Going away for a race weekend

[saxguy64]

Some of you may have seen some pictures I've posted with my youngest son in his wheelchair. Well, this year he has become quite an accomplished wheelchair racer, and currently holds six state records. The perks of being a big fish in a very small pond. So, this weekend, we're stepping it up a notch, and heading to New Jersey for him to compete with other wheelchair racers from all over the northeast. Based on his times, he has the potential to do pretty well, but will have some serious competition. He's really excited for it! Wish us luck!

The downside is that this will be my first time away from the flock for more than a day. We'll be gone for 4 days counting the stop in Boston on Monday to have my scans and doctor visits. (This will be my 5 years cancer free, assuming everything comes up clean)

My very capable (adult) daughter will be taking care of them while we're gone, but I'm preparing for some serious birdie withdrawal. Planning on some daily Skype time with them since Tucker gets REALLY upset if he can't find me in the evening.

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[noodles123]

That's a sweet chair.
I wish him luck!!

 

[bug_n_flock]

Oh how cool! Good luck from us too!

 

[saxguy64]

That's a sweet chair.
I wish him luck!!

Thank you! He actually just got this chair last week. Been using a borrowed one that's old and too wide for him. Finally one that fits him properly. Makes him look fast just sitting in it :-D

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[Casper223]

That's a sweet chair.
I wish him luck!!

Thank you! He actually just got this chair last week. Been using a borrowed one that's old and too wide for him. Finally one that fits him properly. Makes him look fast just sitting in it :-D

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I wish him the best of luck in his race.....

I was just wondering how my buddy Tucker was going to take you being gone for four days. Dang, If I was closer I'd volunteer time with Tucker, he seems like quite the tenacious young man..... I bet he's not going to be happy about this..... and it's not going to be easy for you to explain it to him either, I'm glad I'm not you right now.....

 

[Amsterdam]

good luck to your son i get happy seeing him happy you must be a great parrent

 

[saxguy64]

That's a sweet chair.

I wish him luck!!

Thank you! He actually just got this chair last week. Been using a borrowed one that's old and too wide for him. Finally one that fits him properly. Makes him look fast just sitting in it :-D



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I wish him the best of luck in his race.....



I was just wondering how my buddy Tucker was going to take you being gone for four days. Dang, If I was closer I'd volunteer time with Tucker, he seems like quite the tenacious young man..... I bet he's not going to be happy about this..... and it's not going to be easy for you to explain it to him either, I'm glad I'm not you right now.....

Yes. Tucker is my biggest worry in this. Although he's great with my daughter, he's very bonded to me, and will fly endless laps around the house looking for me. (Which he did the other night when I was late getting home from work) I worry that he might learn to scream for attention while I'm away. Kids being how they are and all. I hope Skype helps with him.

Baxter is another issue. I worry she won't get time out of the cage, since my daughter is afraid of her. (Took a nasty bite to the arm) Although she's amazing and snuggly with me, it's only me. She gets defensive with other people. Socially, she's happy to just hang out, but she likes her out time to stretch and climb and play. We'll see how it goes.

Aaaahhhh, the life of a parront...

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[Casper223]

Yes. Tucker is my biggest worry in this. Although he's great with my daughter, he's very bonded to me, and will fly endless laps around the house looking for me. (Which he did the other night when I was late getting home from work) I worry that he might learn to scream for attention while I'm away. Kids being how they are and all. I hope Skype helps with him.

Baxter is another issue. I worry she won't get time out of the cage, since my daughter is afraid of her. (Took a nasty bite to the arm) Although she's amazing and snuggly with me, it's only me. She gets defensive with other people. Socially, she's happy to just hang out, but she likes her out time to stretch and climb and play. We'll see how it goes.

Aaaahhhh, the life of a parront...

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I remember you telling me Tuckers story, of the folks thinking Tucker was going to eat your eyes out lol, and really I compare that to my dogs, They naturally gravitate towards some people, and some people they avoid, and usually for good reason. Hopefully the Skype will help with Baxter, I've never used it, so I don't know much about it.... I believe it's a video call something like FaceTime on my iPhone.

 

[saxguy64]

Yup, like FaceTime. I'm an Android guy, so no FaceTime for me. Generally don't do video chat at all, but I need to do something for him.

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[wrench13]

Make sure to explain to both birds that you will be gone for a few days, and do it a few times in the days before you leave. Use your fingers to show how many days. It helps cut down the pissed off bird syndrome upon your return.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Make sure to explain to both birds that you will be gone for a few days, and do it a few times in the days before you leave. Use your fingers to show how many days. It helps cut down the pissed off bird syndrome upon your return.

This sounds silly but is true. They really seem to understand when presented this way, even my tiel Alex got less mad when I would do this.

 

[Terry57]

Wishing your son the best of luck, I bet he is so excited!

I bet those Skype sessions will be good for both you and Tucker. I think he and Baxter will be just fine. I was in the hospital a few years ago for 10 days, and some of our flock was a little angry with me when I came home, but it wasn't very long until all was forgiven. None screamed more than usual, thank goodness.

 

[Scott]

Phenomenal images of your son! Deep respect and congratulations for his accomplishments, best wishes for a terrific race weekend!

I think you'll find Tucker and Baxter will quickly warm to you upon return.

 

[LaManuka]

Great pics of your boy from an undoubtably proud dad, I hope he does well at the races!

 

[saxguy64]

Great pics of your boy from an undoubtably proud dad, I hope he does well at the races!

Well, maybe just a little bit proud... Lol

Honestly, he amazes me every day. He's absolutely the most determined kid on the planet. (Which works well for him, but can sometimes be a challenge for us)

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[saxguy64]

We're home! Finally made it back at about 9:00 last night.

Tucker was so happy, he wouldn't leave my side. Yay!!!

Baxter was very happy as well, but felt the need to punish me for leaving her by refusing skritches for about 10 minutes. After that, all was right with the world :-D

All I can say is what an unbelievable experience the trip was. Coming from our situation where my son is the only wheelchair athlete competing at all, going to a meet with 96 para athletes and of them, probably 70 were in wheelchairs! For the first time, he got to compete along side a track full of other wheelchair racers, all of differing disabilities and ages. Some were slow, others were twice or more fast than him. Actual competition made him rise to the occasion, and he absolutely destroyed all of his personal records.

He also got to do shot put in a proper adaptive throwing chair which improved his distance by almost 5 feet. That's HUGE!

Thanks everyone for putting up with the rambling of a proud Dad! I do tend to get excited for my son.

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[Terry57]

I have been so looking forward to this update!
Sending a Huge Congratulations to your son for beating all his previous records & improving his distance by an amazing 5 feet in the shot put!


This sounds like a wonderful experience for you all, and I am so glad that Tucker kept his punishment time short

 

[Casper223]

Awesome Read, I'm glad everything worked out for your son as it did, I can just imagine how proud you are at watching him compete.

I was just wondering How Tucker reacted to your homecoming lol knowing the story of how you two got together just speaks volumes for Tuckers reaction lol Glad Baxter came around in a short time period as well.... I was really afraid Tucker was going to be the one with the attitude when you got back, I'm so glad it all worked out.

 

[Scott]

Congratulations to your son! His drive and spirit will carry him far!

Glad to see Tucker and Baxter have typically forgiving hearts!!

 

[Anansi]

Gah! How did I miss this thread! It hurts not only because I LOVE this thread and wish I hadn't been so late to the party... but also because the race was in Jersey! And BEFORE my surgery! I so would've gone! Please let me know if he's ever competing in Jersey again. If at all possible, I'd head out that way to cheer him on.

Please give him a belated congratulations from me!