Sunday, May 15, 2005   5:00 pm

It is a peaceful, rainy Sunday afternoon and Amanda is stretched out on the floor, getting a foot rub. Life has been very hectic, lately, and Amanda and her family are enjoying the chance to relax and slow down a little. We even found time to update the website’s photo gallery—take a look!

After much deliberation, the decision was made to move from Dad’s house. The set up of the house is prohibitive to Amanda’s best care. The main living space—living room, kitchen, and bedrooms—are all up a full flight of stairs. Every day, schedules and activities have to be coordinated around getting Amanda up and down the stairs. It is impossible to bring her wheelchair chair up on a regular basis, so Amanda can’t pull up and join the family at the dinner table or practice using communication switches at home. Installing an elevator was considered, but it seemed that the best solution would be a new home with good access and space for Amanda and her equipment. So, this last month has been a blur of home improvement projects and house hunting!

This month we sold our house and put an offer on another house. Hopefully, if all goes well, we will be moving at the end of June! We are sad to leave our lovely home and friendly neighborhood, but prefer to look ahead and consider this move a fresh start. We have found a house that is more convenient to the many doctor and therapy appointments, has a floor plan that should accommodate Amanda’s needs, and also has potential for adapting to the family’s long-range requirements. Please pray that Amanda and her family can make a smooth transition!

Our neighborhood here in Pfafftown has been a wonderful place to call home. We are very grateful for the generous help that so many of our neighbors have given since Amanda’s accident. Neighbors have pitched in and furnished a guest room for visiting family. They stayed with Amanda, and her brother, Zach, on numerous occasions. They have driven Zach to school, if we needed to stay home with Amanda. They’ve brought us food and mowed our lawn. They’ve helped us assemble packs of her cards for fund-raisers. The folks that live in Mill Run are wonderful! We’ll miss you!

One neighbor really touched our hearts with his kindness, recently. His name is Ben Ngo and he is only nine years old. Last month, on his birthday, Ben displayed sensitivity and unselfishness beyond his years. When it came time to plan his birthday party, Ben surprised his parents by stating that instead of his guests bringing him presents, his wish was that they would bring donations for his neighbor, Amanda. Wow! A very special boy! Amanda stopped by the birthday party and had a chance to meet Ben’s friends and family. Ben’s bigheartedness has helped spread Amanda’s story and, as a result, over $600 was contributed to the Amanda Mohler Fund! Thank you, Ben!

The unselfish effort to bring cheer on others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves. – Helen Keller