This week, Mike went fishing with Adaptable Outdoors at the Bobby Burns Pond in Pincher Creek. I honestly had no idea this place existed! (Mike and William did try explaining to me where it was last year, but I thought it was out of town).
If you are local to Southern Alberta, Bobby Burns Pond is next to Juan Teran Park and the Cemetery off of Macleod Street in Pincher Creek. It is a beautiful, quiet, grassy area with a well stocked fishing pond that is reserved for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Mike went to the afternoon session, and Steve and Elena had everything set up when we got there. From the deck right on the water, Elena would cast the line out, and then Mike would push the button on his lap to reel the line in with the electronic reel.
It was a warm afternoon, around 24 degrees, and the fish were not interested in anything we had to offer, but since Mike’s grandkids had joined us, they kept the entertainment value high! Denton had a positive outlook, and after many casts with no bites, would cast again and say “I have a good feeling about this one!”
Thanks to Adaptable Outdoors for providing these opportunities. We are grateful Mike can still enjoy doing the activities he has always loved!
Mike is also continuing to work on using a walker to help him balance while walking. It’s a bit tricky, and needs a 2 person assist, but he continues to work hard at building his strength and balance!
He also continues to work with Andrelei weekly to improve his ability to communicate. I was once talking to him about someone I had worked with who had no ability to speak, but who I believed understood everything we said, and could only vocalize sounds to let us know if they were frustrated or uncomfortable, etc.
Mike said “It’s terrible!” not being able to communicate, and that people don’t understand him when he does try to say something. Even when he tries to say a short phrase, we often have to ask him to spell out the words, as it is easier for us to understand him when he says individual letters.
Our hope is that by learning to communicate with this device, eventually Mike will be able to text people and communicate with everyone a lot easier! Thanks to Andrelei for continuing to work with Mike with this program!