April

Some wanted to grant Maria's wish to visit New York one last time.  Others were not comfortable with the idea of her taking a 14 hour flight across the Pacific ocean.

Behind the scene, Maria & Co. were getting down to the logistics.  In February when the trip was planned, while Maria was in a wheelchair she could hold herself up.  Now it was a different story.  Again, nobody expected her symptoms to progress this fast.

On New York side, several of her former colleagues were contacted and waiting for Maria.  The New York support team didn't have a practical idea how much assistance she would need.  At this point, Maria rarely responded to individual e-mail and the communication was in large part relayed through a couple of mutual friends.

Her schedule was mostly "tentative."  For the those who knew Maria working in the fast paced NYC, it was rather frustrating.

The following is an excerpt of an e-mail message from Maria dated April 2nd.

I'm leaving Japan on 7th for New York.
The day is coming closer.
I first thought I could never make it, but thanks to the support of friends I've made this far.
I can't do what I used do by myself, and it's frustrating and heart-wrenching.
It is also stressful I couldn't do it in my own way.
It makes me wonder how I should put this and how I could accept this.
It almost extends into philosophical questions.

Maria had an appointment with a ALS specialist at the Columia University Hospital.  She would spend a couple of days with Bob.  She would re-visit her old office in NYC.  Some of her former colleagues would have a get together with her. That was the whole agenda of her trip.  Everything else was tentative.

She wanted to go to see a Broadway musical.  She wanted to go to the City Hall to ask the officials about the healthcare system in New York.  She wanted to interview elected officials of NYC.  All were "tentative" and we would learn the reason later.

by J. Ujiie

©2011