THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604240095
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
During 11 months of hospitalization, Tony Gardner received more than 350 get well cards.
A card from Joseph, his 8-year-old, read, ``Dad I love you very much and I wish you could come home today and when I come from school.''
Last week, that wish came true. Dad was back home.
He is in a wheelchair, but that was no barrier for Joseph, who just reached around and offered a good, tight hug.
A few moments later, the little boy pulled out still more get well cards, written and illustrated with love from his third-grade classmates at Kilby Shores Elementary School.
Haltingly, Joseph read the warm wishes. Tony might not have understood all the words, but he understood the sentiments - even the one that read: ``I hope you won't have to go back to the hospital to get anything.''
He has been in several hospitals since suffering a hemorrhage and lapsing into a coma while visiting family in Georgia in June.
``Mr. Gardner had such a devastating neurologic injury,'' said Dr. Nathan Zasler of Richmond, a neurological rehabilitation specialist. ``No one expects him to be like he was.''
Tony can breathe on his own and feed himself. Eventually, he is expected to be able to walk. Now, he can move, but a calcium deposit in his hips prevents him from trying to walk.
More improvement is expected, but the path could be lengthy.
``Every two hours, night and day, I have to suction his lungs. I'll have to feed him with a tube, give him medicines through a tube - six times a day,'' said his wife, Shelia. ``Twice a day, he has to have respiratory treatments. And, I will bathe him.''
She is not worried about missing the scheduled necessities.
``I don't need an alarm. I'll hear him cough. It's like a baby. It cries, you get up - it coughs, you move,'' Shelia said. ``I'm ready for it. It's been too long since he's been home.''
A sign that was put on the back of the family's new special van, just before Tony left the hospital, told just how long: ``Praise the Lord. Tony Gardner's going home. God is so good. June 21, 1995 - April 16, 1996.''
Other signs - ``Welcome back, Tony'' - were scattered around town; more than 100 yellow ribbons were scattered around the family's Springfield Terrace neighborhood.
Neighbors and other friends helped ease the Gardner burden.
Some cut the grass, some brought meals, including members of Wilroy Baptist Church who also put out mulch. Some friends built the needed wheelchair ramp and others, including co-workers at Union Camp, gave money.
Some friends joined family members last week, to help welcome Tony home.
The biggest welcome home hugs, of course, came from Shelia, Joseph and the other children, 12-year-old Michael and Casey, 16.
They gathered around the wheelchair of a man who has always been family-oriented.
For several years the family took care of foster children. For the past six years they have been taking care of Tony's brother, Bruce, who has Down syndrome.
When Shelia was telling her family how she kidded the people in the hospital about ``bringing Tony back there,'' Bruce did not like the story. ``Don't let that happen,'' he said.
``I take a day at a time,'' Shelia said. ``I don't think about the next day, next month or next year.''
On the refrigerator, next to a picture of Tony Gardner, are the words: ``You are a treasure to God.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
From left, Michael, Tony, Shelia and Casey Gardner admire the new
van that will accommodate Tony's wheelchair.
by CNB