A few people from the list have called me and asked how Andy is doing so I thought I might send out an update on his status. He has been home for a few weeks now so that is good news of course. It has been a big challenge for my wife and I though because the visiting nurse only comes twice a week. He does improve a little each day but it still takes 2 hours to get his dressings (bandages) changed each day. Also he is involved in some intense physical therapy for his left arm 4 times every day. This will continue for about one year or until he gets full use of it again. We have to help him with his physical therapy most of the time since our insurance only covers 3 times a week. Simple things we take for granted like stretching our arm straight up or down is something Andy still can't do without a great deal of pain. He still loves to get mail and cards, here is the new address to send cards or mail to.

Andy Panagouleas
172 Hidden pond Circle
Aurora, IL 60504

He does really appreciate all the interest and concern that people have given him and it has helped his recovery. I will be getting him involved in the Video Toaster again soon to help pass the time. He still can't go back to school yet because of open wounds. Itching is a big problem but we keep this in check somewhat with medicine. He will be getting his pressure garment soon for his body to minimize scaring; he already has one for his face. He will have to wear this for 12-18 months. It has taken all our effort and love to get him to this point but he does slowly improve which is a very good thing. Helping Andy get though this is very hard but cards and calls from this group, Video Toaster [3] owners and Amiga owners has helped a lot. I have learned a lot about skin and skin healing over these several weeks so if anyone has questions feel free to ask. If anyone has some old videotapes on learning how to use the Video Toaster Andy might appreciate those since this is what he will be doing soon. Also Andy wanted me to wish Newtek great success with Video Toaster [3] and Lightwave 8, he has been reading about these with interest. Andy is hoping to attend NAB 2004 so that is a positive thing for him to look forward to.

Again thanks everyone for your kind words for Andy. The Newtek,Amiga and MorphOS community is really a great bunch of people.

Best regards

Bill Panagouleas

Wishing him fast recover!

Thanx warface, most appricated

I wish him also a good and fast recover!

Good luck Andy!! Get well soon!

Hi,

Same here. I wish him all the best. And that goes for you Bill too. And your wife.

Coder

Hi Amizilla,

I don't mean to sound ignorant but who is Andy and what on earth happened to the poor fella?

I couldn't make out from your text whether he is your son or a friend or what. :/

Anyway, it all sounds rather nasty (hmm, I think that might be an understatement!) and I wish the three of you well.

Can I suggest getting hold of the book "Skallagrigg" by William Horwood - although it might be based on a different type of "disability" (CP) the concerns; effects; and hopes/fears are the same as Ive no doubt you all face at the moment. It's a heart-rending book which everyone should read.

Best wishes.
Sam "Bifford the Youngest" Byford.

Hi Bifford

Here is a link that gives more info on what happend to Andy (my son).

http://amiga.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2710

The short of it is he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some 15 year old kids were making home made flame throwers from dry gasoline in a spray bottle and fire and Andy got sprayed. It burned most of his left arm and chest badly and a little on his face. Since he was far away from the fire and not involded he did not know what they were doing until the dry gasoline sprayed in his direction and caught him on fire. By then it was too late. I would like to buy the book you mentioned "Skallagrigg" but could not find it on Amazon. Where can I get it please?

Hi

From what you write on a.org it is indeed a very nasty case of wrong place wrong time! but by the sounds of it Andy is a very strong-willed fella and should pull through nicely. Did they catch the kids that were playing with fire (literally)?

Well, neither Amazon or Barnes and Noble have skallagrigg (though B&N have lots of Horwood's other books).

http://www.kelkoo.co.uk has it and it would seem that unless you order from the UK there's not much chance of getting hold of it! But that's not so bad, Ive ordered books from the USA before now (Autobiography of Schizophrenic Girl) and its been cheap and fast.

ISBN: 0-14-007206-3 <-- that should help you a bit ;)

Happy ordering!

TTFN
Bifford