Uri Neil

December 4, 2008

Dear Mt. Sinai Community,

A couple of nights ago Jason and I had the pleasure of visiting w/ Uri
and Chris. We brought along some wonderful food and desserts from the
Jerusalem Restaurant, and enjoyed watching Uri tuck into some of his
favorite foods. Uri looked very good, much as we remember him. The
twinkle in his eye, his sense of humor, and his warmth were evident
throughout our visit. He joined in our conversation at times and was
attentively listening and reacting all evening.

Late into the evening he could not resist showing off his ability to walk
on his own and we adjourned to the room that houses his extensive video
and DVD collection, where we learned more of his taste in entertainment.
When Jason and I mentioned our movie nights at Mt. Sinai he reacted with
enthusiasm and he nodded approvingly when we mentioned having recently
shown the movie "Ushpizin."

Having not seen Uri for many months, both of us were impressed by the
progress he continues to make. His improvement was noticeable despite his being
tired at the end of a long day.

Uri clearly still feels connected to Mt. Sinai. He has very much enjoyed his visitors from Mt. Sinai and expressed his hope of being able to visit before long.

Phyllis Bloomberg

April 2, 2008

Dear Mt. Sinai Community,

On March 8, 2008 we picked up Helen Zigmond and traveled to Denver to visit Uri. We enjoyed several hours of Uri’s company while his wife Chris and their son, Mike, were
busy at the county democratic convention. When we first arrived, Uri saw Warrie and Helen and immediately called out their names. This was very funny because Chris had mentioned he might have trouble remembering our names. We really enjoyed noticing
the familiar twinkle in Uri’s eye. His sense of humor remains firmly intact and we all laughed when Uri told Warrie he looked like he had gained weight. Uri also had to “think about” sharing the treats Sherri and Lila made for him. Shelby and Jacob brought their instruments along and gave Uri a short concert, which he really enjoyed. Uri truly remembers and loves everyone at Mt. Sinai. He voiced his desire to visit the synagogue
as soon as he could.

It is exciting to see Uri making such great progress!

Fondly,
Sherri Means and family

December 31, 2007

Uri continues to make slow progress in his rehabilitation.

November 16, 2007

Uri has had several setbacks of late and they have caused him to lose some of his gains. He ended his time at the outpatient therapy facility with a new pressure sore on a bunion that caused him not to be able to walk for awhile. He also was dead tired. The combination of three therapies every day was just too much for him. He really is quite fragile. As it turned out, he was also battling a "bug" that caused him sinusitis and GI misery. People who have had a stroke as significant as Uri's, don't bounce back so easily. So, for several weeks he was sick and while we got back to walking with a new physical therapist and more holes cut out of his tennis shoes, he has yet to bounce totally back.

On a good note, we started with a speech therapist closer to home whom I really like. She is curious and excited about helping Uri back to his previous level of speaking and cognition. We've only been going for two weeks and already I see a huge change. I think he is more optimistic, too. Also, he is starting with a new occupational therapist, because his arm is really beginning to "come back." I just pray that he is not attacked by any more winter "bugs"!! They are a misery for him. And me!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Chris

MI SHE-BERAKH

May He who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, bless and heal Uri Neil (Uri bar Yehoshua Dov v' Tamar.)  May the Holy One in mercy strengthen him and heal him soon, body and soul, together with others who suffer illness.  And let us say:  Amen