February, 2004
First words
Previous Issues
The following is the text of an e-mail sent by Abby
Bechtel on January 29 about a visit she had just had with Steve Ridley.
Steve looked very peaceful and strong when I visited
tonight. I asked him if he wanted to do some reading and he signaled "No".
I asked if he would like to do some communicating with the alphabet, and
he very clearly signaled "Yes".
I started reading the letters. Each time I thought he
selected a letter (by opening his eyes) I would ask again: "We want
X?" and he would confirm. He spelled the letters NEO. Then he didn't
choose a letter at all. I asked him if he was telling me we were done.
He signaled "No" (by not signaling anything). I asked if he
was telling me "new word" or "space". He signaled
"Yes".
I told him we had NEO. Then I looked at it again and
asked him if wanted the word ONE. He signaled "Yes". He signaled
"Yes" again when I asked him to confirm.
I told him if he was spelling what I thought he was spelling,
I had shivers. We started the new word and Steve spelled PO. I asked him
if he wanted to finish the message on his own. He didn't signal anything.
I asked if it would be okay for me to guess what he was saying. He clearly
signaled "Yes".
I asked him if the message was "One Point".
And Steve opened his eyes wide and SMILED. Both corners
of his mouth curving up, and a transportive look on his face.
I said, "You did it! You did it! Oh, my God, this
is incredible! HOT DAMN, Steve!"
Steve: Smile, smile, smile.
It repeated kind of like that for a little while, and
then I ran out and told the nurse, Sharon. She came in and told Steve
her cheeks were hurting she was smiling so much, that she had heard he
had been spelling some words. I kind of flew at her and said, "It's
not some words, it's a hell of a powerful message!"
I just promised Steve I would tell everybody and especially
you, Ro (Steve's Mom), immediately.
OK, there, I got it all out.
I apologized to Steve in case we all flew over there
to talk with him some more all at once.
Much love to all,
Abby
Note to all: Since Steve's stroke in September, many dojo members and friends have been working with Steve to communicate by reading the alphabet to him in this manner. These are the first words Steve has "spoken".
Winter
Camp
Winter Camp is a great opportunity to learn first hand from Maruyama Sensei, as well as many of his most senior students. This is an annual event that happens in the Princeton, NJ area March 12-14. Many Rochester dojo members attend. And this year, like last, many of them will be testing for advanced ranks. If you are interested in going, pick up your application in the dojo soon. Rides to camp are available from dojo members.
Recent
testing
The following people tested in January: For 6th Kyu, Cem Er and Ben Ambler. And for 3rd Kyu, Len Butler and Nataliya Minkovska. Congratulations to all of these students on fine tests!
Upcoming
events
Beginners' Class, Wednesday, February 4 at 7 PM.
Weapons Class, Thursday, February 5 at 8 PM.
Test Preparation Class, Monday February 9 at 7 PM.
Mind/Body Training, Thursday, February 12 at 8 PM.
Weapons Class, Monday, February 16 at 8 PM.
Test Prep Class, Thursday, February 19 at 8 PM.
Test Prep/Video Night, Monday, February 23 at 8 PM.
Mind/Body Training, Thursday, February 26 at 8 PM.
Ran Tori Class, Monday, March 1 at 7 PM.
Winter Camp with Maruyama Sensei, March 12-14 in Lawrenceville, NJ.
Kokikai International Event, May 2004 in Japan.
O-N-E P-O-I-N-T
- Steve Ridley