also. He really has only been in therapies for a good two months. He is a miracle and has a very long road ahead of him. Of course Mike will continue with physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy somewhere else for a very long time. We just have to wait for the insurance to come through and for him to get accepted to another program. Hopefully that will be in the next 30 to 90 days. There are two places that we are looking at. We are hoping that he will be in a program that he goes Monday through Friday for several hours a day.

So guys it looks like a will be going home soon also. I will miss my brother so terribly much and worry constantly about him. It is going to be so emotional. I can already tell because I am crying as I am typing this. But I guess it is called tough love and you have to do it sometime or another. Believe me, I will be keeping tabs on him. Doctors insisted on my mother going home so she would be able to be there for Mikey in the future. On a good note ya'll. Mikey has an office in his loft upstairs. He wants to get it all cleaned up and set up. He wants all of his pictures of Barbaro and others up on the walls, and his other things he has collected around him put there. He also said he wanted to write on his blog and email everyone that sent him a card. I explained to him that he couldn't email them but I would give him all the web addresses that he would need. So don't be surprised when Mike Rea starts typing on Tim Woolley's site and in the forums. I know ya'll will jump with joy and respond. Nancy and I will continue with the blog, Extreme Home Makeover nomination, and fund raisers. I'll be back from time to time to see my brother. Nancy is already checking on flights to come this weekend maybe to help set up his office area. I asked her if it was just a thought or a wish and she said no that she was serious. So...........Maybe I'll get some company before I return to North Carolina. Hey, I'm about to freeze here. It is still in the 50's to upper 60's there. I had a total of 26 weeks off and I think I have only used 16 to 18 weeks. The doctor that Mike sees Thursday has to give the okay for Mike to make the Breeders Cup White Horse Award trip to Kentucky. The flight and activities might be too much for him, but we'll see. I'll let everyone know.

Just to let everyone know, seriously I have never in my lifetime met such compassionate, loving, helping, generous and (can't find the words right now) people. I also know I probably never will again either. I do know that God will bless everyone for all they have done for us and my brother. Especially Barbaro for letting Mikey into everyone's heart. Their both still in that race to recovery and I know in my heart they both will win. God bless you all.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA
WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

2006-10-14T00:23:00.000-04:00

There is just no way we could possibly thank the almost 1000 people so far that have signed Mike's petition for Extreme Home Makeover. We will always be so very grateful to you all. We all have been extremely busy lately. My Mother went to her home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She really needed to go home. She is totally exhausted and has been here since the day of Mike's accident on June 16th. As you know my sister Nancy is in South Carolina working and trying to sell houses and still keep up with all Mike's administrative and financial things. So now I am here by myself and taking care of Mike. Of course Mother and Nancy are on the phone with me a lot every day and night. Nancy is still working on a paper petition for people to take to race tracks and every where. Hopefully before the weekend is over Mercy and her will come up with something. But please keep working on getting signatures because I have a surprise for everyone.

Mike will be going to his home next Saturday to stay. Yes that is what I said. We are all very surprised ourselves. No his home can not accommodate him and no a lot of people, nurses, and doctors don't think he is ready but they are going to release him Saturday next week. Sunbridge physical therapy said there is nothing more that they can do for him. Kinda like their saying he has plateaued. He thought he was going home today but the doctor said, "NO!" Thank God. Mikey has been wanting to go home since he could talk in Shock Trauma. When he was in Kernan he would beg us to take him home everyday, several times a day. He continued at Sunbridge also. We all know this is what he wants but just don't think it is the best thing for him right now. I have talked until I was blue in the face and told him he would have a lifetime at home when the time was right. Since the doctor didn't release him he will still gone home for the overnight visit tomorrow but be back Sunday. I really think that he'll go home and they will see and comprehend that Mike didn't just fall off a horse and get hurt, but that he fell off a horse and has a traumatic brain injury which is going to take a lot of time healing. Mikey just asked me again for the hundredth time tonight before I left, "Cathy, why can't I walk still?" I have explained it to him several times, but see he can't remember. Some days he has very bad memory loss. Some days if he is tired or stressed he slurs his words and is so very off balance it scares me. But friends we have done all we can about this. So next week they are going to do what they call restorative therapy. An aide from what I understand will take him on walks with his walker and he has to show them that without physical therapy he is not going to regress. I guess if he regresses bad they might keep him. Who knows!!

So I got him this cool walker that he has to get use to. It's blue and on wheels. It has hand breaks and hand locks to lock it. It also has a seat so he can sit down when he gets tired. He has to use the wheelchair most all the time. The walker is really just for exercise and physical therapy. I really got it for him to use upstairs instead of crawling around on all fours. Plus when he gets out of the shower he will have something to sit on while drying off, brushing his teeth, shaving, ect.. There is no room for the wheelchair upstairs and it is very heavy to carry up the stairs. They (Sunbridge) did say if he finds that it is just not what he thought it was going to be like he could come back. Also if he starts regressing badly, he may go back. We just don't want him to fall and get hurt and end up back in the hospital. So everyone pray he'll be safe at home. Please. I pray for God to wrap his arms around him 24/7.

I think I remember telling ya'll the reason that Nancy wanted to do this petition is because it appears you get better results with being nominated for the Extreme Home Makeover show. She got the 50,000 from there also. We are going to continue to also have fund raisers for Mikey and his family. We know for a fact that he will be unemployed for a year or more. The one good thing is Mike does have an appointment with his neurologist Thursday. I can't wait to see what he has to say about everything. This will be his first visit since he left Kernan. I will keep ya'll informed. I promise.

Well it is time for me to go now. I hope everyone has a great weekend. God bless everyone over and over again. Thank God for Barbaro doing so well also. He really has helped Mike so much and so have the Fans of Barbaro. We will be forever grateful.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

Overwhelming Response

2006-10-10T13:04:00.000-04:00

Where do we start!! The response that we are receiving from the petition is totally unreal. Now if everyone forwards their emails to all of their friends, and then they forward their emails to all of their friends and so on and so on....I really think we will hit that 50,000 mark or more. In just 24 hours after posting there were over 400 signatures. The whole family is just amazed at all the wonderful and compassionate people out there. Mike and I last evening went on line in his room and were reading all the comments with tears just a pouring. Mike is so happy about the possibility of him getting this home makeover.

I found out that when Mike and Rochelle went to Fair Hill the other day that the weather was so bad with the rain that they ended up in a vet office for the picture of Mike for the White Horse Award. So he didn't really get to see anybody. But the picture was done with a video camera and didn't come out. So Nancy and I have sent some other pictures we had just of Mike and hope they work. When you go to the White Horse Award website I think that is where the picture will be under nominations. They will have the story of why he was nominated there also.

So Mike is doing fairly well. He has his ups and downs with his emotions on his disabilities. We continue to pump him up and with the TWR site and the petition it seems to help him a lot. Physical Therapy brought a exercise mat to Mike's room for him to do exercises on during the afternoon and evening hours. We get it out and get on the floor (mat) and throw this ball back and forth to each other. You have to be on your knees but not resting back on your heels. It's like standing but just on your knees. It really makes your thighs stronger and helps with learning how to balance. Mike's biggest problem is balancing while standing or kneeling. We get to laughing so hard sometime because of the faces we make trying to catch the ball or losing our balance. They also taught him how to crawl on all fours. When I was putting in the shower head upstairs in his house a heard some noise and looked out the bathroom door and there was Mikey on all fours. He had come up the stairs with Rochelle and then at the top of the stairs got down on all fours to come into the master bedroom. It just broke my heart to see him like that and so out of breath and exhausted. I had to turn away and start messing with the already installed shower head to hide the tears. He wants to be "the man of the house" so badly again. We pray for that day to come everyday.

Well I'm off to get some more signatures and get ready to go to Mike at Sunbridge. He's with Rochelle right now for the ride to pick up the kids at school. Thank you all so much for your support. God bless everyone.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

IT'S HERE!! PLEASE SIGN MIKE'S PETITION

2006-10-08T21:16:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Well the weekend is coming to a close and my sister, Nancy has worked on the EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER PETITION all weekend and has it finished. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and just see how wonderful my sister is and sign for Mikey's sake. WE BELIEVE!! Nancy received a copy of Mercy's video (with The Fans of Barbaro) that was sent to ABC nominating Mike for the Extreme Home Makeover and it renewed her faith. She called me crying with tears of joy and so humbled by the compassion of a complete stranger. Even though Nancy has been sick and trying to catch up with her work she got the petition done.

In all honesty we all have grown exhausted, both physically and mentally. All of us have gone back through the messages that have been posted and remember the ones that would tell us to take care of ourselves too. We are trying to devise a plan for each of us to get more rest and re-evaluate our financial situations. No matter what, this family has always BELIEVED that God is first, family is second, and our careers are third. Nancy and I have time to recover. It's our mother we worry about constantly. Fortunately mother doesn't have time to read this.
Mostly we started the blog as a way to keep family and friends updated on Mike's recovery, but it has become a way to also relieve tension and someone to talk to while Mikey is on his race to recovery.

Mike did have another wonderful visit with his family this weekend. I go over on Saturday evenings to help him with his shower. He feels so much better after his shower and I feel so bad because I know if I wasn't there he couldn't shower or if he did, he would fall. I put up the new shower head which works great but I am now figuring how to get some tension bars or handles for him to hold on to so he can balance himself while standing. He can wash himself but he has to use one hand to hold on to keep his balance. Also seeing him unable to maneuver about the house, bedroom or bathroom is heartbreaking to me. But not to Mike. As long as he is able to be at home with his family he's happy no matter what.

Now I have to go to Tim Woolley's site and the forum to post so everyone will know that the petition is done. Thank you again and again and God bless everyone.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

Surprise Visit From Alex

2006-10-05T13:06:00.000-04:00

Mike was so thrilled to see Alex the other day. They really did have a great visit as you can see from Alex's post on TWR's site. Alex brought Mikey a framed picture of Barbaro, Edgar, and Dr. Richardson. He is getting quite a collection of pictures of Barbaro. Mike was especially grateful for the Fans of Barbaro bracelets that he brought all of us. We all are wearing them proudly. I sent Nancy hers. Guess she will know its coming when she reads this post! Dottie, the Director of Nursing at Sunbridge and also with the Fans of Barbaro made her donation and asked that the bracelet be sent to Mike. She received an email reply letting her know that Mike was already receiving one. Alex even thought of Dottie and left one for her. Alex told Mother, “Make sure Dottie gets one.” She’s in heaven now!!!

Mike is continuing his therapies and strives so hard to improve everyday. I really think he makes it through the week and tries so hard at everything just knowing that he gets to go home on the Saturday - Sunday visits. He loves being at home and with his family but you can tell when he returns on Sunday evenings that he is just plum wore out. This lets Mike know he really isn't ready to go home for good yet. He still has a lot of recovering to do physically and mentally. Sometimes he lets it get him down but then we talk about how far he has come in such a short period of time and it helps him. Nancy asked him how many doctors, nurses and friends would have to tell him what a miracle he was before he believed it. He laughed and said "I don't know Nancy, maybe 100!" And laughed some more. She calls him every morning and reminds him to look at the present she sent him and he says she makes him say it back to her until he has to go to breakfast. Nancy loaned Mikey a present our grandfather gave her when she was around 17. It is a stained glass picture that says the Serenity Prayer and we put it in the window next to all the pictures. Mike says he does not want to give it back. Sometimes I test Mike to tell me what it says and stand in front of it so he can't see it. He almost always gets it right.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
Courage to change the things I can.
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Hopefully sometime tomorrow I am going to put up Mike’s new shower head in his bathroom at home. It is a very nice hand held shower head. But we want to also keep the one he already has up too. It is one of those new waterfall/rain forest type ones. I bought a dual divider and we’ll see if it going to work. I also bought this hand rail that vices on to a tub but I am going to see if it will vice onto the shower stall boarder. Rochelle and Mike are going to be looking at a magazine to pick out some handicapped things for their home like hand rails, a walker, and more hand rails through the physical therapy department.

We also received our t-shirts from Ernie for my sister, mother, and I. They are beautiful with the picture of Mike and the two horses. We will all cherish them forever. Let's see we have the Kisses Heal t-shirts and the Fans of Barbaro bracelets. What more could we need?!?! Continued prayers and healing for Mike. That's it ya'll.

Mike is being interviewed and a think photographed tomorrow at Fair Hill for the White Horse nomination. This will be Mike’s first trip back to Fair Hill since the accident. I hope he handles well. Rochelle is taking him there. She is awaiting a call in the morning to let her know when to take Mike out there. We are all so excited for Mike and really do hope he'll make it to Kentucky November 2nd.

Well it is time for me to go. God bless everyone and thank you for all your support.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

Good Evening Everyone

2006-10-02T20:07:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. I am sitting here in Mike's room at Sunbridge. He had a wonderful visit this weekend. Mike hates that he can't do anything to help Rochelle around the house. I told him when he gets better and stronger then he'll be able to help her. So Rochelle picked up Mike on Saturday and they did their usual errands and coffee stops. Mike said home cooked meals are so satisfying and much more filling.

Mike did make it up the stairs Saturday night. But only with a great deal of help from me. He also took his shower in his own shower. Of course I was holding on to him so he wouldn't lose his balance. We got water everywhere. It made us miss Sunbridge's large gym style showers. He used his walker to get around in the bedroom and bathroom. Now let me tell you how he got down the stairs the next morning. Sitting down on his bottom, one stair at a time. I wasn't there for that one. He did also get to sleep in his own bed. He told me he was loving every minute of that.

So off to church they went Sunday morning. Sunday school and the morning service. Rochelle cooked another home cooked meal and Mike enjoyed every bite. She also baked an apple pie. Mike says he loves watching her go about the kitchen and doing everything. Then it was back to Sunbridge. Rochelle sent us some apple pie and we devoured it together. It was so good that Mike said he ought to let Rochelle have her own bakery. I told Mike I didn't think Rochelle would want to bake pies that way. Today he told me I was right, he had told her how good her pie was and did she want her own bakery. Rochelle told him no. She just liked cooking like she does.

Mike got a better shower last evening at Sunbridge. It accommodates a wheelchair and there are the bars to hold on to. Of course Sunbridge is supposed to be like this but Mike and I enjoyed the space. Today his therapies went well and this afternoon Mike rode with Rochelle to pick up Jesse after his school soccer practice. Rochelle has been jogging a lot lately. I thought she was just jogging to be jogging, or to get in better shape which she didn't need to do. The girl runs races and marathons ya'll. I didn't even ever know this about her. Mike says she has run in three and came in first twice, and second or third the other time. So this is what she has been doing. Preparing for a run which I think is this weekend at Fair Hill. What a surprise!!!!

Nancy has not been feeling well for the past couple of weeks and finally told us yesterday. Mom and I made her promise to go to the doctor today and she did. She had a sore throat for two weeks and just kept hoping it would go away. Well, its not strep but was so infected the doctor gave her an antibiotic and something for the swelling. Hopefully she'll be feeling better soon. She said she is still working on the Extreme House Makeover and a friend is editing and burning the DVD this coming weekend. I can't count how many times she has called me when she received a letter for Mike's nomination crying because it was so good and then she would read it to me and we would be just crying together!

Well it is time to go now. Thank everyone again for all of your prayers and well wishes. Remember Barbaro and the Fans of Barbaro. God bless each and everyone of you.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

The Early Years....

2006-09-28T20:41:00.000-04:00

We have received so many requests for pictures of Mikey, his horses, and his early life. Mother has an old blue footlocker full of pictures and momentoes she has cherished forever! We have all been told once or maybe a million times, that if there was ever a fire not to worry about anything else in her home but that blue footlocker! Mom went home for a few days recently to pick up Dryefuss, her dog. The first and only time she has left Mikey since the accident. During that short time at home, she went through that footlocker and sent me a number of pictures to scan, save and post. Waiting for snailmail - ugh! Scanning, cropping and saving each picture - Ugh! Catching Mom at a time when we both have time to chronologically sort and correctly caption each photo - UGh! Trying to speak to Mom and get everything just right while she is at the hotel in Maryland with a tornado warning (which she is very afraid of) in effect - UGH! Listening to Mom as she gets on line with Cathy's laptop and views each photo for the first time (enlarged, enhanced, etc) - ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS! The new pictures are on the left side under Photo Album or right here The Early Years. I love you Mikey! And...

I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!
I BELIEVE IN BARBARO!
I BELIEVE IN MIKE REA!

More Pictures to Come

2006-09-28T12:45:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Well Nancy has scanned all the pictures of Mike in his earlier days with the horses and the rest of the birthday party pictures that were on Mother's camera. So here shortly ya'll will have a bunch of pictures to look at. I love the ones of Mike when he was a jockey. He trained and raced some of his horses. I especially remember one of the races that was 20 to 1 and the horse won. Wow!! All of the family was so excited.

Mike is doing extremely well in physical therapy. A physical therapist named Cindy who just started working with Mikey this week is trying to do P.T. with him twice a day. Now here is another coincidence. She used to run a deli right outside of Fair Hill and when she saw Mike she knew she had seen him somewhere before. She said a lot of the owners, trainers, and riders would come there and eat and that is where she had seen Mike before. God does work in mysterious ways. Everything that has been happening since Mike's accident makes you (me) really think. BELIEVE!!!!!

Mike is already getting excited about his home visit again this weekend. He gets to leave on Saturday morning and then return on Sunday afternoon. I think it is good all around. He gets to spend quality time with his family, get used to being at home 24/7, and see what he really needs at the home for him to be able to get around better. I just want Extreme Home Makeover to go through for him. Then I'll know before Mother and I go home that he will be safe and we won't have to worry about him falling or something. Nancy was thinking about doing a petition where people sign to add to the Home Makeover package. What gave her the idea was when the show premiered last week, one of the family's had 50,000 signatures to their nomination. She is still thinking or working on it as far as I know. We're also trying to think of another fund raiser for his recovery fund. We know for sure he won't be able to work for a full year right now. So his family and he will need support.

Well I have to finish washing Mike's and our clothes, get a shower and get to Sunbridge. Everyone have a wonderful day and JUST BELIEVE. God bless everyone and especially those in need.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

Good Afternoon Everyone

2006-09-26T12:39:00.000-04:00

Mike continues to do all of his therapies daily at Sunbridge. His side is all healed now from the pulled or strained muscles he had. So now he is giving it his all as usual. The past weekend showed that Mike's house couldn't accommodate his needs. He wanted to go upstairs so bad to take a shower and sleep in his bed which he hasn't been able to do for over 3 months. To prove to Mike that he just wasn't able to do the stairs we tried about four or five steps. He was way off balance and really just couldn't do it. He had to take a sponge bath in their half bath on the first floor. The bath being so small it was very hard to maneuver in there to really do anything. Especially with the wheel chair right there. Just to get undressed and put on night clothes was hard also. We are hoping that he will get the home make over and all of this will be fixed. Since Mike's injury we have to constantly keep reminding him how far he has come. With his memory loss from the brain injury he can't remember himself how far he has come and needs pictures to remind him of how he was in the beginning. The staff, nurses and visitors remind him how he was and give him so much reassurance. Of course we (the family) constantly tell him how well he is doing and how far he has come in such a short time, but he doesn't take our word because he knows we love him so much and thinks we are just trying to keep him pumped up. It really helps with the pictures and everyone telling him even though he still does have a long race to recovery. But I know Mike will make it to the finish line and be a inspiration for all.

Jesse loves his new school but apparently is having trouble adjusting from home school to his school which was expected some. Today Jesse is going to have dinner with Mike and then they are going to do homework together and have that time alone. Just the two of them. Mother and I are going to go get them Chinese food that they love and then we are going to go out to eat us a good meal ourselves. Steak.

How uncanny it is that people leave us messages and comments on Mike's blog site about their own experiences and we realize that some of Mike's problems will pass and how much strength it gives us. Also knowing all the support and prayers we have from everyone gives all of us so much more strength that anyone could even know.

Well I'm off to the shower and then to Mike's. I will give him all the hello's, hugs, kisses and well wishes that everyone sends for me to do. God bless everyone including Barbaro who is also doing so well with his battle.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

Back At Sunbridge This Evening

2006-09-24T21:52:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Mike had a wonderful time home with his family. Rochelle picked him up early from Sunbridge Saturday. She had errands to run first and Mike stayed in the car with the children. Then it was off to home. Mother and I did do some needed shopping but Rochelle insisted that we come and eat dinner with them. So we went over that evening and when I saw Mike sitting in the family room with everyone around him it just looked so picture perfect. Some visitors had come to visit him at Sunbridge but they were told he had gone home for the weekend. So they came by the house to visit. Gary, Sue Ellen, and Margie. Dinner was wonderful as usual. Rochelle enjoys cooking and making special dishes. Then off we went. Mike says they watched some movies and had good family time together. Today they went to church and had lunch. Then Mother and I went to pick him up and bring him back. He also says he never knew all that Rochelle had to do daily with the children and how much work it was. He says he respects her so much more now than he ever did and didn't realize how much work is involved with the care of three children. I bet you ladies would love for your husbands to see what you really do everyday 24/7. Remember Mike would wake up at 4 am and would be gone most of the day and return in the evenings unless he had a horse racing or something, then he didn't returned until late at night. Also Mike home schooled Jesse and Jesse was with him mostly. So it was kind of new for Jesse and Rochelle to be with each other 24/7. So like most men who work they really never know what it is truly like. Mike's more in love now than ever before and he keeps thanking Rochelle and telling her how proud he is of her. How sweet. But all in all it turned out to be a good weekend and he will probably continue to go home one night a week until he is discharged. Monday through Friday at Sunbridge are good but Mike gets very bored, home sick, family sick on Saturdays and Sundays. And no it doesn't matter if you keep him very busy and occupied it all still seeps in. Well enough for tonight. I see that everyone is doing pretty much okay and Barbaro is still kicking and grazing in the grass. God bless all.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

Wall of B'day Cards!

2006-09-23T09:49:00.000-04:00

Cathy received Mom's camera yesterday and sent me these pictures last night! What an incredible display of love and support! Thank you everyone for taking the time out of your busy lives to send him these birthday greetings. Not only for giving Mikey a very special birthday to remember but for providing him with a constant reminder that he is blessed and in the hearts and minds of so many caring people!
WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO!
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA!

One Tired Man

2006-09-21T23:14:00.000-04:00

Good evening everyone. Mike had a wonderful time with Rochelle and Baby Gracie today. They didn't get to have lunch with their dear friend but scheduled another lunch date for later. So they ran errands, ate lunch, and had special coffee's. Then it was time for them to go get the other children at school. Mike got to meet classmates, teachers, and the principle. He said they all had nice things to say about the children. Jesse's soccer game was at 4pm. Mike was sitting on the side lines in his wheelchair. He told me he wanted to stand up and show everyone that he could stand. Rochelle was with the two little ones in the grass and saw what Mike was fixing to do and rushed over to him and told him he couldn't do that right now, especially when she wasn't right there. Just call him Speedy Gonzales. He is always in a hurry to do everything. Mike enjoyed the game but said the field is so much bigger than Hunter's. So much running back and forth. After the game they had dinner in a restaurant. Mike said Jesse fell asleep on the way back. I was there to meet them to help Mike with his shower. He just wanted to lay down and rest awhile before his shower. He was very tired but would do it all again tomorrow if he could. Finally I told him it was getting late and it was time for his shower. I left him sleeping like a baby. He'll probably sleep all night tonight. He wants to go to Hunter's karate class tomorrow evening, but I told him we'll just have to wait and see how he is doing from being out all day today.

Now the camera arrived but I didn't know that it was not coming to the hotel. Nancy mailed it to Sunbrigde. With us not being there all day the office was locked tonight. So it will be tomorrow when I take that picture of the wall of cards. Nancy put the birthday video on the photo album but I can't get it to play and it's to late to call her about it. She had told me it kept locking up on her and to see what I got. Hey, I didn't get anything to show. So all will be fixed tomorrow I'm sure.

Well it is time to close for the evening. Thank you for all your well wishes and prayers. God bless everyone.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

BARBAROMANIACS ARE AWESOME

Good Morning Everyone

2006-09-21T08:36:00.000-04:00

Mike is doing a lot better with his strained muscles. The pain is nearly gone. We did decide for sure now that it was when he was in his wheelchair and was bending way down reaching out for a small ball on the floor several times that did it. He is doing his therapies this morning and then Rochelle and Mike will go have lunch with a very dear friend, Jessie Allred. Then this afternoon he will get to watch his oldest son's (Jesse) soccer game at his new school that he is attending this year. He has seen Hunter play but not Jesse yet. Also this weekend Mike gets to go home for an overnight visit. He'll have to stay downstairs to sleep but Rochelle said the boys (Jesse and Hunter) will act like their having a sleep over and stay down stairs with Mike. He will be able to go out on their deck and get fresh air and sunshine. Rochelle said she wanted Mother and I to come over and have dinner Saturday night with them, but I told her she was going to have her hands full and I didn't want to put that on her too. But I let them both know we will only be a phone call away. Mother and I are planning to wash and clean our cars today and Saturday we'll go sight seeing and maybe walk the mall. I really need to have my car serviced but the VW place is in Wilmington. That's not far from us I hear and I'm going to give them a call today.

I am sitting here awaiting the mail so I can get that famous camera and go take a picture of Mike's wall of cards. I want everyone to see how amazing the BarbaroManiacs are. When I get this done it will be posted right away. I'm going to go for now. God bless everyone.

New Pictures Added to Photo Album and There will be More to Come

2006-09-18T23:53:00.000-04:00

Good evening everyone. Nancy has added a couple of new pictures to Mike's photo album. She wanted to make sure it was alright with Dottie first. Now if you want to talk about God working in mysterious ways or just a coincidence listen to this. Kernan Rehab checked out several places for Mike to be transferred to that would be closer to his home in Elkton. They chose Sunbridge Care and Rehab. When the Director of Admissions confirmed with the Director of Nursing that they would be able to take Mike, the Director of Nursing already new all about Mike, his accident, his family, and just everything. You know how?? She is one of the many BarbaroManiacs of Tim Woolley's Racing Web Site. She told me she said of course she would take this fine young man. He is someone that is very special. She just happened to be on vacation at the time of Mike's admission that Friday evening and was gone for almost 3 weeks. When she returned she introduced herself to Mike and gave him a framed beautiful picture of Barbaro. He was in awe. So she popped in Mikey's birthday party and we had taken pictures of her. But we didn't know whether to post them or this story until she gave us permission. Dottie is a true BarbaroManiac and at times when we talk about everything and the Barbaro Effect the tears are flowing. I could tell she felt so honored to meet Mike, Alex, Alie, Rachel, and just everyone connected. So thank you Dottie for accepting Mikey to Sunbridge and for being one of the amazing, awesome, inspiring BarbaroManiacs.

Mike is not as sore today and did go to his therapies this morning. Rochelle also went with him so they could show her how to work with Mike on steps and daily things. Rochelle has scheduled a date with Mike to take him out for lunch. They are so cute at times like a newly married couple. Especially at night when they tell each other good night. So God is good and our race for recovery continues. We think Mike may have pulled some chest muscles by bending down from his wheel chair trying to get a small ball that he was throwing up and trying to catch with his weak arm and hand. Sometimes he would drop it and it would roll and he then he would go after it stretching out real far to try and get it. P.T. told him it would work itself out soon which made Mike very happy.

Mother was so excited to see Mike today and spent most of the day with him. Then it was back to the hotel to her second love, Dreyfuss. He is sleeping right beside her bed and watches her every move. I was with him this morning and we walked all around the hotel in the nice green grass. He appears happy and not bothered by anything. Mother brought back a lot of pictures of Mike's early years. I just love them. We are overnighting them to Nancy for her to put in the photo album. Ya'll are just going to love them. I love the ones of him being a jockey. Just wait until you see them. Then you will see the reason why all these horses and people just love him. Well enough for tonight. I have some people to thank for special things but I will get it together and do it tomorrow. Especially the CARROT POSSE. God bless everyone.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

The Weekend is Over and Mother is on Her Way Back

2006-09-18T00:20:00.000-04:00

Good evening everyone. What a weekend. Mother is on I95-North as I type traveling this way. She has her dog, Dreyfuss and says he's sleeping and taking the trip well. The car is packed full Mother says, so I am going to stay up to help unload. I left Mike late but he was sleeping peacefully. You know Mike pushes himself so hard because he wants to recover so quickly and be able to get home with his wife and children. Well he pushed a little to hard Saturday. We really don't know what he did, or how it happened, or even if he might of fallen at sometime nobody was around. But sometime Saturday he was complaining of his legs, arms, and left rib cage area just hurting so bad. I asked him if he had fallen and just didn't want to tell me or had he done something in Physical Therapy to pull or strain muscles. See you have to remember Mikey has short term memory loss so sometimes he doesn't remember something that might have happened an hour ago or something you might have said an hour ago. He also gets real confused or mixed up at times about things. But anyways remember they did lower his chair for him to start using his legs walking the chair, which he has done a lot since then. He also went down to P.T. Saturday morning on his own to work out a little bit (which he now knows he's not suppose to do). He said he did the stationary bike and made it the tightest(hardest) it would go, so this might have been it also. Well I took him to the hotel anyways that afternoon and there is a hand rail in this hall that wouldn't fit the wheel chair so I let him hold on to it with me on the other side of him. His hand slipped and his under arm area caught him. So I thought now that area was going to be really sore but Mike said his left side rib area caught him. So when we got back to Sunbridge that evening he was really hurting still. They gave him some pain medicine and ordered an xray for the morning. Well thank God, no ribs fractured nor lungs punctured. So we have come to the conclusion that Mike has pulled some muscles bad in that area. Today it was still killing him but they continued the pain medicines. He keeps saying he has set himself back by pushing himself to much and doing to much. I told him we would continue to do as they told us and everything would be just fine. I felt so sorry for his thoughts and him. It hurts him so bad it is hard for him to take a deep breath or cough. And he's just not able to move in the bed like he was. I had to keep reassuring him it would all pass in days and he would be right back to where he was before he hurt hisself.

So Mike still has continued to receive birthday cards and he also received his tee shirt from Ernie. It is beautiful and his emotions rolled. He has had some new visitors also. Billy, a jockey that rode for him a lot and won some races, Paul and his two children came by to visit, and of course Rochelle and the children. Angel called last night and they talked for a long time. I am going to take Mike out to Fair Hill soon to see Angel and a lot of his friends. He still is today talking about his birthday party and all of the cards. He said, "Those BarbaroManiacs are awesome aren't they Cathy?" Ya'll know I said they sure are Mikey and they are helping a lot of people, animals, and Barbaro. God is blessing them over and over.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

Mike Still Talking About His Party

2006-09-15T02:29:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Yes, Mike is still talking about his surprise birthday party. He just can't get over all the people, gifts, cards, and that everyone told him how good he looks. Hey, I told him, "Your one good-looking guy who is amazing everyone with your recovery!!" We have continued to receive cards. You Barbaromaniacs have it going on. Really ya'll do. If you really only knew the good, positive, and just influences you have had on everyone. In every shape and form. The Carrot Posse is awesome too. We have the secret letter. So Nancy wanted me to let everyone know Alie and Rachel sent their pictures too and they are now up here on the photo album. We still have Mother's camera to download but we will have to wait until I get it back from Nancy. Also the DVD (video) will be on here soon. Then also I will be able to take a picture of Mikey's room wall that now has three long strings of cards and I am starting on the fourth. I would have to say there is over 100 cards ya'll. Life is just great and so are each and everyone of you.

Mike is missing Mother a lot. But he is doing well. Still trying to walk real hard. He has had his wheelchair adjusted where the seat is lower and he can use his legs more. Like walking while sitting. He has had some more visitors that came today. Jimmy Connors and Terry visited at lunch time for awhile. And Tim Woolley came today. Mike was very excited to see all. A lot of people stopped by after the party also. You know now I can't remember them all but a real good friend Jan that works at the tack shop at Delaware Park. Their Buds. Cathy Anderson, Sally Goswell, a real nice lady with blonde hair that a think is a vet. Boy somebody is going to kill me. But since Mother has been gone I'm with Mike all day and evening. Before, Mother and I took shifts. So I am kinda tired you know. But it's way worth it. Tonight I took Rochelle, kids, and Mike all out to eat. I wanted steak, but so did Mikey. It was so good and Mike did very well out and about in a wheel chair and in a crowded steak house. Oh, it was Lone Star. We all hated the rain today. It is suppose to clear up by the afternoon. Well I am going to bed now. Again, everyone, words just can not express how Mike feels and we feel. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. God Bless Everyone. I know you Barbaromanics have helped Barbaro. Just look at him and hear about him. Just like Mike.

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

Birthday Pics!

2006-09-14T13:51:00.000-04:00

Hi guys! Just wanted everyone to know I uploaded the b'day pictures to Mike's Album on Snapfish. It was a HUGE success! Cathy says she has three rows of cards on the wall in Mikey's room! Silly me - I accidentally left with Mom's camera in my purse. Have to mail it back so they can download from the camera and send them to me for posting. She'll be taking pictures of Mikey's room for all to see! It is one of those camera's with a docking station which of course is in Maryland with them! And...Sheilagh is transferring the video to DVD to send to me for posting too. And...Allie and Rachel will be sending their photos too! Lots to look forward to!

As soon as I get the DVD, I'll be sending the Extreme Home Makeover application out! Alex, Allie, Rachel and other friends of Mikeys were kind enough to let me record their nominations on camera! Mercy has done an awesome job of rallying the troops and made my job really easy. I haven't even counted the number of nomination letters that will be sent along with the application! We'll definitely keep everyone posted!

Mom is in Fayetteville. The first time since the accident. She is already counting the days (day!?!) until she returns. No amount of coaching from me, Mikey or Cathy will convince her to stay for any length of time! And Cathy has Mikey all to herself! Except when Rochelle and the children visit of course. I'm so jealous!

Mikey keeps talking about the party and seeing his friends from Fair Hill! I can honestly say Mikey's eyes had a special light in them not seen since the accident. That same light someone mentioned from TWR's site about the picture Alex has up:

"Beautiful. The look on Mike's face says it all. Why he trains. Why MM trains. Why Alex rides and blogs for Bobby. Why Edgar risked his life to save Bobby....Why the Jacksons, and Peter, and Mike, and Dr. Anderson spend so much of their personal time at NBC..Why Dr. Dean went to vet school instead of acting!" Posted by: Susan E. at September 14, 2006 12:42 AM

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES! WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO! WE BELIEVE IN MIKE! Love to all!

Mike's Birthday Party A Perfect Success

2006-09-13T00:40:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Words can't express the look on Mike's face and the success of this surprise party that was given by Kennett's Florist (Allie and Rachel) and the Barbaromaniacs. Hopefully tomorrow or the next day we will have pictures and possibly the video that was taken. Friends from Fair Hill made Mike's day and everyone was so overwhelmed. I am going to paste the note from his dear friends that posted on TWR's forum site to sum it all up until tomorrow. There is no possible way we (Mother, Nancy, and I) could ever thank everybody so much for all they contributed except to say that we know God will bless them all.

Mike Rea - Mike's Birthday surprise! Subscribe
From: pinkwellies Sep-12 5:14 pm
To: ALL (1 of 5)

Happy Birthday Mike! It was soooo wonderful to see you today! You look fabulous. I was very honored to meet your sisters and your mother- you are very blessed to have such a great, caring family! It was great to see Rochelle and baby Gracie and some other familiar faces from Fairhill too. The Saratoga t-shirt looks great on you- nice work Keith and Joy!

Kennett Florist done a fantastic job organizing this event, the cake, flowers and gifts were beautiful and I cannot believe the amount of mail you received from all over the USA- that shall keep you busy for a while! And all the gift baskets with starbucks coffee, magazines and goodies- wow!

I was so touched when I spoke to your sister Cathy and your Mother and they told me how they hadn't been home since your accident and how your mom's dog is now moving up here too! Your sister Nancy took a flight up to be here at your surprise birthday party! These ladies are worth their weight in gold!

Your face was a picture when you came into the room- and we yelled "surprise!!" You had the biggest smile on your face as you looked around at the people you hadn't seen since before your accident, then smiles became tears as you were overcome by emotion as we sang Happy Birthday to you. It was priceless.

We were all so proud of you when you blew out your candles and then insisted on showing everyone you could take some steps! We were blown away and even your sister Nancy couldn't believe her eyes! She said, "he couldn't do that the last time I saw him two weeks ago!" You have such amazing courage and desire, you are a phenomenon!

Your Mom told me how she and your sister Cathy have been really pampering you! I was laughing when she said that they have been giving you facials and pedicures and even bought you a nose hair trimmer! And boy, it shows- you look amazing. I asked if they had been using Olay products on you because you look younger than the last time I saw you!

Well, Mike we shall come and see you again for sure- hey, you only live a mile away from my house now- we are almost neighbors again! Next time instead of bringing you more to eat, I will bring you some pampering goodies for Cathy and your Mom to use- but don't worry, I won't put any Tag or Axe products in there- you never know what effect that would have on all those nurses in there!!!

Take Care Mike and enjoy the rest of your day!

Lots of Love

Michelle and Allan

xoxoxo

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA

GOD BLESS EVERYONE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON-BABY BROTHER-HUSBAND-FATHER

2006-09-12T00:44:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Well today is the great day we all have been waiting for and praying for also. Thank God and everyone for all your prayers, faith, and just everything that we can even celebrate our brother's birthday. We are so very thankful that we are even able to celebrate this. Tears are just flowing now. Mike was so lucky and he is so blessed to even be alive.

I just got back from the Philadelphia airport with Nancy. She is so excited about today and Mother and I are so excited that she was able to be here. Mike is going to be so surprised also and everyone is going to be so overwhelmed with emotion. We have plenty of Kleenex guys. Just to let everyone know, YOU are invited to attend Mike's party tomorrow at Sunbridge Care. It is to start around 1pm. If your able to come, please do. We would love to see and meet everyone.

Mike is doing well. His brain is healing because Mike is now realizing his limitations and is fighting depression daily. It is so sad to see but love, care, and a lot of hard work from and for Mikey is helping daily. My sister, Nancy has this wonderful book for Mike to read that someone told her about in a note with a donation. It is called Fighting Back by: Georgina Colthurst. She was injured much like Mikey in June of 1977 and wrote the book about her recovery with the help of family, doctors, and friends in 1990. She showed horses like dressage and hunter. Nancy is reading, highlighting parts for Mikey and Mother, and listening to Joel Olsteen all at the same time. Ever the multitasker. But anyways Cathy is now going to bed for the Big Day Tomorrow with Kennett Florist and everyone. And yes please continue your prayers for 6 yr. old Erin, Barbaro, and everyone in need. We Believe in Miracles, We Believe in Barbaro, We Believe in Mike Rea. God bless everyone.

What a Busy Weekend for All

2006-09-10T17:21:00.000-04:00

Mike has been doing very well. Visitors continue coming with love, hugs, kisses, and prayers for all. Keith and Joy Cooper visited Mike and gave him a beautiful tee shirt with Saratoga on it. Meryl also visited and prayed with Mike. Meryl's father married Saturday at Mike's church. Rochelle and Mike attended while I watched the children and washed up all of Mike's and our clothes. And yes Mike loved every minute of the wedding and being able to see everyone. Then Rochelle and Mike went and had one of their favorite coffee's. They are coffee drinkers but love special coffee's like from Starbucks. Well the other day a friend of Mike's and Rochelle's, named Ed, told me to just call the hotel Crystal Inn and check on staying there because someone he knew had had a house fire and they had stayed there for awhile at a discount. So Mother called them and Yes, Yes, Yes!!! We have now found a place to stay that will give us a discount and take Mother's dog, Dreyfuss. We are so happy to have finally found somewhere to stay that takes her dog. Mother will be leaving Wednesday to get Dreyfuss and some needed clothes and things. I will stay and be more at ease knowing that I am in a safe nice place and still near Mikey to help with his recovery. The Crystal Inn also has a heated pool and whirlpool that I am going to talk to the physical therapists about that will also help with Mike's recovery. Thank everyone for all their help and prayers for us. If you want to talk about the power of prayers and miracles listen to this. Mike attended his church (First Assembly Church of God) today with his family. He said they even prayed for Mother, I and Nancy for financial reasons and finding a place to stay. So within hours of the church's prayers we had found The Crystal Inn. Also the lady Leslie, that Mother was speaking with at the front desk about her son who had a horse accident and brain injury asked if Mother was talking about Mike Rea. She new of Mike's accident and I think her sister knows Rochelle. This makes me feel so good and I know now things are looking up more and more. I think the hotel is right off I95, exit 100 area. We will be moving there tomorrow. Mike's big surprise party by Kennet's Florist is Tuesday, Sept. 12th at Sunbridge Care. He is going to have another big surprise also. My sister Nancy is flying in for this special occasion. At first she couldn't find a reasonable ticket and now she has. So thank you God and everyone for everything. Rochelle's older brother, Brian visited with Mike today also. Mike talked to his oldest son Matthew who works at Delaware Park with the horses. Mike told Matthew how proud of him he is and to continue to help his mother when he can. So all in all today has been a wonderful day and we expect many, many more. We Believe in Miracles, We Believe in Barbaro, and We Believe in Mike Rea. God bless everyone.

Almost the Weekend

2006-09-08T12:30:00.000-04:00

Good morning everyone. What a day yesterday. When I arrived to Sunbridge yesterday, Mother and Mike had started moving his room around. It looks good and gives him more room to maneuver his wheelchair around and about. Mike continues to work so very hard with his therapies. Especially the walking part. Again he will question me about why he can't get his feet to do what he wants them to do. So I will explain to him about the brain having to heal and send that signal to him. Then jokenly say remember what Nancy said? Your feet are the furthest from your brain and that is why it is taking longer and we all laugh. Mike continues to have a lot of visitors. Cindy Weymouth from Fair Hill came with lots of hugs and encouragement Wednesday. Then yesterday her husband Gene came with Terry and Jimmy. They brought M & M's. These are all horse people I think. The pastor from his church who is now retired came and prayed with Mike. His name is Pastor Murphy. He helped Mike understand that God heals in his own time and has reasons for everything. A friend name Ed came last evening before we were leaving to go to Mike's son, Hunter's soccer game. Boy if it wasn't for Ed I would have had a hard time putting that darn wheelchair in my VW Bug trunk. Ed got it in there and off we went to the game. Everyone was so excited to see Mike. Rochelle and all the children were there and their friends Sue Ellen and Margie . Margie helped me with the wheelchair and through the grass we pushed to the field. Great big mosquitoes were out. I kept swatting at them on us. Finally they left us alone. Hunter's team won of course and Hunter made a goal to help his team win. After we got everything packed up and back in the car we rode by the hotel room so Mike could actually see where Mother and I are staying for now. We have been trying hopelessly to find an efficiency apartment or something to live in until Mike is able to go home. We are still working on it. My mother has a black lab that is about 14 years old. She has been paying a dog sitter since June 16th to care for her beloved dog. But the dog sitter now has to have major surgery for an aneurysm and Mother doesn't want anybody else to care for Dreyfuss. Please pray for Kim who has taken such good care of her dog and help Kim to recover at God speed. Kim has taken care of Mother's house, yard, and dog. When I go home for a visit everything is immaculate and Dreyfuss looks so good that you can tell Kim has taken such good care of him. Mike still has a lot of visitors coming daily and we are going to have to get a visitor book because I am not good remembering names. Today an old friend from Mikes's early horse days came to visit. Lisa Berry and Kevin Willey. This is when Mike had a horse named Miresgo. She even brought a picture of my daughter on Miresgo at about 3 years old. My daughter, Nicole is now almost 24 years old and teaching elementary school in N.C. Well Tuesday is going to be a big day and a big surprise for Mike. I will write about this more later. By the way that is his birthday day, Sept. 12th. Great news on the anti-slaughter bill and Barbaro is doing as well as Mike. They are both Champions and hero's. WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO - WE BELIEVE IN MIKE - WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES. God bless everyone.

Outings, outings, and more outings

2006-09-06T20:08:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. I arrived back in Elkton, MD last evening. What I hear from Nancy and Mother, Mike has been doing very well. He attended Sunday school and worship on Sunday with Rochelle, children, and Nancy. Monday he went to a picnic with Rochelle and family. Tuesday he rode to the airport with Mother and Nancy to drop Nancy off for her flight back home. Wednesday Mike and Rochelle went out for lunch. So tonight he is kind of tired but all is well. All of his therapies have continued and he is doing good and working hard at everything. He misses Nancy already but gets to talk to her on the phone a lot. Mike will have a phone in his room soon. They have to turn on the line. I will keep you updated on this.

Mike had a visit from Marty and his wife, Sandy from J.P. Animal Supply Feed Company. Mike says their the dealers of Purina Ultium Feed which he has used for his horses for a couple of years and wouldn't use anything else because it is the best. They gave Mike a very nice jacket and cap which he says that he has always wanted.

Mike couldn't believe that Barbaro wrote him again. He asked me if he could dictate me another letter soon. I told him to just let me know when and the writing would begin. So as soon as this happens I'll send it on to Barbaro. Prayers are also helping Barbaro as they do Mike. I've always said the power of prayer is an amazing thing. They both are healing so well.

I am really tired from all the driving yesterday so this is short. I will continue to give you more updates tomorrow. Remember to pray for Mike and his buddy Barbaro. Good-night everyone. God bless.

I'm Still in Fayetteville, North Carolina

2006-09-03T21:48:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. My sister, Nancy asked me to post because she is so very tired. She just doesn't understand how Mother and I do it. I told her we just do it and really don't think about the tiredness or stress. We try to think about how far Mike has come so fast and all the wonderful people who support Mike and keep praying, messaging, lighting candles, and doing just everything for him that inspire us so much to keep on going. Mike had a very good day. Nancy got him ready for church today and Rochelle with the children picked him up. Nancy said it was very easy to put him in the car and also the wheelchair was easy to load in the car. He went to Sunday school and preaching. Everyone was excited to see him and there was hugs and emotions everywhere. I think his therapies start back up on Monday. I'm not sure if they get Labor Day off. I will be back Tuesday evening and Nancy is flying out Tuesday afternoon. I usually do Mike's laundry but Mother had to do it today. She has enjoyed Nancy's visit and was able to get a little bit of rest in also. We are so overwhelmed with all the response for the Extreme Home Makeover. Mercy and Nancy are putting everything together. Again Melissa Harden has now made a video that she will be sending to them. Of course it was fantastic as usual. I don't know what she does for a living but she sure could be an author or T.V. person. She is so talented. I read the TWR's site daily and the Discussion Forum site also. There are a lot of people wanting to know about certain facts of Mike's life. I told Nancy to get on there and tell them, but I think I have too. Remember Nancy is in real estate and I am in nursing. I am use to taking care of people. I love taking care of my brother and helping him with his recovery. I really think God has let me be in the position I am in so I can do this. So enough about me. Mike talked to Mercy from Florida today and they both loved it. He knows about everything everyone is doing for him and he is just so inspired by it all. I really think all of this has helped him though this period in his life and also with his speedy recovering that is going on. Well it is time for me to go. Believe in Miracles, Believe in Mike, and Believe in Barbaro. They are both in this recovery together. There is a reason for everything and for both of them they are Champions. God bless everyone.

Barbaro's Response to Mike's Letter

2006-09-02T17:52:00.000-04:00

Barbaro’s Reponse to Mike Rea’s Letter

By

Bobby J. (AKA “Barbaro”)

Don’t mention it my friend, we are in this together,
The best we can do is to support one another.

I heard you have moved closer to home, boy that is grand,
You and I both know that it is the best in the land.

Just gave Alex a message from me to the Bullet,
I told him to tell him, I thought he was full of it!

I know we both just must keep healing from day to day,
You in the hospital, while I am here in the hay.

I just wish you could visit me out here in my stall,
All of our fans would be thrilled, and would not that beat all!

Because we both are survivors, known that from the start,
And I know you will be back soon from deep in my heart.

Do not be discouraged when things don’t go as you plan,
Remember we’re in God’s keeping, He has things in hand.

Hello everyone. I am in Fayetteville, NC and Nancy had told me about Barbaro's Response to Mike's letter and I wanted to share it with everyone to see. Melissa Harden, who is so talented really wrote this and Mike gets so delighted when he sees things like this. It also helps him to be so strong and he tries so much harder at healing. We love everything everyone has done for Mike. Will be back later.

Hello Again from Mike and Family!!!!!!!!

2006-09-01T02:00:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Please bare with me because it takes very long for me to post. I am using a land line and it is sooooooooo slow. Mike is doing very well. He loves Sunbridge and gets a kick out of the fact that he is the youngest patient there by many many years. Sunbridge has one wing that is dedicated to rehabilitation. All of his therapists are working very hard with Mike because his will to fully recover, his positive attitude, and faith are contagious. He told Nancy tonight that he has faith and knows that it is God’s plan to heal him but that he must plant the seeds and work hard with the therapists so in God’s time he will reap what he sows. They talked for hours because they both missed each other so much. Yes, Nancy is here. She actually left last night and drove to Raleigh for fear the weather coming in might keep her from flying out. I went to the BWI airport to pick her up today and they are so strict for arriving flights that the police women wouldn’t let anybody wait to pick up passengers. I had to drive around the loop about ten times until Nancy could get her luggage and come out. Finally she did and I pulled right up and then had no problems. As you can see, the weather has kept me from leaving yet. Maybe tomorrow sometime I’ll take rent a row boat to get back to NC! Mike was so excited and overwhelmed to see Nancy and to hear that I wasn’t leaving. We’re a family together again even if for a few days. Bruce Miller was there visiting when we arrived. He is such a good friend of Mike’s. Rochelle and the children have enjoyed visiting also. The other patients enjoy the children, especially baby Gracie. Rochelle was holding her going down the hall and stopped because an elderly lady was admiring her. Gracie bent right down and gave her a kiss. It was so positively sweet. The children are in school during the week but try to come every evening. They love their daddy so much.

Mike’s sense of humor and quick wit are coming back. He had us in stitches again tonight making jokes about nearly everything. We all laughed so hard our sides really hurt. He stated to me as I was transferring him from his wheelchair to his bed, “Cathy I just don’t understand why I can’t walk or get my feet to do right.” Then Nancy said, “Maybe because they’re the farthest from your brain.” Then he said, “Maybe I’m getting better from the top then down.” Seriously since he has become used to Sunbridge and settled in there has been a lot of laughter.

When Mike was at Kernan and during his agitation state, Nancy was the only one who could calm him down. She would rub his head and tell him to think of a beautiful relaxing place. They would close their eyes and together describe a grassy meadow with a Carolina blue sky and white fluffy clouds. Mike would say “and the grass is thick and green” and then Nancy would say “there is a soft breeze blowing again your face” and Mike would say “there are horses running in the distance” and so on and before you knew it, he would forget about being upset. Tonight, Nancy asked Mike what he wanted to do tomorrow. He said, “walk barefoot in the grass.” We all fell silent and felt his sadness of missing the simple things in life. Nancy wants to take Mike outside tomorrow weather permitting and let him take off his shoes and let him feel the grass. I hope it does not rain!

I know this post is already long but there are so many things I want to let everyone know about. Just one more for tonight guys. Mercy you are angel sent from God to help us help Mike in anyway we can. What you and the Barbaromaniacs are doing on TWR’s site is awesome. For those of you who haven’t seen Mercy’s proposal for Mike’s nomination to Extreme Home Makeover, please visit Tim Woolley's Racing and look under Discussions and Chats, then under Barbaro for A Barbarion’s Response to Mike Rea or under Mike Rea and Extreme Home Makeover Nominations. Here is part of her email that she sent to Nancy and what made us all realize this could happen: “I first saw about Mike’s unfortunate accident (which occurred on my birthday) on TWR’s site while checking for Barbaro’s updates. As a result, I wanted to read more about Mike and went on your site where I found out his favorite song was “I can only Imagine from Mercyme, another coincidence. While attending Mass, the sermon was about the fish and the loaves, giving and sharing, & we should do the same - give something to someone that you don’t expect anything in return….so I sent my donation. I dropped it in the mail box, got in my car & turned the key, immediately Mercyme came on – “I can Only Imagine”….I took it as God’s way of saying He noticed a small good deed. The following Sunday night my daughter & her family came over for dinner & she turned the TV on to Extreme Home Makeover – and then I knew…..your brother immediately came to my mind. I told Danah (my daughter) then, “This is it – this is what Mike Rea needs and I have to get involved and the reason why I became entranced with Barbaro in the first place”. We’re working on the application this weekend to go with the letters from everyone! Will keep everyone posted of our process. Believe in Miracles- Believe in Barbaro- Believe in Mike’s Recovery. God bless everyone and thank you for your patience with the lack of postings lately. Good night and continue your prayers for Mike and Barbaro on their recoveries.

From Elkton, Maryland

2006-08-29T18:06:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. I am very limited to internet access but between Nancy and I (Cathy) we are going to keep the posts and updates coming. First the most important thing I want to let everyone know is that Mike is doing great. He has settled in now and is really enjoying his room. It has a big window that he can look out and see the green grass, trees, and cars going by. The room is also almost at the end of a hall so he can't hear all the noise up the hall. Very nice and quiet like he likes it. His therapies started Monday and Mike says they are good and have been working him hard. He is allowed visitors practically anytime. But he does his P.T. and Occupational therapies in the mornings around 10am or so, then his lunch is around 12n or so, and his Speech therapy is around 1pm. Dinner is served around 5pm. Mike is allowed outings. Like to dinner, church, visits with friends, and soccer games. We were just going to let him settle in this week before any outings yet. And yes that means you can take him for outings also. Nancy has called and told me and read to me all the wonderful comments and messages from every where. Especially from TWR's site and forum. We are so grateful for Mercy and everyone else who are helping Mike anyway they can. So for right now Mike is good and has already had a lot of visitors. Friends, family, Fair Hill horse people, and church members, and more horse people from everywhere. I will be going home to Fayetteville, NC this weekend and my sister, Nancy will be coming Thursday. We are working on getting some Net Magic for the internet. One of us will be back and give you updates. God is good and God bless everyone including Barbaro. No we haven't forgot Barbaro. Believe in Miracles!!

Oh the address for where Mike is: Sunbridge Care and Rehabilation
1 Price Drive
Elkton, MD 21921

Price Dr. is located off of Whitehall Road in Elkton. Very near Mike's home and Fair Hill Training Center.

We're Back!

2006-08-26T16:48:00.000-04:00

The past few days have been absolutely full of miracles and surprises! The biggest news of all is that Mike was released from Kernan yesterday afternoon and has been transferred to SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation Center located only minutes from his home and Fair Hill Training Center! We found out only several hours before the move took place. Apparently Kernan had been working towards this for some time but did not want the family to get their hopes up in case it didn't happen. Of course, as we have learned, once the "yes" comes in, everything happens very quickly. Although I was not there, I understand that there were a lot of tearful goodbyes between Mike and his nurses and therapists. I was on the phone with Cathy and Mom during the ride to SunBridge and it was your typical 5:00 stop and go backed up traffic for hours. We all were so concerned for Mike who was in a transport vehicle in a wheelchair and not really sure of what was happening. Still, after a three hour trip that should have taken an hour, Mike, Mom and Cathy arrived safely. Rochelle and the children were there to greet them and you can imagine how exciting and hectic this transition was. Just like transferring from the University of Maryland Shock Trauma to Kernan was for all of us, this will take a few days to get used to. New nurses, new therapists, new motels, new routines. Yes, change is good, but change is difficult!

Cathy says Mike has adapted well and was in good spirits today. He is a bit confused about being "so close, but so far away" to his home and thankfully does not have therapies until Monday. Mike, Mom, Cathy, Rochelle and the kids have the weekend to get familiar with the change. The fact that Mike's caseworker told us the most important aspect of Mike's recovery at this point is physical therapy and being close to family and friends is extremely encouraging to all! Cathy and Mom found a hotel about 10:00 last night and although it is close and comfortable, it does not have internet access. Knowing my sister like I do, she will find a way to continue her daily updates in no time. As soon as we learn the visiting hours, address, etc., Cathy or I will let everyone know.

Becky Witzman, the winner of the 2006 Ford Mustang, sent me the DVD recorded by her mother and I have added it to the Raffle Results. Click Mike Rea Recovery Relief Fund Race to see the video.

There is so much more to share! I've brought the family up to date on TWR's postings and the personal emails I have been receiving since Friday. We are all completely at a loss for words right now. Bless you all! We do Believe in Miracles - We do Believe in the Power of Prayer - and we all feel the Favor of God Shining Down on each and every one of us!

Mike's Message to Barbaro - Surprise visit from Jesse

2006-08-23T23:34:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. When I arrived at Kernan today Mike had Barbaro's letter ready and asked would I send it to Barbaro. So here it is:

Dear Barbaro,

Thank you for being a super star and thinking of me. People write on your web site and talk to me. There is no other way they would have talked to me because they talked to you first. Your trainer and owners are so famous and that way I get mentioned on a equal basis as you do. I feel like there is no other way those people would have considered me in their thoughts if they hadn't considered you first. It is very touching that I am considered by the same caliber of people who considered you. I feel privledged because of all this. I just want the story to show people what my life is about and how much my family loves me and how much I love them. Thank you Barbaro so much. My prayers and dreams are with you.

Mike Rea

As you can tell, I didn't edit any of his words. Mike is so overwhelmed with everyone caring so much about him. I've also posted his letter on the Tim Woolley's Racing site and on the new message/chat board for everyone to see. I hope everyone sees it and again thanks to everyone for helping my brother with his recovery.

Today was a good day for Mike. He called mother and I this morning. He was worried about Rochelle and the children. He gets thoughts in his head sometimes and we try to help him. As soon as he hung up the phone Rochelle, Gracie, and Jesse walked in. Yes I said Jesse, Mike's 12 year old son who he hasn't seen since the accident. They embraced, hugged and cried. The visit went great. After they left is when Mike started his letter to Barbaro. Tonight when I was talking to Rochelle I had told her about his call to us this morning and then told her Mike said that as soon as he hung up she walked in. She was touched because at that moment she knew she had completely stopped his thoughts or worrying when she and the children arrived. She surprised Mike with Jesse's visit. Good night to everyone. All is good.

My Brother Just Amazes Me

2006-08-22T23:13:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Today has been great and Mike is still so determined to beat this thing. He works so hard at all of his therapies and tries so hard at mastering his wheelchair. What really amazes me so much is him telling me that he is confused and his brain is not letting him think straight or knowing that his brain is not letting him remember what he was just about to ask me. He will sit there and say, "Okay brain, lets get it together now."

Rochelle called on her way home from soccer practice tonight with the boys. My mistake, but Jesse, the 12 year old is also playing soccer. I had wrote about Hunter, the 5 year old being a natural at soccer but didn't realize Jesse was playing also. Mike gets so emotional when he talks to them on the phone. But at the same time if you could see that look on his face of such pride and love for them. He told Rochelle that he loves and misses her so much and that he couldn't wait until they lived together again. Mike really wants to go home so bad. To look at Mike you can't tell that there is anything wrong. Most of the time when you are talking with him you can't tell either. He has a lot of physical therapy to do. The legs, arms, and whole body have got to get the right signals from the brain to work properly. He gets to do his walking in physical therapy. Soon I hope we will get to help him walk around the halls. I see parents like on each side of their child holding their arms and walking them for hours. I know this has got to help them get stronger and stronger quicker. So when that time comes I will let you know about it for sure. His children will be starting school soon. Then comes the homework in the evenings. I heard Mike tell Rochelle he would help her with their homework. Like I said he just amazes me.

I see that Barbaro is doing well also. Such hero's and champions these two are. Since Mike has been with horses all his life I figure he must have some of that strong horse blood running through him. From what I understand one of Mike's horses ran a race the other day and WON. A friend of his is taking care of his horses. I think his name is Jimmy Connors. Of course our sister, Nancy would know the details, but it is too late to call her right now. I'll find out and let ya'll know. Mike has started on his journal and has also started on his message to Barbaro. He wants me to help him so he can get the message to Barbaro soon. I told him to think of some more thoughts tonight and we would work on it tomorrow. So with that good night to everyone and keep up all the messages, prayers, and candles to our boys. I know all of this is really helping both of them. God bless you all.

Hair Trim Today

2006-08-21T23:50:00.000-04:00

Mike continues to do very well. Healing of his brain will take some time but he is so determined to beat this thing. He did have some confusion off and on today. But the great thing about Mike is he will tell you that he feels weird and knows he is confused at that point. The sad part is seeing his face worried, scared, and lost. Of course we explain to him anything he asks. Even if it is the millionth time we have told him. Rochelle is working on getting him passes to church, outings, and his son's soccer games. I think this would be great for him and his children. I hope they approve it. Therapies continue daily and Mike does so well in all. We realized that he is still on what they call a mechanical diet (chopped food) tonight. I told him to ask his speech therapist (she is the one who determines the changes to his diet) tomorrow about a regular diet. When he does get on a regular diet he will be able to pick from a menu the next days meal. The food is very good at Kernan and Mike eats three meals a day. He leaves nothing on the tray.

As I was walking in to Kernan today I ran into the hair dresser that had cut his hair the first time. Her name is Teresa and she was there to do some other patients hair. She remembered my southern accent and remembered Mike. I told her he really did need a trim. So when she finished with her other scheduled hair cuts she came and trimmed Mike's hair. He didn't remember her but he enjoyed his hair trim.

My sister Nancy will be arriving August 31st. Mike and I can't wait for her visit. Mike talks to her everyday and tells her to hurry up and get here. I am trying to talk her into staying a little longer this time but she says she has to get back to work. The real estate business just isn't booming right now which makes her have to work harder. So all of you have a good night and a wonderful tomorrow. Remember Barbaro and Mike in your prayers and may God bless you all.

That Darn Wheelchair

2006-08-21T11:52:00.000-04:00

Mother and Mike had a nice Sunday visit. Mike spent most of the day trying to master his wheelchair. With one weak arm and one strong arm it is difficult to keep it going in a straight line. But Mike is very determined to get it to go straight. His urological problems seem to be improving and we are hoping for a good report when he sees the urologist Thursday. Mikey loved the message from Bobby J. - (AKA "Barbaro") He was so touched and inspired by the message that he says he wants to send one to Barbaro. Mother bought him a notebook so he could start working on it. He also told Mother that he wanted to start keeping a journal. He used to keep one in his younger days. So as soon as he composes his message, I'll post it. I can't wait for that. Gary Katz, a long time friend and fellow horseman had a nice visit with Mike. They strolled through the healing gardens. Mike was showing off his wheelchair expertise. Mother took pictures of Mike's visitors and favorite nurses. Since some of the nurses weren't working over the weekend, we will get the rest this week and post them all in the photo album. Well have to get ready to go be with Mike today. I will post more this evening. May God bless each and everyone.

Message to Mike from Bobby J. (AKA "Barbaro")

2006-08-19T16:44:00.000-04:00

Mike, you are healing, be patient and still
Soon you’ll recover, I know that you will.

Keep doing as I do and; go with the flow.
Just do what they say even though it seems slow.

Eat all your carrots, good food for the brain.
Without all my carrots, I would go insane.

See if your doctors will let you have some fresh air.
There is nothing like it, now that I am out there.

We will win our races at the end of the day,
And if we don’t I guess I’ll eat hay.

Maybe we will get to go home together
We’ll have a good neigh, while enjoying the weather.

Just look at me, I am out of my sling,
The day will soon come when we both will sing.

(Did I say that? Have you heard the story about “Perhaps the horse will learn to sing?”) Maybe I will at that since people are talking about me running for President as a dark horse candidate! Big Horse Laugh!

Your Friend,

Bobby J. (AKA “Barbaro”)

Written by: Melissa Harden from Tim Woolley's website (TWR)

Melissa is a very talented and has written several poems, messages to Mike and for Mike. He loves each and every one and it really does help him in his recovery. Rochelle, Baby Gracie, and Trish her sister are visiting today. Mother ran errands and I caught up on everything. Thanks so much for all your comments, messages here and on TWR's site. I light candles for everyone and prayer for everyone also. There is so much healing and recovering going on. It amazes me what each and every one of us can do for that person or horse. God bless you all. I will write again later. Getting ready to go visit Mikey now.

An update from the other sister...

2006-08-18T20:53:00.000-04:00

I'm filling in for Cathy because she has friends visiting tonight. Still, she wouldn't leave Mike until 8:30 and called me from her car to tell me about Mike's day. He had two visitors today and I'm told they were great. One was Bobby Witham, Mike's friend from many years ago (those Camden, SC days!) and J. B. Secor, a fellow trainer that he sees at Penn National often and a good friend. Mom took pictures and now that I have figured out how to share these with everyone, they will be posted soon. Mike's "good night" phone call to Rochelle was touching as always and if weather permits, she and the children will visit tomorrow. Cathy said Mike's therapies went well today too. He spent a good 5 minutes on the stationary bike and even lifted a few weights. Mike's agitation has been replaced with confusion and I don't know which is worse. This is hard for him and for all of us because we see how it worries him so. We all find comfort from those of you who share your experiences with us and know that this too shall pass and as Cathy said, is part of the healing process. Mike's "Recovery Book" is getting thicker and thicker from all the well wishes! Sometimes when he and I are talking, I'll read a bit to him. He loves to hear the encouraging words but I can only read a few at a time because he will get so emotional (the good kind of of course). I'm planning to bring the book with me the end of the month when I visit and will call it Part One. Tonight, I asked Mike if there was anything he wanted me to say since I was blogging for Cathy and I know I don't possess Cathy's gift of expression. He said, with a great deal of emotion, "Tell everyone I thank them for their interest in me and my family and for their prayers. I am looking forward to the future." Good night new friends....

What a Good Day for All

2006-08-17T22:43:00.000-04:00

First to let everyone know that my sister, Nancy has finally found the time to update the blog site and tell you about the raffle. She is self employed and works very hard in real estate. She is also the one behind all the administrative stuff for Mike and spends hours each day on so many different things. So if you look at the left hand side of this posting and scroll down to Photo Album, Nancy has posted 20 pictures for everyone to see. It doesn't cost anything to join and see the pictures. If you click slide show and then go to the first picture it will start the show. To slow it down, there is a slide bar at the top, move it to the left. Nancy did good. Then if you scroll down further you will see what she posted about the raffle and the results. She mentions everyone that was involved and helped her tremendously. Mike has done a lot better today. Remember Hunter's soccer game was this evening. Well he scored a goal. Mike talked to him on the phone and it was filled with joy. Mike also talked to Jesse and asked him to be a good boy for his mother and told him he was getting better and that they would be able to hang out together very soon. He told Jesse they would do something together, like fishing. Mike talks about the out pouring of comments, messages, prayers, candles, donations, and of course Barbaro. He is still very emotional and can't understand why people would want to read about him. He cries when we tell him the number of people who have visited his blog, or left messages and poems, or lit candles for him. He so appreciates everything with such emotion and disbelief. Again, thank you so much for all the encouragement and just everything. I told Mike that God had a plan for him and it must be something really good because so many people must feel this and are interested in following him on his race to recovery. I asked him if he remembered saving those horses from that terrible fire at Fair Hill. He looked at me like he didn't remember and then burst into tears and said, "Yes, no one knew those horses were in the back of the barn and I was the only one there to get them out." "But Tammy came and helped me." He saved four horses and there were a couple of articles written about Mike and Tammy Burlin and the fire. So I said to him that he had risked his life to save those horses and did he remember what Mr. Bruce Jackson had said to him? To quote a paragraph from the Delaware News Journal dated Nov. 4, 2005: "To risk injury in order to save horses from a burning barn is a testament to their devotion, and a statement about their friendship and integrity found among fellow members of the horse community here at Fair Hill." So now Mikey do you understand why people are so interested in you? Yes, Cathy. Good night to all and God Bless Everyone, Mike, and Barbaro.

They Say the Brain Healing has Started

2006-08-16T22:59:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. When Mother and I arrived at Kernan today we found Mike to be so disturbed and scared. He woke up last evening at 3:30 AM and saw that we weren't there. He thought we had left and gone back to North Carolina. He couldn't remember that we had been there earlier. Matter of fact he couldn't remember us being with him or that anybody had been there at all including his wife and children. Mike thought we had abandoned him. Two of the therapists were there with him and were explaining things to him. It was so sad to see him so distraught. Their telling him and us that this is part of the brain healing. Some days are great and now some days are the steps back. See we go there every day at 3:30 PM. This is the type of confusion they go through. By the evening hours we usually have him straight and he's talking and communicating okay. We think this happens during the night by dreams, the TV, or over hearing the staff talking, and who knows. The therapist explained his brain is healing and making him more aware that he does have a problem and that he is confused. By the time we arrive he is terrified and feels totally abandoned. Mike's realizing that this confusion frightens him especially when he has no memory of us being there the night before. Mother left him a note tonight for him to see if he wakes up during the night. It says, Rochelle, children, Mom, Cathy, and Nancy love him and will never leave him. It also says that Mom and Cathy are there every afternoon at 3:30pm and if he wakes up and it is dark outside and the clock says 3:30 that is sleeping time. When the clock says 3:30 and it's light outside that means we will be there. Hopefully this phase will pass as other phases have passed. Mother would camp out in his room on a chair if she could but the staff wants us and him to get the rest that all of us need. This very nice nurse named Jane tells us that Mike is actually doing very well compared to other patients there who have brain injuries who have no family that visit them. She says they have to be placed on a lot of medications, and especially meds for depression and they lay in their beds and cry and don't participate in their therapies well. She told Mike he was very lucky to have family there everyday and that his wife,children, sisters, and mom love him and that they are there for him. This period of his healing is so heart wrenching but we really do believe that God saved him and has better plans for him. Please pray that God will give him peace in his heart during the nights and that he will soon pass this period of healing.

Mike says HELLO to Each and Everyone

2006-08-15T21:34:00.000-04:00

Today has been another good day. Mike's wife came and visited earlier today with Baby Gracie and good friend Sue Ellen. Rochelle was told Mike was dressing himself with the help of one of the therapists and slid right off the bed onto his bottom. No harm done and he said he laughed. The doctor checked him out from what I understand and he was fine. All of his therapies went well today. They say Mike is doing so well. That he is so determined to beat this brain injury. He is now aware of the fact that he does have a traumatic brain injury and that it takes time to heal. What he doesn't like is knowing that sometimes he doesn't say the right things or that he mixes thoughts up and they come out backwards or not making any sense at all. He says he is also scared to answer a question or comment on something in fear that is really not what he meant to say. Of course we told him not to worry himself about things like that. We understand it all. Also not to be worried, that everyone knows he has a brain injury and this is what brain injured patients do. We don't want Mike to have to worry about anything. Nothing at all. We want him to concentrate on just himself and to get the best care possible. He asked me was I going to write on the blog tonight. I told him yes. Why? He said, "Would I please tell everyone hello for him and thank everyone for everything that they had done for him." Then he asked me was he and Barbaro still in a race to see who was going to finish first. Where he got this thought from was from us telling him when TWR's site mentions him, they say that ya'll are neck and neck in recovering or doing about the same in the recovery steps. There are a lot of times Mike makes complete sense for hours though. He was so excited this evening when his wife called to tell him Hunter, his 5 year old son was a natural at soccer. She said everyone had been telling her that during all the practices but she didn't really make anything out of it until tonight when he acted like a pro on the field. She can't wait until Thursdays game to really see what he does. He wants to make a goal. Well it's again time for me to go and get some rest. I'll be back tomorrow night. Keep your prayers coming. We still have a long road to go. God bless you all.

Here I am with Sunday's News

2006-08-14T23:03:00.000-04:00

Sorry I didn't post last evening but I was just so tired. Everything was great Sunday for Mike. Rochelle and Baby Gracie arrived with Angel, Mike's top groom for almost 20 years and his blacksmith. Ya'll are going to kill me. I just can't remember his name right now. Rochelle also had her friends Doris and her husband with her. But things went just like I had thought. Mike was so surprised to see Angel. They both hugged and held each other so tight and cried with such emotion. Mike said Angel and him were brothers. Everyone talked for a while and then his good friend Will and his wife Kelly came in. They had driven from Richmond, Virginia. Will brought Mike a giant bag of peanut M & M's and some very nice slippers with traction on the bottom so every time he gets up his feet won't slide out from under him. All and all everything was good. You could tell Mike was getting very tired though. Later that evening two men from their church came to visit also. At the beginning of the day Mike was excited that he had gone to church that morning with other patient. There is a small chapel there that they attended. He said the sermon was very good. As each day goes by I can tell Mike is getting stronger and stronger. Transferring him from the bed to the wheelchair has become so much more easy. When we arrived at Kernan this afternoon to visit Mike you could tell he was wore out from all his therapies today. Tonight he wheeled himself right up to the sink and washed his face, brushed his teeth and shaved. Yes he shaved himself. He was doing it so fast I said to him did he always shave that fast. You know this is not a race or anything. He said he always had. Before he goes to bed at night he calls Rochelle and tells her good night. So I just had to ask her if he always shaves like that and she said yes also. Now when I was doing it I would go slow and easy. Maybe that's why it appeared so fast to me. Oh and about Mike's son Jesse. He didn't make it to see his dad. Hopefully he will soon. Again, no harm done because Mike didn't know he was going to come. Things will work out when the time is right. So I see Barbaro is also doing very well. I know it is everyone's prayers and well wishes to both of these great champions. I'll be back tomorrow night. Thank everyone again from all across the world and all of Tim Woolley's sites and Barbaro's. God bless everyone.

Tomorrow is the Big Day

2006-08-12T23:45:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Today has been good for Mike. Of course he had all his therapies today and tomorrow is Sunday, the day of rest and visitors. Yes, as far as it stands right now, Jesse, his 12 year old son and Angel, his top groom are coming to visit. Rochelle will be bringing them. Mike doesn't know this so he is going to be so surprised. Some other people that worked with him at Fair Hill are coming also. I will let all of you know who and all about the visit. Mike enjoys Sunday's because it is a day of rest for him and his family comes for longer visits with him. He is getting pretty good at maneuvering his wheel chair. Hey, I can't even drive (push) it good sometimes. Now that he can stand for longer periods of time he wants to take showers twice a day. It's a huge shower area with a bench to sit on if you have to. I have to tell Mike to stop scrubbing so hard when he is washing his hair and also his body. I tell him he is going to make his skin raw and he can't be that dirty. He said it just feels so good to finally get to wash in a real shower instead of the bed. Then I have to think how long it has been, almost two months since his accident. I was working on his toe nails this evening while he was watching horse racing on the T.V. I looked up at the T.V. and was watching myself and Mike said, "Hey Cathy do you think you could keep doing my toes?" I said, oh aren't we spoiled. I guess he deserves a little spoiling. Hey, he's my brother and he's alive and kicking. Mike still gets confused at times, tires easily, and gets agitated when a lot of people are around talking. He looks so good and acts well that you have to remember that he does have a severe traumatic brain injury and it is still healing. My sister is returning August 31st. Boy is she going to have a time at the airport upon leaving. Sorry got side tracked. Anyways she and some of the girls are thinking of another good fund raiser for Mike's recovery relief fund. I know of one that everyone is going to love but I can't say anything about it yet until she gets the okay from some of the key people. She thought it up and it is so cool. If you are a horse race fan your going to enjoy this one. Well enough for tonight. I'll be writing more tomorrow night. Good night everyone and God Bless.

Hello Everyone

2006-08-11T00:02:00.000-04:00

Today has been good for Mike. He did well in all his therapies and had a lot of visitors through out the day. Tonight he gave himself a shower and he had the water sprayer going everywhere. I don't mind getting wet at the end of the evening though. But he is doing his self care very well. Again I am not positively sure but Angel is coming this Sunday. It will probably turn into a very emotional day. Also his 12 year old son, Jesse is suppose to be coming with his mother and Mike's wife, Rochelle. He was at Fair Hill with Mike that morning of the accident and saw his father being intubated and flown off in a helicopter. That is the last time he has seen his father. He came to Kernan and peeped at him from the door and accidentally saw him twice, once on a stretcher going to the xray department and sitting in a wheelchair in the hall. Jesse told me he didn't want to see his dad sick and wanted to wait until he was better to see him. Now he has talked to him on the phone some. Mike home schooled Jesse last year and they were always together going to races with their horses or at races and at the barn at Fair Hill. They were inseparable. Jesse is having to go to regular school this year. So Sunday is going to be something. Of course I will let you know all about it. Everyday Mike is getting stronger and stronger. He is so determined to beat this brain injury. He tries so hard at everything he does. I am so proud of him. All the nurses come by his room and talk to him. They tell him how far he has come since he first got there. It makes Mike feel so good. They are very encouraging. The TWR site pumps him up too. If ya'll could see his face when Mother and I tell him some of the comments people write about him and oh when we read the poems to him. It would make you smile and give you goose bumps all over. But he did smile real big and even laughed about the crazy glue to the saddle. Everyone has been so uplifting to us all. We thank you so very much for everything. Well it's time to go now. God bless everyone and keep those prayers coming and those candles lit for Mike and Barbaro.

Good Morning - Sorry I'm Late In Posting

2006-08-10T11:34:00.000-04:00

Mike didn't want us to leave him last evening and he wanted us to stay longer. Remember we're not allowed to stay late. He hasn't slept well the past couple of nights because of his room mate who was discharged yesterday. The room mate would stay up most of the night on the phone talking to his girlfriend. A lot of his conversations were XXX rated. The night before, Mike tried to get out of bed. His wheel chair was right next to his bed and he thought he could do it by himself and fell. He didn't get hurt, thank God. Mike said he was trying to get up and away from the guy so he wouldn't have to listen to all the trashy talk. So we had to do a lot of comforting last night. On a lighter note, Mike walked with a walker across the physical therapy room with the therapist behind him to keep him steady. Yeah!!! Mother, Rochelle, and his two youngest children were able to watch. They all beamed with joy. So all in all yesterday was good and today will be better. I will be so glad when he will be able to look at this site and TWR's site. We have hand copied some of the poems to read to him today and we're trying to arrange it so we can hook up somewhere there so he can start reading it all. Time to go now but I will be back tonight. Love, prayers, and well wishes to all.

From Tim Woolley's Racing Site

2006-08-08T22:20:00.000-04:00

Just wanted everyone to see this from TWR site. I was checking on Barbaro and saw this. Hope you enjoy. God bless.

Horse Angels Speaking
By
Melissa Harden

Barbaro must be listening a minute or two
To Horse Angels Secretariat and Seattle Slew
It is too soon to join us Secretariat said
Therefore you need now to listen instead.

Continue your healing and being patiently calm
Your positive attitude is the best healing balm
They're are saying you're smart and we have to agree
But what else should we expect with your great pedigree.

We have races in heaven and a whole lot of fun
But it is too soon to join us; your job is not done.
You will see that we all must have our own Triple Crown
Yours might be through your foals or even greater renown.

You have made safety in racing a cause celebrate
That might be your achievement at the end of your day
Or there might be another Triple Crown with you son
So even not on a course there're still races to run.

But whatever your job is, your success is confirmed
Because we know you are one of us chimed in Affirmed.
For you see we know that you are one of us and great
Even though your own Triple Crown was stolen by fate.

We'll be watching you closely to see you don't falter
While hearing the prayers offered here at our altar
For there are so many more legends with us up here
With us watching over you, you have nothing to fear.

You can also tell Mike Rea that we are all praying
So he will recover soon and restart his training
Cause we know that he loves horses and misses them too
Tell him that next time in the saddle to use crazy glue.

Resting Well Tonight

2006-08-08T21:33:00.000-04:00

They removed Mike's stomach tube this morning and he is doing very well. I checked out his wheel chair and it is very sensitive, like a steering wheel when it is real tight. Mike gets emotional every time we tell him how many people go to his site and also when we tell him about all the messages left for him. It's like he just can't believe it and is so happy that so many people are caring about him and praying for him. He has received a lot of cards and they are on a bulletin board in his room. We are going to try and get Kernan to let us hook up and go on line so Mike can see everything. Yeah, can you believe they don't have a hook up in their rooms or even wireless network. Since I wrote this morning there's not a lot to say. Will, one of his good friends since his teen years plans to visit Sunday if possible. We decided to let it be a surprise for Mike. We are going to make an effort to find the pictures of Mike from his first fox hunt at nine years old to his show days on the circuit jumping and showing, and his first race on the flat at Camden, S.C. and try to fine a few of his steeple chase races and win pictures of him being a jockey and of some of the horses he trained and won. Since these pictures are scattered from North Carolina to Maryland it may take a while. You know Mother, she kept every picture from the day he was born. So hopefully soon you can see why he is loved and cared for by so many people just like Barbaro is. We saw Barbaro on the news this evening and Mike was very interested in everything the T.V. had to say about Barbaro. Everyone have a good night and next day and I'll be back tomorrow night.

To All You Wonderful People

2006-08-08T12:31:00.000-04:00

If you only knew what hope and inspiration you give to us. Mother and I have been reading all the comments and messages this morning before we go to be with Mike this afternoon. We have talked to Mike on the phone and the stomach tube has been removed and he is doing great. His wife, Gracie, and Hunter are there with him right now having lunch before his afternoon therapies start. The main reason for my post this morning is to give a BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who have commented on this site. Your stories, prayers, lighted candles and best wishes are invaluable to us and there are times they are just what we needed to get through the day. How can we ever thank you for sharing your hearts with us? For example here is another poem here is another poem that was sent to us.

Mike, Hope Monday and the rest of this week continues to bring you a bit closer to home: Mary Somano, a healing therapist inspired us to write a special poem for you:

Mike's Prayer
by Wm & C Shaw

Loving husband, horsetrainer, father, family man-
Getting stronger improving as you can!

The Lord's light surrounds you
easing your family's mind-
The Lord's love protects you-
helping you and friends unwind.

The Lord's miracle continue your healing-
His arms wrap around you whatever you're feeling!

Under His protection, you always will be-
While His Miracles continue in you to see.

Another good day closer coming back home-
Therapy allows you to walk better to roam!

Lord's and His Angels presence watch over thee-
Your family's updates bring joyful news about ye.

God's Love, Light, Protection stay here-
Rest now, enjoy His Power erasing all fear!

May each day bring forth joyfully great news-
Keep walking stronger after putting on shoes!

May our Lord's miraculous grace-
Allow coming home to your family's place!
Heal Mike - pulling for you to win your own race.

Again thank you for sharing your hearts with Mike and our family.

A Good Day of Therapies

2006-08-07T23:04:00.000-04:00

Well I am back in Baltimore, MD but returned late because of the traffic and weather. Mike was okay with it, but made me promise to be right there tomorrow. Mother says he had a very good day of all his therapies. The physical therapist said he did extra good today and that he was a very hard worker. His friend from Fayetteville, Mike Osbourne called him tonight and they talked for awhile. Mike Os. told mother he was amazed at the difference in their conversation tonight than last time he had talked to Mike. Mother takes him out in the evening to enjoy some fresh air. Mike is trying to steer himself still but is working on getting the chair to go straight. I am going to have to check that chair out tomorrow. The last we heard about the removal of his stomach tube is that it is coming out tomorrow. You know I'll let you know tomorrow night. Thank you for the messages from TWR site and I hope all of you get to get back on there and leave Barbaro messages. I really enjoyed reading it. We have lit candles also for Barbaro and Mike. We tell Mike about all the messages and what they say and about TWR's site too. Well it's been a long day and drive so I am going to go for now. God bless you all and I'll be back tomorrow night.

A Nice Day of Rest and Family

2006-08-06T22:51:00.000-04:00

Mike's groom, Angel was unable to come to visit him today. There was nobody to relieve him of his afternoon duties from what I hear. Hopefully next Sunday he will be able to come. Mike was unaware of Angel's pending visit so no harm done. Rochelle, Hunter, Gracie, and Rochelle's sister, Trish came today. Of course Mike enjoyed every minute of the visit. Mother played with the children and pushed Gracie around in her stroller. Mother and Trish went to Subway and brought sandwiches back for everyone to eat together. Mike is trying to steer his new wheelchair so he can roll around the halls. I will be leaving Fayetteville, N.C. tomorrow morning to return to Baltimore, Maryland. I can't wait to see Mike. Hopefully my sister will have some new pictures to post on this site soon. Well it's been a long day trying to get things together to return so I will bid you a good night. Please continue to prayer for my brother. Thank you again for everything ya'll have done.

A Busy Day

2006-08-05T22:56:00.000-04:00

I have to make a correction from yesterday's post. I said Rochelle, Mike's wife and children were coming to visit this weekend and also his top groom, Angel. See I didn't know which day it would be (Saturday or Sunday) so that is why I said this weekend. Rochelle called Mike today (Saturday) and it will be tomorrow that she is coming with Angel. Mike still doesn't know that part. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Especially to the TWR site. I just love reading all your comments about Mike. We tell him everyday how Barbaro is doing and we pray for Barbaro with Mike. So Mother was with Mike today. He had his therapies this morning and into this afternoon. He had Mother take him outside several times today. Mother says he keeps asking when I will be back and she tells him early Monday. His progress is still coming along fine. He really wants to recover quickly so he can get home to his family. Yes he talks about all the time. Well guys it late and I am going to go light a candle for Mike and for Barbaro. God bless everyone.

In Fayetteville, N.C. for weekend

2006-08-04T22:53:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. I ran home for a short weekend. Mother calls me and tells me how Mike is doing. Today was another good day for him. He is really progressing well. He wants to be back home so bad. His family will be visiting this weekend and Rochelle is going to have a surprise for him. Mike's top groom, Angel will be coming with Rochelle and the children. He hasn't seen him since the accident. If I am not mistaken Angel has been with him a very long time and I know Mike is going to be so over joyed. As it stands right now the stomach tube is scheduled to come out Tuesday. Great progress is just pouring his way. I know it is from all the prayers and well wishes. Also the determination from Mike to recover from this and get home. Mother is all by herself the weekend but we talk a lot. Nancy is back home in S.C. for about three weeks and has already been selling homes since she returned. I'll be back Sunday night or Monday before visiting hours. Everyone from TWR/Barbaro's site thank you so much over and over again for everything. The messages really lift all of us up so much. The caring and love just pours out of every message. Good night Barbaro and we all wish you the best.

Good Evening Everyone

2006-08-03T23:28:00.000-04:00

Mike has done well today. He eats all of his meals and wants more. Especially ice cream with M & M's. Mother arrives daily at 3:30 pm after all his therapies are completed bringing the above. Mike expects this and recognizes mothers foot steps coming down the hall. He'll say, "Did you bring my ice cream and M & M's?" The doctor and nurses have told Mike that they will be removing his gastro tube from his stomach Monday or Tuesday. This is called a peg tube where he was getting liquid feedings and his medicines. He eats so well now and has continued to eat well they are going to take it out. Mike's main motivation is to work hard in his therapies so that he can return home to his wife and children. He talks about it all the time. Mike knows that if he does really well in all three of his therapies and progresses fast, he will get to go home. He even asked me if I would come early Monday for the peg removal so I could take him home. I had to explain to him there was more to his recovery than that. Also he saw his doctor in the hall and motioned for him to come in his room. Mike asked, "Hey doc if I get on my knees, will you let me go home to my family?" The doctor said, "No, that won't help. If you continue to improve you won't be here forever." So Mike is really missing his family, Rochelle and children. He just wants to be there so badly with them. Hunter had his first day of soccer today and Mike was emotional about missing this. Jesse had an overnight friend tonight which is good for him at this point and time. Mike asks Mother and I if we could just take him home and he would ask Rochelle if we could take care of him there at his house. We explained to Mike he needed more than just us at this time. This is the kicker though. He said, "Cathy, your a nurse, you know what to do for me, you can take my blood pressure and temperature." So some more explaining had to be done. Sheila Barndollar from Fair Hill came to visit Mike today. They had a wonderful visit. A long ago friend from steeple chase days in Camden, S.C. and Maryland, Bob also visited. So it is time for bed now. Thank you all again for all of your prayers, messages, and comments. I will write more tomorrow. God Bless.

So Unbelievable

2006-08-03T15:28:00.000-04:00

Thank you so much to everyone at Tim Woolley's Site. All of you are undoubtedly one in a million. We received so many messages, comments, and candle lightings it has taken me all day to read each and every one. I loved them all. So many thanks to Alex and Tim for keeping things afloat for us. I am sure as soon as my sister, Nancy gets settled back in today and goes over everything tonight she will have a lot to post about also. For the dear people on Tim's site, I don't no where to begin to thank all of you. Mike will love reading all of the messages so much. The poem that Wm and Cl Jackson shared with us is so perfect also. Mother has left to go be with Mike now and I'm getting to go also. He has two sets of each therapy everyday except Sunday. He really is doing so much better these days. Hopefully my sister will have new pictures to post soon. Also just an update: the nurse is no where to be found and no one really knows what happened to her. I'm not digging into that one. Better left alone. Mike had visitors while we were down. Especially from Delaware Park. Jan had a wonderful visit. Rochelle visited at lunch with the baby the other day and I think it was Sally that was with her. So I am going to go for now. Mother just called and said Mike is wanting me to get up there so I have to go. Here is the poem they sent us.

~~~~~~~~~BARBARO's RECOVERY ROAD II~~~~~~~~~~
written by WM, CL, & Barbaro Jackson's Insight

Two hundred thousand plus travel page views-
as Tim Woolley Racing keeps spreading good news!

Barbaro's Recovery Road may be long-
with adoring fans keeping Barbaro strong.
Beyond the prayers must our pensmanship speak-
Help make our horse athletes safer every week!

Thousands can make all the difference today-
Sign the petiton while Barbaro munches top hay!
He thanks you with nods, bows, and a wink-
For making his day while all of you think!

What if I had to travel recovery's road too?
How would I make things better for you?
Remember Michael's Miracle as all of us pray-
Keep lighting those candles each night and day!

Whispering Barbaro to heal better than ever!
Reminding Team Barbaro 'Never Say Never.'
Listen, there's whispers 'Don't You Quit!'
Not on our watch while all of us sit!

Watch Miracles happen on Recovery's Road
Let Mike Rea's and Barbaro's stories be told!
Lightens our spirits, we breathe easier now-
while GOOD NEWS spreads like wildfire, WOW!

Raise up your voices and sing us a song-
as Barbaro's & Mike's Recovery Road is long!
Send your GOOD WISHES and special gifts today-
While Barbaro eats special Lael grass and hay!

More than prayer, we now must all think-
Save our horse racing athletes from the brink!
Of broken down horses, we will talk no more-
as it's time for "Bobby" to snooze and snore!

YOU CAN MAKE the greatest difference for him-
Sign that petition Online helps Barbaro win!
A new kind of race so pick up your pace-
Come in and visit and show us your face!

Stop "Oh No's" and "Uh Oh's" before they begin-
Barbaro's campaign travels where noone has been!
Small step for horses, one giant step for men-
Start today with a click of a key instead of when?

Change Recovery's Road name to Better Road soon-
Time is of essence as this day approaches noon!
Takes but a moment, a flashback in time-
Moments keep passing, hearing Barbaro's chime!

Go if you must, but remember these words-
Make Racing Tracks safer for thoroughbred herds!
Todays Hopes are Tomorrow's Can Dos-
Jockeys and Horses need to hear the good news!

America cares, how much will that be?
Putting words into action for citizens to see-
Campaign for Barbaro until we make a difference!
Recovery Road is our Better Road with reverence!

WE ARE BACK AND UP LIVE!!!!!

2006-08-03T07:41:00.000-04:00

We finally have the internet back after so many days of worrying that we were so out of touch with all of you. I haven't read your messages yet or comments. I wanted to let everyone know Mike is doing wonderful with his recovery and making progress everyday. I took my sister, Nancy back to the airport yesterday and we are all sad she is gone. She should be back in about three weeks though. The horse race and Mustang raffle for Mike all went well. The lady who won the Mustang is from California and is on T.V. with the news or something. Nancy will be able to tell you more about that. I just know she has been putting Mike all over their news channel. Her name is Rebecca Witzman. Now back to Mike. He continues to make progress with standing and taking many steps (walking). He received a new wheel chair yesterday so he can start working on rolling himself around. He misses his family a lot and tells us constantly that he loves his wife, Rochelle. He wants to call her on the phone most of the evening and when he talks to her he is just bubbling and grinning from ear to ear. Mother did get a little bit of rest when Nancy was here. We made her stay in the hotel room and rest and assured her we would call if there was anything to let her know about Mike. So....Now I am going to go and read all of the comments and messages and I will be back to write more later. Thank you again for everything.

No Internet Access

2006-08-01T04:40:00.000-04:00

Just a quick FYI, Mike's sisters are without internet access at the moment, and apologise for a lack of recent updates. I (Alex at timwoolleyracing) saw them at Delaware Park yesterday (along with Rochelle) and they said that Mike was continuing to progress. The raffle for the Mustang was held after the fourth race. Becky from HRTV won! All four hundred tickets were sold, great job Sheila for putting everything together.

What a Difference a Few Weeks Make!

2006-07-28T22:19:00.000-04:00

Noon couldn't get here fast enough for me today. Its been 3 1/2 weeks since I saw Mikey and I just can't believe how much he has improved. He even looks 5 years younger - I'm guessing lots of rest and TLC! Mom and Cathy had a barber come in the other day, the stitches have been long gone, he can sit up and eat real food with a fork and he smiles and talks and hugs and kisses (we did that a lot today!). Yes, he is so much better and yet still has so far to go. What a great day Mikey had today. Rochelle and her friend Doris surprised Mike with a visit too! I don't know how Mom and Cathy are keeping this schedule though. I'm barely awake as I write and I'm going to give this to Cathy so she can share some of the special moments we had today.....
Well here I go. When Nancy played the CD she brought for him they both cried like babies. So much emotion today. Mike will sometimes ask what happened to him or where he is. It's sometimes easy to forget that he does not remember a conversation or comment after only a few minutes have passed. Today after he asked what happened and I started telling him, he started crying when I said he was riding Bruce's horse, Maulde's Girl. He thought the horse was hurt bad too. We reassured him that she was fine. When I told him that I thought a man named Paul from the barn had called 911, and told them not to send an ambulance that he needed a helicopter he started crying again. During dinner he was picking at his beans. Mother told him he needed to eat his beans, they were good for him. She started singing that song: beans, beans, are good for your heart. Mike finished with the rest immediately: the more you eat, the more you fart. We all laughed so hard. This started Mike on a roll of jokes and had all the nurses laughing also. One said to Mike, you should be a comedian and Mike said, "Well if I could get paid for it I would." Mike is still having trouble going to the bathroom. Nancy told him she use to have trouble "going on demand" or in front of people. Then she had a baby and never had that problem again. We all died laughing because Mike looked at her and said, "Well Nancy, guess I'm in trouble because I can't have a baby. So it was jokes like this back and forth. The nurse asked him if he needed something for pain. First he told her no and then said wait a minute my right elbow hurts. I'm laughing just thinking about it. You would have to be there for some of them. It was like when we were younger and all four of us sitting around after dinner. All of this lasted almost an hour. Mike laughed so hard also that sometimes it looked like he was crying but he wasn't.

I just wanted to write this comment. The other night I was so overwhelmed with all the messages and comments that were coming from people who said they read about Mike on Tim Woolley's Racing site and Barbaro updates. So I found the site and posted a thank you message not knowing until my sister arrived that Mike was mentioned nearly everyday. I stayed up last night until 3am reading all the posts. When I came to the posts about people being upset that it was Barbaro's site and not any body else's and were arguing back and forth about it I felt like an intruder and dummy for even wanting to post on that site. But everyone who did take up for Mike and send warm wishes, prayers, messages thank you so much over and over again. I apologize for stepping out of bounds but do wish the best for Barbaro and pray for him a lot. Enough said there.

So good night everyone until tomorrow night. God bless us all.

Nancy's Arrived

2006-07-28T01:30:00.000-04:00

I just returned from the airport with my sister. She is so excited about seeing Mikey, but we will have to wait till the morning. It's way too late now to go to Kernan. Her plane was delayed by an hour and a half due to electrical storms. Thank God she arrived safe and sound. Mike had an okay day. When I arrived this afternoon after his morning therapies he was back in his bed resting. He complained of right shoulder pain (this is the good shoulder) most of the night and all morning. So they decided to have it xrayed. We think the xray was normal but no one has told us yet for sure. He didn't have to do any of his afternoon therapies because of the pain he was having. It bothered him so bad that he couldn't even lift his arm to feed himself. By this evening he wasn't telling mother about his shoulder anymore. He just wanted to know when would we be back.
So mother explained his routine to him from when he awoke until 12 noon. Then we would all be there. He kept asking her to tell him over and over again. Finally mother told him to tell her. Mike repeated what she had been telling him. Mother left him sleeping peacefully. So we are off to bed to rise and shine in the morning for Mike. He will be so excited to see Nancy. She brought his favorite CD, Mercyme. Almost there. His favorite song is I Can Only Imagine. Good night to everyone.

God's Miracles and the Power of Prayer

2006-07-26T21:46:00.000-04:00

Just to let everyone know Mike is doing well today. I want to address the report from Mike about the nurses being mean to him. Yes, this is true that there is a nurse that has been very hateful to Mike during the night when he has been calling out for Mother and me. We also found out that she has been reported several times before and of course what I hear around the world is they just get reprimanded. Since there is such a shortage of nurses they don't get fired for their unrulely acts, nor medicine errors. But we are not finished with this yet, and it will be taken care of in ways that I can't explain right now. Yes I will keep you posted. I could tell you so, so many stories about hospital care that you would all just not believe it, but it is true stories. This is another reason Mother and I are with Mike as much as they will let us. Another good thing today. I guess my sister's prayers worked because Mike has not mentioned anything about the animal show today. That's one good thing about his brain injury, it's easy for him to forget things. He's not forgetting the nurse thing though. Also the urology test was negative and they couldn't find anything wrong with his urinary system. Mike had another swallowing test today and now he gets a soft diet. It is not like baby food anymore. Finely chopped. Also he can have regular liquids like water, tea, soda, and milk. He eats all three meals very well. The speech therapist also said he could have his favorite night time ritual of ice cream and M & M's mixed together and melted some. He uses peanut M & M's but can't have them yet. So now for the big news that brought everyone to tears of happiness. Mother and I told Mike before he went to physical therapy that if he tried real hard for one of his favorite therapist, Krista, that we would get him his ice cream and M & M's. Krista pushed him back from P.T. into his room and said to us, "Mike don't you have something to tell them?" Mike looked up with the biggest smile and said, "I WALKED!!" His voice came over with emotions so big. All of us began to cry tears of joy. When we bought the ice cream in the gift shop, Mother had bought this beautiful bear that sings the song, That's what friends are for. You know it is by Dionne Warwick and says keep smiling, that's what friends are for. Mother played it for Mike and he came over with emotions again and said, "Give it to my friend, Krista please. Mother said, "I tell you what. You can give it to her the day you leave and walk out of here." Mike said, "Yes that's what I want to do." Then Krista was crying and everything was good. Then Mike said, "Where's my ice cream?" We all started laughing so hard. Mike ate almost all of it and believe me enjoyed every mouthful. This morning is when Mike told mother he had a secret to tell her. He was scared and didn't want to be left alone. It was about the nurse. Mother had read the blog this morning and the comment posted by Wm and Cl Shaw from them and Barbaro. So mother started singing that song to him and told him where it came from, You Raised Me Up. Mike started crying with tears of joy. Tim Woolley's web site, Barbaro and all the people who have left us messages have really lifted all of us up. Even people we really don't even know. Thank you again for everything you have done for us and Mike. As you know I will be picking my sister, Nancy up from the airport tomorrow night. I miss her so much and I wish she could stay here with us longer. But like she says. Someone has to make the money. Ha! Ha! I do love her for everything she has done administrative and everything else. She has been printing the blog for days to bring it here and read it to Mike. You want to talk about tears from the heart then. Mike will be so over joyed. Let me tell you that my mother, Nancy and I find so much support in reading all of the comments from all the obvious people with care and concerns for Mike, his family and us. Mike's wife, Rochelle came to see him as a surprise today. She was with two of her good friends. They prayed and prayed with him to be healed. The first person Mike wanted to call was Rochelle. We called her and he told her with emotion he walked. I talked to her after that and she said, "See Cathy, what did I tell you. I prayed Sunday with him and then today. I told you God would heal him. Oh the power of prayer." She was overcome with joy. Mike also asked her to call the minister. Then he talked to Jesse his 12 year old son and then to Nancy. He then wanted to talk to his friend Will but nobody answered. We will try again to call. So don't ya'll think this is one of those most exciting days? Good night and God Bless Us All.

2006-07-25T21:40:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's "fairly good day" went to a "really not good day." It began when Cathy got to Kernan and the nurses there thought she was bringing Mike back from his off site urology test. It seems everyone there forgot about this scheduled test, woke Mike up, didn't dress him, and took him in some kind of vehicle to sit in a doctor's office waiting room for several hours. Apparently they had a television on The Animal Channel and Mike watched a story about slaughtering dogs and cats. That is all he could talk about the rest of the day. He was very upset and asked Mom and Cathy about 100 times to please save the animals and kept asking about the family dog Candy. I'm very tired of the word "agitated." He would not speak to me on the phone nor would he speak to a long time friend who called today. I don't know how his therapy went today. Mom and Cathy were more concerned about Mike's "agitation" and we never got to talk about therapy. Cathy discovered Mike's comment about the nurses' treatment was because they are having to be stern with him during the night due to his calling out for Cathy and Mom after bedtime. It would be nice if they tried to reassure him that Mom and Cathy were sleeping at the hotel rather than telling him to shut up so they could get their work done. Some of the "sterness" is good for Mike - like forcing him to dress himself instead of asking that someone help him. The therapists have to be stern and forceful with him at times and he considers that to be "mean." This, we understand...but "shut up?" Mom and Cathy are resting tonight. My prayer tonight is that Mikey forgets about the TV show, has peaceful thoughts and dreams, sleeps well tonight and has a better day tomorrow. Nancy

Good Evening Everyone

2006-07-24T21:40:00.000-04:00

Well today has been a fairly good day. My mother went there this morning and Mike told her some disturbing news. Now remember he has never told us anything of this sort before and I will be checking into this matter very deeply. It has to do with some nursing care during the late night hours and early morning hours. But all and all today he did all his therapies and ate all three of his meals and received an A+. I forgot to mention that his good friend Gary visited yesterday. Gary was saying some little jokes and Mike was grinning from ear and ear. He was getting what Gary was saying. Today another good friend visited, Bruce. Mike showed him that he could pull up his right leg and stand on both. Mike remains on the neuro scale at level 4. But like I said before I really feel he is between level 4 and 5. I left Mike tonight asleep. He appeared very peaceful and that he was sleeping well. So tomorrow will be another day and another step in his recovery. Thank you again for all the prayers and messages. Also for all the donations. The raffle is just around the corner for the Red Mustang. I'm getting so excited about it. I will write more tomorrow. Good night and may God bless us all.

Another Week of Therapies Started

2006-07-24T09:24:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone, yesterday was one of those step down days. When I arrived at Kernan Mike was back in bed taking a nap. The nurse said he had been complaining of his back hurting and she gave him some tylenol. He woke up shortly and was agitated, confused. His lunch came and he ate well. Rochelle, his wife and Trish, his sister in law with baby Gracie arrived. They visited for awhile and Mike watched the baby crawl on a blanket. She crawls with one leg out. She is one beautiful baby. Mike continued to be agitated. I took him out of his wheel chair and put him back to bed. He was a little better then. Rochelle read to him and prayed with him. I will be going out there today and I will write more tonight. He'll probably be tired from all his therapies today.

Filling in for Cathy....

2006-07-23T11:31:00.000-04:00

Mike continues to improve. When he has his moments of “agitation,” it is hard for all of us. We have to keep reminding ourselves that “This too shall pass!” and is part of the recovery process. Rochelle and the kids will be visiting today. They will be leaving right after church and driving straight in. Mike spoke to Hunter yesterday and wished him a Happy Birthday during his party. They talked about seeing each other today. He’ll hate me for this, but….Mikey was so cute last night. He asked Mom if Cathy could come early and make sure he looked okay for today. Now that’s a sign he is improving! Cathy is with him now, seeing that he is clean shaven, hair fixed and dressed in his best sweats! Laura, my daughter, got to speak with Mike yesterday too. Uncle Mikey has always been her favorite (I’m gonna get in trouble here). She and Mike had a wonderful conversation. He asked her about her travels and she said had she not known about his injuries, she would never have guessed there was anything wrong! We all love the moments like that!
Cathy will post later and let everyone know about the visit!

In the meantime, thank you Jack Ireland from The News Journal for writing a wonderful story about Mike! Here is the link: The News Journal Article.

Sandra McKee from The Baltimore Sun mentioned Mike in an article too. I can't get it to link, so cut and paste the following to read: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/horseracing/bal-barbaro18,1,7563337.story. Unfortunately, Sheilagh Barndollar was misquoted. She said, “We all care about Barbaro, but there is a good person who needs us more right now.” Not, “We don’t care about Barbaro.” Fortunately, for all of us who know Sheilagh, we knew better.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers! Nancy

Happy Birthday to Mike's Son, Hunter

2006-07-22T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Mike has been doing exceptionally well. You can see improvement almost every day. The speech therapist is going to try him on some food that he has to chew. He wants ice cream and peanut M&M's mixed together to eat. This is his favorite night time ritual. Mother rolled (pushed) Mike everywhere today. He wanted to go outside. He loved it and they went all over the rehab. He was also talkative today. His wife Rochelle called and spoke with him on the phone and they prayed together. Hunter will be 5 years old and she is giving him a party at their home. Hunter told his mother since Daddy wasn't going to be there,to have the birthday party at the rehab with him. They are all coming to visit Sunday but I am going to have Mike call home and talk to Hunter and wish him a Happy Birthday tomorrow (today). I myself can't wait until my sister, Nancy comes here. She will be here late on the 27th and we will be at the Big Mustang Raffle on the 31st at Delaware Park. So enough for tonight. Thank so much to everyone again for all of your support and prayers.

Stayed Late at Kernan Last Evening

2006-07-20T10:23:00.000-04:00

Good morning everyone. I'm getting ready to go be with Mike all day. I try to help him be less confused and reorient him to what has happened to him and where he is. A lot of the time he'll say, "Details Cathy, details. Tell me details." Then at night sometimes Mike will ask for a hug. The worst part is when he says, "Help me Cathy. Get me out of here." He also does this to Mother a lot. We are all hanging in there and continue to pray with him and pray for him. All and all he did fairly well yesterday with all his therapies. Continues to complain of his legs hurting a lot and sometimes his head. His blood pressure remained stable yesterday, but he is on medication for this. Thank everyone again and again for their prayers, messages, and contributions to his recovery fund. I will write more tonight.

Is It Broke Yet?!?

2006-07-19T21:38:00.000-04:00

Sheilagh Barndollar and I speak every few days to bring each other up to date on the raffle. You know, to keep the number of purchases straight between PayPal, direct purchases and the various tracks selling tickets. Sheilagh is a longtime friend of Mike's, a trainer at Fair Hill and the mastermind behind this awesome avenue of bringing financial assistance to Mike and family. So....Sheilagh is sharing Mike's story with everyone she sees and carries tickets with her wherever she goes. This is serious right? We have a goal and we WILL meet it....sell 400 tickets before the July 31st drawing....and we're comparing numbers and making sure everyone is represented with a ticket number and I'm taking notes and working on a spreadsheet, and Sheilagh tells me she has one problem she keeps running into.....I stop everything....hold my breath and wait....another problem?what is it?what can we do about it?and then she tells me....When she approaches some people and shares Mike's situation and tells them about raffling a mustang.....she keeps getting asked "It is broke yet?" And then...she has to explain....we're offering a FORD mustang, a car, not a wild mustang! I love it...I laugh, deep, out loud and it feels o' soooo good! Thanks Sheilagh...we all needed that!