I think of Todd’s recovery much like the old fashion barn raising. Where the community comes out and together they work as the structure is built, erected, and solidified. We are witnessing a contemporary version of that which I guess we could call a Todd raising! Tomorrow is the next grand effort (from Vale and team) to assure our survival through this most challenging time! Thanks to you all, bills are getting paid, we are being fed, and we can focus on being together working hard everyday. I have been starting to see and run into to people more and more as the weeks go by and how amazing it is to see the love and also hear accounts of how Todd has influenced and inspired so many people! Keep the faith …….it is a wild ride we are on and we do not know what is ahead or where we are going to land next……but we do know it includes Todd,…HOW GREAT IS THAT!?

(I cut this from a post) Vale wrote:
We’re thinking about Todd daily and following his recovery!_Don’t forget about the “Pranks Film Festival” coming next week. Special Todd Blair Benefit night is Thursday April 3, 9PM at the Roxie Theater 3117 16th at Valencia, SF. Mark Pauline has agreed to a live Q&A with Vale — also will show some of the machine demo tapes by Marian Wallace: Maker Faire 2007; SRL V1 at the Lab, 2003; and the fabulous dual screen Berkeley Art Museum show, taped by Scott Beale and Marian. Also will show a Mark Pauline interview — taped in the ’80s.ALSO the after party at “the Homestead” (corner of Folsom/19thSt.) will follow this show. Hope to see you there! Check the Todd Events page for more details and more on the copious other shows April 1-3. We’ll be giving away a Pranks hardback AND Pranks Film Festival shirt as door prizes. Money from this show to Todd Blair and Alex, so tell your friends.

And now in the true fashion of this long time communication another voice from Todd’s bedside. Here’s Johnny: (he has been quiet lately)

I’m sure y’all will excuse the my lapse in writing. I’ve had a bit of catching up to do since my trip to Amsterdam, but am now able to balance everything out enough to be able to hammer out a few words. I have been helping Todd here and there with his range of motion exercises and sharing some art books with him (which he devours attentively), but this morning was a truly wonderful therapy experience with Todd and his Recreational Therapist Tamara. Alex has described the machine that helps Todd practice walking (the Lite-Gait – – I thought it was some sort of sci-fi transporter device when the therapists were first talking about it). Its cousin for arm movement is a frame which uses counterweights and slings for wrist and elbow to make his arms “lighter”. The plan for this morning was to use this machine, and then Tamara said, “Let’s bring the machine up to the rooftop garden.” With the help of the counterweights and some light guidance by us, Todd was able to pull a marker out of one of the planters and lift it up to read. We then went through some fluid Tai Chi like movements, which, although strenuous, got Todd very strongly focused and calm. By the end he was doing most of the work. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to see this progress — hands grasping, eyes focused, mouth mustering words (and apparently coaxing out a few here and there). And all this surrounded by lovingly planted flora, amazing view of the Bay, and a facefull of non-institutional air for Todd to feast upon. Stay tuned for another update next week – – I am planning on bringing in some Japanese brush painting fixins so we can get a little Sumi going on.

Love and hugs and stopping to smell the lavender.
Johnny

Coming soon……..I am already working on the next entry…..IN A DAY. Keep an eye out. Alex.

Oh yeah and I have some good photos of that guy we are all so proud of. What a determined, tenacious, spirited, bright light!!!!!
LOVE HIM.