This morning Jeff and Annette were asked by the nurse if they wanted to trade to be in a bigger room. They declined, feeling content with where they were. After a pause the nurse asked if they would like to trade to yet ANOTHER room.
Catching on they asked, "You need our room, don't you?"
The nurse laughed and told them that they needed two rooms side by side for two confused patients who kept getting out of bed. This would allow them to only need one staff member to watch them both at the same time.
Of course they agreed to help by giving up their room, but it turned into quite the fiasco! A whole month's worth of belongings was quickly piled onto Jeff's bed and he was wheeled down the hall to room 1206, his new home until discharge.
Jeff was then taken to therapy and Annette missed most of it because she had to put their new room together. She didn't realize they had accumulated so much stuff! Ha! It fell to her to get it all organized again.
While she was busy Jeff was also hard at work. He went outside and around the building again in his manual wheelchair. He really enjoys this challenge and mapping his progress on Strava.
During lunchtime Brenda (Page) Betteridge, a cousin, came for a visit, a nice distraction! Before long Jeff was back to therapy again.
The wheelchair representative was finally here! It seems like we've been waiting for him to come forever. Jeff was measured for a chair so it will be the right size for him and they discussed the different options he has available.
Over and over we've run up against insurance troubles. The way they do things can seem a bit backwards at times. Understandably, they will only pay for a wheelchair once every five years. However, they are picky about what kind they want to cover.
Jeff can order a customized power chair and have it be approved and paid for in about two weeks. A manual chair however, can take up to 90 days to approve and be ordered. It has to go through several channels, have letters written, and several hoops to jump through just to get approval for payment.
If it's not approved at even one stage of this process then an appeal has to be sent in and even more time is wasted.
This is a problem because if it's not ordered and delivered by the end of December the insurance won't cover it. It will be a new year and the cost of it will go toward next year's deductible, all money out of Jeff's pocket.
While Jeff likes power chairs, he can't ignore the many benefits of manual chairs. They give constant exercise, are more easily transported, and much smaller for being indoors. He can be more independent and active with a manual wheelchair.
This is the newest challenge he is facing right now. It's a difficult choice to make with a very tight deadline. We ask you to please pray with us that he'll be directed to make the best choice for his health and quality of life. It's truly difficult to know what the best option is at this point in time.
Jeff's been looking pretty scruffy lately so today he finally got another haircut, thanks to his cousin Camille. It's amazing the way such a small thing can make such a difference in how you feel. He looks great!
Catching on they asked, "You need our room, don't you?"
The nurse laughed and told them that they needed two rooms side by side for two confused patients who kept getting out of bed. This would allow them to only need one staff member to watch them both at the same time.
Of course they agreed to help by giving up their room, but it turned into quite the fiasco! A whole month's worth of belongings was quickly piled onto Jeff's bed and he was wheeled down the hall to room 1206, his new home until discharge.
Jeff was then taken to therapy and Annette missed most of it because she had to put their new room together. She didn't realize they had accumulated so much stuff! Ha! It fell to her to get it all organized again.
While she was busy Jeff was also hard at work. He went outside and around the building again in his manual wheelchair. He really enjoys this challenge and mapping his progress on Strava.
During lunchtime Brenda (Page) Betteridge, a cousin, came for a visit, a nice distraction! Before long Jeff was back to therapy again.
The wheelchair representative was finally here! It seems like we've been waiting for him to come forever. Jeff was measured for a chair so it will be the right size for him and they discussed the different options he has available.
Over and over we've run up against insurance troubles. The way they do things can seem a bit backwards at times. Understandably, they will only pay for a wheelchair once every five years. However, they are picky about what kind they want to cover.
Jeff can order a customized power chair and have it be approved and paid for in about two weeks. A manual chair however, can take up to 90 days to approve and be ordered. It has to go through several channels, have letters written, and several hoops to jump through just to get approval for payment.
If it's not approved at even one stage of this process then an appeal has to be sent in and even more time is wasted.
This is a problem because if it's not ordered and delivered by the end of December the insurance won't cover it. It will be a new year and the cost of it will go toward next year's deductible, all money out of Jeff's pocket.
While Jeff likes power chairs, he can't ignore the many benefits of manual chairs. They give constant exercise, are more easily transported, and much smaller for being indoors. He can be more independent and active with a manual wheelchair.
This is the newest challenge he is facing right now. It's a difficult choice to make with a very tight deadline. We ask you to please pray with us that he'll be directed to make the best choice for his health and quality of life. It's truly difficult to know what the best option is at this point in time.
Jeff's been looking pretty scruffy lately so today he finally got another haircut, thanks to his cousin Camille. It's amazing the way such a small thing can make such a difference in how you feel. He looks great!
Before Haircut:
After Haircut:
Roxanne (Jeff's Sister) came to stay for the evening when Annette went home. Her son Jake, his wife Ashlee, and their daughter Sophie brought Jeff a Jamba Juice that he says tasted like an Orange Creamsicle. He really enjoyed it!
Roxanne reported, "Sophie pushed herself around in his chair and drew some pictures to stick on the window. She also said her prayers with Jeff before they left, it was really sweet! She prays for him every morning and night. Jeff told her she is the only 4 year old that can pray like that. It was a good visit!"
Some days are definitely more challenging than others. Annette described today as being a "crazy day." It says a lot about her gentle and patient nature that she has never complained of a "bad day" since the accident.
Not very many people would be able to face the struggles that Jeff and Annette do every day and remain so positive. Their faith is never ending and their trust in God is complete. We are so grateful for their strength and example!
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