Reconnoitering for Re-entry - 4/22/06

The Return:
For the first time since January 4th of this year, Joseph Taggart returned to his home. It was exciting, interesting and gratifying for all concerned. He arrived at home about 11AM on Friday the 21st. Kasey, Misti, and Kris from LDS Hospital were his accompianists on the tour. He returns for good next Tuesday, the 25th of April.
The neighbors were out to meet him bearing treats and all enjoyed a picnic lunch in the living room. (Things are a bit make-shift still, as you can imagine). It was Kris's 29th birthday (again) so we had a cake to celebrate. Joseph got to see his room for the first time. The drywall was up, but not yet taped and mudded (that happened later in the day). He really enjoyed seeing it in person, not just in plans and photos. He loved the light in the room coming in through the windows and is looking forward to moving in when it is finished.
He took a trip around the back yard, enjoying the beautiful day. It was a perfect Spring day and we all got a bit of sun. It was tough for him to drag himself away to go back to the hospital. We are scrambling to get things ready for him by Tuesday (more about that later).

On Friday we went in person and picked up the reimbursement checks for the hospital expenses in Guatemala. They were able to recut new checks after the others were lost for over 30 days ???!!! We were happy to pay off the $35k on the credit cards finally. The brand new (wrecked) van finally left Miami bound for Utah on Thursday. . . YEAH! Dad is now an expert on how to get a vehicle shipped (or not) coast-to-coast. It is on it's way to Logan where Kim Fredrick at Autocare Collision Repair is going to fix it up. Man, are we grateful! We haven't quite figured out what we will do in the interim. . .
Mom and Dad have been having lessons (along with Joseph's friend Matt, already an expert) on how to transfer him from bed to wheelchair and back again. We have applied to the insurance for a motorized lift that will assist in the transfer. Today we tried it out. With it, Mom can move him by herself, without it -- no chance even with help. Here is a link to the portable lift we are attempting to get; http://www.bhm-medical.com/easytrack.html.
We are making progress on the house, but not as fast as we would like. Cisco Soto and his men got the wall board up and Jay Jackson's team taped, mudded and textured. On Monday they will sand and the tile installers will begin to finish the shower/toilet area (bathroom seems strange when there isn't a bath), it will take several days.
Today our friends Sid Smith, Greg Johnston and Warren Brunson came over, helping Dad clean out the garage to get the floor painted before the wheelchair lift arrives (soon we hope), and before Joseph is here and the temporary ramp Mark Maxfield build Friday has to stay in place. Terry McCleery started on the siding. He's taking the old siding off the back of the house and putting it on the side showing from the street. We'll then put new vinyl siding (aluminium is hard to get these days) on the back where the slight mismatch won't show.
We are excited to have Joseph home and his temporary bedroom in the family room will work out fine (we hope). It will be another new adventure in this year of new adventures for the Taggart family.