Monday, October 17, 2011

25 Random Things About Robert

One of my favorite bloggers who is also an amazingly talented artist, Franziska San Pedro,  recently created a “25 Random Things About Me” post.  It was entertaining (mostly because it involved donkeys), it was very open (read it and you’ll see what I mean), and it was enlightening. I learned so much about this delightfully exuberant person in just five minutes!

I’d love for you to know more about Robert and this list is the perfect way to do that. (I promise to create something similar about myself but for now, this is all about Robert).

1. Robert stuck a fork in his eye when he was 6 or 7. Other Brother, Robert and I were having a picnic in our backyard and Robert was goofing around and stuck himself with a fork. He thought the eye patch he got from the ER was pretty cool! (Don’t worry, there wasn’t any permanent damage).

2. Robert’s favorite color is blue.

3. Robert’s favorite television shows are Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Of the two, he likes Jeopardy the best.

4. Robert is very committed to his faith and considers himself Baptist. I know of no other Baptists in our family.

5. Robert has had epilepsy his entire life.

6. When living independently, Robert sent money to someone in Jamaica because they called him and asked him for it. I am still wishing for Karmic justice on this person for taking advantage of a disabled person.

7. As a child, Robert loved to play with LEGOs.

8. Robert can tell you all about being awake during his brain surgery in 1990 and how happy the surgeon was with him and his progress afterwards. He usually can’t remember what he had for lunch.

9. Robert had a seizure while in a swimming pool when he was 15. After being pulled out, he was in a coma for a few days and says God talked to him telling him it wasn’t his time yet. It certainly wasn’t!

10. Robert’s favorite meal is a cheeseburger and fries with Rocky Road ice cream for dessert.

11. Robert says he can sometimes fight off seizures. I believe him.

12. Robert’s medications currently include Depakote, Clonazepam and Zonisamide (for seizure control) and Levocarnitine to improve liver function.

13. When Robert was little he loved to carry around a blanket (the kind with the silk on the edge) and just rub the silk. It was very soothing for him.

14. Robert always wears button down, dress shirts. Preferably blue.

15. Robert loves 7-Up and is never without a bottle of it.

16. Robert can’t drink caffeine because it may trigger a seizure but he likes decaf coffee.

17. Robert enjoys doing Word Search puzzles.

18. When in the car or riding the bus home from his Day Program, Robert counts school buses and “diesel trucks.”

19. My parents took Robert to Switzerland when he was 8 to see a renowned neurosurgeon to see if he could cure Robert’s epilepsy with surgery. The doctor couldn’t do anything.

20. Robert’s best friend in elementary school was run over by a bus in our neighborhood. It was a horrible, awful thing.

21. Robert lived with a woman he considered to be his wife for almost twenty years. She also had epilepsy. When Robert could no longer live on his own and I moved him to a facility near me, she broke up with him.

22. Robert loves jewelry (rings, watch, bracelet, necklace with a cross) and wants everything to be 14-carat gold.

23. Robert is very routine-oriented, bordering on OCD.

24. Robert absolutely loves to play Kings Corner (a card game) and beats me 99% of the time.

25. Robert is the only one in the family with curly hair. I always wondered what the mailman looked like. :-)

I'd love to hear a few random things about you if you'd like to share in the comment section!

14 comments:

Franziska San Pedro said...

Hi Trish,

oh my, I love Robert's list, we have so much in common (I count stuff all the time! Cars, steps, lights, pillows, anything...)! And I love blue :-) I didn't stick a fork into my eye though, lol. Glad he was fine.

Thanks so much for doing the random list and being inspired. This was so much fun. And thanks for the compliments *blush
you're awesome and so is Robert

Franziska San Pedro
The Abstract Impressionist Artress

Trish Hughes Kreis said...

Franziska, It was so much fun doing! I thought it might be hard to come up with 25 things but it was pretty easy (as long as I didn't over think it!). :-) You deserve the compliments - you're pretty awesome.

Heidi Alberti & Atticus Uncensored said...

Such fun! I think Franziska is starting a trend in our little blogging group.

The fork in the eye "random thing" is a little frightening! and what support and hope your parents showed in taking Robert to Switzerland for treatment.

Great post! Now I need to do one of these...

Heidi & Atticus
http://www.atticusuncensored.com
"commentary to give you paws..."

Trish Hughes Kreis said...

Heidi, Yes, Franziska's idea was a great one! It's a fun little exercise. My parents were like many caregivers who seek the magic answer to cure whatever ails their loved one. They came home feeling quite defeated but it really was amazing they went to such lengths to help.

Unknown said...

What a lovely post Trish. I too count things right down to the slices on a potato as I slice. I find that Robert and I have much in common. That doesn't surprise me at all. It makes me happy. Thank you for increasing my connection to you and your wonderful brother.

Trish Hughes Kreis said...

Bill, I'm so happy to share Robert with you. I appreciate you embracing us both into your life. Your positive spirit and support means so much to me.

June Sockol said...

I loved learning so much about Robert. I still play with my legos!

It's nice to see that he can live a good life even with his disability. I look forward to seeing your list!

Trish Hughes Kreis said...

June, I've read your own list of 25 and am very impressed with your Lego skills! It's been fun learning about everyone with these Random Facts posts. I'll post mine in the CD soon.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute to Robert Trish! Everything you write about him is a testament to how nice and caring a person you are. I always find your posts so uplifting. Thanks for sharing!

Judy, The Reflective Writer said...

Thanks so much for giving us a new view of Robert--really fun. He's had his moments of risk (the fork in the eye, the seizures, the brain surgery) but also his ways of pleasure (his foods, his LEGOs!) It's funny how a list of supposedly random items can build a more complete person of an individual. I, too, love routine, so I can fully appreciate Robert's ways!

Does Robert still like LEGOs? I saw a fabulous article about a huge dinosaur constructed of LEGOs, and if he's still at all interested, I'll send it to you and you can show him the picture.

Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/
Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing

Trish Hughes Kreis said...

Judy, I actually don't know if Robert still loves LEGOs but I'm sure he would love to see the picture. His dexterity isn't what it used to be so I don't think he could actually construct them but the picture would delight him. Thank you!

Trish Hughes Kreis said...

Sherryl, You are so sweet. I really appreciate you following and commenting. I enjoy your blog (http://keepupwiththeweb.com) and always learn from you!

Louise Edington said...

So loved hearing all these Robert facts! You obviously love him very much and I love that about you!
Louise Edington
Breaking Through Online Frontiers
http://louiseedington.com

Trish Hughes Kreis said...

So happy to see you here, Louise! Can't wait to read your random 25. :-)