A New Start In Vermont!
December 8th, 2012 Posted in Daily News PostIt’s been some time since the last blog update and you deserve to know what’s been going on. However, I’m not going to type anything about how we were held against our will in Oregon, or that Dana had to give up around $25,000 over the next three years, in order to leave for our new home in Vermont. That’s all topic for a book. Let’s just say the family that Chloe is with tonight is loving her more than another that she might have had to stay with.
Oct 9th, 2012, I was able to pull into the driveway of our new home with Dana, Chloe and Rain… the 7 week old Jack Russell puppy that filled a huge void when Ivey fell victim to cancer at the age of 11. It was a beautiful trip across America, albeit a bit rushed for reasons I won’t mention. Then, one week later I arrived in the same driveway with all of our belongings in a 26’ truck hauling a car trailer behind. This time my only company was Kitty, who turned out to be a wonderful travelling companion.
Dana’s house sold in just 30 hours and that gave us the opportunity to move and leave my house to sell in the future. So, our three year plan to move to Vermont is finally realized. The sole purpose was to offer Chloe… who now goes by her middle name, Neva… a place and environment conducive to help her swallow return. It’s been way too long that she has been unable to swallow. Even the doctors encouraged this move to get her into a situation of less stress and complete calm. This is what they believe may just let Neva relax enough for the miracle to happen.
The bonus points to the move are that we have a singing and humming Neva, for the first time in a few years! The smiles are many as well. Her new school is a joy to all of us, with just 435+/- students and classes of 12 -15 kids. And the staff we can’t brag enough about. Then there is the bus that picks her up right in front of the house…actually uses our circular driveway in which to turn around. Neva steps out the door, down two stairs, one or two steps to the bus and away she goes! Talk about service.
The negative so far has nothing to do with Vermont or the house. We are still in a battle over support, and my house not selling yet has really put the binders on all that costs. We won’t cut back on Neva’s need to do swallowing exercises, so things other than food are on the back burner. In fact, if anyone is searching for anything to send Neva for Christmas, might I suggest a gift card to Price Chopper or Vista Foods. If you need an address just email me at ronhorton21@msn.com and I’ll gladly send it out to you.
Within the first three days of being here Neva was able to see her first moose, just across from our driveway. Since then we’ve had deer and wild turkeys visit. The coyotes make a lot of noise at night but stay away, so far. Needless to say we don’t let our little four legged ones run wild. Of course, when there is 6 inches of perfectly white snow on the ground, they hesitate to go out in the first place. We love it!
Neva has had a couple medical appointments with her new team and all seems more than fine. Her MD is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and her Speech Pathologist has great credentials herself, and has high contacts at Dartmouth, Fletcher Allen and Harvard. The school nurse is also very capable. In fact, she has arranged for a lighter suction machine for Neva to have. She recognized how difficult the full sized one is and asked us if the school could buy her one!
Now, if you were a naysayer of our move, rest assured that Vermont is certainly no third world country. The services here are amazing and the care this state takes in its kids is uplifting, to say the least. And the people are just … well, Kind. That’s the term that keeps coming up for Dana. Sincere, Kind, Helpful, Friendly are terms that I feel daily. It’s absolutely a wonderful place to live. Where better to find what we need to have Neva get well and back to where she wants to be physically!
We are now treed up and decorated well for Christmas. Our first Christmas in Vermont! All we need is another big dump of snow… and it WILL be here.
From Neva, Dana, Rain, Kitty and Me, please have the Happiest of whatever Holidays you celebrate. We are planning a Very Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year… please join in, Our Dear Team Neva!
Be well,
Ron
6 Responses to “A New Start In Vermont!”
By Ramona Watts on Dec 9, 2012
I find it rather offensive for you to insinuate that we do not love Chloe. Shame on you for your agenda to turn people against her dad and myself.
By ronhorton on Dec 9, 2012
It’s just a shame that more of the family can’t be happy for Neva that she is getting exactly what she wants and needs to bring her to the success she seeks.
By Grandma on Dec 9, 2012
I also find it offensive that you think you can provide her with a better loving family than her real family. I sounds like you guys are a little hard up for money enough to feed her, So if you can’t find a group of people there to provide the food you need, I could provide her with all the food clothing and love she needs.
By dana on Dec 9, 2012
As always, hurt shows up in many ways. As anger, as resentment.
The deal is this. Neva has homework of trying to swallow every day requiring her need of food & amounts to be more than a family of 4. She also craves restaurant foods. She likes to have her own shopping cart and just go…..
Having our freedom taken away was nearly an unforgivable act. It was timed, calculated and bartered with for profit during an already vulnerable time for her. She suffered. Do you hear me? SHE WAS CAUSED MORE SUFFERING. WHAT?
It’s unbelieveable we all say we ‘love’ her but resent in every way each others ability, understanding on how to support her total healing.As we point the finger at others, notice how many are pointing back at ourself.
I hope she can forgive us all one day.
By Colin on Dec 10, 2012
I don’t wanna take sides or anything, but I think some lines have been crossed here. I think this is Chloe’s blog for updates on her life, not a place for everyone to fight… Let her update it and save everyone’s fighting for something worth fighting for
By ronhorton on Dec 10, 2012
I find it interesting that the focus is on the first 5 lines of this blog and nothing has been said about all the great things that have happened for Neva since arriving in Vermont.
Yup, I said some things in those first 5 lines that were purely for me. A vent of things that have happened that I believe just didn’t need to happen. I’ll fight against any injustice that befalls my family. If it offends someone then it offends someone. I didn’t relaize I had that kind of power over those people.
Now, the important part is that Neva is happy again. She’s getting better day by day. Her stress level is way down. Her sleeping is somewhat better, although her nights are still a nightmare in comparrison to any one of us participating in this conversation.
I’ll continue writing this blog. On occassion I’ll put something in that may not set well with someone. For some it won’t matter what I write, they will find it offensive. It might help you to get over it or stop reading the blog.
Neva is in good hands and will continue to progress. She needs to keep the stress level down. I’ll do what I can to control these fingers from offending, however, where it’s impossible, it’s impossible.
A sincere wish is that we all have a Very Merry Christmas, remembering the true meaning of the season.