I hope everyone has a Happy Easter. Not much to report Pat is doing well, he continues to work out and is showing small gains here and there. I have been taking some videos and when I figure out how to post I will try and get them up here. If you are a facebook user you can find some pics of Pat working out here on the Journey Forward facebook page.
Don’t forget the summer kickoff at our house on May 24th; hope to see you there.
OMG! It has been a 2 months already, the time just flies by. I’ve been trying to get Pat to write and get some of his “patisms” into the blog but he still is fighting the technical age.
We have some very, very exciting news….Pat can move a muscle in his left foot. When he does this, it makes a contraction that moves his big toe. He has been able to do it for about 3 weeks now so we know it is not a fluke. I cried when he showed me. He wont be out dancing anytime soon and if you’ve seen him dance that’s not a bad thing 
This is a small hurdle in his fight to hopefully walk again some day. He is also getting some tricep return. It is very weak but it is comeing along and we see improvements every week. As some of you may know our new president has lifted the ban on stem cell research so this could happen sooner rather than later.
The new pups are getting bigger by day. They are up over 100 pounds each now. They are still cute and are mom’s cuddle bugs. They think they are lap dogs! Here is a pic of all three dogs taking a nap. 
The pups are currently in training class and we will begin working on commands to see if we can get them to help Pat out more.
The Mustang is doing fine I have to get some pics with Pat in it. It does not come out of the garage but the spring is coming so it will be making appearances more often. Speaking of spring we will be having a Memorial Day Party here at the house on Sunday, May 24 so save the day. All are invited party more details as the date gets closer.
Also just a reminder since it is tax season and you need tax deductions? Think of Pat. Please write out a check and make a donation directly to Journey Forward with Pat McNally in the memo line. This will give you the deduction and us break on the cost. Journey Forward not only builds his muscles but gives him hope that he will accomplish his goal of walking someday. If you have made a donation THANK YOU, we don’t get notified we just see the credit.
Hard to believe it is 2009 and we are half way through January already! I sit here and watch our 44th president get sworn in and hope for a brighter year. I thought my job was difficult his will be much more so with many of our hopes for change resting on him.
Speaking of change Pat is doing very well, he is working out three days a week at Journey Forward and gaining strength. He are preparing for some difficult goals for this year but I feel he will attain them and more. His goal is to lose some weight and get into a manuel wheelchair with powerassist wheels.
I know I owe you pictures just have been busy and it takes so long to load them up but I will try and get them up. The new car is fun, haven’t been out in much with all the snow can’t wait for it to warm up. The puppies are getting big! They just turned 6 months old Fred is 87 lbs and Sara is 77 lbs; can’t believe just 4 months ago they were 8 and 7 lbs. They are so much fun. Cody has adjusted well to being the “big brother” and the 3 of them enjoy playing out in all this snow.
As always I thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers and I know we are not always first in your minds but when you do think of us say a prayer and know you all our in our thoughts. We have had so many wonderful people come forward and help us as we struggle through the changes that have been thrust upon us. I just want you all to know I love you all! -Ang
Merry Christmas to everyone! Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile been busy with the holidays. I started to write a few times then got busy and never did. I wanted to get some pics posted but still haven’t gotten around to down loading them. I will try and get it done this week. This way I can show you our new christmas present to each other but til then you have to go by my description. The other week we traded in my Mini Cooper for a new 2007 Mustang GT convertible. It is silver with black cloth top and red leather seats. When we dropped Pat in the mini it was just a tight squeeze for us so we opted for something a little larger and more comfortable for us both.
The puppies are getting big they are 5 months old now and are part of the family. I would have to guess they are probably around 60 to 70 lbs. We don’t have to goto the vet all the time so I’m not to sure. They are in obedience class and doing very well.
Pat is doing very well at Journey Forward he was able to curl about 25 lbs with arm weights. He still has not had any hand or wrist function return but we keep hoping. As long as he keeps gaining strength and moving forward thats all we can ask.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and Santa was good to you.
Love Ang
Well fall is in high swing, most of the leaves have changed and the lawn is covered. Not much to report but we have a little bit to tell you about. We had a few first this month already! Pat and I went for a ride in my Mini Cooper this past Saturday. We had a lifting system installed in the garage so I can lift Pat out of his chair and lower him into the mini. It was nice for him to get out in a “normal” car and not be in his wheelchair. We went to Newport down around Ocean Drive and home again. The other thing we did was go to dinner at my Mom and Dad’s house. You may be thinking so he went to dinner at the in-laws, what is the big deal. Well they put a ramp up so that Pat can get in and out the front door and gives us somewhere else to go visit and get out of the house. This is the first time Pat has been to someone else’s home. The puppies are getting big they are 4 months old, Fred is up to 46 lbs and Sara is 41 lbs. I have lots of pictures but they are in a new camera and I have not taken the time to learn how to down load but I will get them up soon.
Just a reminder if anyone would like to come visit, please just give us a call. If you don’t have the number just leave a comment and I’ll email you back.
Well once again the leaves are changing colors and the crisp cool air is here. Hard to believe another season has passed us by and we are going into another. I am happy to announce our new additions have arrived! Thanks to Bill (Pat’s Dad) for driving down to PA to pick Fred and Sara up. They have been with us a total of 3 weeks and already have worked their way into our hearts. They went to there first vet visit 2 weeks ago and Fred weighed in at 25 pounds and Sara was 24 pounds, they go again Wed and I can see they have grown already so it will be interesting to see the weight change. We start “puppy kindergarten” this weekend, they’ll probably be the biggest puppies in the class. Here are some pics of Pat and the kids.
Pat’s doing well at Journey Forward, small gains everyday. They received a new piece of equipment, it is an attachment o the FES Bike but it works the arms instead of the legs, studies have shown that it has some significant impact in the recovery of SCI injuries so say your prayers that it will make a difference with Pat. What an FES does is send electrical current through the muscles causing the to contract making you pedal the bike.
Well Thank you for checking in and if you fill like coming to visit we are always looking for company just give us a call to make sure we’ll be home.
Thank you to everyone who came to the party. It was great to see everyone and we had a blast. In the last post I mentioned we were thinking of getting a puppy well we are now getting two. I would like to introduce Fred and Sara,
Fred is the apricot pup and Sara is the fawn (lighter), they are currently 7 weeks old and will be officially joining our family in a few weeks. As you were told before they will both become therapy dogs and one will be trained as a service dog. This link gives you the difference between the two.
Pat is doing well at Journey Forward. Here are some pics: 
Pat is doing very well in the program and if you would like to help us continue please make a donation by following this link “need a tax deduction” Thank you
Opening this up to everyone for Sunday, 8/31; 12pm to whenever
We will have hot dogs, hamburgers and chips.
Please bring your chairs, sunscreen and anything else you may want.
If you need directions let me know.
Ang
I don’t have much to report except Pat has been gaining strength in his biceps and triceps. He is able to work on a machine using 10 pounds of resistance and is able to sit up for about 45 minutes and keep his balance. Here is a pic with Lisa, she is one of his trainers. 
One of these days I’m going to try and get some video up so you can see the progress. It is difficult to explain but he is getting stronger but it is just a long, long road.
I quit my job and I’m now assisting Pat full time. He may want to send me back shortly because I make him work but it is good for him. We have started to look into training a new puppy to be service dog. A friend of ours has Mastiff Puppies and we think we are getting one,
more to come on that. I’ll need a new blog on training a service dog.
Hi Everyone, It is way past the month period and I’m finally writing. Lots of little things going on with Pat. He has made some gains working at Journey Forward (formerly known as Project Walk) check out the clients tab on there wedbsite and you’ll see someone we all know and love. He is able to stand in the standing frame for over 30 minutes, he is working on the FES bike and sit up without assistance for over 30 minutes. The other day he felt his stomach muscles!
I’ve had numerous people ask if we will be doing any fund raising and the answer is yes we will. We will probably be having a pasta dinner in the fall, when I have more information I will pass it along.
As always thank you for keeping us in you thoughts and if you want to come visist give us a call and keep in mind sundays are best.