Who Turned out the Lights?

The aftermath of Hurricane Ike brought days of rain [8.5"] around the Chicago area and was also responsible for high winds in southwest Ohio. The winds were responsible for power outages at Cedarville, so Dan was without power Sunday afternoon until early Tuesday.

Dan uses a bit of electricity, including things like his bed's "low air-loss" mattress, so the dorm guys loaned him a futon mattress with extra pillows to prevent pressure sores. Dan's cold, which is clearing up, caused the need to be suctioned more, and so his portable suction machine was used. However, Dan needed his cough assist, so Garrett had to get it from the dorm to the student center, where there was a generator. They also had to recharge cell phones and Dan's chair at the student center, along with the suction machine.

When I called Dan, his concern was that he couldn't check his Fantasy Football standings!! (or watch CUBS games.) Nothing like college students "roughing it" for a few days.

We are SO thankful for the pacer vs. the vent. What an experience that would have been! We were told soon after Dan's accident that after 5 hours of loss of power that a vent patient has to head to somewhere with an alternative form of power.
Thanks again, Dr. Onders. Thank you, Lord, for guiding medical professionals to greater understanding.

Big thanks to Garrett, Dan's PA, who has had a few too many challenges thrown at him, in this 1st month of school. Bill, who had been at CU since August 15th, finally came home last Wednesday. We are both filled with mixed thoughts and emotions, because ... just because we're not close to Dan. We have confidence to know that Dan is in God's watch care, and that many at CU are helping out on a daily basis. Garrett, we are so grateful for your constant concern, and watch care over Dan. Do pray for Garrett's stamina to endure, and for help with scheduling regular time off for him.

A Lift for Emily

This is an answer to prayer, that was passed on to me by Barb Shanahan, mother of Emily Shanahan, a sophomore at CU, who has disabilities like Dan. Here is Emily's website, for those of you who would like to read more about her journey.

"Dear Emily's Achievement Council,

This has to be one of the coolest emails that I have been able to send out yet!

As I look back at my project journal notes, it was May 24, 2006 that Ed Homan (owner of New Visions) met with us at Cedarville University to begin the discussions and draw up plans for a Ceiling Lift in Willet Hall. Even earlier, was on July 8, 2003 when God breathed into me the whole vision of the female; male dorms which would provide a supportive environment to those students living with disabilities! I do have to say that I have felt like Abraham along the way~

I am thrilled today to reveal to you the final plans and amazing final quote for the Ceiling Lift at Willet Hall. To be honest, I am happy and pleased (as is Tom) with Plan B.

The final quote is: $8,101 which leaves a $1,974 overage in budget! This money can now be "seed" money towards the male dorm ceiling lift project. Dan Knudsen is now living on campus at Cedarville U; actually across the street from Emily! We went from not having "enough" money to having seed money for the Male Dorm Ceiling Lift Project. My head is spinning and my heart is hopeful! Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Project Installation Goal Date is Fall Break: October 16, 2008. They are going to quote out Dan's room at the same time, to get an idea of where the lift placement would work for Dan.

Look Forward to Hearing From You,

Barb Shanahan
Emily's CEO (Chief Equipment Officer)"

We are very excited for Emily, and the ceiling lift that will be installed in her dorm room. Only those who have used floor lifts, including CU students who are helping Dan and Emily, can fully appreciate all the added benefits of this ceiling equipment. If you are interested in contributing to Dan's ceiling lift fund, please see "how to" instructions in the side panel.

Dan and friend, going in the back entrance of his dorm.

Correction: Dan & Emily's beds came from Joerns who bought out Sunrise Medical

Cubs game #2

This has been a busy week with classes and homework, and meetings with: a local nursing / PT agency, CU campus medical director, and EMT personal. Dan has also had the guys from his hall in each evening to help get him in bed and for them to get more familiar with the medical aspects of his life.

A few CU nursing students are helping out for a few hours each day, helping out with vitals, medical charting, keeping track and ordering meds and supplies, cleaning trachs and other equipment, physical therapy, etc.

Again we are thankful for "many hands", who sincerely love to help another fellow student. What a servant's heart they display, truly a tribute to them and their parents.

FYI - Dan has a slight cold, causing him to be suctioned multiple times each day for the past few days. More juice, fruit and vitamins are being consumed.

Dan, Garrett and I went to the Chicago Cubs - Cincinnati Reds game, in Cincinnati today. There were more CUBS fans [or so it seemed] than Reds fans, and the game was great, untill the bottom of the 9th. Cubs lost 3-4. :( Regardless, we still had a great time. Yes, that's Dan's flag from his dorm door. GO CUBS GO

Weekend with Dan

I (Debbie) was able to fly to Ohio this past weekend and loved getting to see Dan, especially after the scare last Wednesday. You know how most of us have a big celebration for the Fourth of July? Well, since Cedarville is the "birthplace of Labor Day," they have a big celebration for Labor Day. It took us awhile to grasp that concept, but Bill, Dan, and I drove down to Cincinnati on Sunday, enjoyed a fair-like atmosphere, and watched a spectacular fireworks display. Mike and Liz, Liz's family, and lots of Cedarville friends were there as well.


I am continually amazed at how many people still keep up with this blog. There is actually a whole new following because the parents of my new students, have a tender spot for Dan and delight in hearing about him and praying for him. I am in awe of their support and concern for me.

My class verse this year: "In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Let's make Christ our passion -- we'll be amazed at the understanding He gives us for all of life. That's where we want to live!

just when all was well . . .

Dan has been in classes a few days, putting many miles on his chair, and studying very hard. [see his study hard, looking photo >>>]
He also has been helping with getting help for things like laundry [McKinney girls only need apply], relief and over night help. He has had about 10 guys in so far to learn about his life, his DPS [pacer], spasm helps, etc. It will allow him to go to lunch and dinner with more people. This piece of his return to CU was flowing smoothly until Wednesday PM.

There is a thing called Autonomic Dsyreflexia [AD] that only SCI people have. We had never experienced it, know about it, but didn't really give it too much thought, until Dan was in the middle of an AD episode this past Wednesday evening. Needless to say, we ended up at the hospital, and after 4 hours he was back to almost normal. A CAT scan, and EEG showed him to be 100% a okay, with no seizure activity. [They thought it was Neurological related, as many smaller hospitals never deal or are familiar with AD] So we teach again ... along with the DPS.

This scare has caused us to aggressively "up" AD training and awareness to anyone who is around Dan. He was aware of what was going on BEFORE it started happening, Garrett and I, along with EMT's worked to get it under control. Thanks to the CU and Cedarville paramedics and EMT's for their quick response. It just so happens that there are 9 of them in Dan's dorm building, including 1 across the hall from us. God continues to protect and watch out for him.


Please know that we wanted to wait until Dan had an okay bill of health before posting. I know all of you understand. The CU family knew immediately, guys gathering for prayer as we were en route to the ER, and staffers who were notified and prayed. Thanks to Dean Brad Smith for hanging around the hospital until the wee hours of the morning [I forgot to sign your your chapel excuse], and others of you who called, or texted me, etc. The many notes on Dan's dorm room door, were extremely encouraging to Dan, Garrett and me.

I remember a comment awhile back from a blog reader who said she was up in the middle of the night and prayed for Dan. I thought at the time, "Hmmm, all is well right now!?!" in the early hours of Thurday morning, I was very thankful, for those unknown, random prayers, that go up for Dan. Thank You.

We NEVER do know what a day will bring.

desk, beds, tuition and lifts

Dan has a few items for which to be thankful. First of all, here is the plaque that is outside his dorm room in McChesney Hall. Thank you Class of 2008 officers and graduates (now working hard, at real jobs and paying taxes), the various school vip's, deans, building advisers, construction people and so many others, for your generous gifts and time, to make this special dorm room happen for Dan and future students.

#1) Dan needed a bed for school. Someone found a used bed at an agency in Dayton that helps special needs people. BUT for a few years, Barb [mom of Emily, another CU handicap student] has been soliciting requests from medical bed manufacturers to DONATE a bed or two to CU for these special needs dorm rooms. Well, last Monday 2 beds arrived from Joerns Medical, and Dan has a new bed. I think the cost would have been around $15K. A long time before Dan needed any kind of hospital bed, God was preparing the way for his future sleep comfort.

#2) Dan needed a table for his computer. He uses a hospital bed table at home, but it is not wide enough for him to get under it, or close to the screen. This request was made know, and the next day, an electric computer desk was provided for his dorm use. [we HAVE to get one of those for at home] Thanks again God, for those who helped provide this need.

#3) Garrett, Dan's assistant, and newest OPE member is taking a class with Dan. One class at CU does not qualify a person for any federal assistance. The need was made known, and OPE students and alumni came to the rescue, by providing all of his tuition for classes. [His food is covered by us] Thank you God for how OPE guys around the world continue to "encourage one another".

I, Bill, am still at CU, busy setting up Dan's schedules, finding nurses to check in on some of his daily care, tutors for class room and online [6 extra hours], small things like laundry, dorm cleaning, assistance for meals, and especially time off for Garrett. It's difficult for any one person to take care of any special needs adult 24/7, and as my mom would say, "Many hands make light work."


There is another big project underway that will directly benefit Dan, Emily and other needs students at CU. We thought we could get away with a simple 1 track ceiling lift for these rooms. Cost would only be about $4-5K.

[With limited space, using an over head ceiling lift vs the floor lifts, is like pushing your car around, vs driving it where ever. I know that I have run over too many toes of helpers, while trying to get Dan in or out of bed, and also holding up his legs so they don't bump the lift, then pivoting and positioning to a sitting position in his chair, but not pinching his legs with the lift either. ANYWAY ...]

All of the ceiling lift companies will not install a single track in flex core ceilings because of safety and liability reasons. Thus a unit which attaches to the side walls and does cover the entire room [it's much more helpful and flexible] has been quoted at around $11k. Unfortunately, no companies have come forth to provide a free one of these, but just by word of mouth, funds have been adding up. The ceiling lift fund for Emily's room, [Dan's will be next], is only $2k shy of the $11K that needs to be reached. There is a CU fund set up for this, Ceiling Lift Project. SEE THE SIDE BAR FOR MORE INFORMATION, if this is something that you would like to help with.

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Reprieve Reprieve

I got a call today that told me that Dan has a reprieve from the State of IL. DHS will be able to continue to fund Garrett, Dan's Personal Assistant [PA] through Dec 31st, 2008. The "appeal letter" that Dan submitted was noted and agreed with by the DRS. [How could they NOT be persuaded by Dan]

In the meanwhile we are scrambling to get some type of PA assistance in the state of OHIO. The state of IL comptroller will not pay directly, because they cannot properly monitor in another state, but they will pay via an IL approved care agency. We have already researched this with a national agency that we used when we first got home from RIC last year. [There's always "one more thing"]

Isn't God good ! ! !

Friday we were met by a host of "Getting Started" students who emptied out 2 vans in 5 minutes. Some helped set up Dan's room. [More on that later] We made the usual Walmart run, and Dan spent his first night back at the 'ville.

During Monday night's Bible Conference session, Pastor Rohm, CU Students' Pastor, was announcing praises from recent MIS trips and events, "And another praise is that Dan Knudsen is back on campus." The auditorium broke out in a big round of applause, whistles and hollering for Dan. You had to be there. :D


This is the place for Dan right now. Students, faculty, staff and alumni stop him everywhere, say "Hi, we're so glad you're back at CU". Thank you, Thank you, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.