slow walking

its been sometime since i added to the blog. i am finally taking steps. i have a pair of leg braces that keep my knees from buckling when i put weight over each leg. i am able to lift each foot by using my obiques and the muscles that run down the side of my back. it is difficult and my right leg is much easier to lift than my left. but hopefully in time they will be equal and require less effort to move. in the beginning, the trainers had me use a walker to take steps, but now i am using hand crutches. they are unstable, but if i can master them, they will be much more versatile. maybe in time i can learn how to take steps with ski poles - that would be pretty great.
i am looking forward to getting out of therapy and back to my life. i should be able to return, again, to work as soon as the 26th of dec. so, i am looking for a place. then, soon, i hope to begin the modifications to my home - nothing substantial. the necessary parts will include a ramp at the front deck, an accessible bathroom, wider doorways, lower storage for the kitchen, and an eight-person jaccuzzi tub for the front deck with built in stereo and cooler.
i am looking forward to winter and am curious how my chair will do in the snow and ice. should require some new skills. i am close to mastering getting up and down curbs and some short stairs. also i can descend long stairs pretty easily as long as there is one handrail. for sure, my chair has received quite a few new dents and scrapes. i hope it last me the seven years that the insurance companies require before allowing funds for a new one. i am trying to find a cheap, beater chair for doing everyday chores. in the meanwhile, i just need to be alittle more careful. and, who knows maybe researchers will discover that, so far, elusive procedure for repairing spinal chords. and we will have a huge fairwell party for my chair, where everyone gets three swings at my four-wheeled friend. you will all be invited.
best, chris.

Jaw Dropping

Chris,
You really take my breath away. Please check out this video. It shows Chris' victory, that we all share. Chris worked long and hard to get to this point, it takes all of his concentration and the use of his upper body to access any movement from his lower body. He practices every chance he gets and has far surpassed the expectations of his doctors in India.

We are all so proud of you CHRIS!!!



Much love,
Anna

Fabulous Pretty Sally Wine offer in support of CHRIS!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!
http://www.prettysally.com/
in preparation of the great holidays to come, i wanted to share with you this absolutely brilliant idea + wonderful offer in support of CHRIS OBERLE this holiday + for years to come! this is a great gift for you, your family or friends for the holidays + even in the new year! i have personally tasted their wines + they are truly excellent (see wine critics reviews below). ALL orders will directly support Chris!

Rosalie + Dan Cornew, importers + partners of the Pretty Sally Vineyard, a premium Australian winery near Melbourne, first formed a friendship with Chris through an architecture project he did for them in Tahoe. They have generously donated their wine in the past 2 auctions in support of Chris + the overwhelming success of their wines items gave them the idea to create "CHRIS' CELLAR"...where EVERYONE who orders is a winner!

**Dan and Rosalie will contribute 20% of the wine purchased by Chris' extended community of family + friends towards a fund to help Chris finance his recovery through "Chris' Cellar".**

TO ORDER, simply fill out the special order form posted on their Pretty Sally website:
http://www.prettysally.com/where_to_buy.html
from the Home page, click "Where to Buy "
Make sure to use the Promotion code "OBERLE" to access this special order form.

*shipping UPS takes from 1-2 weeks going ground + in California it takes 1-2 days going ground!
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WINE INFORMATION:
The Pretty Sally wines have garnered the attention of wine critics, as they are a great example of the "cool climate style" of Australian wines. They are very much Australian in that they have strong berry fruit but also have the finesse, silkiness and additional aromas + flavors found in Southern French wines.

Below are some of the reviews their wines have been awarded, most notably by Stephan Tanzer, from International Wine Cellars, highly respected among wine buyers for being impartial + very critical:

2007 Pretty Sally Estate Sauvignon Blanc ($22.50)
"Greenish straw. Energetic, anise-accented pear, green apple and peach aromas offer verve and depth. Light in body, with gentle but insistent acidity; the fresh citrus and pit fruit flavors are subtly complemented by herbs and talc-y-minerals. more fruity than herbal and utterly delicious. "90 pts. IWC Tanzer.

2006 Pretty Sally Estate Rose ($15)
Orange-pink. Ripe raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by an exotic peach accent. Plush, round and slightly sweet, offering a creamy array of red berry and pit fruit flavors. A riper, fleshier style of rose, finishing with sweet red fruits and good length. More a food than aperitif style. 88 pts IWC Tanzer, 87pts Wine Spectator. "This is a terrific pink..."Leslie Sbrocco

2004 Pretty Sally Cabernet Shiraz ($17)
"Bright ruby. Youthful, focused nose offers cherry, red currant, rhubarb and candied licorice. Firm, juicy and complex, offering a striking blend of red and dark berry fruits accented by bitter chocolate and minerals Finishes with good length and sweetness...90 Pts: IWC Tanzer".

2003 Pretty Sally Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($21)
Dark red. Rich, spicy cherry on the nose, along with dark chocolate, vanilla and oak accents. The flavors are of dark berry and oak-spicy notes of pepper and clove. Has a well balanced structure with a very strong finish. Tannins are ripe and well integrated. 90pts/Exceptional,Gold Medal: BTI. Leslie Sbrocco 90 pts.

2004 Pretty Sally Estate Shiraz ($25)
"Ruby-red. Smoky aromas of fresh blackberry, cassis and candied cherry lifted by sweet licorice and bright minerality. The flavors offer a compelling combination of power and focus; raspberry and blackberry notes build and sweeten through the finish but there's also juicy quality providing focus and vivacity. Finishes supple and sweet, with lingering flavors of dark fruit liqueur. A rather graceful style of shiraz, with impressive concentration...91 pts: IWC Tanzer". "Crisp acid and a simply amazing structure; not to be missed...Exceptional: Dan Berger".
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A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ROSALIE + DAN CORNEW OF PRETTY SALLY VINEYARDS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT!!!

we welcome any + all ideas or collaborations in support of Chris! Thanks for checking this out, mmm mmm vino. please let me know if you have any questions.

with love, rita

ok well these are the pumpkins that the kids carved for halloween. joseph carved the von dutch skull one and the mustang emblem, madison did the scary lady face, brennan did the lil devil one and gunner did the pirate skull. they had fun doing them and they turned out pretty good. ok now the pics of the eclipse, well it looks as though josephs problems aren't quite over with cars :o) he called home friday night and said "i think we need to look for another car" I didn't know what he was getting at... i thought he had found some viper or something that he was joking about getting but then he said "i got hit" and of course with joseph you don't know if that is going to be followed up with "just joking, do ya have some money i'm hungry." but he wasn't joking, a guy ran a red light and plowed into the eclipse from the front bumper all the way to the back bumper, so it looks like its going to be totaled. he and the girl that was with him had just left starbucks and hot apple cider went all over the inside of the car and in josephs hair. so now it looks like we are going car shopping for the second time this year but this time for brennan, joseph is just going to have to pull out the mustang and drive it. we enjoyed the email you sent and hope to hear from you soon

tim and shawna oberle

Drum roll please…………

together with the amazing donations + fierce contributing bids, we collectively raised $20,000 for Chris!!!!!

to the elite group of DONORS + BIDDERS, THANK YOU!!!

There were spectacular auction items + the bidding was fierce, some of you were true champions (you know who you are!) + you can still visit the site to see how everything went down! www.chrisoberleauction.blogspot.com

Thank you all SO very much for your enthusiasm + heart, it was such a great success + I hope you all had as much fun as I did watching it all happen. It is truly amazing + Chris is beside himself with the outpouring of love + support to make a little of the impossible seem possible.

Please stay in touch with chris through this blog, where we will try + keep everyone up to date on where he is + what he's up to + any hopefully FUTURE EVENTS of all sizes, near + far! Your bids are what have made the next few months possible. Keep in touch!!

On behalf of chris + myself, I thank you again + again + again......

With overwhelming gratitude + love in my heart,
rita

P.S. a special shout out to all our fabulous donors: inSite, Quint Contemporary Art, Estudio Teddy Cruz, Jordan Crandall, Geoff Mcfetridge, GAIA Day Spa, jetBlue, Caleb Siemon Glass, Equinox Fitness Center, lee + mundwiler architects, OCMA, Trina Turk, LAXART, barbara bestor architecture, Love the Belly, notNeutral, Bernini's Bistro, Stuart Collection UCSD, LACMA, Active skate gear, shukai studio, NBC Universal, Benito Villanueva, Stephan Mundwiler, Michael Krichman + Carmen Cuenca, Lilly Mayback, Rosalie + Dan Cornew, Maria Siani, Lisa Tan, Balz Mueller, Jon Grant (Turley Wines), Sheila Burns, Mario Ybarra Jr., Lee + Stuart Posnock, Katherine Zabloudil, Les Lackman, Oberle Family + Joe Fleischer

LAST CALL FOR BIDDING!!

HELLO EVERYONE,

ITS THE FINAL STRETCH OF THE AUCTION, please click on the link to the right or below:
www.chrisoberleauction.blogspot.com
+ PLACE A BID IN SUPPORT OF CHRIS TO MAKE THIS EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS!!
thank you to all of you that have given your heart through spectacular donations + fabulous bids! keep them coming, every dollar counts, you have been amazing!!

BIDDING ENDS THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 26 @ 8PM!

i will check back to let you all know the grand total of everyone's support!!!

with love,
rita

Going going...

Not gone yet! What incredible donations everyone has made!! Its so great to see how everyone wants to help Chris out however possible. Thank you!! Our fabulous auctioneer, Rita has put together a website -
http://chrisoberleauction.blogspot.com/
- if you haven't checked it out you should. So much really great stuff, but hurry its all over by 8pm on the 26th of September. BID, BID, BID!!

I also heard there was a garage sale put on by an old friend from tahoe, Wendy Mohr. Is that right, did you raise $3600? Tell us about it!

As for the gossip on Chris, he has been working non-stop for the last month. He has been spending his days hard at work in the office and when he's not there he's commuting down to Project Walk for his three times weekly visits. Also, up until two days ago, he spent all the rest of his free time studying for his oral architecture exam.

Now that his oral exam is out of the way, Chris has a bit of room to breathe. He is really devoted to understanding what the possibilities are as far as treatments for his condition. Its a lot of work and scary decision making, but he is doing a fabulous job.

Chris brother and sister, (Monty and Carmen) are coming to visit him in LA tomorrow (friday)!! I know Chris is going to be so happy to see them. He has all kinds of plans for them while they are here, including doing a workout with him at Project Walk. Then Chris' mom comes out the week after!!! How great!

Hope to see everyone soon,
Anna

San Francisco!

Chris and I went to SF to visit friends for celebration time! So fun!

North Beach Jazz fest.













Our hostess with the mostess, Chantal.













Yummy farewell dinner.

Tahoe Dreaming

Chris and I spent some real quality time in lake tahoe a couple weeks back. Chris' heart lives in tahoe and so do many of Chris' incredible friends.

Music and Bbqing in kings beach.

























Truckee music and dancing, that means mostly eating for me.



































Sunset swimming at whale beach.




Its great to be back in LA, but I already miss so many good times we had. Swimming at the boat dock with the doggies and friends, kayaking, bbqing, trails, dinner parties, and games. Also I keep expecting that everyone is going to keep showing up to check out snacks in the kitchen and help carry Chris up the stairs. All of the fun and friends has really helped to fill our souls with happiness. Missing you!

Back in LA so many more fun times and great friends await! Chris, you are really loved by so many beautiful people. Looking forward to spending time with everyone! I will be out of town off and on till Sept 12. Chris will be working hard, going to Project Walk and hoping to spend time with you.

Best to everyone,
Anna

Weekend Getaway

What a fun San Diego weekend! Rocky and Kim are such fabulous people always there to make sure Chris is on track with such positive energy and devotion.


Thank you for everything, Anna

back to work

hey everyone,
i am finally back to work. i finished my first week. my schedule goes: monday, wednesday, friday - work, and tuesday, thursday, saturday - Project Walk. thanks to all of you for making my recovery there possible. for work, i take the RAPID 720 bus line all the way into downtown, about 45 min - its easy, and when i go to project walk i commute with another para named joe and his girlfriend. i have held off on finding a place, for right now, and am staying with anna temporarily. i am doing this because i am seriously considering treatment abroad. the story goes: i met a girl named amanda when i was in colorado. when we met she was preparing to travel to india for stem cell therapy. fast forward - it has been over 2 months since my initial conversation with amanda, and she is back home in colorado. it turns out she responded really well to the treatment. in her time there, she experienced the following: full return of bowel and bladder function, movement and sensation in both feet, and the ability to move her left and right hamstring. for 15 1/2 years she had nothing below her waist. i think this is remarkable, and am considering (very carefully) the same treatment for myself. i have been in contact with the doctor, she has just opened her new clinic in new delhi. the doctor makes no guarantees, but is confident because my injury is so recent, that her treatment will enhance my bodies natural healing process. the therapy cost 25,000. i will receive stem cell injections/physical therapy 6 days a week for 2 months, and then will need to return to india for follow up treatment every 2-4 months, for a couple of weeks, for the next two years. the doctor has treated over 300 patients with various disabilities over the past 5 years and had some pretty amazing results. i would like to add that not one patient has experienced any ill side effects from her treatment.
however, the US spinal chord research community is very much against this type of treatment for many reasons, but mainly because it is unregulated, lacks any history of testing, and is without accountability. however, i have been unsuccessful in finding any treatment, or even a solid time line for future treatment in the US that would focus on repairing my spinal chord. so, i have been reading every article i can find, and talking with amanda in detail about the clinic. i am still undecided.
my reality is that i have not yet accepted my condition and am frustrated daily by my clumsy wheel chair lifestyle. still, i have met some really accomplished, athletic and determined people who are in chairs, some better, some worse off than me. for sure an inspirational group who make it much easier for me to have a positive outlook on life. and i am beginning to focus, seeing the things that really matter. i have no expectations for great returns in india, but that's OK because whatever the outcome i am sure to arrive on the other side of this experience, even if its sitting in a chair, with a smile on my face.
that is because thru this entire experience i have been fortunate to have a really great group of family and friends by my side ready, without any hesitation, to offer whatever they have, in a constant effort to make my life easier. thank you a thousand times for your generous donations , your homemade therapy devices, your arms lifting me in and out of the water, your care for my arthritic pup, your meaningful advice and your company when i need it the most.

if you would like to learn more about the doctor in india. her name is dr. geeta shroff. you can look her up online or just contact me and i will forward her info. please feel free to contact me with any comments, questions, or suggestions. i look forward to hearing from you.

i would appreciate any info regarding stem cell treatment. however, i am not interested in information outlining US protocals or clinical trial guidelines. i have a mountain of this info. the reality is, i am not eligible for a clinical trial right now, and at the rate the medical community is moving in regards to stem cell research it will be at least 5-10 years before there is this type of treatment available in the US. all info can be sent to coberledata@gmail.com, and if you are interested in looking at the info compiled the password is bruno123.

back in LA?

hi chris and anna! are you two back in town? hit me up!

Pictures

Well here they are pictures of Boss, Joseph's new dog.

Boss

Well it's been a while since we posted anything on here. I didn't get to talk to you when you called the other night, Tim just said good-bye and hung up!! Oh well, I suppose you heard that Joseph has a new dog, I know you were against it but you should know that I don't listen very well. So we have a little 4 pound yorkie that is Madison's, so what would be a good dog to get for Joseph... hmmmm oh how about an alaskan malamute!!! I must have been half asleep when I agreed to this... you know how kids are they wait for their parents to doze off then ask them questions! but seriously he is a good dog, he's just really playful cuz he's a puppy. Joseph named him Boss... after the Boss 302.I will post pictures this week of him for you. The kids are starting back to school this week, madison to jr. college and joseph will be taking collision and repair and drafting at hutch high!! brennan has to get back on a normal schedule... he sleeps during the day and is up at night... gunner just says he hopes he doesn't have the nun for his teacher :o) she is nice, I think it's just him not wanting to go back to school. well like i said i will post pics later.... take care and hope to talk to ya next time you call :o)

Shawna

muscle beach cheer

like billy mentioned, we all went out to venice beach for some sun, swim + a powerlifting competition at muscle beach (we watched our dad compete) + had a great time!! chris loved being in the ocean, as we all did, there's nothing like hanging out with great friends + having an awesome picnic on the beach, what a spread it was! looking forward to going to the beach again when we're all in town. so much fun!!!!
with love,
rita

Surf Team News

Chris came out to Venice Beach on Saturday, July 21. We spent the whole day at the beach and also enjoyed a power lifting contest at Muscle Beach. Kipling, Rita, Anna, and I were stoked to join Chris for a swim in the ocean that day. It was sweet for him to get back into the surf and feel the power of the ocean for the first time since the accident. He really enjoyed himself and I was so happy to be there to witness the big smile on his face when he surfaced after a wave broke right on his head.

So far, the Surf Team has $320 a month ready to go, with more pledges hopefully on the way! The organizers would like to start payments by August 1st, so if you're signed up, please make your first payment. Our surf team is shaping up to be a powerful super-team, an 'uber-team for oberle'. If more of us chip in, we will make an even bigger difference in helping fund Chris' recovery program.

Chris is looking forward to getting back into the water very soon. I will keep you updated! I'm looking into locating the right personal flotation device for him. Chris is in touch with some amazing athletes and he is learning about the possibilities of taking a surf kayak or surf board into the ocean in the future... more on that soon. He'll be ripping the waves before you know it!

If you haven't signed up and would like to chip in, please let me know how much you can pledge and make a first payment. Every donation helps, however small! If you’d like to talk story, shoot me an email.

I'd like to hear from any other teams 'in honor of chris oberle' out there.

mahalo,
bill

Joe and his Mustang

Here are a few pictures from the car show in Great Bend. Joseph and his 1970 Mustang!! He won runner up in his class. He was sooo excited. Joseph drove it out there and NO problems :o) now we just have to get it painted and to my knowledge that is about it... well no, he wants new wheels, oh and get his stereo installed, oh and .... I don't think he will ever be "done" with this car. There is always something to add to it to "improve" it... but thats okay he is enjoying it. You will have to have him take you for a ride in it when you come back. Well take care.

icecreams

i was lucky enough to share some coldstones with Anna and Chris yesterday. i am absolutely floored by these incredible people with tremendous and boundless will... i am so happy to be in and around LA this summer and hope to share more icecreams and time on the beach, too.

Tahoe Baby Tahoe

Hey Christopher,
Didn't know if you'd check your message here or on your phone first, but I got the go ahead on the house we talked about. Oh yeah, and thanks for the advance notice......(Chris calls me and says, "by the way, Anna and I need a place to move in by this Saturday...) CLASSIC....... Can't wait to see you guys. Safe travels.
Les

Donations

I want to thank everyone so much for all of your caring, interest, time and donations. You have made it possible for Chris to start getting some of the things he needs and programs he wants to take part in.

I have set up a fund in honor of Chris for all of your wonderful donations. This way everyones gifts will be tax deductible and those people wanting to help out with fund raisers will be given assistance.

Donations can be given on-line, by phone, or by mail. Checks should be made payable to

NTAF Southwest Spinal Cord Injury Fund
Memo: In Honor of Chris Oberle

Please send them to

NTAF
150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120
Radnor, PA 19087


online:
www.catastrophicfund.org

phone:
800 624 8399

This is a great way for all of us to give to Chris. The money raised here can only be used towards Chris' recovery. Additionally, if anyone is wanting to help Chris by having a fund raiser, NTAF is available with ideas and assistance. (More information about deductions can be found on their website, and they are very helpful on the phone.)

Thank you so much again. Your generosity is making the world of difference to Chris.

project walk

I finished my first week at project walk, and met alot of really great people. The trainers there are patient and very focused on getting something from my legs. Also, the other patients have been helpful with tips on living in a wheelchair. One of the tips: use an office chair in the rooms that your wheelchair will not fit in, was so obvious and will be very useful. Whatever my outcome from Project Walk, I am sure to leave there much stronger than when I arrived, and for sure if I am to be active again I need to be alot stronger and more balanced with my upperbody.
I am staying with Anna right now, while I try to find my own place. She has been great. I rely on her for getting everywhere. We stayed at Anna's parent's place in La Jolla over the weekend, so that I could be closer to Project Walk, and it was very relaxing we watched the "Copa" and went swimming in the pool. I was able to take a short breath before, this weeks, massive pile of paperwork, doctor search, medical supply hunting and apartment and car finding. It has been almost three months since the accident and I am just now getting to a place where I can start catching up with everything. The help I have received from everyone has been so helpful, I am not sure how I would be getting by and receiving more training without it.
Thanks again everyone.

Just sayin Hi

Well I just wanted to say "hi" and ask how you're doing? We took Madison and got a laptop for her, I will let her tell you what she got. Over the weekend Tim and Joseph started up the mustang!!! They are on a time crunch because the car show is this weekend- they aren't entering it but they want to be able to drive it out there. Joseph will be updating you on the experience of restoring a car!! So be ready for another "book". I will have him post pics of it... next time you're here he'll have to take you for a ride in it. well take care- we're thinkin of ya!!

Shawna

every Hot Dog BBQ counts!!!

hey everyone,
i've just returned from an awesome lunch + wanted to share with you all about the great hot dog bbq that chris' friends, andrew todd (from 5design) + katie ten broeck (from rios clementi hale studios) just had in the backyard of their house this afternoon to sadly celebrate their departure from los angeles + collected donations for chris. it was a great success + they collected $690 for chris that friends + both offices contributed!! amazing. thank you all so very much for your generosity, it really means a lot, especially katie + andrew for putting a great bbq together!! guys, you will truly be missed so much, but hopefully you'll come back to visit!
with love,
rita

Dinner at LALA's

Chris flew from Kansas to Los Angeles yesterday and invited some friends out to dinner. It sure is nice to see you back in town. Thanks for organizing dinner last night, Chris. The pancreas was tasty. I can still taste it today. Let's get together again very soon.

Preparing to leave

Tonight as Chris is preparing to depart Kansas for California I want to let everyone know what a GREAT time we had with Chris during his time here with us, and we hate to see him leave. Chris helped build a deck at his parents house, which of course turned out fabulous!!!We went on the bike trails around town that enabled Chris and all of us to get out and exercise, Chris and his nephews even took in a movie!!! On Saturday he attended his high school reunion and visited with old friends, it was fun. He helped his sister pick out paint color and gave her advice on her home improvement project.We enjoyed the Kansas weather, and even got Chris to grill hamburgers and hot dogs for us. Like I said it has been great having Chris home again, we hate to see him go, but are looking forward to him coming back again!!! Chris your an inspiration to all of us- stay strong- stay focused- and know that we all love ya!

Your Family