Blog
Jet Lag
It is 4 a.m. here at home. I am awake and am still on some other time zone. This is the plight of those who travel Internationally. I have flown a lot and still have the adjustment every time.I have found that flying westward is easier than going eastward. I often fly to Singapore and then into Indonesia. I am usually ready to go on day one and have no sleep problems. Singapore is 17 hours ahead of the west coast of the U.S. If I sleep at least six hours on the flight to Singapore I am ready to go.The return is a mystery to me–we land...
read moreYulce is Home
It has been four years and who knows how many surgeries. I estimate she has had 25 surgeries to repair her burn injuries and her curved back. She is a new person and a 17 year old young woman.I flew to L.A. to meet all the hosts and to see Dr. Peter Grossman and his wife. They all have been so amazing as they have done so much to change Yulce’s life. Yulce was very much an American teenager. She was not ready to go back to Indonesia. She spoke English and had little Indonesian language she used on a regular basis.We did not expect her...
read moreGoing Home
Yulce is finally going home. She has been in the U.S. since 2004. She went back to her family in Indonesia for one year following her first year of treatment. Dr. Peter Grossman has been amazing as he led her surgeries and recovery. Tina Johnson has been her guardian and has been a mother and friend to Yulce. She came with severe burn injuries and now she is going home as a confident and beautiful young woman..She will go home after a long time in California. The adjustment is going to be difficult as she returns home. She is an American...
read moreThe Next Step
Today was a big step for Tison. He had his fourth surgery. It was possibly the most important surgery for him. The surgeon worked on the ear that has been closed since the burn accident. His right ear was closed and we did not know if the inside of the ear was burned or untouched by the burn. It was a relief to hear that the ear canal was open. We are so happy to know his hearing was not affected and his ear can be made to look normal.Tison had a heavy scar on his chest that is very uncomfortable for him–he wanted it fixed. Now it has a...
read moreApproved
Tison has been approved to remain in the U.S. for another six months. The application for a visa extension is a big job and must be done correctly. It was great to get the approval of his application for the next six months visa.Tison needed to remain here in Alaska for more surgeries. He has been doing well and was able to complete three surgeries. The next surgery will be next week. His surgeon has been careful and we feel he has been wonderful. Tison has noticed his improvements and is happy about the progress.It looks like he will be here...
read moreCooking Eggs
Tison is only speaking English now with an occasional Indonesian word thrown in when he doesn’t know the word. He told us he wanted to cook some eggs. So he began giving us the list of things he needs just like a good cook. First, eggs and then a bowl. He took a fork and mixed the two eggs in the bowl. Then he said I need some bawang puti. That is garlic and he let us know it was not onions. No–not onions. He carefully sliced the garlic and put the slices in the eggs. He put the coconut oil in the frying pan and poured the eggs...
read moreFeeding the Bears
Normally–we would be told to NOT feed the bears. But Tison got to see and help feed two black bears owed by Ron and Sharon Richards. Samson the male and Delilah the smaller female have been a part of Ron and Sharon’s family since they were very small. They live in a five acre fenced forested area and are not treated as pets. These huge bears are respected as wild animals but are cared for and nurtured by the Richards.Tison got the chance to see these bears last night. He was amazed and even got to watch Ron feed them. Tison asked...
read moreApproved
Tison has had three surgeries in the last six months. He had a cold on the day his second surgery was scheduled, so it was set back three weeks due to the congestion. His left foot is really looking good. The graft around his ankle has allowed the foot to start to lay in the normal flat position. He had remarkable changes in his burned right hand and scaring on his face.It was clear that he was in need of more surgeries and would need more time here in the U.S. We made the application to extend his visa. He was awarded another six months stay...
read moreBGAN
The amazing technology of this day allows us to communicate with our leaders in Indonesia. We have a satellite phone for emergencies and outgoing calls. We also have a system called BGAN to send emails. It connects to a satellite and then sends the message. We are charged a flat rate and beyond the allowed minutes we are charged for each additional minute.I am writing about this because right now the BGAN is out of operation. It is being repaired but could take some time to be installed at the base.We are actually looking for a better system....
read moreOpen Doors
I am always looking for partners. I have met some amazing people over the last nine and a half years. I have been to the Australian outback to the frozen villages of Alaska. You can never judge a place by its size or location.I just go where the doors open. If they open in Pennsylvania–I will find a way to get there. I remember Gustavo and his family so well in Reading, Pennsylvania. What an awesome family. Then there is Greg the rancher in Australia. He and his entire family are amazing people. They work hard and are strong in their...
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