Motion

The last word I have regarding my visit to Erie is about Suerk's motion, or lack of motion. The 'Q' word is not something we whisper. Suerk is a quadriplegic. Last Sunday in discussing the Penn State/Ohio State game, he said, "The wonderful thing about quadriplegia is that you can watch an entire ballgame without interruption." The comment was intended to provide a laugh. Never is he looking for pity – ever.

Motion. Suerk turns his head. He has some use of his arms in that the muscles down to the elbow work somewhat on command. Often the arms move without command. The throwing (left) arm tries to curl up toward his collarbone involuntarily. The writing/conducting arm behaves better, but it might not be as strong as the left. Often he requests to have someone move his arms and hands back to a more comfortable position because they tend to climb upward unintentionally. He has lots of feeling in the places in his arms and hands over which he has no control. He's not happy about that kind of feeling because it's like a burning. If you think holding his arm or hand will give him comfort, think again. He's learned how to throw you a look that says, "Lay off!" The feeling is like fire, but it is feeling. Maybe one day the sense of feeling/burning will become motion again. That is the hope.

It is with this limited movement and his entire mind that Suerk is thriving at the Harmarville Rehab facility in Pittsburgh. The news from there is nothing but extraordinarily positive. He is demonstrating a strength and sense of hope that he has not possessed since the fall in July. John Bush spent the day with him yesterday and found Suerk deeply engaged in his therapy with a concentration and enthusiasm that John Bush calls, "inspirational."

More Later.