Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

danny is now at kaiser panorama city (roscoe&woodman), room4104in the new building. visiting hrs anytime. he is back in wrist restraints. rome

Question:

As a 1.5year SHGA vet, I didn't get to know Danny that well. Only in a few rides up in Fred's van did I talk to him and hear some of his stories.

But i live/work pretty close to him. Panorama city is not that far away. He won't remember me, but I still know how to talk about hang gliding. Should I, as a perceived stranger, come by and chat with him?

With my experiences in the hospital, with either myself, relative, friend.... A visitor always made the day go by faster. Also I think the intrusion of a visitor increased staff attentiveness. So as a seemingly 99.9% that he wont remember me, he may like the diversion of a visitor. Should I visit?

Advice is welcome.

OP wrote:...........Advice is welcome.

By all means visit! Danny remembers plenty from years ago that I'm sure he'd like to share. Bring a notebook computer and hang gliding videos unless the hospital has a wireless network then you can stream.

I visited Danny Saturday 25 September at Kaiser Panorama City newest and biggest building Rm. 4104, at Roscoe & Woodman). The nurses let me give him a ride around the hospital floor in a wheelchair, which he enjoyed. He cannot walk, but is proficient at using his feet to "walk" while seated in the chair. He has physical limitations with his hands and coordination skills, something I suspect will improve with time.

From the hospital windows we enjoyed picking out Kagel Mt. and Big T. He has lost ~60 lbs so even I can push him around with ease. Danny is still Danny -- there is just less of him now than before...

I suspect they are medicating him a bit to make him easier to boss around. Also, he didn't wear his neck collar the entire time I was there, so they don't have to restrain his hands to prevent him from removing it. Maybe he has healed enough to get that much freedom.

He has a good long-term memory, and will know and remember all SHGA members. Please continue your visits -- he enjoys the company and stimulation, and is bored with the routine.

i saw danny mon. he was in wheel chair, in waiting room with view, with 24/7 nurse asst. still out of it 90%, rome

I tried to visit Danny only to learn he has moved as of 6 October. The nurses say he is doing much better under a light dose of neurological meds, and has moved to a long-term care facility.