Brian: Birthday Home Visit

Saturday 8 December 2001
NOTES: TWO MONTHS SINCE EVENT
Brian had his usual morning today, but without Mom and Dave because they were coming to pick him up at 1 pm for his Birthday Home Visit. He did laundry and exercises.
At 1 pm, Mom and Dave picked Brian up. All the way in the truck, he wanted the window open so he could yell out, "It's my first day out of the hospital in two months!!" He was bouncy, excited, exuberantly happy to be OUT.
Mom and Dave have a new place to live, 868 A Street, in Ashland. It's a one-bedroom suite at a place called Clarity Cottage, owned by the parents of Brian's friend Chris Newton. It's around the back, on the alley, one house north of 8th Street and across from Railroad Park.
Aunt Mary and Uncle Terry were there, with balloons, a pin for Brian that lights up, plates, cups, and gifts. Zack from the Green Man (coffeehouse where Brian and I used to meet) made one of his awesome carrot cakes (Brian's request). We all ate hamburgers, onion rings and chips, too!
Brian got art supplies as gifts: pens, pencils, pastels, paper. We all walked on the bike path in the cold. Brian was continuously exuberant and greeted everyone we saw. He wasn't at all interested in the scenery around him, except for the fact that it was in his old neighborhood in Ashland. He was extremely affectionate and wanted to kiss us all constantly. It was delightful to have him out, in our own little space in Ashland.
He had to return to the hospital at 8 pm. Mary and Terry followed us in their car, because they were going to stay with Brian while Mom and Dave chaperoned the Sadie Hawkins Dance at the High School (with Thom Little). So they helped settle Brian down after his big day, and read him Harry Potter.
Mom drove to the high school and met Thom and Dave. We watched, listened and played with balloons, while Randy Fitzpatrick spun the discs. He is a great deejay! The dance was a fundraiser for the Brian Kinkead Medical Fund, and was the best-attended Sadie Hawkins Dance ever! I got up and expressed my thanks to the crowd at one point. A great birthday gift to Brian!

Re: night vision: Coming around the corner leaving Clarity Cottage, Brian encountered the darkness. "Oh shit!" he exclaimed, and grabbed Dave. Night lights in the apartment are a must.

This was THE most wonderful day. Brian was so excited and happy! It was very sweet to be in the old neighborhood, near the house where he grew up. The Newtons let us stay in the cottage rent-free, too. It was our little home for about four months. Our first home with Brian.

Below are photos taken that day. Featured are Brian, Martha, Dave, Mary and Terry. Notice how thin Brian is and his curly reddish hair!