The journey home begins

Plans are afoot for finally getting Gary home.

Gayle and Gary have applied to a ventilator training program at the West Park Healthcare Centre in Toronto, and are now in the process of looking for a generator. The hope is that once a power source is secured, it can be installed at Gary's home in Port Carling. Friends and family will then be able to help care for Gary as he continues his recovery here in Muskoka.

Though this game plan has been struck, Gary's exact path home remains unclear at the moment. Gayle and Gary are looking for anyone in the community who is interested in taking the ventilator training, and for anyone who can assist in the process of acquiring a generator. If you think you can help, give us a call at 705-765-1048.

18 years and still going strong

Gary had good reason to be happy yesterday - he celebrated 18 years with Gayle at his side! Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary as he continues to recover. We're hoping that by the time he celebrates 19 years, he'll be right back here in Muskoka where he belongs.

Gary switches gears in recovery

Gary continues to pick up speed in his recovery, switching gears into the next phase of his rehab this past weekend.

A few days ago, Gary started using a new arm attachment for his cycling apparatus. It was only about half a year ago that he started using the same cycling machine with his legs. He continues to regain more and more of his fine motor skills each month, and his recovery overall is continuing at a steady pace. Staff here at Muskoka Chautauqua continue to be amazed at the volume of well wishes for Gary that flood through the phone lines every day. Though Gary's been away from Muskoka for well over a year now, Muskoka certainly has not forgotten him!

Flavours moves forward key ingredient in spirit

Though he's not physically in the mix this year, Gary continues to shape the taste of our annual culinary event - Flavours of Muskoka Chatuauqua - from areas afar.

It was around this time last year that Gary first fell ill, and though his recovery has taken him into southern Ontario, he continues to work with our staff and organizing committee to pin down every last detail of the gourmet food event from his hospital bed.

Flavours has always been a very special event for Gary, and though he's unable to attend this year, he's hoping the event will continue to bring rich flavour to the region for years to come.

A big Muskoka Chautauqua thank you goes out this week from us to the wonderful staff at our local newspaper What's Up Muskoka. This week's edition features an article detailing Gary's extensive involvement with Flavours over the years. Their talented staff covered the progress of Gary's recovery from the get go, and we're all deeply grateful for their ongoing support.

For tickets to Flavours, please visit www.muskokachautauqua.ca, or call 705-765-1048. This year, the event takes place on Sunday, June 15, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the JW Marriott The Rosseau Resort and Spa in Minett.

Barrie's newest bookworm

Gary's adventurous spirit took off today with a short visit to Royal Victoria Hospital's library.

Sporting a bright smile and looking highly rejuvenated, Gary took out a copy of The Lonesome Gods by Louis D'Amour. The New York Times bestseller involves a young adventurer stranded in the desert, who is eventually rescued from his fate by outlaws, and is then cared for by a native group.

All dressed up for a walk in the sunshine

Gary's been just as excited as the rest of us are to breathe in some of that warm spring air. With some help from the wonderful staff at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, he got all suited up and took a quick spin around the block last week. 

Gary moves back to Barrie

It's one small step closer to home for Gary.

With Gayle at his side, Gary made the move back to Barrie's Royal Victoria Hospital yesterday after a 12-week stint on a respiratory program at Toronto East General Hospital. The staff in Barrie missed him dearly since he left for Toronto in January, and have been following along with his progress all this time. 

When he came back, they took great efforts to make sure his return to Barrie was memorable. Gary was over the moon when he saw what awaited him:

Gary's still not completely off the ventilator yet. He has, however, been able to breathe on his own for up to six hours - a full quarter of a day - without the machine. As seen below, the eating test he recently passed allowed him enjoy a hearty meal that included chocolate milk, beef brisket and chocolate cake.

The move to Barrie brings him much closer to his friends in Muskoka, and to Gayle and the Muskoka Chautauqua staff. Everyone at Muskoka Chautauqua is hopeful his next stop will be right back here in Muskoka, where he belongs.