Ilans Bday

On October 4th (Ilans bday), some of his friends came over to celebrate with him. He thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of his friends and hearing all the stories they had to tell him. A couple of his friends brought him a huge scooby doo balloon which is still in the room.

Later, we went downstairs and my dad found some old family videos. The ones Ilan and his friends enjoyed the most were ones which Ilan and his elementary school friends were playing basketball and soccer. Then we brought out Ilan's cake and sang happy birthday. After helping Ilan blow out all of his birthday candles, Ilan's friends left. We all had a great time!

A Great Big Hug with a Fantastic Smile

My parents tell me that Ilan has been receiving additional vitamins and medication over the past 2 weeks. He is much much more alert and wanting to participate in everything with us.

2 nights ago I went to give Ilan a goodnight hug. My Dad put Ilan's hands around my back - Ilan
held on to me and began to speak by 'cooing' his appreciation. Later I went to hug him again and this time my Mum helped Ilan hug me - again he held on to me and had a big smile on his face.
This is a tremendous achievement for Ilan.

Ilans progress has been a slow but steady one. The past month or so since Ilan has been home
have been steady but worth it. He has been more aware than ever and responding everytime we ask him a question! Earlier this evening (September 16,) Mrs. Lipman and Ms. Greene from Sinai middle school, came to our house to visit Ilan. Both were so excited to see eachother. Ilan wasnt having the greatest day my mom said, but i noticed that he was more aware as his teachers came. After his teachers left our house, I asked Ilan if he wanted to watch my mom do her work on the computer. He anwsered me with sound for the first time ever!! So i put him up in the chair! After that i asked him if he wanted to try and type on the computer and he responded with uh! Uh! With his VOICE!! After that it just kept on going uphill! He kept on talking to us for about another cuple minutes or so, and after that we decided he was getting kind of bored of sitting there watching my mom type, so we took him outside to breath in the fresh air. When we brought him inside after his outside extraveganza, I showed him his old room, my room, Jarone's room and even David's room, and he had a huge smile on his face.

Labor day weekend

On labor day weekend my dad went to Santa Ana to rent a wheel chair accessible van (from a Sinai family's company) so we could take Ilan out of the house. Ilan's first trip was on Saturday with my dad, sister and Ilan went in the van to visit my Grandma, Grandpa, and cousins. For his second trip, my family thought of taking Ilan to Ocean blvd. to see and smell the beach. My sister, dad, and mom left Saturday evening with Ilan and walked down Ocean blvd. Ilan got to see the sun setting, while watching the rides at the pier light up as each person went on the ride. So Ilan could get a better look at the ocean and the sun setting we went on a part of the pier that was elevated. Ilan could not get his eyes off of the sunset and ocean. Before it got too dark we took him back into the van because it got so cold.

While deciding what we wanted for dinner, Ilan was already done with his, yet smacking his lips on a lollypop. He came with us to go and pick up dinner on 3rd street promenode, bringing back old memories from going there with his israeli exchange student. We gave him a smell of our hamburger and french fries and his mouth openend wide as he wanted us to put some right in his mouth!

On Sunday we went to Ocean Blvd. for the second time, as it was much easier on his eyes to see all that there is special. After our exciting journey Jarone came home and we let Ilan rest for a little. Then my dad decided that we should take Ilan to our old stomping grounds, the Mirabella apartment. We took him up to the apartment, but more excitingly we took him down to the pool. We walked him around the pool deck and the jacuzzi so he could look at where we used to swim as youngsters.

Monday we went to the valley for Michal to meet up with some friends before school to get some clothes and also to get a TV for Jarone. We dropped Michal off at Target while my mom, dad, Ilan and I went to get lunch before looking for a TV. At the restaurant Ilan took a little nap while the rest of us ate. Then we went looking for TVs (making sure Ilan approved my pick) and then got one. We picked up Michal and went home because Ilan was getting tired. After resting we took Ilan to see my apartment down next to USC. Although he was really tired he saw my room and stayed while my dad and I put my TV together.

Tuesday Ilan went to a doctor's appointment with my parents. Afterwards, my parents took him to Century City into Borders and the Container Store. Then while my parents sat outside and ate lunch Ilan was looking around and enjoying the time with my parents.

Lollipop and Coming Home

Since we last wrote, Ilan has been making progress and has been allowed to enjoy the simple pleasure of a jolly rancher lollipop. My mom has given him a lollipop everyday to suck on for a half an hour or so while he is watching television or resting in his bed. About ten days ago Ilan started a new medication to possibly assist him in his recovery. If this medication does not help, they will probably try another medication in a few weeks.

Last night our whole family went down to have dinner and prayers with Ilan and Estelle. While we were eating Islands, we let Ilan smell all of the food we each got. When my dad gave Ilan the ranch dressing to smell, he especially enjoyed it. After we said the prayers and started to eat, we gave Ilan a lollipop so he could eat with us too!

The most exciting news that we have to share today is that Ilan's room in our house is 90% ready and he will be coming home on Wednesday or Thursday. Yes you read correctly...this Wednesday or Thursday!!

Thank you for your continued support and thinking about him.

Walking the Dog

Last week I had an amazing visit with Ilan as we had a 1-2 minute conversation!! I told him something to which he was very attentive and then he mumbled some noises back to me; this went on about 6 times.

Today my Dad and I went to visit Ilan. Prior to leaving we asked Mum to check with Ilan if he would like us to bring our dog Nahla - Mum said he gave a strong yes answer with his eyes.
Both Nahla and Ilan were very happy to see each other as they have met only once during the past 9 months. As soon as Nahla saw Ilan she climbed onto Ilan's chair and licked his arms and face many times which Ilan thoroughly enjoyed. Later we gave Ilan the leash to hold and we took a walk around the facility. During the walk it was very apparent that Ilan held the leash tightly.

Later Dad practiced with Ilan opening his mouth and moving his tongue - Ilan listened and responded to my Dad's cue every time.

As you all know, Ilan is expected to come home end-July. Work has begun just today on the bathroom remodel to meet Ilan's needs and we hope it will be complete within the next 3 weeks.

Note from a friend (and physical therapist)

Hi! My name is Roslyn Liberman. I am a physical therapist by profession, but primarily I am an old friend of the family. I was there when Brian and Estelle first met each other at a party. I have been involved with Ilan since he returned to UCLA hospital from Santa Barbara's Cottage Hospital. Ilan has struggled with numerous medical setbacks-infections and two failed neurosurgeries. Now he is more comfortable and medically stable and will be coming home in a month. But his present needs are great. He does not have speech yet or voluntary control of movement. He does communicate by blinking his beautiful eyes.

Yesterday, I was asked by Estelle and Brian to stop by their home to assess the environment for Ilan's return. There is so much that needs to be done, and quickly. The master bathroom needs to be gutted and the whole room needs to become a shower with a sloped floor for drainage. It is very important for his skin to have washing facilities. The sink and toilet must be moved and made accessible. Ideally doorways need to opened to allow wheelchair entry to bedroom, bathroom and patio. The master bedroom needs a complete rehab to accomodate Ilan. Without question ramps have to be installed.

Ilan has a tracheotomy and the ambient air must be very clean- so he would benefit from a hepa filter air purifier system, not taxing to his immune system.There are many pieces of equipment needed for his care, most of which are very expensive. These big ticket items include a van with special lift and a tilt-table for home use.

Please put on your community thinking caps. What is needed is a contractor to donate some time and/or extremely generous philanthropists to make things happen. If anyone can help, that would be wonderful or if you think you know someone you could ask for help, that would be wonderful. If you have any suggestions, please come forward and contact the family or me at work (323) 634-0221. Donations can be made to Rabbi Wolpe's Discretionary Fund for Ilan Ashkenazi.

If you know him, you know Ilan is very brave and strong. He wants his old life back and he will fight for it. It takes a village to help him.

Bless you all and let us only hear good news about Ilan's progress from now on.

Sincerely,

Roslyn Liberman

Home

Estelle and I wish to thank the entire community for their prayers, wishes and support for Ilan.
We also want to thank our tireless kids David, Jarone and Michal: without their help and understanding we would never have been able to focus and shower so much of our energies on Ilan.
Last but not least we wish to thank Sinai Akiba/Sinai Temple as well as Milken High School/Stephen Wise Temple for their unwavering commitment to teaching our kids to be the best mensches they can be.
We know they have blossomed under their care and guidance.
It is hard to believe that it has been almost 9 months since the accident. Since Ilan's last surgery exactly 4 weeks ago, Ilan is much more relaxed and able to focus on his recovery.
Ilan is a strong and determined boy and he has valiantly fought and won his battle thru recovery. He has now expressed a longing to come home. In about a month, our family will embark on a new journey that we hope will coax Ilan along in his tough battle to win the war to recover speech and mobility. We hope and pray that coming home will give him the strong desire to fight harder and find the psychological edge and confidence needed to overcome the barriers along the way.
He will need your help when he gets home - our house will always be open. Please call and/or stop by to see him and cheer him on!!

Shabbat Shalom and once again thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

-Brian and Estelle

Coming Home

Ilan is scheduled to come home on or about July 23, 2008. Although he has made progress, there is an enormous road ahead. All of you in our community have been so gracious in your offers to assist our wonderful Ilan, we would like to call on you now.

- We will need to update the master bedroom
- Make the bathroom wheel chair accessible
- Ramps in the doorways
- Rehabilitation equipment-standing frame, stationary bike, and other physical and medical equipment

Thank you so much for your continued prayers, thoughtfulness and kindness for our wonderful Ilan.

- Jarone

Swallowing & Squeezing

Tonight (Sunday June 15) my brothers, and my mom came down to HealthBridge for Fathers Day. When we first walked in the door Ilan smiled at us with complete and total joy! We settled in to the room and one by one we said hi to Ilan, telling him about the week we have had. I was the last one to say hi to Ilan but i was happy! The laker game was on and Jarone and David were busy watching it. So i held Ilan's hand so he would not be lonely.

Right away Ilan didn't look like he was bored anymore. He squeezed my hand so tight, that i thought that something was wrong. Actually he was looking at the T.V watching the lakers loose at one point! I was so relieved accept he couldn't stop squeezing my hand until the lakers started winning again!

Around the third quarter of the game, my family started eating. As usual we let Ilan smell the food that we eat as he can not swallow yet. We let him smell one of the soups that we got. It had the most seasonings and the most spices than all the other foods. So after he smelt it he started to feel a discomfort almost about to start coughing. And he did. Usually the cough keeps on going until he finishes clearing his throat unless he swallows. So my mom told Ilan, "Swallow Lani! Swallow!" Ilan kept opening and closing his mouth as he was swallowing. It was such a big accomplishment as he is not able to swallow food yet!

-Michal
If you have any questions or would like to help out,
Please feel free to email me at michal.adriana@gmail.com

soccer and basketball

Yesterday my dad went down to Healthbridge to relieve my mom for the weekend. When arriving there my dad took Ilan for a walk around the facility to get some fresh air. Halfway around the building my dad found a soccer ball and asked Ilan if he wanted to play soccer. Right away he blinked twice acknowledging that he was eager to pass the ball around.

My dad took one of Ilan’s legs and placed it on the ground. He then put the soccer ball right next to his foot and helped Ilan push the ball. After a couple of passes, my dad switched legs and Ilan enjoyed it a lot. Then my dad saw a basketball lying outside and asked Ilan if he wanted to play some basketball.

After blinking twice again to say that he wanted to play some basketball, my dad went to pick up the ball. One of the nurses aided my dad in picking Ilan’s hands up and holding the ball. At first, Ilan was in a little discomfort because this was something new and weird to him. My dad saw this on his face, and readjusted how he was holding the ball so he would be comfortable. Ilan (with my dad’s help) starting throwing the basketball but was getting a little tired.

My dad took Ilan inside and went on skype to video chat with me to tell about his day.

- Jarone

Swimming

On Monday, Michal and I visited Ilan in the afternoon. Although he was a bit out of it earlier on he became more attentive as we paid more attention to him. Michal noticed that he looked slouched in his chair, so we decided to help him stretch. We lifted his arms up and down, and also out and in. It reminded us of a swimming motion, and we started describing the motion as though he were swimming the butterfly.

At each part of the stroke, we explained where he was in the water and how hard he had to push. As we started getting going, I think Ilan really began to focus. He seemed to be helping us my relaxing some of the stiffness in his arms, and his eyes were wide open with a fixed glare. We continued for a while, and then did some flutter and breaststroke "kicking," which I'm not sure if he liked as much. I think he most enjoyed us helping him visualize what he was doing.

- David

Ilan's condition

Many people have asked about Ilan's condition, so we figured it would be best to get some information out there. Ilan is currently at a rehab facility in the City of Orange. Our mom spends the week with him, sleeping in the room, and our dad switches with her for the weekend. The time we spend all together is for Shabbat on Friday evening. Ilan has a shunt in his brain to help him drain brain fluid, and recently had surgery to reconstruct a part of his skull. He is looking much better after the surgery. He also has a tracheotomy to help his breathing.

For the most part, Ilan does not move much on his own. However, yesterday he stuck his tongue out for our dad, which was very exciting! There are times when he is alert, and there are times when he is not. When he is focused, we have to try to read his blinks - his eyes and facial expressions do most of the communicating. Hopefully that gives some information, but please be in touch with any specific questions. We hope to have more good news to share soon!

If you need information about the accident itself, you can Google "Ilan Ashkenazi Santa Barbara." You can also go to http://www.dailysoundonline.com/, click on the archives and find the October 1st, 2007 copy of the paper. Feel free to ask us questions to fill in the gaps.