First day of pounding at Project Walk "PW"

Hello all from sunny California...a balmy 30+ today again. I had my first day of assessment at Project Walk today and everything went great! They worked me hard and then worked me hard...er! Should be quite the experience. 

Here are a couple pics of me working out this morning and a pic of driving up the coast! 

Chat with you soon!

The last walk at Wascana

Wednesday April 23rd was my last day at Wascana. A good day, but a sad day! We did manage to get one last walk in to give us all an idea of where I have succeeded to in the last 9 months and sets a benchmark for the next step for me.

Take a look...

Adios to Wascana and hellllllooooo California! (haha its 32 degrees today)

The planned escape... in slow motion!

It appears that my time has come to really take that next step along this journey.  I will be moving out of Wascana Rehab and into the comforts of home with mom and family.  Some 280 days of intensity, achievement, perseverance and friendship thus far will not end, it is the continuance of my life relearning and re-teaching my body to do what I want and need it to do.  

The initial plan as of next Saturday, April 26 is to catch a plane to california, to attend a specialized spinal chord rehab facility for two months of continued ass kickings.  At "Project Walk", I, along with numerous family members, will be learning and further developing my potential. 

Pool therapy has been very successful in my rehab and below is my 2nd attempt to escape my session early that day.  The first ended quicker than expected, the warm water got the best of me and need I say more.... stretching session anyone?

A short afternoon jaunt...

We have stepped up the intensity of walking recently to two sessions a day, a walk in the morning and then a brief jaunt in the afternoon. I have added video below of one of the most recent afternoon sessions. I won't however, tell you about the most recent 'floor' exercises I was trying out this week... lets just say - if you are going to fall, do it with style.  Not to worry though, it turned into a learning experience - I never realized I could do my stretches on the ground - who needs an adjustable bed anyways!  

Here is the latest afternoon jaunt in the parallel bars.  Enjoy!

Earl's Event Pictures

A GREAT Success!!

First let me say a huge THANK YOU to all who attended, supported and enjoyed this past sundays event at Earls restaurant. It was a fantastic evening of good food, fun and great people!! A huge THANK YOU also goes to Earls management and staff for all their efforts in turning this night into the success it was! For those who could not attend, I know your thoughts were with us.

Pictures will be coming soon...

Thank you to all!!!

...…wanna do brunch?!?

This Sunday, March 30th from 11am to 1pm the Keg Steakhouse and Bar will be hosting a brunch for FRIENDS AND FAMILY to enjoy!

Come enjoy eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and more!…and even some Mamosas!!!!!!

Proceeds from the brunch will be going to Joel Bancescue and his road to recovery.

Brunch is $10…paid at the door!

Thanks for you support

PS: Brunch is a great stomach filler before a good night of fun!!! (wink!)

Some Amazing Items for Auction

If you haven't already gotten your tickets for the upcoming fundraiser this Sunday, March 30th, please contact Earls Restaurant or me directly to get your ticket and reserve your table. Below are just a few of the fabulous items up for silent and live auction. Hope to see you there!!

Craven Country Jamboree 2007 Autographed Guitar (Reba, Big & Rich & others)
Forum Snow board and Bindings
Keg Restaurant Backyard BBQ for 20
Earl's Restaurant Backyard BBQ
Golf Kananaskis for 2 including hotel
Hockey Memorabilia (Ryan Miller, Robyn Regehr, Brian Propp & more)
Hot Air Balloon Ride
BlackBerry Pearl
1000 sg ft of Drywall including Installation
Wine Seminar & Dinner for 6 at Earl's
Cordless Tools
Numerous concert tickets (Kanye West, Symphony, Casino Regina)
Various restaurant gift certificates
Several pieces from well known Saskatchewan Artists
Spa and hair merchandise

....plus many more fabulous items!

The next STEPS!

So, Wednesday became the next big step on this journey. As you will see below we attempted to walk with one crutch on my right arm. This turned into quite a successful attempt. After a few practice steps my confidence allowed my Physio's to let me free, although they are hanging on to the back of me it is only for safety. I apologize for the small video.....




PS. Please get your tickets for the benefit - either from my directly or by contacting Earls, We have some great Silent Auction and Live Auction items catering to all. Hope to see you there!

Moving ahead!

Walking has become a key focus in my rehab for the last month or so. Each day, we work on strengthening activities focusing on my core and legs to help regain more balance. Throughout the weeks I have slowly gained the balance and coordination to walk more and more and start to do it more independently each day. Everyday, we work on my ability to stand up from the physio bed, with each time, needing less help.

This 1st video shows standing from the bed (from 20 inches)...

This 2nd video is what I have been working on the most! As I gain more strength, I am able to walk with less help and for longer distances. This video is the most recent progress of me walking. For the past couple months, I have been working on walking with 4 people, then down to 3, then we moved onto using a walker and now, we are down to 2 people, with a little help! (notice she lets go of my left hand for a bit)...

An Earl's Affair.. Joel Bancescue Edition

An Earl’s Restaurant Benefit Fundraiser for Joel Bancescue

The benefit for Joel’s “Road to Recovery” is taking place on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at
Earls Restaurant,
Albert Street & 28th Avenue.

Plan on coming down for an evening of food and fun, with a live DJ and a Silent and a Live auctions.
Tickets are $50.00 each
This includes a 3 course meal
To purchase tickets, make a donation of goods or services or obtain further information, please contact:

· Earls Restaurant @ 584-7733 (Purchase Tickets Only)
· Joel @ 531-3131
· Shane @ 539-4194
· Donna @ 530-6625

Working Out

Here is Joel working out on the leg press. He can push 40 lbs with his right leg and and 20lbs (same number of reps) with the left leg.

Joshua and Alana came in to Regina on a surprise visit during reading week. This was a huge and wonderful surprise to all of us. Here Josh and Joel are standing together. Can you notice how hard Joel is working on balance for him to be able to stand.

Earl's Fundraiser

A benefit for Joel’s “Road to Recovery”
is taking place on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at Earls Restaurant, 2606 28th Avenue.
This benefit is to raise funds through a night of food and fun, a live DJ and will include a silent auction and a live auction.

Joel hopes to further his rehabilitation in San Diego, California at the “Project Walk” Centre, an extensive rehabilitation institute.
To facilitate this, Joel will need to rely on family to accompany him and financial support from many others.
Come out and help Joel and have a whole lot of fun!

*We are now looking for items to be used for the Silent and the Live Auctions.
All and any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated.*

More information forthcoming.

More Swimming Pool Action!!!!

Just doing a little floating around, enjoying the nice warm water



Some of the in water work, involves using a flutter board to help with standing and working on the all inportant core

Peddling Around!

Just another day on the peddle bike. He makes about 4-6 trips around Wascana and even goes up and down some ramps. This is a very hard work out as his legs are not of even strenght.

Here is Joel walking in the pool with some support from the parallel bars.....

In the Pool

Here is Joel walking in the pool without any assistance from anyone for the first time.

Beach Weekend

Thanks for the great fundraiser and a really fun time. The Poverty Plainsmen did a fantastic job of entertaining the crowd and everyone danced up a storm. Even the hippo beach representative stayed up way past a hippo's bedtime!





And a little bit of snowmobiling

Jan 16

Since being in Wascana, I have met some wonderful people. A couple in particular is my next door neighbour Rick and his wife Kathleen. Kathleen is a freelance writer in the Yorkton area. She was kind enough to write an article about JD. Here is the link:
www.geocities.com/just_as_i_thought/Jan16-08

Beach Bash!

Quick FYI the Poverty Plainsmen have been kind enough to involve me in one of their shows @ the Beach. Info is on the poster, tickets are $25. A portion of the tickets will be directed towards my recovery. It would be great to see as many of you there as can make it.