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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1924
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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Coco - and his new leg prothesis
This past Monday (October 21) a small group of friends arrived at Coco’s Corner to lend a bit of help to our friend. Another Nomad – Redhilltown – had
recently stopped there and noted a couple of things that would help Coco to be able to use his newly acquired leg prosthesis.
Leading up to our trip, and using a photo Redhilltown (Nomad)provided, my good friend and neighbor Brian (“Sublimity” also on Nomad) used his
fabrication skills and advice to make up some pieces we thought would help with the project.
We got to Coco’s early Monday and soon began to assemble the parts and pieces. Unknown to us, another group – Amigos 4x4 Club from Rosarito arrived
and the several men soon pitched in providing their own skills and help.
At one point we had to be corrected as we may have failed to remember that Coco is the job-site superintendent!
Before long the job was finished. Coco then got into his wheelchair, moved up to the new ramp, installed both new prosthesis devices and prepared
himself for the challenge ahead. Asking for quiet so that he could concentrate, a minute had barely passed before Coco was standing upright, using the
ramp for support. A cheer followed. Before long Coco was walking steadily to the end of the ramp, made a u-turn and returned to where he had started.
Another u-turn followed, with Coco all smiles and even tears in his eyes as he extended both arms thus standing alone, unsupported except by his
determination and new legs! Coco’s comment “I haven’t walked in five years” brought all of us to the realization that indeed our small gesture meant
so much not only to Coco but to everyone present.
There are still some improvements needed, and Brian will be fabricating some grips to make it easier for Coco to get to the standing position from his
wheelchair, but all in all we’d call this a real success.
Coco said he intends to use this new ramp as often as he can.
We owe a lot to the friends with us on this trip as well as to the generous men from Amigos 4x4 Club – they took a video of these exciting steps and
will be posting it on U-Tube soon.
John & Barbara; Brian & Nicole, Bradley and Ashley; Bob; TW; Russ & Molly, Devin.
Original ramp proved to be not long enough
Assembly crew including Amigos 4x4 Club
Coco preparing to stand for the first time in a long while
Confidence
How about that balance already!?
Our new friends and master helpers.
Coco giving necessary advice.
So. Cal. Crew from left: Tom (TW), Bob, John, Bradley, Brian, Russ, and Devin
John M
[Edited on 10-24-2013 by John M]
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BajaRat
Super Nomad
Posts: 1304
Registered: 3-2-2010
Location: SW Four Corners / Bahia Asuncion BCS
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Mood: Ready for some salt water with my Tecate
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Thanks You Guys 
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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Now that's a feel good story.
Big thanks to John & Barbara; Brian & Nicole, Bradley and Ashley; Bob; TW; Russ & Molly, Devin.
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jbcoug
Senior Nomad
Posts: 709
Registered: 9-24-2006
Location: Vancouver, WA
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Mood: Needing Baja!
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Great news! Who provided/created the prosthesis?
John
\"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.\" Andy Rooney
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motoged
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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Good work.
More evidence that Coco is a Stand Up Guy 
Don't believe everything you think....
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Wonderful, John. Absolutely wonderful.
Being one who requires a leg brace myself, allow me to give a hint as to Coco's challenge.
it's a lot easier going uphill than down. Hand rails are all important.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1924
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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prosthesis question
I do not know who provided them. Some years ago I exchanged a few email with a fellow, Paul Boe, who did this sort of thing and he made trips to Baja
and I think paid Coco a visit a time or two. Other than that I have no other info.
The "legs" fit him pretty well but will need some adjustments as he walks and gets used to them.
John M
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by John M
I Some years ago I exchanged a few email with a fellow, Paul Boe, |
Paul is an outstanding Nomad as well as an Asuncionite:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/member.php?action=viewpro&me...
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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jbcoug
Senior Nomad
Posts: 709
Registered: 9-24-2006
Location: Vancouver, WA
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Mood: Needing Baja!
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John M,
That's what I was wondering. I traveled for a couple weeks with Paul back in August and everywhere we stopped Paul found people to help. His group
does amazing things to help amputees and I guessed they might be involved. Thanks to all who helped make this possible for Coco!!!!!
John
\"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.\" Andy Rooney
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bufeo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 793
Registered: 11-16-2003
Location: Santa Fe New Mexico
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What a grand project, John. You and all those who contributed in one way or another are to be commended. I'm sure Coco will appreciate the ramp and I
have no doubt he'll persevere.
Good on ya', mate.
Allen R.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65275
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Great news John! Thank you...
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Awesome! Great job!
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dizzyspots
Senior Nomad
Posts: 603
Registered: 9-22-2008
Location: Mescal AZ
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Mood: rather be on the beach at Gonzaga
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WOW...nice job guys!!...Is there an updated list of stuff that he needs/wants...we're headed down to GB next week and will bring stuff:
cat food
honey nut cheerios
canned veggies
anything else???
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13237
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Great story! Paul is one of those great people you are lucky to meet.
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Keri
Super Nomad
Posts: 1393
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: La Mision, Baja Norte
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Mood: muy contento
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You guys are the best. Thanks mucho, Makes my heart feel good,k
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Inspiring! Two Ears And A Tail!
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5917
Registered: 7-18-2011
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Very cool. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
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Location: BCN
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It made my heart happy to see young people involved too. Thank you for including them, teaching them a valuable life lesson.
P>*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1924
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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Yes Paulina - even the young helped
The young ones weren't just standing around either!
These are indeed good lessons taught and learned.
John M
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1924
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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to Dizzyspots - needs
He's now got 30 lbs of cat food - plenty for awhile I'd think.
There is also a lot of canned meat on the shelf there.
Didn't see much in the way of canned fruit/veggies.
For the ramp we helped with, he could use a couple of things for improvement - probably the hand rails we are working on is the most needed - they
have to be fabricated to fit and we took measurements and can bend them up. A race pit crew (MAG 7) has offered to weld them at some point during the
upcoming Baja 1000 - we just have to get them in the mail to 'em.
The other thing is a single piece of low shag carpet 2' wide x 15' long. This will be used on the ground between the rails to provide a continuous
smooth surface for Coco to walk on. I intend to go to a carpet remnant place tomorrow (Saturday) to see what I can get. Coco thinks there should be a
piece of plywood under the carpet - it would be something like a 4'x8' sheet of 3/8" plywood, cut down the middle to give (2) 2'x8' pieces to go on
the ground.
Let me know if you think you could get the carpet, otherwise I can buy it, and perhaps I can Fed Ex it to you before you leave.
John M
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