The greatest gift a person can give another is just to show up. And they did! The majority I knew, some I had not seen in decades, and others I didn’t know at all! Over 29 people have shown up since June 20, 2022… Not just once, but most over and over again.
When I first started at Neurokinetix, for physical therapy, people wished me well, yet most doubted the logistics of finding drivers from Dallas to West Fort Worth, 3 times a week for 40 days. And to be honest, I was skeptical myself.
Confident that this unique opportunity was a divine gift, I embraced it, letting Jesus take the wheel. And, as a person whose blog is titled “Strides of Faith”, I had to put my money where my mouth was. Clinging to my favorite bible verse, Hebrews 11:1, blind faith was the only thing I could trust. If rooted in God’s intention, it would come to fruition.
Then, two very special angels, Anthony Bolner and Carla Bolner, were sent straight from heaven (Although, they would never label themselves angels). They initiated the Angels Lift sign-up sheet, sending out a mass email to mainly our Texas A&M Aggie friends. This list called for volunteers to give time out of their busy day and spend it with me. The Bolners so graciously took the burden off my shoulders, finding weekly rides. Every Sunday night I’d get a text message, letting me know the drivers for the week.
These simple rides regenerated my mind, body, and soul. Every driver became an angel. Their smiling faces and positive energy rekindled my spirit and brought happiness to my heart. Deep conversations challenged my mind, while more humorous ones left my face hurting. Each angel lifted me up, strengthening me in every sense. More than one day in the car, these angels provided true joy rides!
I doubt that these beautiful people below can fully grasp how much they’ve contributed to my healing process. They’ve opened my eyes to a brighter future, reinstilling hope. To them, I will be forever grateful!…
Bob Thorsell ~ personal trainer from 2011 to 2021 and my first Neurokinetix driver. Bob often understood my body better than I did. His positive nature and calm disposition encouraged me to keep moving, even on the more challenging days. Bob saw my highest highs and my lowest lows, wiping tears of pain and tears of laughter for over 10 years. He’s the only one I wanted to kick off my Neurokinetix adventure.
Jen Richard ~ My F.C. (Favorite cousin) who just happened to be visiting from California. An elementary school speech pathologist, professor at San Diego State University and world traveler who is one of the most accomplished people I know. She will bend over backwards in order to be of service to others. I am truly blessed and proud to have such an amazing person as my cousin!
Anthony Bolner ~ a dear Aggie friend, 1986 Fish Camp partner, and brother from another mother. A gregarious, humble, social butterfly who will never lose his ability to have fun. Anthony doesn’t know a stranger. Service to others is his passion, which is shown through his kindness, inclusiveness, hospitality, food and joy of life. Anthony is a natural caregiver. He always puts others first. He initiated the Angels Lift sign-up after realizing my need for several consistent drivers so I could continue attending physical therapy at Neurokinetix in Fort Worth. Without Anthony NONE of this would’ve been possible! I am forever grateful!
Carla Bolner ~ A dear Aggie friend since 1987, we were elementary education majors who shared a mutual fondness for orange crackers and Coke. Carla’s love for education inspired me to be a teacher. Her sparkly demeanor highlights her gift of serving others. The consummate encourager, her positive attitude and energy are contagious. Carla is my biggest cheerleader! Her humility always spotlights others. And on days when I cannot get a ride to Neurokinetix, Carla swoops in like a superhero, and gets me there on time!
John Lund ~ met at a Groundhog party in 1996. “Bored, and tired of golf,” this retired Navy guy drove 9 hours from Georgia to Dallas, rented an AirBnB for four weeks, in order to drive me 3x’s a week for one month to F.W.! This selfless act of interrupting his life to prioritize my needs makes it even more special since we have not seen each other, in person, in over 25 years.
Erin Leonardon ~ Aggie Bunko friends since the ‘90s. Our joy rides have given me the privilege of knowing Erin on a deeper level. Otherwise known as the, “Do it all girl”, she is smart, strong, independent, and beautiful, inside and out. Erin was one of the first people to drive me to Fort Worth, and continues to do so, especially when I am in a bind. She is one of my biggest supporters, and I am so blessed to call her my friend!
Mary Ann Marshall ~ a.k.a. sweet mama. The kindest, most caring, loving, empathetic and funniest woman I know. I couldn’t love her more! Unselfishly, she often tags along on my joy rides in order to make my transition easier from my wheelchair to the passenger seat, when she could do other things with her time. On the days that she comes, I love having her there, witnessing firsthand the experience of Neurokinetix itself, seeing the reason for all the positive changes occurring in my life. A friend once told me that if she could pick any person in the world to be her mom, she would pick my mother. I’m so blessed that she is mine!
David Marshall ~ a.k.a. big daddy. “You go far, in a clean car!” is Dave’s motto. He is the one that services the car before every trip: checking the tires, filling the gas tank, replacing the brakes, and running the van through the car wash to keep true to his motto. He then humorously instructs each new driver about the ins and outs of driving a handicapped vehicle. When caring for the car, he is also caring for me and my drivers, allowing for a flawless start to my joy ride day. Oh, how I love big daddy!
Grey ~ new friend and recent TCU graduate who took the time out of his busy day to be of service. His young, hunky muscles made everything easy from assisting me in and out of the car to lifting me onto the hyperbaric gurnee. Chivalry is not dead–his mom should be very proud!
Barbara Savage ~ friends since fifth grade, we graduated high school together. As a first grade teacher, Barb’s students reap the benefits of her kind, caring, and patient nature.Our shared love for Andy Gibb and cruising Forest Lane makes us more like sisters. She has always been there for me through thick and thin.
Kristi Florence ~ Friends since kindergarten, we attended K-12 together. As a preschool teacher, Kristi rarely sits, preferring to take care of others. Her generosity exceeds itself when it comes to the Marshall family. One of my longest and dearest friends, Kristi, is more like a sister. She has always been someone I can count on.
Kelly McFadden ~ Aggie Bunko friends since the 1990s. Kelly is such a delight! Embarrassed to say, Kelly and I have always been friendly, but we’ve never had the opportunity to hold a conversation. Rides with Kelly were such a gift. Not just because she volunteered to drive multiple times, but it gave us the ability to connect with each other on a more personal level. It’s obvious that Kelly’s perseverance and faith give her extraordinary strength. She is also a caregiver at heart. Such qualities were reflected during our time spent together. I am so honored to call her my friend!
Russ McFadden ~ a 30+ year Aggie friend. Russ has a heart of gold. He recently retired after working as an executive for many years and is looking forward to spending time with family and friends at the Lake house. However, Russ and Kelly are still staying busy with two out of three children getting married in 2023.
Steve Gumbert ~ a new friend with dreamy blue eyes and a huge smile. Steve is a successful entrepreneur and owner of an abrasives company. Who knew that abrasives are a common part of our everyday lives? Some round and some angular, I have a new appreciation for abrasives. With the strength of Goliath, he could single-handedly throw me into the passenger seat of his mammoth pick up truck. Very impressive!
Chris Friend ~ a 30+ year Aggie friend who has the greatest laugh in the world! Super chill, Chris takes life in stride and never sweats the small stuff. Even at Texas A&M University, Chris always looked out for me. Upon every entry into my dorm room, he would clean the disgusting bird’s nest, which some might refer to as my hairbrush. A busy business executive who travels the world, I felt so privileged to have my dear friend to myself for an entire day!
Will Florence ~ a new friend who is Kristi‘s nephew. A smart, sweet, ambitious, and empathetic graduate of Wake Forest University, who recently embarked on the real world, working for a consulting company in Washington DC. He was extremely attentive to my needs, making sure I was comfortable. Just the fact that he volunteered to be a driver speaks volumes regarding his character.
Hugh ~ a concrete company owner who coincidentally was working on site at Neurokinetix parking lot with afternoon temperatures hovering around 112°F. Carla was my driver, and I was having no luck transferring from the sticky passenger seat back to my wheelchair. Carla ran across the parking lot and asked Hugh to help this damsel in distress. Before I knew it, this real life superhero scooped me from the seat into the wheelchair. Hugh represents the handful of delivery guys and workers that stopped to help when they did not have to. I am forever grateful for each and everyone of them!
Robert Bitten ~ What 22-year-old spends his day off work driving a person he doesn’t know 100 miles round-trip, and then signs up as a driver every Monday for 3 months? This guy! A compassionate, bright, kind, young man with an old soul who does not know a stranger. He is an avaricious collector of crazy socks and goes nuts for the Dallas Stars. The essential party starter, Robert makes everything fun, including my day at Neurokinetix!
George Zahar ~ a 30* year Aggie friend who enjoys time on the golf course. He is gentle, caring, and off the charts smart. George’s calm presence easily subdued any uncomfortableness I may have been experiencing, especially regarding the hyperbaric chamber. His laid back personality made driving to Fort Worth, and every situation, smooth and easy.
Greg and Pam Cooney ~ New friends and a very gracious couple for volunteering to drive someone they didn’t even know. I love how they work together as a team. Successful owners of many businesses, their ability to adapt, grow, persevere and embrace change as a natural part of life, is inspiring and very admirable.
David Bolner ~ 28 years, son of Carla and Anthony, and newlywed. David’s chief priority was to make me comfortable and keep me safe. Protective by nature, he attentively stayed by my side, assisting with my every need, and at times, even assisted the therapist! No longer the boy I’ve known, it was wonderful spending the day with David, the adult.
Dennis Brosey ~ 30+ years Aggie acquaintance. We were “Ships passing in the night” albeit at the Dixie Chixken or a mutual Aggie party. Always friendly, we laugh at how we have never held a conversation until now. Dennis is heart-felt caring, and soooo funny. While in the hyperbaric chamber, he kept me in stitches by imitating Hans and Frans, and then exiting my view on an invisible escalator.
Stewart Nolan ~ 30+ years Aggie friend, wheelchair dance partner, Mechanical engineer, rugby player, American gladiator, and business owner who loves to dabble in paleontology. A profound storyteller with Greek god strength, he throws me in his truck and has me laughing all the way to Neurokinetix. Someone who doesn’t know a stranger. Being with Stewart is always an adventure!
Kip Smith ~ a 30+ years Aggie friend, who is never ever without a smile on his face. Kip’s joyful energy is palpable and reconnecting with him is always easy… he makes it feel as if time has never passed.
Kelli Lovelace ~ a new friend, who felt like an old one. A busy acquisitions lawyer who likes to spend time with her older sons. I felt so honored that she chose to spend the day with me.
Elaine Pawlowicz ~ A dear high school friend, who is also one of the most humble and talented people I know. A University of North Texas art professor, her paintings reflect her enormous heart and empathy towards others. Knowing Elaine makes me a better person.
Mary Pawlowicz ~ Elaine‘s mom and my high school algebra teacher. With pen and paper in hand, her inquisitive nature led her to take notes even during a simple Neurokinetix trip. At 90 years old, she models the importance of staying curious and to always continue learning.
Beth Wemboener~ Aggie Bunko friends since the 1990s and Erin‘s sister. A super organized, empty nester who is bringing her positive energy and construction skills into the retail clothing world. I am super appreciative of her volunteering her time in order to make my day easier!
Missy Atkinson Dours ~ we reconnected on Facebook after 42+ years. Friends throughout grade school, Girl Scouts, and Junior high, this avid golfer is soon to be a Grandma. She lives in my subdivision and is extremely involved in the City of Farmers Branch. Missy inspires me to get involved and be a better citizen within my community.
Elizabeth Arrtus – a friend for approximately 10 years and a dearly missed neighbor in our Pine Tree Court cul-de-sac. Elizabeth’s beautiful smile and laid-back personality makes her the perfect preschool teacher as her own kids enter elementary school. Her positive energy is contagious. I so enjoy being in Elizabeth’s company and appreciate the fact that she reached out, offering to drive me!
Holly Haggan Caldwell ~ a 30+ year Aggie friend who also resided in Haas Hall dorm. We’ve always shared a strong infinity for any four-legged friend. Holly’s piercing blue eyes and generous spirit light up a room. Her tender and empathetic heart guide her through life, making all that meet her love her!
Bob and Jane Nicol ~ Friends for 30+ years. Parents to my dear Aggie friend, Scott Nicol, and grandparents to my godson Charlie Nicol. Although I have known them forever, I have not seen them since Charlie’s christening, over 17 years ago. Since they live so close to Neurokinetix, Jane and Bob insisted on volunteering. I am so glad they did! At first they helped transfer me in and out of the car, and lent me their photographers’ eye, recording my therapy sessions. One day, a driver couldn’t make it at the last minute, so Bob and Jane happily stepped in, driving double the distance round trip between Dallas, and Fort Worth. They were determined for me to make it to my physical therapy session that day at Neurokinetix. I am so blessed and honored to have them on board!
Liz Bowman ~ we met our first day of class at Texas A&M University 38 years ago, and the belly laugh we had between our speech class back to the same dorm solidified our friendship. A sister, there’s no question that Liz would have been the first behind the wheel had it not been for the fact that she lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Distance may have kept her from driving, but she was my best long distance encourager and cheerleader throughout this entire Neurokinetix process, and life in general. I am so blessed to have her in my life!
… this past year was ONLY possible with faith, Strides of Faith!
(Sadly, on March 28, 2023, the Director of Neurokinetix, Dr. Brian Wood passed away suddenly. Neurokinetix has been temporarily closed and joy rides halted. Please pray for their ability to regroup and continue moving forward.)