Friday, May 4, 2012
05.04.12 - 30 Years Young
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
3.20.12 - Relay for Rachael
It is time for the Second annual Relay for Rachael everyone!!! ON April 29th 2012 we run and cheer for Rachael's runners.
There will be two team competing against each other running in the Big Sur International Marathon Relay. More than beating the other team to the finish line the main goal raise awareness and as much money as possible for their dear friend Rachael Short. Next to cheering us along, the best way you can support our cause, is to donate. All contributions are welcome, at an individual or team level.
You can pledge your support through this website using PayPal, or if you would prefer to write a check, here are the details:
http://www.relayforrachael.com/
Rachael Short Special Needs Trust
PO Box 6445
Carmel, CA 93921
**Please note "Relay" as the memo
Over a year into this journey, Rachael has made huge strides towards recovery. Constant rehabilitation with her live-in Physical Therapist consumes the majority of her days, with her free time spent focusing on how she can positively contribute to her community. Rachael focuses all of her energy on making a full recovery, which requires an immense amount of resources. Supporting her in this endeavor is our goal and is what motivates us to put one foot in front of the other.
Donations of any denomination are welcome, and at this time, all donations will be received as in-kind gifts.
http://www.relayforrachael.com/
Monday, December 19, 2011
12.19.11- Hands + Holidays
"Love, Life, Light: a series of Polaroid transfers made with the help of Evynn LeValley. This series was started on my 28th birthday when I was backpacking in Pine Valley, Los Padres Forest. The idea was to document my hands every year to show my aging. After my car accident on November 1, 2010, when I suffered a spinal cord injury which left my hands impaired, this series has taken another meaning. My hands are changing monthly, becoming stronger, changing shape. Time (along with hard work and motivation) will tell how much function I will regain. I hope for full function and try not to think otherwise. The mind is a powerful tool.
May your Holiday season be filled with Love, Life and Light." - Rachael Elizabeth Short
***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 161 Big Sur Ca. 93920***
***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com***************
Sunday, October 30, 2011
10.31.11 - Happy Halloween
"I still love you, Halloween. Pumpkins, vampires and zombies; how could I not.
If I knew then what I know now... would I have done things differently?
Live life to the fullest, be safe, have fun, take a walk, hold someone's hand, be thankful.
This was the path I was given. Everything I did leading up to my accident was in preparation for what I am now up against. I've had time to think about this; and it is true.
Help, hope and humor got me through this year... one year down... bring it on." -Rachael
"If you're going through hell, keep going" – Winston Churchill
***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 161 Big Sur Ca. 93920***
***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com***************
Saturday, October 29, 2011
10.30.11 - The First Year
What's the last year of your life been like? Where have you traveled? Who have you inspired? How have you changed? What have you accomplished?
It was a year ago. Lost behind the tubes and wires, Rachael lay there amongst the medical machines. She was paralyzed but not defeated. She still smiled.
In the last year Rachael did a lot of things for the first time. She breathed without being assisted by a machine. She took her first bite of solid food. She went to the gym, went outside and to the movies. She learned how to operate her body and a wheel chair. She returned home.
Today Rachael stands upright assisted by Sean Cheng, CPT who has dedicated himself to her recovery. A year later the progress Rachael has made is astounding. Looking back at the beginning of her journey it amazes all of us that a year has passed. We all have watched in awe as Rachel turned the countless challenges she faced into her many victories.
Rachael was driving to San Jose a few times a week for intensive acupuncture treatments at Dr. Zhu Acupuncture & Neurology Center. She recently completed this stage of her rehab. While, Rachael loved the treatment and the people there she is very excited to be done with the 3 hour roundtrip commute.
The therapy will continue 30+ hours a week now. 6 hours a day Monday thru Friday and a few hours on Saturday. Now the work will all be done at her home in Carmel. The time she saves on the commute will be happily invested on her continued recovery and spending time with her supportive community.
Rachael is now focusing her vision of the future toward various ideas of how to influence her community in a positive way. One idea is a a shuttle service for the Big Sur area that would provide a much needed option for people celebrating life there as a safe alternative to taking the risk of drinking and driving. Be safe and be the light.
***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 161 Big Sur Ca. 93920***
***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com***************
It was a year ago. Lost behind the tubes and wires, Rachael lay there amongst the medical machines. She was paralyzed but not defeated. She still smiled.
In the last year Rachael did a lot of things for the first time. She breathed without being assisted by a machine. She took her first bite of solid food. She went to the gym, went outside and to the movies. She learned how to operate her body and a wheel chair. She returned home.
Today Rachael stands upright assisted by Sean Cheng, CPT who has dedicated himself to her recovery. A year later the progress Rachael has made is astounding. Looking back at the beginning of her journey it amazes all of us that a year has passed. We all have watched in awe as Rachel turned the countless challenges she faced into her many victories.
Rachael was driving to San Jose a few times a week for intensive acupuncture treatments at Dr. Zhu Acupuncture & Neurology Center. She recently completed this stage of her rehab. While, Rachael loved the treatment and the people there she is very excited to be done with the 3 hour roundtrip commute.
The therapy will continue 30+ hours a week now. 6 hours a day Monday thru Friday and a few hours on Saturday. Now the work will all be done at her home in Carmel. The time she saves on the commute will be happily invested on her continued recovery and spending time with her supportive community.
Rachael is now focusing her vision of the future toward various ideas of how to influence her community in a positive way. One idea is a a shuttle service for the Big Sur area that would provide a much needed option for people celebrating life there as a safe alternative to taking the risk of drinking and driving. Be safe and be the light.
***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 161 Big Sur Ca. 93920***
***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com***************
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
10.1.11 - Progress and the Pool
Finally some change!
For the past six months, I have been traveling up to San Jose (a 3-hour roundtrip, 3 days a week) for physical therapy and intense neuro-acupuncture, and its time for a change! I'm starting my own in- home physical therapy program, thanks to all the generous support from lots of caring people who've made this possible. A greenhouse-gym will soon be on my grandma's property in Carmel, housing my total gym, mat table, parallel bars, standing frame, and other useful recovery tools. Soon, I can eat tomatoes and work out at the same time! I'm very excited about the greenhouse, and even more excited about moving my physical therapist to Carmel, so I'll spend more time working out and much less time in the car. This will all start hopefully around November 1st, one year after my accident.
My core, arms and wrists are getting stronger, and I'm also having a lot of twitching in my thumbs. My legs have been slowly building muscle back, and I am able to lock my hips and knees, and bear weight. I have also gained some bladder control back, weeeeepeeeeee. The progress is sloooowwww, but constant. I can only expect more with my therapy moved in-house.
I continue to swim one day a week at the Josephine Kerns pool in Monterey, and hopefully can swim more once my therapy is moved to Carmel. I work on swimming, weight bearing and rolling over in the pool. I love being in the water and imagining that I am floating in the Caribbean.
I was given two little magical kitties, Honey Badger and Stiffy Goat, to roam the Carmel property, and hopefully help with our gopher problem. Friends and family have been helping with my garden, bringing some Big Sur to Carmel. I have been staying at my house in Big Sur a couple times a month, which has been really great; I miss it down there a lot.
I really can't say it enough: the continuous support of my family, friends and community is overwhelming, I feel the LOVE! Thank you!
***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 6445 Carmel 93921***
***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com**************
For the past six months, I have been traveling up to San Jose (a 3-hour roundtrip, 3 days a week) for physical therapy and intense neuro-acupuncture, and its time for a change! I'm starting my own in- home physical therapy program, thanks to all the generous support from lots of caring people who've made this possible. A greenhouse-gym will soon be on my grandma's property in Carmel, housing my total gym, mat table, parallel bars, standing frame, and other useful recovery tools. Soon, I can eat tomatoes and work out at the same time! I'm very excited about the greenhouse, and even more excited about moving my physical therapist to Carmel, so I'll spend more time working out and much less time in the car. This will all start hopefully around November 1st, one year after my accident.
My core, arms and wrists are getting stronger, and I'm also having a lot of twitching in my thumbs. My legs have been slowly building muscle back, and I am able to lock my hips and knees, and bear weight. I have also gained some bladder control back, weeeeepeeeeee. The progress is sloooowwww, but constant. I can only expect more with my therapy moved in-house.
I continue to swim one day a week at the Josephine Kerns pool in Monterey, and hopefully can swim more once my therapy is moved to Carmel. I work on swimming, weight bearing and rolling over in the pool. I love being in the water and imagining that I am floating in the Caribbean.
I was given two little magical kitties, Honey Badger and Stiffy Goat, to roam the Carmel property, and hopefully help with our gopher problem. Friends and family have been helping with my garden, bringing some Big Sur to Carmel. I have been staying at my house in Big Sur a couple times a month, which has been really great; I miss it down there a lot.
I really can't say it enough: the continuous support of my family, friends and community is overwhelming, I feel the LOVE! Thank you!
***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 6445 Carmel 93921***
***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com**************
Monday, July 11, 2011
7.11.11 - Art and Acupuncture
Dear blog, It's been a while since I've checked in with everybody; my schedule is still pretty crazy. On Mondays, I have occupational therapy for my arms and hands at the new wellness center in Marina, and work with George, my physical therapist, at home. Tuesdays, I head to San Jose to work with Dr. Zhu, Sean, and Dr. Moyee from 2-6pm. This includes scalp acupuncture, an hour of body acupuncture, and three hours of intense physical therapy. I repeat this on Thursdays and Fridays. Wednesdays, I go to the Josephine Kearns Memorial pool and swim with Irving, and then come home to receive a massage from Jenny, and then body work from Marla.
I'm trying to stick to my Monday through Friday rehab schedule, and take Saturdays and Sundays for myself. I'm trying to stay positive, focus on the recovery, and keep myself busy. There are times when it is really hard, to say the least. I still find myself in denial that I am paralyzed. It seems like a temporary thing, and as long as I work hard my life will return to normal. I miss work, I miss my photography, I miss driving, I miss being alone, I miss gardening, and I really miss me.
I've been down to the Henry Miller Library for several concerts since April, and I've made it home to Big Sur. These "fun" things always bring up a roller coaster of emotions, reminding me of my past. Working with my camera is still a challenge. I've tried different things with my digital and film cameras, but have yet to find an easier way for me to do my photography. All in good time, I guess.
Regis and Kelly is no longer on the schedule, nor is playing angry birds on my ipad. I have bigger things to deal with now, like, do I have True Blood season 3 at my PO box right now? And, who will Ashley choose to marry on the Bachelorette?
Until the next post, thank you to my family and friends for your continuing support. I will walk for you.
***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 6445 Carmel 93921***
***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com***************
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