Thursday, December 15

Only wonderful things to report today. Richard is continuing to amaze us and his doctors with his continuing progress everyday! He has been evaluated and accepted for transfer to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, in the Medical Center. He will move there this afternoon. TIRR treats people with a range of disabilities from complex conditions like brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple trauma and amputation, to rehabilitation for conditions including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, post-polio syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus (http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/tirr/).

When we receive more information on his room number, rehab schedule, and visiting hours we will update you all.

Below is the link for directions and parking information so you may plan your visit:

http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/tirr/directions.aspx

Richard's Recovery Benefit

Staurday, December 10, 2011 was an extremely successful day of fundraising for Richard's recovery. I could not have dreamed up a better turnout than we experienced. The benefit was held at South Main Baptist Church in Pasadena, TX. We had a basketball tournament, silent auction, raffle, and BBQ.

The basketball tournament was fun for all who played and those who watched. We had 9 teams that participated... Big Richard, The Closers, The Bulls, Team TWSCO, Average Joes, The Celtics, Shot Collin, The Rockets. and The Heat. They played 20 minute games, full court, double elimination. The first game began at 9am and the final game ended around 4pm. Big Richard took first place in the tournament. Each player on the winning team received a $25 gift card to Academy. BIG Thank you to all of the teams for your time, participation, support and for providing the entertainment! Also, a big thanks to all the families who came out to support their teams. And an extra special thanks to our #1 referee and long time family friend, Tommy Lyons and also Mr. Mike. Thank you gentleman for giving up your day to help us out.  

Aside from the basketball tournament the silent auctions and raffles were also very successful. Many people took home a great prize, or two. We had a wide variety of items donated to the cause. To name a few; a wagon full of toys, everything irish, a few movie bundles, grilling basket, Texan's!, sports photos, laser hair removal and facials, Gringo's/ Bullritos/ Jimmy Changa gift basket, Everything Caffeine with starbucks gift card, wreaths, handmade scarves with bath & body works goodies, etc. We also raffled off two original Ducks Unlimited signed and numbered prints. Congrats to John Bogar and Jason Webster, two well-deserving people as they have been big supporters in all of this. Thank you both!  And Thank you to all who donated items.

In the midst of all the business inside the Family Life Center, the Knights of Columbus Co. 803 were busy selling BBQ plates in the parking lot. The plates were sold for $8 and included brisket, sausage, potato salad, beans, and all the fixins. Special thanks to Carl Stoncipher for taking care of all of that for us. You were such a great help!

We are so happy to annouce that we were able to raise nearly $4,500 in one day to put towards Richard's medical expenses. We will never be able to repay you all for the support you have given us. Words cannot express how grateful we are to have you all in our lives. On Sunday, middle daughter, Ashley told Richard how well the benefit went and how much we were able to raise. He responded with a big "thumbs up"! We know that he too is so grateful for all of you and what you are doing for our family.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

South Belt Leader-Ellington Houston Newspaper

We made headlines :) Follow the link to see our Benefit advertised in this week's issue of the South Belt Leader-Ellington Houston Newspaper

http://www.southbeltleader.com/Leader12-8-11.pdf

Donations

We have had many people so generously asking how they can donate to, or help with Richard's recovery. To make this easy for you all we have set up a savings account at Wells Fargo Bank. The account is named "Donation to Richard McGinty" and the account number is 5919061191. Cash or check deposits can be made at any Wells Fargo location or to anyone in the McGinty family. Checks may be made payable to: Donation to Richard McGinty. All money raised at the benefit (team entry fees, silent auction, and bbq plates) will be deposited in this account as well. All proceeds will go toward Richard's medical bills and our family's out of town expenses the first weeks of Richard's recovery spent in Nacogdoches (hotel and food expenses).

‎Gulf Coast Tool & Rental values family, and are committed to helping families in desperate situations. Gulf Coast Tool & Rental will match all $10 donations to the “Donations to Richard McGinty” fund at Wells Fargo Bank under account number 5919061191. Please make checks payable to “Donation to Richard McGinty,” and then let them know that you’ve donated by posting on their Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/ggctr).

Don’t forget to post on their Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/ggctr) so they’ll know to match your donation!!!

We want to thank you all so very much for your continued support. It is making the process much easier on our family; emotionally, spiritually, and financially.

Visitors

For those who plan to visit Richard... he has been moved again to the 5th floor Room# 521

Sunday, December 4

Incredible updates to share since the last post!! Today was an amazing day for Richard, as he is really beginning to come back to us. Although he is still unable to speak, we believe he fully understands what is going on. He recognizes all of us and is trying to interact.

Richard spent a couple of hours sitting up in his Neuro chair in the lounge area today. He likes watching all the people come and go and the nurses hard at work. When his daughter, Ashley got to the hospital he and Molly were sharing a McDonald's soda. Every time Molly would hold up the cup Richard's eyes grew big and he slowly opened his mouth. Molly would give him a couple of drops from the end of the straw... just enough to get his mouth wet. He thoroughly enjoyed every single drop. He is showing a lot of interest in bright colors. The visitor name tags were neon green today... he couldn't take his eyes off of the name tags, maybe a little mesmerized. When his sister, Lisa and youngest daughter, Megan showed up the nurses were putting him back in his bed. Once he was situated back in his room we all joined him there. Being himself, his eyes are constantly fixated on the TV now. He has found the remote to his TV and is very protective over it (naturally!) He is beginning to grasp things and using his thumb a lot. He is holding onto his remote and squeezing our hands when we ask him to. When his mom and dad, Sidney and Richard E. arrived tonight Richard slightly held his hand up to shake his father's hand and it looked as if he mouthed the word "Momma." Happy tears for all of us. The Jelly bean trick continues to work as well. We flattened out a jelly bean and told Richard to stick out his tounge. He did, everytime. We would rub the jellybeans against his tounge and then tell him to close his mouth so he could taste it, and he did, everytime. When we asked if he wanted more he would tap his foot against the bed.  Obviously he is missing his sweets :)

Such great relief seeing him make these amazing advancements in his recovery. Everyday he gives us more reason to have hope. Richard is a man on a mission and he'll continue to fight. We couldn't be any more proud.

We hope to see you all- new and old friends, family, and strangers at Richard's benefit on Saturday December 10 from 9am-5pm. If you need more information please leave a comment and I will respond as soon as possible.