The Asher Update

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August 23, 2005

Special Visitor, August 23, 10 AM

asher had a very special visitor on saturday, Henry, his bassett hound. he had been asking for us to bring henry to see him for weeks, now, and thanks to a dear angel named debbie ginn, the desire of asher's heart became a reality. we actually got henry from debbie, who is one of many wonderful souls in the chattanooga area who rescues dogs and finds them homes, over a year ago.

debbie brought henry to the hospital early saturday afternoon and he got to stay there all afternoon with asher. henry being there did wonders for asher, but also brought him some initial frustrations. we sat henry in asher's lap while he was sitting in his wheel chair so that we could help him pet henry. asher's frustrations stemmed from the fact that he was not able to pet henry on his own. we, basically, had to lift his arm and brush his fingers across henry's fur. he was also frustrated because he has no feeling in his hands so he couldn't feel henry's soft fur either.

after about 30 minutes asher wanted to leave henry and be pushed around the hosptial and he said he didn't want to see him again. we decided to just give asher some room and then bring him back to see henry again a little later. when we did bring them back together instead of putting henry in asher's lap we held him up so that asher could feel his face next to his and to also be able to kiss him (and vice versa).

henry weights about 75 lbs (about 10 lbs lighter than he was before we had to put him an our other 3 dogs in a kennel until our house gets put back together), so holding him up for very long was no easy task, but seeing asher's response to being able to touch henry and feel henry against his face made the sore back the next day more than worth it.

yesterday, when asher's occupational therapist came to work with him she asked him what his goals were in what he would like to be able to do when he finished his rehab programs in october. high on the list was to be able to pet henry on his own. what a turn around from the way he first felt when he became so frustrated by not being able to pet henry and never wanted to see him again. i am just so grateful to the Lord for debbie giving up her whole day to bring henry down to atlanta for asher to see, and i am equally grateful that by bringing him that it has now given asher a goal that will help him to, perhaps, not only work even harder in his therapies (he has actually been working really hard already) than he already is doing but to also help him with his overall desires to succeed.

i have to go and meet gloria at the hospital in a few minutes for some family training classes that we are scheduled to take today, but before i end this i wanted to mention, again, the benefit golf tournament for asher this sunday, august 28, at the windstone golf club in Ooltewah. lunch will be at 11 AM and the tournament will begin at 12. for more information contact david norman: 423-874-0308, or his cell: 423-309-5081.

i have also just learned that there is a benefit dinner and singing for asher at st. elmo baptist church (roger kittle is the pastor) from 4 to 6 pm this saturday, august 27th.

bless you all and thanksgiving for your prayers. every day we see so many answers to them that they are too numerous to list.

fighting off the fatigue,

andy mendonsa

| By Andy Mendonsa | 09:50 AM

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