Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Day 311 - Apr 7, 2009

Good news and bad news. First the good news - it really looks like we are going to close on the house on Friday. This is not set in stone yet, but it really looks that way. The bad news though - the apartment complex won't let us out of the lease I just signed this weekend. I think it's very wrong - esp as we haven't moved in yet - but we are stuck paying close to a thousand dollars a month for 3 months for an apartment we won't be living in. I guess there's nothing we can do about it, though.

Moving on, Kevin had yet another really great day today. He totally rocked all of his therapies and you can see more and more how determined he is to walk with just his cane.

We also had 'vision therapy' today. The therapist tested his vision to see how much peripheral on his right side he lost. It turns out he can't see anything from the center to the right unless he turns his head. It was sad to see, but it doesn't seem to bother him. Maybe he doesn't really notice it, I'm not sure.

And I am going to finish up by answering a few questions posted by an anonymous poster. They asked about the house. As for the modifications - first, they can't be done until we own the house. There really aren't a whole lot of things that need done, but we have to rip the shower apart to allow his wheelchair to get up to it and remove a cabinet under the sink in his bathroom so that he can wheel under the sink to brush his teeth and things like that. If I remember correctly, there are 4 doorways that need widened and we are taking out the 2 windows in Kevin's room and putting in French doors for a rear exit. Lastly, we need to add a 'ramp' to the door into the house from the garage.

I can truly say that a year from now (or less) none of these modifications would be necessary, but we need to make the house as accessible for Kevin right now as we can. I want him to be able to get into the shower by himself. I want him to be able to wash his own clothes and cook his own meals. That is what this house is going to do for him - he can get around all of it (even the stairs as we have seen, lol) and I want him to become more and more independent.

As for when we will be moving in? This weekend if we sign the papers. Kevin won't be able to be in his room, but we have 4 other bedrooms that he can stay in while they are doing the work. The contractor is planning to start the day after we sign, and it's a good time for us because we are on vacation next week and we will be busy doing things every day. This way we don't have to hear all of the noise.

And that about sums up today...

8 comments:

Denver said...

I'd get legal advice about the apartment.
If you or the owner finds another renter for it, you are free of the (net) amount which the replacement renter pays).
Your rights in Florida may be more or less than this or you may have other rights and protections.

Anonymous said...

Leslie, I am so happy to hear the house situation may finally be getting resolved. We will pray that the apartment situation also may work out. It is so good to hear all the positive things Kevin is accomplishing. It wouldn't have happened without you and Breezy. What incredible people you all are. As always we will continue to pray for all three of you. Take care.
Melissa Ion

Unknown said...

YAY for closing on the house! I have a suggestion for the apt. situation. You might want to try putting a post on Craigslist and try to get a sublet. Some people might be just moving to the area and would want a short term lease. If that doesn't work, you could consider a month to month sublet in case someone is going on vacation. Just be careful of some scam artists. Make sure you do all transactions in person to ensure they're not scamming you. I did this while I was a student at Pitt and it saved me thousands of dollars! :)

~Bon

Kris said...

YAY for Kevin! So so so great to read these posts about how he's been kicking butt in his therapies and in life in general. Awesome. Just awesome. Great news on the house - it must feel like 'so close yet so far' for you! That really SUCKS about the apartment, saying a few extra prayers that it works out for you.

Thoughts, prayers, support and loads and loads of extra special angel hugs are always on their way to you all.

- Kris, a Soldiers' Angel from RI

-

Jodi said...

Hi Guys!

Wow, lots of news! Congrats on the house! What an exciting time if you get to sign on Friday. Sorry about the apartment. How unfair. Blows my mind how uncaring so many people are now-a-days. Unfortunately, it's all about the money for alot of people. I hope it all works out though. There are a couple good ideas people have posted.

Kevin! Good job kiddo on all your therapies!!!! Keep it up!

How is Breezy doing???


Keeping all of you in my thoughts. Keeping fingers, toes, arms, legs and everything else crossed that everything goes well with the house. :-)

Healing and positive thoughts for Kevin.
Strength for Leslie and Breezy.
Safe thoughts for all military personnel and strength for their families.
BIG HUGS AND ALL MY LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!!
Andrew's Aunt Jodi

Barbara Burke said...

How about posting the address of the apartment management on this site so we can bombard the jackass with letters on your behalf? Maybe some media attention would help you out of that lease. That's just wrong on every level of human decency! I'm so fed up with the corporate greed in this country. Leeches!

Long-time RN said...

Congratulations on the house! What a lousy deal with the apartment.

Great reading Kevin is rocking with the therapy! Sounds as if he's adapted to the vision loss. How do you determine his judgement capablity? I mean, if he'll be walking around the house, would he just up and walk outside or to the pool alone? He sounds like an adventerous spirit and will keep you quite busy!

Thoughts and prayers as plans move ahead.

Jessica said...

Yay, for the good news on the house and with Kevin's therapies! He must be so excited to get in the house. I'm excited for you both! It's been a long wait.

I hope you can find a renter for your apartment or find another solution. That would really suck if you had to keep it.

Take care. You're in my thoughts and prayers!