cars and caves

We're having fun on our trip out to Texas (Kari has a work trip), seeing the sites as we drive through Arizona, New Mexico, and just entered into Texas. We saw White Sands Missile Range and White Sands Dunes yesterday. After the dunes, Chris noticed a strange noise and pulled over and saw his muffler hanging by 1 rubber fitting. Equipped and prepared, Chris gets from his wheelchair and fixes the problem. So many people walked by (we were at a National Park) and saw the wheelchair and were going to offer their help, but then they saw a fit man under the car fixing the problem. (I'm sure the sound of the impact gun also convinced them too!) He transferred back into his chair, changed his shirt, washed his hands, and we were back on our trip! Our last stop was in the caves of Carlsbad Caverns, over 75 stories underground with 90% and a temp. of 56 degrees. Chris wheeled himself up and down over 1 mile underground in the caves! That also got a lot of looks and even a conversation with a lady about how in shape he must be to go up and down the paths in the caves. Later he was stopped by the ranger who told him he wasn't supposed to be on this part of the path because he could get hurt (it was pretty steep!) She kept asking him if he was okay. (He was totally fine, she just couldn't believe he had made it that far and over the steep terrain!) Good thing he stays fit and healthy at Project Walk!

got skills?

We need auction items!!! If you, or you know someone, that has an item(s) to donate, please email me at kariloveschris@gmail.com

We are starting to collect items for this year's fundraiser, on November 6th.

Previously seen at HCW Fundraiser Auctions: Padres' tickets, hand made arts and crafts, jewelry, beach cruiser, dinner gift cards to various restaurants, gift certificates for massages, clothing, sandals, movie tickets, etc.

We are a non-profit organization and can give you a receipt for your donated items. Each item is sold at HCW's fundraiser and helps raise money for Chris' Medical Expenses.

handyman

Yes, he is! I dated Chris, hearing and seeing all these fine pieces of sweat and blood he had made for his mom and family! Gazebo, curtain rods, etc-all works before he was paralyzed. Even though he's paralyzed now, he made me something!! It's not that he hasn't made me anything, because he has, it's that now that we are homeowners he can really build me something. He built me a grand entrance into my garden!!!! What a gate!!! Despite his physical limitations, he continues working with his hands as he always once has!!! Each week, Chris goes to Project Walk to work out, stand, stretch, pedal a bike, etc. etc. A person with the same injury as Chris, not in therapy or Project Walk, couldn't do this. Keeping Chris healthy allows him to work around the house, on his car etc., living a somewhat normal life. So, thanks to you, you kinda helped him build the gate :) Thanks, Babe, it's amazing!!!

stretching

Chris and I want to say a big thanks, to our continued, monthly donors ! Checks still arrive in the mail each month to keep Chris' recovery moving forward! In the pictures above, Chris stretches on his own before starting his weekly workout at Project Walk with trainers! Because of the kind donations from Help Chris Walk supporters, Chris has been able to stay at Project Walk for almost 4 years now and it's not cheep! Each hour at Project Walk costs $100-out of pocket. Trainers at Project Walk are specialized in their field and not only work there to get a pay check, but truly care about each client. Insurance doesn't cover Project Walk, so that's where Help Chris Walk comes in! Project Walk, medical expenses, wheelchair tubes and tires, equipment, etc., costs over $28,000/year! Save the date, for October 9th, and come on out to see another night full of family and friends who love to "Help Chris Walk".

Home owners!!!

After much trial and error, our new house became our home! We were ready to start saving money on rent and pay a mortgage towards a house (can you believe its now cheaper for us). God definitely gave us some of our dreams in this house and we've enjoyed having family and friends over to partake in this gift! Many hands have helped create this place into the beauty that it is today! The sunflowers are past the roof now and still growing! We proudly hang our American Flag at our house and are thankful for our troops that continue to fight for our freedom. Truly, God bless America!!!

Tiny Jack Marsolais

Chris and I were so excited to find out we were pregnant, last year. We followed along with new ultrasound pictures and doctor visits. We hit a bump in the road at one doctor's visit when the doctor couldn't find the heart beat of Tiny. Rushed down to San Diego's Zion Hospital, thinking we had lost the baby, but later, saw "her" kicking around and alive with a great heart beat. The technician wasn't going to say 100%, but thought Tiny was a girl. We didn't know for sure, so continued calling "her" Tiny. During our trip to Colorado we received news that one of my pregnancy tests came back saying we may have a baby with a birth defect. Devastated on our vacation, with nothing to do but pray, we did just that. After returning from our vacation, I received the 20 week ultrasound that would show if the results were true. We had never heard such news before, but it was true, Tiny wasn't "normal". We saw Tiny's head was rather large for "his" (found out she was a he) body or his body was rather small. Driving home from San Diego, Chris noticed an add on the bus for Jack 'n the Box and said, "That's Tiny!" He was referring to the "Jack". Tiny had a big head like Jack, but a little body, so we named him, Tiny Jack Marsolais! After further testing, we found out the birth defect was called Triploidy, 3 chromosomes of each set!!! This was fatal. Was God going to do a miracle. He could. We prayed. Everyone prayed. We saw more doctors. We cried. We were led to do what I never thought I'd ever have to do-go in and have them take Tiny. I prayed and prayed. I didn't want to be the one to say it's over-no one does. Was it right? More prayer. We knew we had to and Tiny was a stillbirth on, March 11, 2010. God knew our hearts. God knew I was trying to do my best. God blessed me. We asked 2 different doctors if they knew when Tiny had truly passed and they both said it was at least a few days before I delivered him. Maybe it means nothing to you, but to us, Tiny lived and died and I birthed him after he had died. It was such a great peace from God to know he was in Heaven with Jesus. Chris was the best dad ever! He helped me through it all! Our parents, family, and friends supported us all the way! Mother's Day and Father's Day rolled around this year quite differently than most. Looking back on watching Chris hold his son is a great memory. He wheeled around holding him so carefully and yet so confidently. Chris has seen only a glimmer of being a father and hopefully soon he will taste it again!

Chris gets a free dog

For Chris' 5th anniversary of coming out alive from his paralyzes accident (June 30, 2005), I let him pick out a dog. We found an add in the Penny Savor for a free dog and we went to take a look. He came from a litter of 10, the mom is a full breed German Shepherd and the dad is a full breed Turkish Kangal. Chris had always wanted a German Shepherd, but had never heard of a Turkish Kangal (neither had I). Well, so the story goes, "Max" rode home with us and has been a part of our family sense!!! Chris always said he wanted a dog and would name him Maximus Demises Muridus, after the guy from the Gladiator and I would name my dog, Minimus-which I did! He's been a hand full, he's huge, but fun!!! He is 4.5 months now and weighs 55 pounds!!!