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.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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
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
Friday, June 20, 2008
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
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
- 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
Sunday, June 15, 2008
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
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
Saturday, June 14, 2008
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.
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