Log Day 1: Journey begins

The day after Brian passed his swim test, we got word that his school was closing.  Not at the end of the year, but with 2 months of school left.  So, he started the new school this week. So far so good.  His transition has been as good as expected.  He even got interviewed on WSB TV about his new school.  The link to that interview is here. 

The last 2 weeks have included a college fair for Ben, a Dance Marathon for Brian, getting things done at work for me so I can enjoy the vacation time.  Atlanta traffic was awful this week.  Top it off that it was sort of cold and rainy earlier in the week.  What I'm trying to say is that we are ready for this trip. 

So, Troop 15 will have 22 people at Seabase.  We have 16 Scouts and 6 chaperones.  We will be on 3 different sail boats.  Brian and I will be on Boat C.  Ben will be on Boat H.  Ben,Brian, and I are driving down to Key Largo and meeting the others that are flying down.  Ellen is driving down with us.  She will fly back to Atlanta Monday. 

To assist the other scouts, we are bringing the cargo of sleeping bags and pads of all 22 Scouts and leaders. This way they don't have to check any bags flying down  It has been a very interesting hauling this cargo so far.

Day 1 started after school and work for all of us with a drive to Statesboro, GA.  Visiting my parents and seeing our old home town has been brief but enjoyable.  Day 2 will start with a brief visit with some friends, and a drive to Melbourne Florida.   We plan to celebrate Easter Sunday with a sunrise mass on the beach. 

Future Blogs will likely not come until after the trip is complete.  I plan to keep a journal and will post it later.  I will post Facebook/ Instagram Photos.   Please send any positive thoughts and prayers our way.  This is a trip of a lifetime for all of us. 

Swim Test passed!!!

I have not blogged on the trip to Seabase or on Brian's progress in swimming as much as I had planned.  I knew that the toughest challenge was going to be the BSA swim test. participation in Seabase is not allowed without an up to date swim test for all participants.  No exceptions!!!!

Getting Brian motivated to practice swimming the last few months has been challenging,  He has spent  thousands of hours of his life in therapy.  To him, swim practice was sometimes seen as an unneeded therapy.   Sometimes with frustrating results.  The folks at Blaze Sports have been awesome.  They have been patient and very good at getting the best out of Brian. once he got to the pool, they did great with him.  I also had Brian practicing with me and with a private instructor.   We would practice at Dynamo swim club Sunday afternoons, snow days, and on one occasion, a morning before school.  Honestly, I can see why Brian didn't want to go to practice.  Without the practice, he would not have had a chance to pass the test.

Part of the test is stamina.  You have to swim 100 total yards without stopping.  We had a treadmill, till it broke in January.  We had Brian running,and walking walking the dog in the cold months.  This didn't always make me to popular to Brian.   Brian has had other therapies thru this time.  So those therapies helped.

Even as recent as a week ago, i still had concerns.  A practice did not go well.  However, I grew even more optimistic as the week went on.  We had an early practice in the middle of the week   I saw Brian do all the parts of the test.  Not all at one time, but he had all of it down.  Also, when we walked the dog on Friday, Brian insisted on running, and holding Stella's leash the entire time.  Stella is strong, so holding her leash is a work out.

So, we planned for the test on Saturday March 10, with his Blaze Sports Instructors.  Had a back up on March 24 if this test didn't go well.   The test included a number of things.  None of them are timed.  in the end, I knew his biggest challenge was going to be the 25 yard backstroke.  It comes after a 75 yard freestyle.  So the hardest part happens after the longest part, so stamina was a factor.

It was a slow but successful backstroke.  He passed.  Happened to have the Executive Director of Blaze Sports at the swim practice.  Brian celebrated with her, as well as his coaches.  One coach said that it was the best that they had seen Brian swim.  They are all excited for him to go on the Seabase trip.

Swim lessons will continue for Brian on the 17th and 24th. Now that he passed the test, learning how to snorkel effectively will enhance the trip.  We have snorkeling equipment for Brian.  Like most, he swims much faster with fins on his feet.

POST TEST CELEBRATION:
During all swim lessons, I gave Brian incentives (aka bribes) if he did well.  This was no exception.  Ben took the SAT on Saturday Morning, and this is my Birthday weekend.  We combined all that to have 2 family celebrations.  Appetizers at Three Dollar Cafe and dinner at Bambinellis. 

Brian has passed all hurdles.  He has earned his ticket to Seabase.  He has proven again, that anything is possible.  More Blogs to come.

Mid February Update and 2018 UGA Dance Marathon

Well, things didn't go as planned since my last blog.  In January, I  was preparing for a snow ski trip with Brian.  Sadly, the flu caught up with Brian, and almost caught Ben.  Snow skiing will have to wait until 2019.  Brian got treated   had some sick days from school.  He is now fine, and ready for the next thing.

Brian has continued his swimming practices with Agnes Scott and Dynamo swim club.  The trip to SeaBase starts Easter weekend.  With Ash Wednesday happening this past week, it was a reminder that we are less than 40 days away from the trip.  I wish that Brian was further along with his back stroke.  I feel confident he will get to the point needed, but it will be some hard work in the next 40 days,

mm

Actually, less than 40.  Brian has to complete the test before the trip.  Our plan is to take it on March 10, with a March 24 back up.  I see some serious pool time for Brian's immediate future.  The prize is worth it.  An amazing trip to the Florida Keys.  

No swimming this weekend, as it is the UGA Miracle Dance Marathon.  Brian has 3 planned events on stage in front of some of the most high energy college students 3 different times.  It wouldn't surprise me if he somehow got on stage a few unplanned times as well.  g 

He will demonstrate some equipment CHOA Robotics uses, he will be on stage as Ellen will share our story, and Bmoney will be performing "Living on a Prayer" in the talent show.  

Meeting other families that have been patients at CHOA is very heartwarming.  Hanging with the amazing students of UGA Miracle is a very motivational as well.  The 24 hours is really a time that gives me hope for the future.  My reflections from last years Dance Marathon.

I expect to send a few more blogs as the training for Seabase Continues,

Training Update: Passed one hurdle, Trained by climbing, and Beech Mountain on Horrizan.

From Florida Sea Base Pinterest.  We will be sailing on boats like these

Happy New Year everyone!!!

The unseasonably cold weather we have had in Georgia makes me think of warmer places and times.  

The trip to Florida Sea Base is less than 3 months away.  Troop 15 will have 3 teams of 8.  Each team will consist of 6 scouts and 2 adult chaperones.  Each team will be assigned to a sailboat with a seasoned captain.  We will have 6 days on this boat going around the blue waters around the Florida Keys.  It will include fishing, snorkeling, swimming, and adventure seeking.   It will also include responsibilities of sailing like hoisting the sails, keeping the ship running, keeping the ship clean, going, and keeping an anchor watch.  Some time for kayaking and paddle boarding will be available as well.  Sleeping will be on the deck of the ship.    It will not be a bad week at all.  

Brian has cleared one hurdle in terms of qualifying to go.  He has gotten the required doctors sign off.  This is required for all participants of any Boy Scout High Adventure Camp.  I wasn't sure if the doctor would have any objections or not. Doc had no reservations.  Now onto swimming and stamina.  

Swimming:  

With the holidays, snowstorms,  and other things going on in November and December, Brian only had one swim lesson from in November and December. January 7, he will start some private lessons at the Dynamo swim club in Chamblee GA.  This will supplement his group swim time with Blaze Sports America.  The requirements for SeaBase are to strongly pass the BSA swim test. They warn it is not for beginners.  I have no concern that he will pass the swim test.  I'm just not sure how to quantify "strongly" passing it.    I imagine that is in the eye of the person evaluating the swimming test.  That will be done sometime in March before the trip takes place.  That is the main test we are working for.  

Stamina:  Mountain #1 - Stone 

On top of Stone Mountain December 30, 2017

During the school break, Brian and I climbed to the top of Stone Mountain.  Back in summer of 2012, I walked with Brian maybe 5% up.  We sat on a step and saw all the hikers going up and down.  I told him I had a goal for him to climb the Stone Mountain again.  In 2013, he completed the hike up.  Though that was a monumental achievement at the time, it was not without frustration. Brian had to take numerous breaks and the further up we got, the breaks were needed even more often. He needed lots of rewards and motivation.  In 2013, when we climbed to the top, we took the Stone Mountain Summit Skyride down.  We climbed up to the top a time or two since 2013.  Each time was a little easier.  However, we always took the Skyride down.  This time, Brian is the one that wanted to go to the top.  This time, we made it mostly to the top (95%).  It was cold and very windy once you reached the top.  I was under dressed. So we turned around near the top.  Those familiar with the mountain, it was about 1/2 between the top of railings and the top of the mountain visitors center/ concession stand. It was cold.  This time we walked all the way down.  Yes, we took a few breaks going up and coming down - but nothing like in the past.  Also - we saw 3 large deer cross our path about halfway up. Seeing the deer on a hike is a life experience that you should never take for granted.  

The hike was good, and I think it certain worked my muscles and my cardio.  I know it did for Brian also.  

Stamina:  Mountain #2 - Beech

On way to Beech Mountain 2016. 
We thought we were covered with
our GSU Hats.
    

Skiing is clearly a fun way to get a little more in shape as well.
In just over a week, Brian and I will be making a return trip to Beech Mountain NC.  He participated in an adaptive ski clinic sponsored by an organization called Disabled Sports USA in 2016.  He used gliders that time and participated in three lessons in two days.  Since it was his first time skiing, I felt that I needed to go down the mountain with him and his instructors to start off with. I don't think Brian or the instructors wanted me to.  It was cold, and I was very nervous how Brian would do if he fell or just felt like he couldn't do it.  The first time up, I was observing him on the mountain as the 3 instructors were watching out for and coaching him up. They were telling him what to do and how to use the equipment.  Suddenly, I was run over by a careless skier.  Brian had three trainers looking out for him.  I had zero.  I dusted myself off and continued the day.  After the first few trips going down, I left him and the instructors alone.  He was clearly in  good hands with trained volunteers and instructors. He enjoyed the rest of the lessons with me from afar. 

Photo from hotel in 2016. 
Clearly our GSU hats were not enough. 
Ski masks were purchased before actually skiing.

At that event, I witnessed people in wheelchairs, people missing limbs, people that were blind, and others that have over come many things enjoying a day of skiing.  Yes, I knew it was not as large of a mountain as in Colorado or other places.  I knew that most of the snow was man made.   But the courage these people have is real and larger than any mountain range in the world. 

They have a potluck dinner each night at the hotel.  We got to know a few of the other participants and instructors at the dinner.  Brian has a different social standard than most.  Two years ago, I tried to have him  conform with traditional social norms.  I am a different parent now.  I am most likely going to let Brian be Bmoney in this setting. 

Weather in Beech Mountain
 on January 6. 2018. 
Warming up by January 15.

Brian had surgery in 2017, so we could not go to the clinic last year.  This year, he is scheduled for four lessons in two days.  January 16-17.  I didn't take to many pictures last time.  I hope to do so this time.  It is 2 degrees as I type this in Beech Mountain (See Screen shot).  However, long term forecast calls for a little warmer stuff. 

I did not take to many pictures in 2016.  I was nervous to bring my phone or a camera with me.  I can sometimes have a reputation of breaking electronics.  It seemed like a mountain full of snow, a camera, and me as a novice skier was a bad mix.  I will try to this year.  A blog with pictures from this years clinic will be done.  I will enjoy 2018 even more because Brian is stronger, I am more confident in Brian, I am more confident in the trainers, and all this will assist in the goals of getting in better shape for Sea Base.