Officer Lucia Wade Critically Injured

Don’t forget to print your flyer from www.santarosapoa.com and join us for some great food and great company at Mary’s Pizza Shack!.

Founded in 1999, this non profit group helps officers and their families who are injured or killed in the line of duty. Today at the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Conference, they offered to match donation to Lucia up to $2,000. If you prefer to donate directly to BALEAF, write Lucia Wade in the memo field and they will earmark it for Lucia. -Lisa B.

**Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (Baleaf.org)

P. O. Box 31764

San Francisco,  CA  94131-0764

If you send a check to them, and mark it “Lucia Wade Fund” in the memo section, they will match it up to $2,000 and send it directly to Lucia’s fund.  BALEAF is a 501(c)3 organization.

Lucia phoned me tonight with an upbeat message. She talked with her physiatrist today, and had both speech and physical therapy sessions. She was almost elated in reporting that the doctor told her how much she had improved since last week’s visit. She talked with the neurosurgeon about the accident stating that although she remembers nothing, she “guesses” she was actually quite lucky over-all. He said “you have no idea how lucky you really are.” Her spirits were also lifted by the physical therapist’s prescription for a five minute stationary bike ride twice a week–”don’t overdo it.” She is also hopeful that at some point she will be able to go back to her patrol assignment. The tasks ahead call for patience on hers, and everyone’s, part. (Alan Wade, Lucia’s father)

I missed Saturday’s update, as we visited Lucia in Santa Rosa. Generally, there is good news. She seems much more like her old self,and actually remained awake and “in tune” all day long. This included a visit from city officials. She is continuing a set of rather rigorous exercises for mind and body interaction. She still has vision problems. We are hoping for continued improvement. Again,thanks to all for your encouragement, and especially to the SRPD for the wonderful big GET WELL card, with handwritten notes from numerous colleagues.

She went to her therapy sessions again today, did well, but was totally exhausted again afterward. Many good and caring friends want to “just drop in for a minute,” or want to chat on the phone. Her physiatrist (rehab physician) wishes us to emphasize how important it is for her brain to have as much rest as possible. Most any kind of social or personal interaction is likely to cause stress right now, which in turn interferes with recovery. As soon as she is able, Lucia will be reaching out to all those who have hoped and prayed for her recovery. There will be a time when “cheering up” will be helpful. That time has not come. Thank you so much for caring, and for respecting the need for healing with as little distraction–no matter how pleasant–as possible.

Lucia phoned today. I always feel a great sense of relief when able to talk with her. She remains fatigued and in some pain but heavily medicated. She has a tendency to do too much–she accompanied Monica to the vet with Cody. She is still searching her memory and that of others for details. The upside of outings is that they help her realize how much support she has from the community. She is puzzled as to how she can possibly thank everyone. I tried to reassure her that the etiquette books don’t require a personal thank you note to all who have expressed concern, sent letters and email, and tangibles like food and money. Especially when you’ve had a traumatic head injury! At least in this medium, I can say a big THANK YOU for the literally hundreds that have helped, are helping, expressed concern, prayed, etc. It will be tough, but we know that she will eventually be well. (Alan Wade, father)

Lucia was was nearly exhausted today after yesterday’s therapy sessions. She slept a lot, and was in a lot of pain. Any major adjustments are going to have to come in small steps. I don’t think those of us privileged to be closest to her have a clear idea what she will face in the next few weeks in the process of restoration. We can only hope that progress will be steady, but we expect that there will be many ups and downs ahead. More treatment sessions are scheduled for Friday.

We are grateful to the many good people who have kept in touch with Lucia’s progress by checking the website. Not that we don’t want to tell you individually, but we just can’t. (Alan Wade, Lucia’s father)

kidspotimaginationcenter.com

Thank you again to Kidspot for their awesome fundraiser today.
Below is today’s update from Lucia Wade’s father, Alan.

Today Lucia spent an exhausting three hours at the Memorial Hospital Neurological Clinic, undergoing three different kinds of therapy. As usual, she is highly disciplined in her participation. Because of her condition (pain killers, residual damage,etc), a high degree of concentration is required, which is energy depleting in the extreme. ( In daily life, this equates to the need for very deliberate, conscious thinking–as contrasted with simply automatic response in completion of simple life tasks.) She is awaiting an appointment with a neuro-psychologist, who also will be contributing to the therapeutic team. We remain confident in the care she is receiving.

Cody waking up from a nap