[DeTomaso] Bob Byars Update

[Mark McWhinney]

Thanks for letting us know, Matt.



-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com]
On Behalf Of Matt Merritt
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2009 9:39 PM
To: detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] Bob Byars Update

Yesterday Richard Plotkin and I went to visit Bob Byars at his new
rehabilitation facility in Orange, CA. When we walked into his room we
found Bob watching a basketball game on an overhead TV.  Bob was happy
to see Richard and me and, having been warned in advance by Gloria, we
weren't surprised that he didn't remember our names.   Nevertheless we
could see that Bob clearly knew exactly who we were.  After a few
minutes Bob suggested that we go find a place to sit outside and started
to slowly get up and into the wheelchair next to his bed.  After
initially worrying that we were breaking some strict facility rule by
letting Bob out of bed Richard and I wheeled him down the hall to a
sitting area where we had a nice visit.  
 
Bob remains disoriented and is clearly frustrated by his difficulty in
remembering people and place names.  Richard and I reminded him that we
were impressed by how much progress he'd made thus far.  The longer we
were there the more alert Bob became.  At one point an old friend of
Bob's named Kenny arrived for a visit.  Bob couldn't remember Kenny's
name, either, but knew that they repaired motorcycles together when they
were teenagers and it was easy to see how much Bob enjoyed hearing about
their motorcyles and their long friendship together.
 
As we were leaving one of the nurses commented on the amazing number of
friends Bob had and Richard and I were glad to hear that he'd had plenty
of visitors.  We really felt that our trip was a positive thing for Bob
and would encourage more of his friends to come visit.   It might be a
nice idea to bring along a photo or two of anything connected to
Panteras or things you and Bob might have done together.  When I go back
I'll be sure to take a stack of Pantera International magazines with me.
 
Here's where Bob is currently staying:  
 
http://neworangehills.com/index2.htm
 
NEW ORANGE HILLS
5017 East Chapman Ave.
Orange,  CA  92869
(714) 997-7090
 
I understand he's in physical therapy in the mornings so afternoon
visits are best but it might be a good idea to call in advance.
 
Meanwhile, I know that each and every one of us in and outside the
Pantera community send our very best wishes to Bob Byars and his
wonderful family.  
 
Matt Merritt
_______________________________________________

Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA

Archive Search Engine Now Available at http://www.realbig.com/detomaso/

DeTomaso mailing list
DeTomaso at list.realbig.com
http://list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso