Just wanted to update you on the United Airlines saga, but if you want to skip my ranting, and read something more interesting, scroll down half a page – to the picture.  After our not so good trip back from SFO to JFK, I contacted United on the day after we got home.  I didn’t hear anything until the day after I tweeted about the problem, and was asked (again) to explain what happened, because the agent couldn’t get to the link.  Funny, no?  They responded to the complaint that I tweeted, but not the one I sent through their website, and then couldn’t find what flight I was on or a link to the story (which were all attached to the email the Customer Service Rep sent to me).

Anyway, I got the response today, and here are some highlights (no grammar corrections):

You state that wheelchair assistance was not provided for Mr. Shapiro in a timely matter . . . United successfully fulfills thousands of wheelchair requests . . . Providing efficient, helpful service is important to us. I assure you . . . Allow me to explain that during heavy travel periods we receive a high volume of wheelchair service requests. I apologize for the wait time you encountered . . . I am very sorry to hear that our flight attendants on the flight from San Francisco to JFK didn’t offer you the service that you deserve . . . Please accept my sincere apology . . .Your feedback will help us in our efforts to ensure that our service programs are best meeting our customers’ needs and expectations.

Needless to say, I gave her my feedback. Not sure why this is getting under my skin, but if I had a therapist, my guess is, she would say it is because I have no control in my life, but who knows.  In any case it still gets to me.

This morning we had Speech Therapy with Karen at RUSK, which was short, but good, and we got some more aps for the IPad.  She also told David that he needs to work every day on the ap that I thought he needed to, but doesn’t like.  It is very boring for him, because it is repetitive, and well, boring.  We discussed the schedule, because David doesn’t like doing Speech so early, and thinks that he doesn’t do as well early in the morning.  Karen is going to see about finding a later spot on Tuesdays, and offered to let him see the other therapist, but, once again, confessed that she would be heartbroken if he didn’t see her.  She said that his being left-handed on top of being very smart makes him a very interesting case, and she believes that his speech will come back in a very unusual way.  I guess it is nice to feel special, but I can think of about a thousand better ways to be special!  It was a frigid morning, and after walking to and from the Speech Therapy this morning, we decided to take a car in the afternoon.  We did have a little snow, which was nice.

I ran out for my Doctor’s appointment at 11:30, and not much to report there, except my BP was back up to its normal level.  The plan is to ease me off the Prednisone, and onto Allopurinol for my gout.  When I got home, Estella was cleaning the apartment, and I am sure she was glad when we left again for Physical Therapy!  We took a car over this time, and as we were approaching Third Ave, there was a young woman walking up 38th Street who was wearing an outfit that was not to be believed.  This was one of those moments when David made me laugh out loud by saying one word.  He just turned to me and said “please”.  It was Chita Rivera all over again.  I burst out laughing and I am sure the driver thought I had lost my mind.  She was wearing a very short skirt and wool stockings that went 3/4 of the way up her thighs – and I am certain she was on her way to the office where she worked.  It wouldn’t have been so funny if it weren’t 25 degrees with a windchill that made if feel like 0.

We had Gym and then PT today, and David worked on the stationary bike and then a weight machine.  Not much success with the weight machine and his leg, but as the PT said, slowly.  For the session, David did his usual walking and reaching and balancing.  All good.  I am finding my mind wandering during the sessions (I really don’t have much to do, well, really anything to do) and wondering what the stories are for all the other folks who are working.  Most are alone when they arrive or are in the gym, and some make my heart break while others I just look at and wonder why?  Mostly, why are they here?  They seem to be able to do everything – walk, talk, pick up stuff.  A lot of the folks are the same each time we come, and I do hear bits and pieces of conversation.  For instance, one of the “whys” is a Lawyer.  He uses a walker, but I am not sure why, and was chatting with a woman who was waiting for her Husband who, I think is recovering from a stroke.  Then, there is this young guy – maybe 30 or so – who also looks like he had a stroke. Same side as David, and same difficulty with walking and no use of his arm, but he has his speech, and I find myself wondering why?  Why doesn’t David have his speech back, and am reminded – a stroke is like a snowflake, no two are the same. Blah, blah, blah.

I was in quite a mood today, and David sensed it.  Sometimes we feed off each other in that way, because he seemed a little distressed today, which made me sad, because I knew there was really nothing I could do about it, and he felt bad because I wasn’t my usual self, and so on.  I read the blog to him from last night, which made both of us feel better, then more of the Audiobook – “Isaac’s Storm” which is getting exciting now with the storm almost in full force.  It is about the 1900 Hurricane that devastated Galveston, TX.  Then #34 – the head of Augustus, and to bed.  I will be going soon.