Update from Derailleurs friend, Franny:

Hello friends,
On my way back from the GonKiRin roadtrip to Detroit I stopped in Nashville on my way to Austin to visit with Holli and Diane. I arrived late and Hollis was asleep so Diane and I had the chance to catch up. The last time I saw them was when Hollis was at St. Lukes Hospital in San Francisco before I moved to Mexico in July 2009. Wow times flies and Hollis has progressed tremendously!!! She suddenly woke up and was eager to see who was there. I walked down the stairs and she was smiling. She thanked me for coming to visit her all the way from California. She was amused by my 100-pound rottweiler and wanted to see her up close. Osa Perez jumped on her bed and licked her face multiple times as Hollis giggled. She laughed and said "You've got a big pooch but she's a big baby!" She asked me if I was going to spend the night. I said "Yes, we are going to have a slumber party!" She told me to get on her bed thus I did. I told her that everyone misses her and loves her and she said "It's not the same without me is it?" I agreed. Later that night I was sleeping in her room that she grew up in and I noticed the glow in the dark message that she wrote on the ceiling as a child. It said "The stars don't shine when your eyes are closed!" It really touched me because I could hear her saying it as I read it. The next morning we watched TV together and I played with her beautiful dark brown long hair. I gave her my silver Guatemalan jade ring that I made in Chiapas and she thanked me. She was amused by looking at the bling on her finger. Holli was talking a lot and listened intently absorbing every word I said sometimes repeating my sentences taking it all in. She even had a conversation with my pops on the phone. She made his day and he told her she's a tough cookie. Harry called and sung her Blackbird by the Beatles. She recognized the song and said it was beautiful. She became real giddy speaking with him like a school girl in love. Hollis enjoys watching Disney movies and listening to her mom read to her. She still has her sass and doesn't always like it when the nurses put her in the shower. I encourage all of you to stop by and visit her whenever you are near Nashville. She loves the company of her friends!!! Diane has renovated the entire downstairs for Hollis including the shower room. She receives Botox every few months to help with the flexibility of her muscles. Holli told me that she loves her mom and that she's her main inspiration. Diane is very happy to have Hollis around. It's been really rough since Doug passed. Heather and her two girls will be moving in soon. I am pleased to know that the Hawthornes are together once again.
Love and kisses,
Franny

An Idea

I would really love to manifest an internet tablet type product for Hollis. One she could mount on her bed and her chair.
She could watch videos, read, write, draw, and maybe even set up email or phone calling action.
Hollis is at a place in her recovery that more friends and more creativity would be great for her.

Dear Universe, if there is any way we can make this happen, that would be winning!
I wrote to Google about this, but I can see how it would be hard to get a foot in the door with the size of their company. Anyone have a good contact for one of these tablet producing companies?
We could make a special heartwarming community outreach story and team up with an awesome techie to create interface that is special to Hollis and her brainstem injury.

Hollis' Birthday Conversation

I just got off the phone calling Hollis on her birthday.

A few other Derailleurs were in the room on speaker phone her in SF.

She was at home with her mother getting ready for a party of family at her house later.

"It would be lovely if you came over for my birthday!"

She was her usual hostess self and offered the prospects of cake and ice cream for everyone.

She thanked me for calling and thinking of her on her birthday.

We talked about the Derailleurs show and she was ever so eager to get back to dancing.

She wants us to come over so she can learn the new moves and catch up.

She mentioned a couple times how we could dance all night.

Then as our conversation came to an end, I asked her for a story.

This is what I got from it:

"Once there was this little girl and all she wanted to do was dance.

And there was a fairy with wings who wanted to dance but couldn't use her legs.

They all came to my party and we danced all night."

Her annunciation has improved remarkably and being at home seems to be a great experience.

This home is where she grew up, and she is connecting with those moments.

Hooray!

Hollis is coming Home

Hollis has been cleared for take-off.

Many of you have been hoping for this moment:
Hollis was cleared for setting up shop at her childhood home as soon as January 15th.

She will me moving back in with her mother, Diane, just in time to keep her company through this hard time. Heather, Hollis' sister, is also making plans to join their mother in the old haunts.

The house has been under construction to accommodate Holli and her chair and mobility needs. If you have the means to donate, please send a little help through the paypal to cover some of these untimely costs.

Keep the Hawthorne/Allison family in your heart and here's to another year of discovery and triumph.

Doug will be remembered.

It is with a sad heart that I announce Hollis' Stepfather and Diane's true love, Doug Allison, has passed away. He was a kind soul who will be missed, especially by all his kitties.
If you would like to send your condolences to Diane, her address is:

Diane Alison
600 Sue Dr
Antioch, TN
37013