CONNECTIONS IN OUR MIDST

A SERIES OF ARTICLES ON PEOPLE, PLACES AND PERSEVERANCE IN YELLOWSTONE COUNTY

Bev Thorn comes to the Alliance on a regular basis. She is one of those people you just want to hang out with. Kindness and compassion seem to define her. Even her cute little orange car with its eyelashes looks happy.

BEV, YOU ALWAYS SEEM SO UPBEAT. HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

Written by Judy Hughes

polio and the doctors advised my parents to put him in an institution. Instead, my dad and mom worked with him every day doing what is now referred to as Passive Motion Exercises. The rest of the family helped by making him laugh, taking his mind off the work my parents were doing. He eventually walked and lived a pretty normal life.

YOU HAVE HAD SOME PRETTY SERIOUS HEALTH CHALLENGES IN YOUR OWN LIFE. THEY DON’T SEEM TO KEEP YOU DOWN FOR LONG. HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO DO THAT?

Oh, believe me, I get down, but I try not to stay there. One day I remember… chemo was dripping into my arm, I was feeling so sick and so tired I wanted to just give up. I woke up the next morning and realized I had a do-over. We all have do-overs every single day we wake up. I decided that day that my disease was not going to define me. I had a lot more to do and I was going to do it!

SO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR DO-OVER BEV? WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES?

I am my husband’s caretaker. This takes love which is easy, but also patience and compassion which some days are more of a challenge. To be the best person for him, I need to take care of myself as well. I am working on that by developing new interests like painting, writing, even a little home maintenance! I try and learn something new every day. , I believe this helps me be 1% better each and every day.

I think I am who I am because of my parents. We had a good life, but not a perfect one. Growing up we always felt listened to, encouraged and loved. My brother had Bev adds joy and a bit of sparkle wherever she goes. We can all use more of that in our world.

Tamara Larson, wife of Mike Larson, Executive Director of the Adult Resource Alliance was in a devastating bicycle accident on April 21, 2020. Her journey back, though definitely not complete, has been remarkable.

MIKE, WHAT HAPPENED THAT EVENING?

We were riding our bikes on the road in front of the VA hospital when a piece of Tammy’s fender came off and lodged in the spoke of the front wheel catapulting her off the front of the bike. When I got to her, she was not conscious or breathing. We found out later that among other injuries, she had suffered a fracture of a vertebrae in her neck, sometimes referred to as a “Hangman Fracture”. A number of the medical staff at the VA Clinic were getting off shift and witnessed the accident. Within minutes they were on the scene and provided life saving care as we were waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

After her surgery and two weeks in intensive care at Billing Clinic, Tami was transferred to the Craig Institute in Colorado for Rehabilitation, where for four months she worked hard to re-learn skills as well navigate her new life.

TAMI, WE HAVE ALL HEARD THAT EVERY OBSTACLE IN LIFE IS A LESSON. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

When I was in that hospital bed, not able to talk, move or breath on my own, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. I believe there was a reason my life was spared. I have a responsibility to make that matter, to give back. This is something I take very seriously.

WHAT ROLE HAS YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS PLAYED IN YOUR RECOVERY?

They are everything. Mike, my kids, my grandchild, and friends are the reason I’m here, the reason I fought to stay here. Kim Reeves is my caretaker. She pushes me, and makes me laugh every day. My goal is to not need her as a caretaker, but to have her in my life as a friend. I also have had great support in my recovery from Jill and Laura, my OT and PT providers at Billings Clinic West, who have encouraged and pushed me to recover. While at Craig I formed a close relationship with a wonderful woman from Colorado, Jan, who had a similar injury. We are both at home now, but we talk once a week to compare notes. We are both competitive, and we are always trying to “win” in our recoveries.

HOW IS YOUR RECOVERY GOING?

Honestly, some days it is hard for me to see progress. However, looking at the photos taken at the Craig Institute and knowing what I am capable of now, well, it is motivating. I am taking things one day at a time, one step at a time.

Tammy, your heart and determination are an inspiration to everyone you meet.