getting back to namibia

well...the return trip was definitely not as smooth as going to the
US. after missing my connection in joburg and dealing with
unhelpful, sometimes rude airlines employees I had to stay overnight
in Joburg. my guardian angel was this girl about my age who was also
trying to make the flight to windhoek. we shared a room at a
guesthouse run by nice, old ladies and had pizza for dinner -- not
bad for being stuck in joburg, but still both of us wished we had
made the flight to windhoek. after being hassled a bit a passport
control going back into namibia, i arrived at the baggage claim to
find that neither of my suitcases made it. my luggage had spent the
night in the joburg airport basement, the last place that i would
want to leave my belongings, but i was not allowed to claim them the
night before in joburg because "it would take too long". i was at
the point of oh-well-what-else-can-go-wrong.

a friend was supposed to fetch me from the airport and then take me
to the bus later in the day for mariental. I sent him as sms saying
that i was still figuring out my luggage situation and would be out
shortly. when i finally came out into the arrivals area at the
airport i didn't see anyone that i recognized a first and then...jaco
came out from the crowd with a big smile on his face. at this point
i just started to cry. i had missed him so much and didn't expect to
see him until that night when i got off of the bus! what a fabulous
surprise after a not-so-fabulous trip! we drove to a lodge down the
road from the airport and enjoyed coffee while catching up and
watching wildebeast, ostrich, springbok, and warthogs come up to the
watering hole. this part was a really nice welcome back to
namibia :-) when we went back to the airport my luggage came on the
next plane and everything turned out fine.

as much as i enjoyed being in the US and seeing so many family and
friends, i also really missed namibia and my life in namibia. i have
six months left and much to wrap up in that time with projects
through the TRC and the girls club.

new room nearly finished

Words truly cannot express the depth of gratitude that all of us Dixon feel towards the community of people who have rallied together to put this addition on the house with tremendous care and quality work! As you can see from the progress in the photos, this has been a huge project and it is being done quickly! When I have seen folks in Medford who have worked on it, more than one has told me, "Beth, we are happy to do this for your parents because we know that if the shoe was on the other foot, Paul and Jill would be at our house everyday." This has really shown all of us the depth of bond and appreciation and care that exists between our family and the friends around us! Amazing seems an understatement to me!

rock wall and drywall

Having some fun along the way

Dad was not too excited about biking, but once he got out there he really enjoyed it. He came back with a huge smile on his face!! Mom and I were glad that he got out and had some fresh air and was able to have fun doing something out of his chair :-)

The cooking was an assignment for Occupational Therapy. He wheeled to Safeway and got the groceries a couple of days before. Then he knocked everyone's socks off with the deliciousness that he cooked up! Most people make things like hamburger helper or chocolate chip cookies. Not Paul Dixon. He made pork tenderloin stuffed with proscuitto, dijon, and fresh herbs with an amazing vegetable summer stir fry on the side! For an extra project he had Mom and I make stuffed squash blossoms. Everything was a big hit! NO surprises there :-)

On Tuesday Dad stood up in a standing frame. He slowly pulls himself up in it with a lever and then stands for a while. Um, I think that it makes him even taller than normal because I don't remember him being THAT much taller than me! It was great to see him be able to do that and it is also really good for his legs to have some weight on them AND some circulation in those legs!

In addition to all of this, we went for a picnic by a lake and some other patients went out in canoes. Dad went swimming yesterday. Mom said he even wore his goggles and was actually swimming around in the pool, not just sitting on the bench in the water. GREAT! This Friday is "Hobie Day" when they take practically the whole hospital boating, sailing, and have a huge bbq. I hope that Dad and Mom enjoy that and maybe even get in a boat out on the water.

Overall, it was wonderful to finally be able to spend some time with Dad and with Mom!!! The planned release date in August 30th, so Dad still has some time to wrk with the therapists after he gets his brace off. No one really knows exactly when he will get his brace off.

lots of work

foundation, walls, ramp

Building foundation.
Platform.












Up go the walls.














Arlo checking out the new ramp in the garage

Rehab and Remodel

It's so nice to finally be writing to you all from the Craig Rehab Center! You all have really blessed my parents...the room is filled with so many cards, books, magazines, other cool gifts, even photos and videos, lots of personalized special things. I couldn't even read through all of the cards, I was crying too much, too moved by all of the people who have reached out AND the wonderful, real, sincere things they (you all) had to say! I've already said that this is wonderful in previous updates, but to see it for myself was even more moving! Many of the cards said things like, "let us know how we can help you, what do you need, if you need ANYTHING let us know". Well, there is something and I will get to that in a bit, but first let me just tell about today.

Dad works his butt off in these classes! It is not a joke. The therapists and staff are really great and really encouraging. They have him do the exercises or activities on his own so that he learns how and builds strength. Dad had a time trial today on a wheelchair course with some ramps and turns in it. It was his third time and he shaved two minutes off of the previous time - excellent, but hard work! Then he went around the gym in a wheelie in his wheelchair - another skill to check off. He also mastered opening and getting through patio doors, no not with that automatic button, but on his own! All this was only in the first hour of the day. There was also OT and PT, each therapist is really great and impressed with Dad's improvements. In PT he worked on balance - sitting up on the edge of a raised mat in his brace. Then he and I played catch with weighted balls, he could do much more than the therapist's goal for that activity. Overall, he continues to improve, but this rehab is hard work and can get really frustrating. The positive atmosphere helps, but Dad's support and strong, persistent character also really makes a big difference!!

Mom is doing okay. She spends her days going to most of the classes with Dad, answering the cellphone, and making runs to Safeway when they need things. Some of the classes are for the two of them together and she learns a lot from going to the OT, PT, and other classes as well. Finally, she joined the "Wellness Center" which is a gym here and has started to workout in the mornings which Dad, Ellen, and I agree is good for her. While I am here I will go with her for a little mother-daughter bonding :-)

Tonight we made dinner in the apartment that I am staying in for the first couple of nights at the hospital. Dad got to see some of my photos while Mom and I made dinner. He actually had an appetite so it was nice to all sit together, not in the cafeteria, and have a nice dinner. Tomorrow I move into the suite that he and Mom are in.

The house is really changing FAST! I saw some more photos which I will post on my blog so you can check some of them. The room is closed in, the wiring and plumbing are in, and the drywallers (Uncle Ping and Cousin Buck and company) are driving from Montana as I write this. They are going to hang the drywall, tape, and paint. There is already a ramp in the garage. As this project has been going on countless people have put in countless hours to help either with the construction, meals for the crew, or providing refuge for Arlo or laundry services for Luke :-) MANY, MANY THANKS!!! This outreach is like something out of a Hallmark movie - you all are amazing!

The house project is where people can help in a tangible way. Many of you are already giving sooooooooo much of your skills (construction, cooking, hospitality, etc) towards remodeling the house for Dad to return and that's AWESOME! However, in response to numerous cards asking "what can we do to help you" you could contribute financially to the remodelling of the house. The former study is being turned into a bedroom/bathroom with a roll-in wheelchair accessible shower. Also, a ramp was built in the garage. All of the materials, aside from the bathroom tiles, are coming on account through Klingbeil Lumber and Bill Klingbeil is in charge of the account for the project. Those interested in contributing financially to this can send a check with "Dixon Remodel Project" in the subject line to:
Klingbeil Lumber Co
Attn Bill Klingbeil
1175 W Broadway
Medford, WI 54451

Please continue to keep up the support through your well wishes, emails, calls, prayers, letters/cards, and encouragement. This is not easy, I'm seeing more of the reality of that now that I am here. However, it's MUCH better because of you all and more not even on this list that some of you have informed. Feel free to forward these emails to others who would like to be updated. OR send me their email addresses and I can add them to the list. Thank you so much. A HUGE hug to each of you for every little or big way you have loved and support our family, especially Dad, through this so far!!!

Much love.