Saturday, September 8, 2007, London, England~

Dear Journal~

Naomi Cohen here. I am doing okay, but I am physically, emotionally, spiritually spent. Spending so much time at the hospital with Rebekkah while she undergoes her testing is maddening, and it is so DAMNED hard seeing her getting poked so much. I am sure she doesn't enjoy it, any more than she enjoys the therapy. It's no wonder she sleeps so much! The poor thing is EXHAUSTED!!

Rebekkah got an e-mail from Susie; they've been IMing each other, and Susie is still--well, Susie. She's frustrated at not being able to talk, and other things are eating at her; I am still most concerned about her, but at least she's on the road to recovery! It's better than seeing her unresponsive! That, at least, I can be grateful for!

I am spending more time in my wheelchair. All this running back and forth certainly isn't helping my own medical sitaution any. At times I am so tired I feel as weak as a newborn kitten. I hate this Frederich's ataxia because I think back to how I was and where I am now, and it's very upsetting! I am not used to being in a position like this!

Heard from Johnny Sandusky back in Tennessee; he's doing fairly well, but his MD is getting worse, and he's still trying to make the best of it. Such courage! Such determination! He and Rebekkah are good for one another, but we had to move because the damn doctors back home basically gave up on my daughter, and I am sorry, but Rebekkah deserves a chance to live, have a chance at life! I feel bad for Rebekkah for being so far away from Johnny!

We are (semi) getting used to the time change here in England; am still somewhat used to Tennessee time. The weather here has been nice; I am glad because before we came here I was reading about all the record flooding England (and parts of Europe) was having; I was afraid we were going to get caught up in some of that. I'm just thankful the heavy rains have finally moved on!  Temps in the sixties and seventies, quite pleasant, actually.

I have enrolled Rebekkah in a dance program for students with disabilities. I have been reading up on this particular school, and I think it will do wonders for Rebekkah's spirit and continue her dream to dance. I want her to do everything possible in her life while she still can! She starts in a few weeks after her therapy sessions have ended; still have at least another week and a half to go yet.

Daniel is getting worse: he fell again. We are looking into the possibility of getting him a walker. It's very disconcerting; he's just a little boy; he doesn't understand about muscular dystrophy or bad genes or why he needs help.

I look at him, and I think of kids like Johnathon Sandusky or Thaddeus Michael (a kid here in England we've met at the therapy centre), kids who struggle to survive, and I can't help but to cry--but I do that when I'm not around them. I try to keep my pain private, especially when it comes to matters like this. These kids have more than enough to worry about; the last thing they need is pity!!

Heard from Ronee' too: she loves school. She's doing well so far in her classes, but she says she has bou coup homework (her words, not mine!); every night she's at her computer or at her desk, trying to get her homework completed! Yet she's always been a very conscientious, studious student; school for her has always been a breeze. (It's no wonder: she's a certified genius, with an IQ of over 150; she's a member of Mensa! She is one incredibly bright girl; one of the brightest people I've ever met!)

Also one of the most talented. She's still working towards her goal of becoming a singer. I hope she makes it; I think she will! :)

I wonder how Louisiana Sandusky is doing, if she has patched things up with Audrey Callaway. They were really going at each other. Time will only tell, but I hope that they can mend their broken friendship; nobody should be mad at each other like this; life's too short to spend it being angry or bitter!

Speaking of Louie, I heard from her too. She's still on bedrest, only getting up to use the restroom or go to her doctor's appointments (and then she has to use the wheelchair). She is coping as best as she can, but I am sure she'd rather be up, taking care of her family! Her new foster son is there, and she says he's a real cutie pie. She sent me his picture, he is adorable! I still don't know how the Sanduskys do it; one of these days they are going to get investigated by the state for adopting so many children! YIKES!

What a mess THAT would be!

Well, I am going to go now; got sleepy all of a sudden. It's Saturday; no therapy, no hospitals today. I can stay home and relax while Micah wrangles with the kids. Ahhh, such bliss! :) On that note, this is Naomi Ruth signing off. See you later!

~Naomi Ruth. :)