Judy's family and friends have provided this website so all of Judy and Eric's family and friends (which are many!) can be updated on her progress. Please sign the guestbook and feel free to leave messages for Eric and family.
Judy suffered a stroke on Monday, August 8, 2005. (To read the story of her progress from day one, click here)
The neurologist has said the reason for her stroke is a disease called Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD). In lay terms it means she had a hemorrhage between layers of blood vessel tissue resulting in swelling in the brain stem. The swelling causes a thrombosis (blood clot) and it travels to the brain and becomes lodged in the Basilar artery, which is the only supplier of blood to the Pons area of the brain stem.
July 24, 2009
Posted by Mary Bernardy on 7:36pm July 24, 2009
Hello everyone! Wanted to let you all know we now have a facebook for judy. If you have facebook, just enter Judy Simon Ackel and you will find it. This is free to join and Judy is looking forward to entering her own comments.
We have posted a few new pics...more to follow. I know a certain few who haven't been able to post or are wanting an update..Ben and Mike to name a few..Now it should be easier and less work for me! ha ha
Brief update..We finished Judy's handicap bathroom/shower about a month ago and she is loving it. Also, she got a new electric wheelchair in May and is operating it by herself! She has a lot of dexterity (sp?) in her left side, so this is working great. Must say, since she only received Medicare right now, her co-pay for the chair was 6000.00! Fortunately for Judy, she had a generous donor contribute 4500.00!! Thank you to our donor!! We love you. She would love visitors if you are in the Corona are (ie..Bayne's, Reeds....ha ha)
Judy is looking forward for me to put on a small fundraiser in the near future. The bathroom was about 20,000.00 and basic needs run over every month, so something will be in the near future..Maybe a wine tasting event! She really missed me not doing the walk-a-thon, but it was just too much at the time. So..look to the facebook page for current progress, special notes from Judy, pictures, etc....
Thank you to everyone who sends me e-mails, facebook notes inquiring about Judy. I make sure she gets them all!!!
November 3, 2008
Posted by Mary Bernardy on 8:38pm November 03, 2008
I know it's been awhile since my last post! I apologize! We raised close to 18,000.00 from the walk-a-thon...very successful! (the pictures have been posted!!!) I know it's been a long time since my last update, but there has been a lot going on in Judy's life. In July she finally went to trial for her malpractice suit. It ended in a hung jury..it was very emotional for Judy as she appeared in court one day. She was awarded a small sum which will definitely help in her care.
In August, she made a tough decision to file for divorce and move to Corona with her mother. We have had a challenge in setting up 24 hour care, as Judy has never required that. We
have been through several people during this transition. To make matters worse, her caregiver "allegedly" stole money and jewelry from Judy and her mother and we are currently pressing charges..Judy was heartbroken as she thought she was her friend. Lesson learned and we are moving on..as Judy says, "what goes around comes around" and she is confident justice will prevail! Some of the monies raised at the walk-a-thon was used to pay past due private therapy and caregiving. It was fortunate that we raised so much as it takes an average of 5600.00 a month just for 24 hr. care. None of this is covered from any plan...This is the reality..Then there is food, diapers, necessities, etc..So needless to say I will be making the walk-a-thon an annual event!!! We are currently waiting to see if Judy will be accepted in a clinical robotic trial for her weak arm. (the right) It would be at UCI and we should hear by early to late winter. I am also trying to get a good caregiver base for various hours. Please contact me if you know of anyone interested in working with Judy. The last two people have come from personal references and have worked out great! Also, ladies, we are back to giving Judy a bath (as opposed to shower chair) and are in need of a few volunteers for this process. We are re-doing a bathroom and making it handicap ready! (those are also funds from the walk-a-thon) Peggy and I recently met with a life care planner and got some great information on a current plan for Judy, as far as therapy etc..We are meeting with a new therapist in a few weeks to discuss a baclofen pump. This is a controlled medicine drip in the spine that would control Judy's spasticity. (meaning un-controlled stiffness in the limbs) This will make therapy easier. She will also be fit for a new wheelchair, which she has needed desperately for a year! She is working very hard and is starting to feed herself daily, brush her teeth and wash her face. She calls me "drill sargent Mary" and says I'm controlling! Can you believe that! She only says that when I make her work hard.. Judy will also be meeting with a communication specialist in the next few months to teach her better posture and seating in her chairs and teach her to use a special mouse and computer which Medicare will pay for! So, we will be busy in the months to come! Anyone interested in directions to her mom's please contact me. Judy would love to have some visitors!!!!! On a final note, even though I'm with Judy on a weekly basis, I always try to take a page from her book..I am amazed at her positive attitude and strength she posesses on a daily basis. She exemplifies HOPE and FAITH and the belief that one day she will be better than she is today.
have been through several people during this transition. To make matters worse, her caregiver "allegedly" stole money and jewelry from Judy and her mother and we are currently pressing charges..Judy was heartbroken as she thought she was her friend. Lesson learned and we are moving on..as Judy says, "what goes around comes around" and she is confident justice will prevail! Some of the monies raised at the walk-a-thon was used to pay past due private therapy and caregiving. It was fortunate that we raised so much as it takes an average of 5600.00 a month just for 24 hr. care. None of this is covered from any plan...This is the reality..Then there is food, diapers, necessities, etc..So needless to say I will be making the walk-a-thon an annual event!!! We are currently waiting to see if Judy will be accepted in a clinical robotic trial for her weak arm. (the right) It would be at UCI and we should hear by early to late winter. I am also trying to get a good caregiver base for various hours. Please contact me if you know of anyone interested in working with Judy. The last two people have come from personal references and have worked out great! Also, ladies, we are back to giving Judy a bath (as opposed to shower chair) and are in need of a few volunteers for this process. We are re-doing a bathroom and making it handicap ready! (those are also funds from the walk-a-thon) Peggy and I recently met with a life care planner and got some great information on a current plan for Judy, as far as therapy etc..We are meeting with a new therapist in a few weeks to discuss a baclofen pump. This is a controlled medicine drip in the spine that would control Judy's spasticity. (meaning un-controlled stiffness in the limbs) This will make therapy easier. She will also be fit for a new wheelchair, which she has needed desperately for a year! She is working very hard and is starting to feed herself daily, brush her teeth and wash her face. She calls me "drill sargent Mary" and says I'm controlling! Can you believe that! She only says that when I make her work hard.. Judy will also be meeting with a communication specialist in the next few months to teach her better posture and seating in her chairs and teach her to use a special mouse and computer which Medicare will pay for! So, we will be busy in the months to come! Anyone interested in directions to her mom's please contact me. Judy would love to have some visitors!!!!! On a final note, even though I'm with Judy on a weekly basis, I always try to take a page from her book..I am amazed at her positive attitude and strength she posesses on a daily basis. She exemplifies HOPE and FAITH and the belief that one day she will be better than she is today.
June 8, 2008
Posted by Mary Bernardy on 8:30pm June 08, 2008
Hello everyone! It was so fantastic to see so many people at Judy's 1st "Walk for Hope" 5K Walk-Run. It was a huge success!! Judy was so excited that she got to lead the pack for all of her supporters! It was truly overwhelming for her at times, as this is the first time Judy has allowed herself to let so many people back into her life. Her new life! To date, we have collected over 13,000.00 in donations. We are still receiving pledges and we anticipate at least 3,000.00 more! This is truly a testament to show how many lives Judy has touched. She is blessed to have so many people that love her and encourage her continued recovery.
Judy has come along way in the last 6 months. One reason is her new caregiver Terry, that was hired in January. She gets Judy out of the house daily. Whether it's grocery shopping, therapy or maybe lunch and a movie. She's truly amazing with Judy and Judy feels lucky to have her. She's become a member of Judy's family. Judy is anxious to mix up her therapy and make new strides in her rehabilitation. Judy continues to make small improvements but feels like she has stagnated lately. We are hoping to try some new therapy that is not covered by insurance. One place is located in Carlsbad and we should have an appointment to see the owner this month. I will keep you updated!
I have some great pictures from our walk and I am waiting for a few more..I will post a photo album hopefully later this week.
Lastly, I came across a book this weekend at my sister Eileen's house called , the power of kindness..The unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life. I read something in the preface that made me think of everyone who participated in any way in Judy's fund-raiser. It encompasses the true spirit of kindness! I wanted to share it...
I believe that if we stop to think, it is clear that our very survival, even today, depends upon the kindness of so many people. Right from the moment of our birth, we are under the care and kindness of parents; later in life, when facing the sufferings of disease and old age, we are again dependent on the kindness of others. If at the beginning and end of our lives we depend upon others' kindness, why then in the middle, when we have the opportunity should we not act kindly toward others? Kindness and compassion are among the principal things that make our lives meaningful. They are a source of lasting happiness and joy. They are the foundation of a good heart, the heart of one who acts out of a desire to help others. Through kindness, and thus through affection, honesty, truth, and justice toward everyone else, we ensure our own benefit. This is a matter of common sense. It is tremendously important that we try to make something positive of our lives. For our life to be of value, we need to foster and nurture such basic good human qualities as warmth, kindness, and compassion. If we can do that, our lives will become meaningful, happier, and more peaceful; we will make a postivie contribution to the world around us. -The Dalai Lama (May 2004)
