11.18.10 - The First Bite

After 19 days of not eating a bite of solid food and talking very rarely, Rachael was able to do both with great joy. Due to her tracheotomy, which helps her breathe easier, she was not able to do these basic things for nearly 3 weeks after the accident. A new valve combined with her determination gave her another victory on her road to recovery. When I asked her about what it was like to speak again she said, "I started getting to speak this week... it feels good. It is nice to be able to talk and make fun of everybody... helps keep my mind off things."

Rachael's days are long, full of a busy schedule of doctors and nurses coming in and out of her small, window lit room. Sometimes they are there to run a basic test and explain things to her and sometimes there are just there to check in and say hello. If you would like to visit, Sundays are best, as those days are often more flexible with nothing planned. Weekdays from 4-6pm are also a good time to pop in for a chat.





For her first meal Duncan, her father, brought some soup from the hospital cafeteria. Rachael described her first meal as, "some weird soup contraption... a turkey, ham cracker thing." Rachael and I both agree that is it nearly impossible to take a flattering image of a person eating so you can just picture her smiling as Duncan serves up some soup, spoon by spoon. Maybe a Duncan's Pizza from the Cachagua General Store (named after her dad) will help with our unphotogenic food dilemma.

Another huge triumph is that Rachael, with the help of her nurses and family, is able to get into her new 'sports car' as Duncan calls it. She is beginning to cruise around in a motorized wheel chair and heading down to the gym to "lift some weights and get all buffed up," she says. She was able to go outside and feel the light on her face and the fresh air on her skin. Being able to eat and communicate is a huge step in the right direction and Rachael is looking forward to continuing her progress everyday.



"Thanks to all my friends who have been coming by and sending their love. It helps... It helps a lot. I do love looking at the pictures and the colors, because this room is definitely... ugly. But it is better than the Stanford room with the crooked television that looked like it was going to fall off the wall." - Rachael Elizabeth Short



***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 161 Big Sur Ca. 93920***

***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com***************

11.09.10 - The Transfer

9 days after the accident and 2 surgeries later Rachael was transferred from Stanford Hospital back to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC). It was a tough day, but a step in the right direction to the beginning stages of her rehab. When she was prepped to make the move her team of talented doctors and nurses at Stanford came to go over the details and say goodbye. The Stanford team did a great job operating and keeping morale high.







Upon arrival at SCVMC, the new team immediately began comprehensive testing to begin to understand the state of the C5, C6 injury more completely in order to make decisions to aid in her recovery. While the team of nurses and doctors attended to Rachael, her Mom and Dad were always by her side reading her lips or reading books to her.





You remember when you saw magic for the first time? You remember how you had to run around and tell all your friends about it because you wanted them to share in the awesomeness of it? Well I saw Rachael move her arm. It may have not been easy for her, but she made magic happen and I can't wait to see the next magic show that she has in store for us. Keep the positive energy flowing.




***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 161 Big Sur Ca. 93920***

***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com***************

11.06.10 - The First Visit

My good friend and fellow photographer Rachael Elizabeth Short was a passenger in a car accident in Big Sur, California on Halloween night. She injured three of her vertebrae and was rushed in a helicopter to the hospital. If you ask the doctors they say that she will never walk again. So we are not asking the doctors. We are thinking good positive thoughts and listening to those who believe Rachael will be dancing again sooner than later.

Rachael requested that I come and visit with my camera because she wanted her recovery to be documented. It is an honor to be able to help a friend share their story.

I arrived on November 6th at the Stanford waiting room. It was filled with friends, family, and a few flowers even though they were not allowed. Everyone was visiting with each other, getting updates from doctors and waiting for the next visiting hour to begin.





The nurse told me to wait to take pictures because she had to call her boss to make sure it was ok. When she was just outside the room Rachael looked at me and because she couldn't speak she mouthed, "Shoot now." We were thinking the same thing, that they might not allow photos to be taken, so we should just document what we could before the nurse returned. It put my nerves at ease to see Rachael's usual rebel personality of "shoot first ask questions later."

Walking into the room for the first time all I could see were tangled up tubes, beeping machines and Rachael in the middle of it all. The chaotic feeling of unknown clutter made it hard to visit with her at first. I felt so distant from such a close friend.



After I spent some time with Rachael she smiled. The tubes and machines faded to the background and I could see Rachael through it all. Although I was trying to be there to support her and relay messages from our concerned community it was Rachael that had the real message to share to comfort us. To me her smile was her way of saying, "Keep smiling and thank you all for your support."



***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 161 Big Sur Ca. 93920***

***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com***************