Dr. Sweeney kept things very low key as she, Kenneth Florist, and Barbaromaniacs decided to 'SURPRISE Dr. Dean Richardson 5 days early for his birthday truly August 30, 2006. On Friday August 25, 2006 Dr. Sweeney "called him to his office" and there was not just a birthday cake but a huge check of $3,851.00 for "The Barbaro Fund -- signed by none other than the Babaromaniacs (group sited at Tim Woolley Racing). Reports say Dr. Richardson "was touched" and moved by not just this generous gift but gift certificates to some nice restaurants by Kenneth Florist who bring New Bolton Center staff special goodies for them and Barbaro.
The Barbaro Fund, originally set up by a very generous anonymous donator, is being used
to improve New Bolton Center's veterinary services and medical equipment in need of upgrade.
The donated gifts will greatly help all animals like Barbaro and "countless others in their time of need." More about this fine fund set up honoring Barbaro can be viewed at UPENN VET's ALUMNI GIVING. But there is more giving around the corner.
Barbaro's Wisconsin Ambassadors received a surprise $100.00 ticket prize today that they are donating to The Barbaro Fund. Excerpt: "I had an employee (from our advertising agency) that was leaving to become a screenwiter (his dream). So we took him out to bid him fairwell and goodluck...and wished him much success. As we were having dinner, one of the employees bought a couple of those scratch off tickets and 'CAN YOU BELIEVE, THE TICKET HAD A $100.00 PRIZE?' The winner is our USA TEAM BARBARO captain and said, "Let's give it to The Barbaro Fund" -- Debra Lopez.
On August 25, 2006 Barbaro's New Hampshire Ambassadors received a special matching gift donation from President Dennis Hampt of Springtime Inc. to help them send another month's supply of Horse Spirulina & Joint Health Care Nutritonals to Barbaro -- Cle Shaw.
An even more delightful news was sent by Mike Rea who wrote a very special letter to the Inspirational Champion. He and Barbaro will both have long recoveries together and both will look forward to when these two friends can visit each other. Below is the wonderfully touching words Mike composed himself just for Barbaro to express his heartfelt thanks as well as his sister's.
August 27, 2006 UPDATE: Balimore Sun's Sandra McKee says Barbaro's Surgeon is please with colt's progress...Horse is still at least 6 months away from putting weight on injured leg.
In a phone interview on August 24, 2006: Dr. Richardson gladly said,"His progress since early July when he foundered so badly, well there is no doubt I'm happy. I'm thrilled with how well he has progressed."... "It could be six months or a year before he can fully bear his weight on all four feet to survive."..."It's very different horse to horse, and we're not going to know until we give it time. No one is setting an artbitrary growth rate (referring to Barbaro's laminitic left hoof with mostly all hoof wall removed). We're just letting him heal as fast or slow as he can."
To date there are really no prosthetic hoof devices that would work for Barbaro. "Sometimes hooves are rebuilt, but to do that, there has to be a partial hoof wall there to build something on to it. In his case over 90% of hoof wall was removed so what people don't understand is that this means all that remains is soft tissue covering a bone."
"His hoof has grown about one centimeter...and if it weren't for his left hoof having laminitis he would have been out of his right leg cast by now. His right leg isn't healed
to where I feel absolutely comfortable having him out of the cast, because he needs to protect his left foot," continued Dr. Richardson. "Normally, he'd use the left hoof to protect his right. But in this case, he has to use the right to protect the left. So, we're giving him more time in the cast to manage him safely."
"His bandages are changed daily and we plan to keep close watch on both hind legs for changes. He will continue to keep his right leg cast for several more weeks and may change it if Barbaro appears uncomfortable...His pain medications have been cut back to "a couple aspirin a day" in human tems and continues on controlled grazing for about half-an-hour. He's put on some weight and has mentally brightened...I don't want people to think that it is because he's going outside that he has been doing better. It's because he was doing better that he has been allowed to go outside," spoke Dr. Richardson.
"He has reached a point where it was easy for him to walk around. He's gaining weight, happy, and walking on both feet. But his mental attitude is better, which you'd expect, and his strength is a little better because he's getting some exercise - just like a human patient would be able to get out of his hospital bed and walk around."
August 26, 2006 UPDATE: Mike continues his brain injury rehabilitation at Kernan Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. As of August 23, 2006 his family reports his recovery advances each week by more miraculous news with answers to prayers -- Mike Rea family. It will be a long year ahead for him and Barbaro in their recoveries. Our wish is that both will be reunited as Mike is clearly part of Fair Hill Training Center's family. Another prayer vigil is being held Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 7 pm EST.
Virtual 48 hour candles can be lit at www.gratefulness.org/candles. Just click on the link provided. PRAY For Barbaro, Mike, Lost In The Fog, and recently deceased at Arlington Park this week -- Gringa Hug, Our Momento, and Big Attlet. Pray also on Sunday, August 27, 2006 to keep your loved ones in prayers amongst the living.
(photo by Sabina Pierce University Of Pennsylvania, Barbaro greets staff on their morning rounds visiting the ICU)
Excerpt from Mike Rea's sister Cathy to Tim Woolley's chat room: and at www.mikerea.blogspot.com
Dear Barbaro, August 23, 2006
"Thank you for being a super star and thinking of me. People write on your website and talk to me. There is no other way they would have talked to me because they talk to you first. Your trainer and owners are so famous and that way I get mentioned on an equal basis as you do. I feel like there is no other way those people would have considered me in their thoughts if they hadn't considered you first. It is very touching that I am considered by the same caliber of people who considered you. I feel priviledged because of this. I just want the story to show people what my life is about and how much my family loves me and how much I love them. Thank you Barbaro so much. My prayers and dreams are with you."
Mike Rea
"As you can tell, I didn't edit any of his words. Mike is so overwhelmed and everyone caring so much about him. Again my thanks to everyone for helping my brother with his recovery."
Cathy Rea Bosley
UPDATE August 23, 2006. www.mikerea.blogspot.com
Where family is concerned, Michael Matz is right there visiting Barbaro daily and has started taking afternoon brief walks with him. It is great news to see them both outside together again enjoying each other's company. Special Thanks to Dr. Richardson for helping make it happen.
But it looks like there is more Great News in the air. BloodHorse.com announced that the "National Turf Writers will honor "Team Barbaro" with special "Mr. Fitz Award during their 47th annual NTWA Awards Dinner November 1, 2006 at the Olmstead in Louisville, Kentucky. Named for the late Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jim (Sunny Jim) Fitzsimmons, this award is given to those who exemply Horseracing's spirit. The "Team Barbaro" group will include Barbaro himself, owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, trainer Michael Matz, assistant trainer and exercise rider Peter Brette, and jockey Edgar Prado. But it does not end there.
Dr. Dean Richardson and the New Bolton Center will also receive the Joe Palmer Award for their meritorious service to horseracing. It is in honor of former New York Herald Tribune Turf writer for horseracing news. Bloodhorse also highlights Dr. Richardson's internationally acclaimed orthopedic surgeries and research focusing on cartilage repairs. http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=35034 courtesy Alex @
www.timwoolleyracing.com August 26, 2006
This is just one of several large wall poster gift cards donated by Kentucky Derby Churhill Downs fans and well-wishers of Barbaro. It can be seen hanging at New Bolton Center.
written & designed by Cle Shaw
NBC continues to receive numerous gift bundles delivered by Kenneth Square florists who brighten the staff's days with wonderful goodies. Barbaro's area stall has become an everincreasing mecca of cards, letters, drawings, and baskets of goodies and treats.
UPDATE FROM MSNBC.COM:
John Pricci has a very nice commentary on Barbaro and company. Barbaro continues to be "everyone's favorite sentimental choice" according to Todd Pletcher, trainer for Bluegrass Cat who is a top contender against Tom Albertrani's Bernadini in today's Travers 137th Mid-Summer Derby. Pricci stated, "In essence, Barbaro is so much more. He is a horse who continues to demonstrate what it means to be a thoroughbred. Intelligent and strong, showing a will to live beyond anything we've seen in four decades of watching horses do what they were bred to do."
"Barbaro's struggle for survival has provided inspiration for Internet poets and his daily regimen has been chronicled nightly on network broadcasts whenever newsworthy developments arose. His story reached out and touched even more people than the remarkable Afleet Alex did a few years ago. The racing business may be trending downward but a nation has shown it cares about what happens to Barbaro. It is for that reason he will get my vote for Horse Of The Year 2006, an honor he is unlikely to win no matter how his story ends."
Barbaro even touches the heart of Delco Times Editor, Phil Heron. He refers to the Belmont Stakes back on June 5, 2006 but carries the genuine sentiment for our Kentucky Derby winner even today. "The eyes of the horseracing world will zero in this Saturday. Not mine. I've seen enough. I hope Barbaro continues his his miraculous recovery. I will continue to wonder how these marvelous animals can perform these tasks on legs that would make a ballerina envious."
"They will bestow flowers and a trophy to the winner of the Belmont. But not our hearts. We've already given them away to the pride of West Grove and Delaware Park, and Fair Hill, and New Bolton Center." (Courtesy Tim Woolley's) PHIL HERON DELCOTIMES
(photo courtesy Alex, www.timwoolleyracing.com)
(photo by Sabina Pierce University Of Pennsylvania, Barbaro greets staff on their morning rounds visiting the ICU)
written & designed by Cle Shaw
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