The Road To Bejing

photos

Scroll down and look to the left for a small photo of Lauren in Bejing - click on the pic and it will take you to another couple of photos - you can click on each photo to enlarge.  Doesn't she look GREAT?!

Lots to share- just need some time

Thanks you all for your wonderful comments and support.  I have been ill for the past couple of days and had to fly to Beijing for closing ceremonies.  I have so many wonderful things to write about, I just need to wrap my head around the last month before I continue my blog.  Its all been a whirl wind of an experience and feel quit dizzy. 

Im sure Ill have some new posts in the next couple of days.

cheers LAUREN

GOLD MEDAL

ITs 12:30 am, so night time for me and I am just getting back from the stable.  Maile and I won a gold medal tonight in our freestyle.  ITs amazing and Im lost for words. 

Freestyle

Ride time for Freestyle at 8:06

Some thoughts and details - pre medal

The past three days have been a blur for me, but I thought I would do my best to give you some of the details that I remember- well at least from my view. Saturday started out with some odd hick ups, first I had tried to have a bath and the water system in the hotel was acting up, I had set the water to a nice luke warm and left it to fill up. When I came to get into the tub I had just assumed it was still that temp. I dropped my feet in the tub and they bounced right back out. The water was scalding hot. Interesting way to add colour to your skin.....thankfully no blisters

 I then went down to the internet to try and email Parelli and the internet was down, so I thought I would try and use my cell phone to call out, it seems my USA Verizon cell phone only wants to call home to Canada. Next option was to try the pay phones on the 2nd floor- this too proved to be difficult as the pay phone took my credit card and kept it. I had to actually go down to the 1st floor and get someone to come and remove my credit card from the phone. I then tried to call out by punching my credit card into the pay phone- this seemed to work until it told me my credit card had been frozen. I used my cell phone to call the 1-800# for the credit card and I was put on hold for 10 min- Can you image the roaming fee’s I’m looking at…… and finally I get to speak to someone and as they are confirming my personal info my the phone goes dead!!!!! The Phone couldn’t possibly go dead during the 10 min of listening to elevator music- oh no just when I start to talk to a real person. Mildly frustrated at this point and apparently lacking common sense I go back to the pay phone and proceed to stick a different credit card into the phone. Well I’m not really sure what I was expecting – but off course the card was held captive to. So again looking rather foolish I ended up back down on the first floor seeking assistance. In the end I did finally get to make a call, and it was with a calling card- every 2 seconds of call time equals 1 CAD dollar.

I then got all dressed and ready to go to the stable to ride Maile. I arrived at the elevator to discover it was on strike. The elevator won’t come and get me- and one of the 4 elevators had its alarm going off. Being on the 15th floor all of a sudden isn’t so comforting……..One of the British assistants took the 15 flights of stairs down to get help. It took 10 minutes, and finally I was riding the elevator- believe me I questions getting on the elevator as being trapped on the 15th floor sounded allot better than being trapped in an elevator.

Power mobility- So I told you about the fire in my lap from Ashley’s scooter, then when I tried to re-charge my power chair I had a smoke show, and finally left with only my red scooter it to is not happy with the power options and every time we try to plug it in it sparks. We have 3 different types of converters and for some reason none of the work. So Between Ashley and I we have used up all the power mobility and are back to our manual mobility.

My ride went well, Maile was still all stocked up- but her legs looked better once we were done our ride. We made it through another day of schooling, and we were still good to go for competing the next day. When I went back to the barn my ride time was up on the board-------silence, fear, and panic. I had just spent the last 10 days being uncertain if I was going to compete and I was emotionally ok with that. But now I had to change my frame of mind “I was going to be in that ring”

 Day one of Competition,

I woke up very nervous. I don’t get nervous like this and I didn’t know how to deal with it. I was jittery and needed to move, I felt like exploding and couldn’t focus. I started my day at 6 am with stretching and therapy done to my neck and shoulder. I then got all dressed in my competition whites, put my red cloths over them and braided my hair. Everything was then put in a bag and I was off to get something to eat. Feeling like I was running behind (I wasn’t) I zipped through the Cafeteria grabbing whatever I could that didn’t require utensils. I ended up with a giant carb. breakfast- 2 croissants, one blue berry muffin and a banana. Not exactly a breakfast of champions. While on the shuttle bus I tried to close my eyes and visualize my ride- instead of seeing my ride- my mid would wonder to the most irrelevant thoughts- did I turn my flat iron off?, did I make my bed (I never make my bed), how many calories are in 2 croissants, did I remember to put on my beige underwear so they don’t show up under my white riding pants?

At the barn Maile was all braided, clean and looked stunning, Andrea the National coach had sat on her for 10 minutes in the morning to help loosen her up and get her relaxed. When Andrea asked how I was doing it all just burst out, tears and with a week voice I said “I don’t know what to do I am so nervous and I just don’t know how to handle it” In 8 years I have never felt like this and it was going to make me crazy. I ended up with Lots of hugs, reassurances and I put myself to work to keep busy. Riding hat, riding boots, stock tie, riding gloves, water, knee roll’s, straps, and then I went to a quit place and tried to focus again. Ten minutes before my test I was in the indoor warm up ring – everything feels good, I still feel like throwing up, my mind is still fuzzy, but Maile feels great. 4 min before we move to the outdoor 5 min ring and doing some medium trots, some halts and put my riding jacket on.

8:49 Lauren and Maile enter the main competition arena. We trot around the outside of the ring past all the judges booths and Maile all of sudden becomes elevated and very expressive- too expressive anymore and we were about to look like Arabian with legs and tails out of control. I quietly spoke to Maile “good girl, take it easy, you’re good and don’t need all this extra stuff, let’s both of us just relax”. We did a practice halt, both took a deep breath and the bell went. 1 minute to get in the ring. AS I looked up and around to line myself up with the center line it finally all came to me- MY FOCUS was back. I could see it now. Talk about last minute timing.

The ride was over before I knew it, I didn’t even hear the lovely music in the back ground. One moment Maile and I were heading down the center line to being our Team test and the next min. we were halting and saluting at the end of the test. The ride was steady and accurate. There were 5 judges and 4 scored me in the high 60”s with the German judge giving me 65%. I was the 2nd rider in which leaves a torturous 2 hours to sit and wait, I’m not sure if it is better to watch the other riders so you know if you have been beaten or to just go away and come and find out the results in the end. Either way the wait is awful. I was interviewed by two people- I was good and didn’t mention any of the no no’s (pollution, human rights, Tibet). I held on to the first place position till the second to last rider. I was shocked to see how many low scores there were. The Arena has been causing problems for lots of riders as it is quite scary. Horses were spooking right left and center, some of the horse and rider combinations caused quite the scare for spectators. To discover I was second left me speechless. Maile and I were first to ride for the team Canada score and we had given them a great start.

LAUREN TAKES SILVER!

Its has been a emotional roller coaster today-
I'm going to keep this sweet and simple- TODAY after 8 years of training for this moment Maile and I won a silver medal.  It hasn't really set in yet but I've got the medal around my neck to prove it. 
I was up at 5 this morning and am exhausted so my plan is to now sleep for a couple of hours and then get back to the emailing.
Thanks for all the support!

DAY 1- TEAM TEST

 This will be short as I have to get back to watch my fellow team mate compete. Maile is all heart and All I can do is thank her for the strength she is showing. We scored a 67.6- all 4 judges had me in the 68 and 69's however the 5 judge from Germany scored me in the 65's. I placed 2nd!!!- It was a solid test, and all the other riders had many mistakes- there collective marks were better then mine however they went off course and or were not accurate. If Maile couldn't go on after today I would be content- I've given Canada a good start. Thanks for all the great energy,

SUNDAY 7TH 8:49 am Lauren and Maile TEAM TEST

Reality hits you like a brick....

Seeing my name on the board with an actual ride time made me stop in my tracks.  Actual to be honest I kind of feel like being sick.....this does not happen often. 

So it is actually going to happen, Maileand I are going to compete at 8:49 am on Sunday the 7th of September.   All the worries, stress, paper work, hours of figuring everything out,  looking at stats,vet's, horse shows, over analyzing, re analyzing, crying, laughing, and sleepless nights--- will come down to 6 minutes in a ring with 5 judges from around the world.   

I am the first Canadian rider to compete, I plan to start us off with a bang.  Maile and I had a good training session today- still not her strong self but man does she have heart and try.  She is so smart, and want's to do her best for you.....it makes me tear up knowing how hard she is trying- especially since I know she isn't feeling 100%.  In the morning weather her legs are wrapped or not she comes out of the stall with legs that are swollen like logs- no definition at all. Kind of looks like me at the end of the day, I think we are having sympathy pains for one another.  So Maile has a daily ritual of standing in the misters with 2 cold hoses running down her legs.  My daily ritual is to try and get my feet elevated- Im not doing so good at that- but our therapist try's to scare me into being better about it.  

SOME GOOD NEWS.......IMAGINE!!!!

Good news

It is September the 5^thand Maile went through the vet examination today.  This is a trot up that all competitors horses must do.  The vets inspect the horse in the walk and trot to make sure they are 100% sound.  We have been worried about this inspection as Maile has a mild string Halt.     I am happy to say that she passed and has been given permission to compete. 

As well the Canadian team was named today, we have 5 riders and only 4 are aloud to compete in the team portion of the competition.  All 5 will get to do their individual test.  Since Maile has been so sick I was not certain if we would be named to the team,  well and I am happy to say we were named to the team today. 

SO I have one more day to prepare Maile, oh my......no stress about now.....how does 4 years of thinking about Beijing 2008 turn into counting the hours.....it really is amazing how time fly's. I wish I could get many lost moments back and use them more wisely.

To be honest I have felt very numb over the past week, not wanting to think about what could be or how this week would end.  With it all being so close I now feel like Im ready to explode.  

Vet exam/trot up

Today is the day we find out if Maile pass's the Veterinary exam, as well as the mandatory trot up. 

We had a excellent ride yesterday- she is not her self and with the loss of weight and all the travel she is feeling week in her back end, however she always gives it her best and know her job. 

Im keeping this short and will write again in 5 hours hopefully with great news.

Quick update

UPDATE OVER DUE Well I am sorry for the late update. With everything that has been going on the last thing I felt like doing was rehashing it all in my mind and putting it on paper. Maile has now been fever free for 4 days. WE have still been dealing with a cough (minor infection in the lungs), loss of weight that totaled 19 kilo’s and now extremely swollen legs. I started riding her at the walk 3 days ago to try and help loosen the fluid in her lungs. Yesterday I did an actual 15 minutes session practicing my test movements. The vets were all lined up outside the ring watching her to see how she responded. SO far so good, I do not yet have the approval to compete but I’m hoping with three days to go everything will work out. I have been given the approval to ride very early in the morning before 9 am and very late at night after 8 pm. There are 18 other grade 2 riders, and there are some phenomenal horses. I have really enjoyed watching some excellent riding. By the looks of it most horses are coping with the heat well. My roommate and I have had some fun adventures that include seeing the Buddha, trying to maneuver thru the mall attached to our hotel, and eating on the largest floating restaurant in the world. Ashley’s scooter is now working but of course we don’t have a charger for it since I blew it up. Lucky enough my power chair charger is the same as hers so we thought we were lucky. NOT SO, I went to the barn with a totally different adapter fuse, voltage converter and all and plugged it and poof!!!! Smoke show in the middle of the barn. SO now I don’t have a charger, and Ashley doesn’t have one…..it looks like we are going to be on foot soon. While using her scooter I thought it would be nice to just hold on the back of it and get towed around. On one lovely occasion while still being in the Hotel hall way I was sitting behind Ashley talking on the cell phone while holding on to her seat. She was in the middle of trying to get a jacket on which kind of looked more like she was wrestling with a straight jacket. I said tally ho lets go and our therapist Erin thought she would just drive the scooter for Ashley till she got her arms free……all of a sudden the scooter took off, did a wheelie and launched both Ashley and I forward at a rapid pace. Ashley slammed into the Wall- (LEFT A NICE DENT) and catapulted me into another wall head first. Somehow bodily injury causes both Ashley and I to go into fits of giggles. We have also discovered that if we are feeling lonely all we have to do is both lie down on our beds, within 5 minutes someone will inevitably nock or ring our door bell (let me tell you the door bell that originally was a nice novelty has worn its self out) SO we have to spastic bodies now trying to get out of bed and to the door, Ashley tends to end up on the floor which leaves me to wrestle with the larger than life pillow that is resting in between my legs. It’s not a long body pillow, and it’s enormous, if I was ever to have a pillow fight I’d pick it as my weapon- if you can manage to swing it your sure to knock your opponent clear across the room. O.K. I’ve got to get going- I’ve got lots more to share- I just need the Computer time to do it.

First 2 day's

Maile traveled via LA to Alaska for refueling and then to Hong Kong on the 27th.  She was in a plane for 26 hours.  It seemed that she had traveled well, all vitals were good when she arrived.  On Day 2 however she spiked a fever of 104.3, and started coughing.  They call it travelers fever, and it can turn to pneumonia very fast.  She has had IV fluids, Anti Biotic, scanning of her lungs and scoping done.  Of the 9 plus horses that seem to have fallen ill she is reacting to the treatment well and her temp is back to 102.  We have 2 more days to get her off of the restricted substances so that she would pass a drug test.  At this point her health is number one of importance. 

When I arrived at the barn she was happy to see me, and made a total mess of the 3 apples I gave her, of course when the vet came in his eye's bulged out thinking she was not coughing up a frothy substance.  OOPS!!!   We were suppose to start riding today and actually have a 2 hour period of being in the competition ring for schooling.  Maile and I will be walking in hand for the next 3 days. 

When you enter the equestrian facility you have to sanitize your hands, when you leave you have to as well.  Lots of the arena's and offices are out side of the equestrian sanitizing station which means you get to do allot of sanitizing.  I wheel with gloves, and I still had to remove them and sanitize.  I think I was at the Barn for 1 hour yesterday and had to sanitize 15 times......and if you try to slip by they run after you and thoughtfully remind you that you forgot to De-germ your self.  Since everything is gravel and sand around the barns they pieced together a jointed walk way that is about 4 feet wide.  I thought this was a great idea till I discovered that 4 feet isn't wide enough for 2 wheel chairs to pass one another, so it has turned into a Dosi doe maneuver if you like the fellow wheelchair user, or Gladiator moment to see who is going to come out still on the ramp.   

The weather does not bother me much, it reminds me of a hot and Humid day in Florida.  The misty fanned tents are wonderful, I could just sit in there all day.  It really is a odd feeling when you go into the Competition ring and look around you, we are surrounded by sky scraper apartment buildings. 

The Athlete village is In a 4 star hotel, every floor has something different.  My first night with my wonderful room mate Ashley was a typical evening for us.  Some how between the two of us the oddest things happen, and of course since we love to laugh our room is just a hoot.  Ashley's scooter arrived broken so when we got it back to the room I tried to have a good look at it.  WE decided to plug it in, I was informed that she had the correct adapter for it so I plugged the Charge box in to the wall.  WELL it started to make a horrible sound and Ashley started to yell at me to UN plug it, as I did this the charger box which was in my lap when "POP" a cloud of smoke emerged from it as well as fire and spark's.  I;m not so sure this is a funny thing but apparently Ashley and I figured it was and historical laughter then followed.  Not to worry I only suffered a minor burn

We are surrounded by shopping malls, I attempted a wheel through one yesterday and I just felt overwhelmed and lost- people everywhere and stores all over the place.  I did learn that if you order ice cream eat it before you go out side or else you have instant soup.   

SUMMER OF OPPORTUNITY HISTORY 2005

As I sat on my big beautiful horse Dior, which I lease, I kept having this nagging feeling deep inside that there had to be a better way to allow me to be a more effective rider, but with lightness.  I love what I have done over the last five years:  competing all over the world. I've ridden many different types of horses and learned a new equestrian discipline – dressage - since I was unable to continue to jump horses due to an accident in 2000.  While training to work with horses in the movies, a 100-pound bale of hay fell ten feet, hitting me on the back, leaving me paralyzed from the hips down.

I had the answer inside me because I had experienced Pat Parelli's Natural Horsemanship seven years earlier.  I had not abandoned natural horsemanship, but since I had so much to relearn about myself, the "natural” way was put in the storage closet.  It was never far away because I had started my Hungarian mare with this technique and she was one of the few horse I could handle on the ground without any assistance.  Our bond was one that many envied.  Through the help of local friends, I was introduced to Linda and Pat Parelli in May at the Vernon “Love, Language and Leadership” tour.  Little did I know that that meeting would alter everything.  I shared with Pat about my dreams and goals to be the first paralyzed rider to ride Grand Prix and to compete in Beijing at the 2008 summer Paralympics.  I knew deep down inside that my dream was accomplishable, but not in the traditional methods of riding.  Wanting to seek an answer to how I would progress effectively, I found myself very excited after speaking with Pat and Linda.

The weekend turned out to be very overwhelming.  With the organization of Leslie Stewart of PNH Canada, and Pat’s enthusiasm for helping others, the audience made donations for the Okanogan Therapeutic riding and me.  They managed to raise $10,000.  I must say I was shocked; it had taken me months of planning an event to raise half of what was done in one hour by Pat.  Next to come is what changed my summer.  Pat invited me to work with him in Colorado for two weeks so that he could determine if he could help me.  My job was to refresh my Level One and start working on Levels Two and Three.  It was like a fire was lit under my butt; learning and playing with my mare was the highlight of my day.  Jonathon Field, a local Parelli instructor, came to my barn and helped me so that I would be ready to work with Pat.  There was no way I was going to let this opportunity slip through my hands.  By August 27th, my good friend Shannon and I were on a plane headed to Colorado.

FREEDOM (Liberty)

The first horse Pat let me ride was Liberty and his name for me truly stands for freedom.   The first evening I sat on him (I admit I was very nervous because I had never ridden in front of Pat).  I think I was actually unable to use my own brain in fear of doing something wrong.  Within the first night, somehow, I was doing a flying lead change and to me what I thought was a spin, (now that I see the video, it was not as spectacular as it had felt).  I must say, eleven days of practice helped a lot.

The next day after doing liberty with Liberty in the round pen, Pat told me I was going to help him move the cows.  My voice was silent but inside all my emotions were alive.  My screams of fear, excitement and thrill were well heard by my brain.  I remember thinking "but I have never moved cows before" and "I haven't ridden outside of an arena since I broke my back" and "Out there?!  In the mountains?”  My wild spirit and my brain battled, "Are you sure you can do this?"  As I took a deep breath and tried to hide my over-whelming feelings, I reassured myself that Pat wouldn't ask me to do something that I was incapable of doing.   I breathed in the fresh air, felt the sun on my face and couldn't help but smile.

As I silently fretted about not making a total mess of things, Pat reassured me that his cows were smart, and indeed they were, and thank goodness.  As I rode down and through the bunch of them, I remember telling Liberty that I had no idea what I was doing so I needed him to help out; actually I wouldn't be offended at all if he would just take the lead and I would gladly be a wonderfully grateful passenger.  Two hours later, I had just moved cows and then ridden through the mountains with Pat and his son, Caton.   How I wanted to scream out.  I wanted to scream out, “Thank you!”  I wanted to try and explain what I was feeling, but words escaped me for the whole journey.  Up and down steep hills, through trails, and when asked by Pat, “Are you okay?” all I could bring to my lips was "This is awesome."  Awesome!!!  This was beyond awesome; this was true freedom.

Frankly, I was afraid of it and at the same time I wanted more.  You see when you have finally come to terms with the loss of something very important to you, it is hard to imagine and try to dream of anything else.  During my twenty-two years of walking, my legs were well used and appreciated.  As hard as it was, I believe I graciously came to terms with the loss of everything that was dear to me:  cross county running, jumping horses, diving, mountain biking, and being free with my horse as I galloped across country though mountains, water and spectacular trails of pure nature.  I remember well, with a tear in my eye, saying good-bye to the life I had known and hello to a life I would not have chosen for anyone, not even my worst enemy.  I halfheartedly smiled at my new life with a timid eagerness to overcome the challenges ahead, not ever wanting to look back as it would be too painful.  With a flight to Colorado, I was now faced fully with one of the true passions of my past.  How I kept my composure, I am not sure, but I will admit that after my shower that night I was not red-faced from the hot water, more likely from the release of tears of pain, anger, frustration, and mostly the passion I felt for what the future now held for me.   Do I dare dream??

Black Magic

Another gift of great freedom - was it magic?  For someone in my circumstances, this must be a question asked.  How is it that within a one-week period, I was able to do multiple flying changes down a straight line on a horse without the use of my legs, then Piaffe on the spot and spin in circles rapidly – and, yes, all without falling off.  Was it magic?  No – it was an effective way of riding and working with a horse!!!  This was a gift beyond rationalization.  When I think of Magic, tears come to my eyes.  As I have spent the last five years riding many different horses, I must say Magic put her heart and soul in my hands, giving me not two legs but four.  It takes a very special horse to have trust in me.  Normally when I ride a horse for the first time, it is about adapting to it and surviving so that I can try and accomplish anything close to my goal in a very short time.  While playing with Magic from my scooter, I knew that there was something special about her.  Her interest in me was beyond fear of something different.  She confirmed this when my wheelchair broke and I had to fix my wheels.  Normally two different things would happen while I flipped my chair over and trie to fix a wheel with a wrench, hammer, screwdriver and spray bottle while holding on to my horse:  they would snort and run away, or completely ignore me.  Then there was Magic, taking complete interest in what I was doing and getting right in there helping with her muzzle.  The only other horse that would do this is my Peanut at home, with whom I have a very special bond.  It was as if Magic was trying to understand what I was doing and why.

I learned a lot about my riding, but I admit that it was very difficult at times to focus on instruction because I was just too filled with emotion and anticipation for what was to come.  Actually, I felt like a sponge full of water that would release tears of happiness every time I was touched in the slightest.

When it came to riding at the Savvy Conference I was very worried.  I didn't feel worthy of riding in the conference.  Who was I to be given the right to ride for two thousand people who have traveled from afar to see Pat and Linda?  In my mind I had nothing to teach these people and I was going to be riding Magic, a very popular horse among the Parelli Natural Horsemanship followers.  When I saw Pat ending his demo, I looked at the clock and my heart rushed fast; all I could hear was the pounding in my ears, my whole body again was wondering if it was capable of this.  I admit now that if I had an abort mission button, it would have been pushed ten times over.  But it was too late; next thing I knew I was being pushed into the arena.  There was no turning back now.  As I started to play with Magic, I knew I was nervous. This leads back to being afraid of doing something wrong in front of people.  When it was time to bridle Magic, I looked into her eyes and felt her soft hair against my skin, her breathing against my chest, and she put her head in my lap.  I knew then everything would turn out great.  Through trust and opportunity, these animals have an amazing ability to read your thoughts and feelings.  When this happens, it does feel like magic.  Sure enough, the ride was smooth and at the end I felt exhilarated.  The tough part was now to come; I was going to speak to these people.   As I started to tell my story, I was surprised at how easy it was.  It was easy because I was passionate about what I had to say.  During the break, I learned from the people’s response why I was riding for these people.  It was not techniques or how to ride that I was teaching them; it was that I was riding; it was what someone is capable of doing with so little that taught these people about themselves.  I often forget this because when I ride, I fail to remember what I shouldn't be able to do and only think about what I want to do and what I am going to work towards doing.  I think the best comment I ever got was "I have been married to my red-necked husband for ten years and never seen him cry, Thank You!!!"  I realized after talking to many people that my journey had just begun and if I can help someone to overcome what adverse adventures life brings them, then I know I have done the best that I can.

Pat and his horse have helped me to discover what I am capable of and with their continued help, I know I will achieve greatness.

Texas

As my summer ended, I was invited to join Pat and Linda in a dressage clinic with Walter Zettl in Texas.  With the continued support of PNH Canada, my flight was sponsored.  Pat wanted to introduce me to his friends, Bill and Susan Casner, as well as Michael Richardson.  Michael is an amazing rider and also paralyzed from the hips down.  I was also going to be given the opportunity to do a demo ride on Magic.  Again, I was thrilled with the opportunity to travel and work with Pat, as well as benefit from what else the trip might bring.  The interesting thing about the clinic was that it was the bringing together of different disciplines to work as one.  It was fascinating because it is true that each riding discipline has a lot to offer and is similar in many ways.  Pat and Linda's horses both wowed the crowd and were a favorite to watch.  My demo ride went very well and I even did some of the movement that people were learning in the clinic.  Magic was spectacular and I was very happy with our performance.

The Casner's hospitality towards someone they had never met made the journey very comfortable.  They have built an amazing house and barn on a beautiful property.  The room I stayed in made me feel like a Princess.  I admit, I had a hard time getting on the bed as it was huge and high, but I wasn't going to decline this chance of living in luxury for three days and nights.  However, I did get lots of experience getting on and off the bed as my Jacuzzi bathtub seemed possessed.  I realize that sounds odd, but while I was having a bath I turned the jets on.  After relaxing in hundreds of bubbles, I tried to turn the tub off.  This was more challenging than you would think and after ten minutes, I decided I was going to have to get out of the tub with the jets still blasting.  On the first attempt, I slipped back into the tub, completely submerging my head under the water.  When I finally was able to sit up, I discovered the raging jets had completely given my waist-length hair a mangle up-do.  Now looking like something out of a horror film, I managed to drag my half-limp body out of the tub.  I played with all the buttons and the tub was finally silenced.  Exhausted and in bed at last, I turned the lights off and shut my eyes only to be awakened by my bathtub turning itself on.  So with me back in the bathroom, I again somehow got it to shut off, and climbed Mt. Baker to get back into bed.  Again the tub turns on - I was so tired and all I wanted to do was sleep.  I repeated the above actions five more times with the tub turning on every 15 to 20 minutes, just giving me long enough to be warm in my bed and almost asleep.   It was now 1:30 a.m. and the rest of the house was asleep.  Not wanting to wake anyone, I decided to just fill the tub back up with water and let the spastic bathtub do whatever it wanted.  As I was filling the tub, the jets turned on and the water was not quite over the air holes.  Well, you can imagine what happened.  The whole bathroom, including me, was soaked.  At this point all I could do was smile and wait for the tub to fill up.  I closed the bathroom door and went to bed, being serenaded by a Jacuzzi tub till 5:15 in the morning.

What made the journey extraordinary was that after staying with Bill and Susan, they agreed to a monthly sponsorship for three years to help me get to Beijing.  Once again I was speechless.  I, who am still trying to learn to accept the simple help from people on a day-to-day basis so that I can try to live a normal life, find the generosity from people across the country offering to help me with no monetary value attached difficult to understand. Nevertheless, as hard as it is, I am learning to be able to accept the help of others and I only hope I am able to continue sharing my experiences and help many along the way.