A note from Vivian Bailey about her daughter Alicia Bailey:
I don't know quite how to start, but her life and the life of my family has changed in the blink of an eye. My beautiful daughter graduated from UCLA in June 2008 with a degree in International Development. Her hopes to change the world and make a difference have been put on hold, but I think she will make a difference in an unexpected way. She worked for a company named Relief International until Dec 31 of 2008, when she came home to study for her GRE and prepare for graduate school. She then found a soul mate and felt like she was on top of the world. She was happy, happy, happy! After planning a birthday party for him, and burning both ends of the candle, she fell asleep at the wheel while driving home.!
NEW FUNDRAISER FOR ALICIA BAILEY!! November 5, 2011 Mail to: Friends of Mike Bailey
c/o Ken Olson
4041 Bonita Rd
Bonita, Calif. 91902
07/26/2011:As you know it has been a long time since there has been a post. Alicia's progress has been so slow and we have had many setbacks (infections, seizures, intestinal blockage, high blood pressure from meds, etc). Currently we are going through another setback after surgery a week ago. However, I do feel confident that in a week or so she will build her strength back to where she was and start progressing forward. Prior to Alicia's Baclofen pump surgery she was able to push down on her legs to a standing position with one person assistance for balance. With the help of two therapists she was able to take steps. Best to date 32 feet. She can lift the left leg well but wants to step backwards instead of forward. She can't lift the right leg at all so the therapist does that for her. At times she can sit at the edge of the bed with no assistance. The biggest challenge is trying to communicate with her. She appears to hear but not understand. I've been told she can see, but to me she doesn't appear to. The way she receives information is through touch. She feels her surroundings with her left hand. She also communicates to us by using her left hand. When she is feeling calm and happy in her surroundings she will rub your back caress your face or gently hold your hand. When she is stressed she may pull or grab at the persons clothing. If she doesn't like somebody touching her, she will take the person's hand and remove it from her and put it down. Two days ago she brushed her own teeth, but yesterday she would only hold the toothbrush to her mouth (I think she was tired). Grandpa Mike is trying to teach her to give someone the bird. She almost did to the neurologist yesterday. The neurologist has high hopes that she will reach her goals, so he told Mike to be careful of what he wishes for. She makes sounds at times the "T" sound, "P" and "B" but never when the speech therapist is here. We have been in NJ for almost two months now and pretty much depleted most of our savings including her Grandpa's retirement. Luckily he has charmed the cafeteria lady into giving us free meals . I'm not sure how much longer we will be out here, kind of depends on how much Medicare will pay. We miss San Diego but want to give Alicia the best shot at rehab. The treatment here is experimental and some of the meds given are off label and therefore are not covered by Medicare. I have not always agreed with the doctor and we have had are disagreements, but he is a very patient man, and I haven't been thrown out of the hospital, yet. One of Grandpa Mike's friends is thinking about having a golf tournament/slash dinner to raise money for Alicia. These things take time so if it happens it probably won't be for a few months. I will post more later when I know. In the mean time, anybody on the east coast that wants to visit and cheer Alicia on during her therapy is more than welcome. Everybody working here have come quite attached to Alicia and are all doing their best to help her recover. Today hasn't been a good day for her, she has vomited three times now and therefore unfortunately can't participate in any therapy. At the moment though she is currently sleeping which is why I have the time to write this post. Thanks to all that have help us on this journey of Alicia's recovery.
Vivian (aka Susie or mom)
10/26/09: I wish I could say alicia's progress has changed since the last post. But there isn't that much change other than maybe she moves her left hand a little more. I will try to be patient as I hope most of you are. I remain optimistic that this girl will come back to me and her friends who love and miss her sooooo much!!!
10/8/09: This past week has been stressful and good at the same time. Alicia hasn't had any real change after being on the new med for one week now. However, she is on a extremely low dose, that her doctor will raise slowly. So I remain hopeful. She remains in good health and I need to remember to remain patient. One neurologist said it takes 6 - 12 months (for this kind of injury) before they start waking up enough to follow a command. The neurons have to grow new pathways. So I have to give my self pep talks daily to stay strong and not be sad. I hope all of you will support me in my decision.
10/2/09: Tomorrow will be 6 months since the accident. She has not waken up enough to follow a command completely. So she remains at home with her mama taking care of her. She can move her left leg so much that she often kicks it off the bed or off the recliner while up. She can actually move all her extremities to some extent. She even once had her insulin pump in her left hand holding it. I didn't put it there; that was yesterday. At times I say to her stretch out your leg and a moment later she has. I don't know if this in a coincidence or not, but I know she is continuing to make her way back to us. Today was a little stressful, because we found out that the waterproof lining covering for her bed is not really waterproof. We found this out after giving her a bath and seeing tiny little drips in the middle of underneath her bed. We took the whole bed apart and let it dry out. Tomorrow is a big day, because the neurologist is starting her on a new med, everybody pray that this is the breakthrough medication.
I don't know quite how to start, but her life and the life of my family has changed in the blink of an eye. My beautiful daughter graduated from UCLA in June 2008 with a degree in International Development. Her hopes to change the world and make a difference have been put on hold, but I think she will make a difference in an unexpected way. She worked for a company named Relief International until Dec 31 of 2008, when she came home to study for her GRE and prepare for graduate school. She then found a soul mate and felt like she was on top of the world. She was happy, happy, happy! After planning a birthday party for him, and burning both ends of the candle, she fell asleep at the wheel while driving home.!
Fundraiser for Mike Bailey's Granddaughter
Why: Granddaughter Alicia requires rehabilitation from Traumatic Brain Injury suffered 2009
What: Golf Tournament, Dinner, Raffle and Music
Where: Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course and South Bay Banquet Center on Bonita Road
When: Saturday, November 5, 2011. Golf at Noon, Dinner, Raffle, Music approx. 5:30pm
How Much: Golf w/dinner $100 Dinner only $35 Raffle Tickets $1
Checks for dinner/golf to: Friends of Mike Bailey
Donations to: T-bird Foundation- Alicia Bailey
Any donations will be appreciated, non- cash donations will be used in raffle
Who to contact:
Mike Pineda (619)656-6992 or
Ken Olson (619)475-8883 or
Larry Hart (619)421-4215
E-mail: ken@kenolsoninsurance.com or
larrymmhart@yahoo,com
c/o Ken Olson
4041 Bonita Rd
Bonita, Calif. 91902
07/26/2011:As you know it has been a long time since there has been a post. Alicia's progress has been so slow and we have had many setbacks (infections, seizures, intestinal blockage, high blood pressure from meds, etc). Currently we are going through another setback after surgery a week ago. However, I do feel confident that in a week or so she will build her strength back to where she was and start progressing forward. Prior to Alicia's Baclofen pump surgery she was able to push down on her legs to a standing position with one person assistance for balance. With the help of two therapists she was able to take steps. Best to date 32 feet. She can lift the left leg well but wants to step backwards instead of forward. She can't lift the right leg at all so the therapist does that for her. At times she can sit at the edge of the bed with no assistance. The biggest challenge is trying to communicate with her. She appears to hear but not understand. I've been told she can see, but to me she doesn't appear to. The way she receives information is through touch. She feels her surroundings with her left hand. She also communicates to us by using her left hand. When she is feeling calm and happy in her surroundings she will rub your back caress your face or gently hold your hand. When she is stressed she may pull or grab at the persons clothing. If she doesn't like somebody touching her, she will take the person's hand and remove it from her and put it down. Two days ago she brushed her own teeth, but yesterday she would only hold the toothbrush to her mouth (I think she was tired). Grandpa Mike is trying to teach her to give someone the bird. She almost did to the neurologist yesterday. The neurologist has high hopes that she will reach her goals, so he told Mike to be careful of what he wishes for. She makes sounds at times the "T" sound, "P" and "B" but never when the speech therapist is here. We have been in NJ for almost two months now and pretty much depleted most of our savings including her Grandpa's retirement. Luckily he has charmed the cafeteria lady into giving us free meals . I'm not sure how much longer we will be out here, kind of depends on how much Medicare will pay. We miss San Diego but want to give Alicia the best shot at rehab. The treatment here is experimental and some of the meds given are off label and therefore are not covered by Medicare. I have not always agreed with the doctor and we have had are disagreements, but he is a very patient man, and I haven't been thrown out of the hospital, yet. One of Grandpa Mike's friends is thinking about having a golf tournament/slash dinner to raise money for Alicia. These things take time so if it happens it probably won't be for a few months. I will post more later when I know. In the mean time, anybody on the east coast that wants to visit and cheer Alicia on during her therapy is more than welcome. Everybody working here have come quite attached to Alicia and are all doing their best to help her recover. Today hasn't been a good day for her, she has vomited three times now and therefore unfortunately can't participate in any therapy. At the moment though she is currently sleeping which is why I have the time to write this post. Thanks to all that have help us on this journey of Alicia's recovery.
Vivian (aka Susie or mom)
10/26/09: I wish I could say alicia's progress has changed since the last post. But there isn't that much change other than maybe she moves her left hand a little more. I will try to be patient as I hope most of you are. I remain optimistic that this girl will come back to me and her friends who love and miss her sooooo much!!!
10/8/09: This past week has been stressful and good at the same time. Alicia hasn't had any real change after being on the new med for one week now. However, she is on a extremely low dose, that her doctor will raise slowly. So I remain hopeful. She remains in good health and I need to remember to remain patient. One neurologist said it takes 6 - 12 months (for this kind of injury) before they start waking up enough to follow a command. The neurons have to grow new pathways. So I have to give my self pep talks daily to stay strong and not be sad. I hope all of you will support me in my decision.
10/2/09: Tomorrow will be 6 months since the accident. She has not waken up enough to follow a command completely. So she remains at home with her mama taking care of her. She can move her left leg so much that she often kicks it off the bed or off the recliner while up. She can actually move all her extremities to some extent. She even once had her insulin pump in her left hand holding it. I didn't put it there; that was yesterday. At times I say to her stretch out your leg and a moment later she has. I don't know if this in a coincidence or not, but I know she is continuing to make her way back to us. Today was a little stressful, because we found out that the waterproof lining covering for her bed is not really waterproof. We found this out after giving her a bath and seeing tiny little drips in the middle of underneath her bed. We took the whole bed apart and let it dry out. Tomorrow is a big day, because the neurologist is starting her on a new med, everybody pray that this is the breakthrough medication.