It was the 3rd Annual First Step Foundation Golf Outing for Barwis Methods. I have missed Barwis more than I can say! I have not been there since September 20th because of my knee; I feel the difference in my core and in my leg strength. It saddens me and I can’t wait to go back! I was invited to go to the dinner because I do not golf but I still wanted to be a part of the festivities.
I woke up Monday morning and opened my eyes. It was going to rain. I felt it in my body and I felt it in my knee especially. As I heard the rain falling on my awnings, my concern rapidly escalated! As the rain continued, I called Barwis Methods to make sure the outing was still on. Holly told me that it was still set and I started texting with Deb. I got ready to go but my body hurt a lot! I was told that dinner was still set for 5 o’clock but then changed and it was going to be at 3:30.
Sean, my Mom, and I were going to go. The country club was an hour away from my house so when the dinner was moved up we hurried up and got going. We got to Oak Pointe at 3:38. When we got there, the dinner was moved up again so it was finished. As soon as I got into the dining hall and I surveyed the room, the first person I saw was Dr. Frush! He got up and shook my hand and told me that he, “wondered if I would be there.” I told him that I have not left the house except to go to physical therapy but I was not going to miss this! We took a seat at the table by the door way and the presentation began.
Brock Mealer, Claudia Klein, and Mike Barwis spoke. Everything all three of them said was poignant and solidified for me, the reasons I was at Barwis Methods. It was Parker Whittaker who told me about Mike and the work he does in the first place. I remember being surprised when Parker told me about Brock Mealer. I didn’t think Mike could help me. The next time Parker brought it up, he had to say, “Jen, you are going to go to Barwis Methods this summer.”
I started there on June 12, 2013 and that is the only place where I feel comfortable being in my wheelchair because EVERYONE there knows that it is temporary. They all are helping to make it so! As Mike spoke, I cried! I have cried at these things the previous two years and was hoping not to this year but his words were perfect so naturally, I cried!
When the presentation was over, my mom was able to snag us some food. As I sat there eating, Larry Foote was leaving and because we were seated at the table by the doorway he saw me, came over, and hugged me! I told him about my meniscus tear and surgery and we talked about my first day at Barwis when I saw him and recognized him. I laughed at the nerve I had about our conversation about the Steelers in the Super Bowl! Hi told him that nobody believes me that I met him so he told me to pull out my phone so we could take a picture! I told him my eyebrows weren’t done because they weren’t but…:
As I finished eating, Elle came over and hugged me, Deb came over and hugged me, Mike came over and hugged me, Meghan came over and hugged me, and Nick came over and hugged me! I was nervous that no one would receive me well because I hadn’t been there in 10 months but EVERYONE received me well and made me feel wonderful! Barwis is TRULY a family and my home!
I finished eating and Brock and Haley came over at the end and he hugged me too! I completely felt the love there and it is a feeling that I have been missing for so long! As we are leaving, we talked to Connor too. I am not a golfer so even though there was rain, it didn’t matter to me because I was so happy to be there, hear are all of the speakers, and receive all those hugs!
Click the picture to read article regarding the Golf Outing. I have also shared the video interview on my Facebook timeline.