Please visit The Dee in his new home!
Mikey has moved to The Greenery, a long-term care facility in North Andover. While we are optimistic about the increased therapy Mikey will receive, the loss of proximity to Boston may make it more difficult for people to visit. However, North Andover is only about 25 minutes up Route 93 North. We'll be looking into possible public transportation options and Team Dee members would be happy to drive folks up who are car-less. It is imperative that Mikey not feel as though he has been shipped to Siberia.

Directions from 93: Take 93 North to Exit 41 (Route 125). Take a right and follow 125 towards Wilmington/Andover; it's a pretty straight shot (about 15 minutes), though the road does curve around Merrimack College. Turn left past the college and then continue to follow 125 which will now be on your right. Stay on 125 through an intersection where it also becomes 133 (follow signs to the Police Station). You'll pass a school on your left. Take an immediate right at Park Street (one way; V.F.W. hall on corner, very small street), The Greenery is on your right.

You can park in the lot just around the corner if there are no spaces in the lot under the building.

While he remains "locked-in" (unable to speak or move on his own) as a result of the damage done by the brainstem stroke suffered in February 2000, Mikey is cognitively ok and alert and continues working very hard to regain control of his communication and his body. As of this date (January 2002) he has really good function of his head and facial muscles and intermittent function in his left wrist, thumb, fingers (both hands) and left leg and toes. He can be very vocal and facially expressive but still cannot clearly articulate words. He occasionally mouths words and can sometimes say short words such as no, bye, uh-huh and wow. Mikey's best access for communication is by responding to inquiries with a nod for "Yes" a head shake for "No" and a shrug for "I don't know" or "Whatever." Sometimes he'll have trouble giving out the right signal though, because he is still plagued with involuntary muscle spasms which can affect his functional movement. These spasms and some visual problems are continuing to keep computer-assisted communication just out of his grasp although he does work with therapists on switch access and concentration. Mikey will also sometimes communicate by assisted spelling with a letterboard or with a phrase/picture book.

Mikey has no trouble following a conversation or story, however, and continues to enjoy music, cheezy jokes and pop culture as well as local music, industry and hollywood news. He also needs people to read to him and to assist with his speech, physical and occupational therapies.

If you are interested in visiting Mikey please read the FAQ and email M.A. Ricciardi first to discuss the visiting protocol or to set up a time for you to visit with a member of Mikey's Recovery Team*. If you know Mikey well enough and would rather visit by yourself that's fine too but let someone on the team know beforehand so we can go over what to expect so your visit goes smoothly for both you and Mikey and so we can put it on his schedule.

* Tina Bugara, M. A. Ricciardi, T Max, Eleanor Ramsay, Linda Viens, Al Janik, Valerie Kahn-Dorato

Cards, jokes, letters, stories and pictures are always welcome. Please send them care of:
Mikey Dee Linick
c/o The North Andover Skilled Care Facility
75 Park Street
North Andover, MA 01845

or send email to mikeydee@rockopera.com

Videos and Movies. Mikey loves movies, classic, cutting edge, cult, quality and dubious. He also wants to stay current with The Sopranos, Simpsons, South Park and some other TV shows. If you have copies of movies you can spare or would like to help tape TV shows please email parkdale@mindspring.com for suggestions or send what you have to:
M. A. Ricciardi
111 Berkeley Street
Waltham 02451

Music. Of course. MIKEY NEEDS NEW MUSIC! Bands, please keep sending Mikey your new cds c/o The Planetary Group and they'll forward them. We're trying to rotate Mikey's collection and help keep him up-to-date with the world of rock and pop. CD gifts; local, national, new or classic are very appreciated. Send music to:
Music for Mikey Dee
c/o The Planetary Group
580 Harrison Ave.
4th Floor
Boston, MA 02118

Live Music. We'll be hosting some informal Get-together with Dee events, "On the Green with Mikey Dee," starting Sunday, Feb 10, 2002 at 2pm at The Greenery and continuing the second Sunday of each month (unless otherwise noted). Visit the update page for the latest details about these singalong-hangout events. Come on by and let Dee know he's not forgotten! email Chris Mascara or Eleanor Ramsay for more information.

We'll keep posting more requests here as we, and Mikey, think of them. Thank you everyone!

You can keep up (or catch up) with Mikey's progress by reading Mikey's Recovery Update page.

January 2, 2002 Mikey had a really good fall and continues to work steadily on breathing and articulation. He also continued switch-access and communication therapy and evaluations with the goal of being able to access a computer and other devices. He also began to prepare for his move to a long-term rehab and finally made the move to the Greenery (in North Andover) on December 26, 2001.

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Page at this site.

March 7, 2001 A new FAQ with detailed visiting info is now online. Mikey has started using his letterboard again but is still working on his signaling skills, focus and accuracy.

January 8, 2001 Mikey continues to make slow but discernable progress. He'd still appreciate seeing new visitors and works daily on his speech exercises. His communication skills remain about at the level they were earlier this fall but his improving breath control makes purposeful sound closer to his grasp.

Sept 14, 2000 As Mikey's recovery progresses, we are encouraging friends who have not seen him yet to begin visiting. We'd like to coordinate visits as much as possible at this stage, however, so neither he nor the hospital are overwhelmed by a surge of people.