Life at the foot of Hatcher Pass 2010!

Hello all! What a friend you are if you are reading this -- too long since our last update. We hope this one will be short and sweet, but the author isn't known for her lack of verbosity.

2009 and 2010 -- Aren continues to make progress towards increased cognition. Although it is very, very small steps for him, what more can we say? Hey, we as his parents are his biggest fans! Now 26 years old, we try to keep his life peppered with activity and meaning as he works, works, works to get his physical movements of his mouth to coordinate with his voice to produce speech. He also "plays around" with more movements all the time. However, as of yet, there are no consistent, measurable gains on either front.

But that doesn't stop us from getting excited every time he calls out "Mom" or "Dad" or answers a question with "yeah" instead of his usual "uh-huh." A week ago he gave me a bear hug where he stretched out his arms, put them around me, squeezed, then released them at the end of the hug. Wow, you know I was crying.

Perhaps this does get a bit difficult for me and Gary, along with Aren's long time caregiver and friend, Chris, because we recognize that when we describe Aren's activities or movements that are exciting to us, the words we use and the reality that your old friend Aren really is severely disabled hits home and may sadden you.

Once again, let us emphasize that this is the path that Aren is now on, and we are all on this path right beside him all the way! Please know that there is enjoyment in his life, he has developed ways of "communicating" with all around him, and he continues to make movements that give us true hope that there will be upcoming opportunities to more aggressively improve his communication by working with technological support systems. Our daughter Rebecca and her husband Bill have two of the cutest granddaughters/nieces ever down in Ketchikan. They've gotten to know their Uncle Aren and provide him entertainment and enjoyment when around.

We were so very saddened to lose our dear Malemute IO almost two years ago. In the mean time, we take Aren out in a sled regularly on our property and in Hatcher Pass. The "all terrain wheelchair" is almost worn out from hikes up in Hatcher Pass, multiple camping trips around Alaska and the Yukon, even multiple dips into the sea! (Gotta watch it! It and Aren actually float if the water gets too deep because of those huge tires.)

If you think of it, please send us a quick note and keep us posted on your life. We always talk with Aren about things he's done, places he's gone, friends of his...we are so very sorry to have lost touch with many of you.

We'll try to be better about posting pictures, so please check back once in awhile. Until then, Peace. And love from Aren and Gary and Nancy

Thank You, Friends!!!!

Thank all of you for your help in Aren getting to attend the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center Challenge Camp 2008 held by the Brain Injury Association of Colorado!

Nancy Moriarty and Ruthe Keller spearheaded a fundraising that allowed the family to travel to Colorado for the Challenge Camp experience of a lifetime and a much-needed family camping trip that included side trips to California to visit Aren's Grandpa, the Grand Canyon, "swim" in the surf, other family visits, a return to his college -- Fort Lewis College in Durango, a return visit also to Whistler, and a beautiful trip through Canada with a stop at Prince Rupert to take a side trip on the ferry to Ketchikan to visit sister Rebecca and his two giggly and cooing nieces, Bailey and Bristol!

Aren rafted on the Colorado River, conquered the ropes course and zip line, rode 5 miles on a bicycle, and camped with mom and dad, Nancy and Gary, throughout the mountains of Colorado before heading south to Heron Lake in New Mexico, where he finally broke out into morning smiles daily after hearing Lisa Gonzales sing! (Thanks for the lights, Tony!)

Aren's favorite quote was always, "The years teach much what the days never knew." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Aaah, so true. It has been almost 6 years since Aren's brain has taken him on a different path of life...and so much is just beginning to be made clear to us.

Our day-to-day life here in our home at the base of Hatcher Pass is never dull for long, but we do lose touch from time to time with all the inspiration we could get from the changing seasons, incredible beauty of the mountains, the dogs, the wildlife, and just being together as a family -- what with hassles in getting necessary medication, doctors telling us "there is nothing we can do to help Aren" (don't worry, we know that is not true :) ), and -- well -- Aren wanting to sleep a lot unless we have something in particular that is extra exciting for him to do.

Now we have solid proof that the thing for us all to do is just go for it! Pick up the tent and the sleeping bags and head for the hills...even the long car rides inbetween camps seemed to entertain Aren. We'd plug in Barbara Chamberlin's (Whitehorse musician) advice to "drive down south", sing our way throughout the west, listen to the lower 48 radio coverage of the unbelievable and insane political happenings, and amaze together at the warm, brightly starlit summer skies.




Thank you! Nancy, Ruth and Larelle, Jon Wilson, Bruce and Audrey, Sharon Chambers and Jane Larentsen, Barbara Martin Tyler, Dr. Neeno, Dr. Gevaert, Dr. Ferucci, Dr. Zimmer, Dr. Weintraub, Dr. Cilo (you have our hearts), Dr. Garrett, Victor, Karen and Family, Skookum Mary, Megan and John, Adrienne and Linda and the entire crew at BOEC and BIA-CO, Tony Vogt and Lisa Gonzales and the tortilla makers of Tierra Amarilla and Los Ojos, NM, Don and Karen Cornelius, Susan Morgan, Joanne Coleman, Rob and Phyllis, Chris and Pat, Jo and Rob, Bob and Charlie, Bill & Becca & Bailey & Bristol, Nancy Moore (you are our family, too), the Michaelsons and the Campbells/Hatas/Craigs. And YOU -- Those who helped whose names we never knew or have failed to mention here. And the pine martens, the juniper web worms, the osprey young and old, the skunks, the snakes, the golden eagles, the bluebirds, the shooting stars, Rio Chama, the spouting humpbacks amid the Dall porpoises and sea otters, the elk, the Dall sheep, lots and lots of bears, the Kluane sunsets, the hard ground and the soft beds, the totem poles and the soothing waves....

This year indeed has taught us much. Love and peace and forever thanks again to you all.

Can YOU help send Aren to Challenge Camp for a day?

As the summer progresses, we appreciate beyond words the donations we've received for Aren to attend the Brain Injury Association of Colorado's Challenge Camp -- but unfortunately, we're still short of money to pay for the trip.

Can you help if you haven't already? Costs per day will be well above $100...Can YOU help send Aren to camp for a day? Donations can be made by deposits into Wells Fargo Savings Account # 8249490155 or writing a check to Nancy Michaelson with "Challenge Camp" in the memo: you can send it to 7799 N Palmer Fishhook Rd,. Palmer, AK 99645. Thank you for any amount you can contribute. It truly will make a difference.

In Memoriam: Here's to you, IO. The dog amongst dogs, friend amongst friends, the one living example of THE most beautiful and furry and perfect curling tail on earth. IO suffered the largest seizure of his life last night; it was too much for him to live through. He died this morning at 4am. Thank you for your years, our friend -- for inventing the sport of wheelchair jouring, for taking Aren all the places you did, and for the daily smiles. We love you and will miss you every single day.




(Sorry about that butt shot :) )

We Love You, IO. Thank you, Bill and Becca, for raising such a wonderful pooch.

Until next time, peace....

OUTDOOR CHALLENGES, FUNDRAISING, AND SUMMER

Hey, BIG NEWS!!! Nancy here (MOA -- mom of Aren). Aren has been accepted to the Outdoor Challenge Camp at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center in Colorado. A week of camp sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of Colorado (BIAC), this camp is open only to those with brain injury and is something that the folks at Craig Hospital have recommended for Aren for a few years now.
Canoeing, rock climbing, lots more is adapted for those with brain injury. Amazing, eh? We'll have to get some photos showing how Aren can do these things....
Excitement and hopefully just the thing to stimulate Aren's cognition...but it comes at a price.
Come late August, our family will be down in Denver for doctor and dentist appointments at Craig Hospital before we head to Breckenridge for the adventure. Chris and Chelayne are coming too! We'll have time for visits with Colorado friends before Breckenridge, and then we'll be on our great camping challenge -- out to western CO, south to Durango, then hopefully some exploring around the Sangre De Cristo and San Juan mountains. Will time let us also get to Colorado Springs and the Olympic Center for the gathering and subsequent climb up Pikes Peak for BIAC? Mmm, it's in the plans.
After the Colorado Challenge adventure, Gary and Aren and I will then take a family vacation drive to CA to see family in Long Beach and the bay area before driving north and home to Alaska. Woo hoo! So many miles.... But, Aren absolutely gets livened up by traveling, so here is a present to you, our beloved son.
The Colorado and Challenge Camp trip is $$$$$. We probably can only afford $ or $$ or maybe $$$ :) So if you are in the Palmer area, keep on the lookout for a musical fundraiser...and if you are an old friend of the family, you may be blessed enough to receive our fundraising letter. Aaaargh! I can't believe we did that, but other old friends asked for it.
Would you like to help? Contributions can be sent to "Challenge Camp Fund" at the Michaelson home or made directly to Wells Fargo, specifics below. Any amount would be appreciated, but $20 or even more would especially help. Thank you, thank you, thank you ahead of time for whatever your contribution is, be it financial or well wishes.

Gary and Nancy Michaelson 7799 N Palmer Fishhook Rd, Palmer, AK 99645
Wells Fargo, "Challenge Camp Savings Account", #8249490155


Please send us your contact info or check back here for updates, photos, and "travelogue" at summer's end. And thank you again for your support, from the bottom of our hearts.

"Nothing is a reason to be closed. Everything is a reason to be open."

Time of Births and Birthdays!

Nancy talking here. April ended with friend Jon Wilson's birthday! Yahoo -- gettin' old but not lookin' too bad. Hey, Jon -- answer your phone so we can invite you to another birthday party -- mine. Oops, too late...but Julie, Gary, Nancy, Diane and Bob and Charlie brought tears to my eyes from the thoughtfulness, delicious wine, even better fresh fresh salmon, and strawberry cheesecake.

But the biggest birthday to be celebrated:
BRISTOL DAWN ALBRANT! Born May 21 and weighing in at 9lb 9oz and 21 inches to join Bill, Becca, and sister Bailey. Ketchikan has been warm and beautiful the last 4 weeks while I was there playing with Bailey. So many eagles, refreshing raindrops every now and again, floatplanes landing, huge Sitka spruce trees outside the windows...and flowers. Love the Southeast and being by the water but even better still is walking around with Bailey and sharing those sweet nose-rub kisses. It is dang fun to be a grandparent but I really feel it just means your days get to be filled with cuteness and sweetness! Enjoy the pics.

NEWS: Today is so special! Aren's brother-in-law, Bill Albrant, gets home and stays home for awhile awaiting arrival of Aren's next niece, Bristol, down in Ketchikan! Big sister Bailey can not be any cuter and we hope Aren's sister Rebecca doesn't get too worn down answering all her questions or chasing her around. TALKING: Aren used new breath patterns, mouth shapes, and voice today to say a word to Nancy. Dang -- still can't quite make those words out except for the most basic: hi, uh-huh, no, yea, dad, mom. But here's the family secret: we cherish every single stride he makes, no matter how minute. Luv ya, Aren.

More about larger families and our beautiful life and a special tribute to our dear "Uncle Roger" soon.