August 25, 2024

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Here is a link to the map of my completed flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/19VEAAR6h8hMzN6x6J1W12UBpgGGl5rO_/view?usp=sharing” not shown are two attempts to fly from Gaithersburg airport to Andrews Air Force Base and Baltimore Washington International using my Raspberry Pi 5.

Saturday, I fixed the mess I made of the version of gatttool I modified and updated my github site. I can not ride without sweating and did not want to take another shower today, or I would have tried it out Saturday. Please note, I write my part of the update on Saturday, as I can not guarantee my mental shape on Sunday.

This week, I look forward to sharing the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the enlightenment of this week’s bike challenges, with former rotary wing instructor pilot, Senior Fishing Guide Savel { a.k.a. Uncle John). We leave on Wednesday for a week on Whidbey Island, salmon fishing.

I was good in church; breakfast casserole was cooked and soon to be eaten when I arrived home.

Todd

Hello TEAMTODD! Thanks for staying with us. Todd spent another week on tweaking his bike/airplane using the Raspberry Pi 5. It is over my head BUT I think that Todd is mentally stimulated by all the research that goes into making it work. It is NOT fruitless. Todd’s brain is working, solving problems.

We leave at 4:30 am on Wednesday for our week on Whidbey Island, WA. This is the first time the Westley 4 have traveled together for about 7 years. WHEW!!!! Details, details… Airline travel is NOT as easy as it used to be. BUT! We are going to make it easy on ourselves and take a taxi from our home to BWI and pay for checked baggage (1 or 2 pieces). Remember back in the day, we were allowed one checked bag, free? Not so anymore.

The reason we are going to Whidbey Island at this time is to celebrate Todd’s 50^th BD. Todd’s BD is December 10 BUT his BD wish was to Salmon Fish. Not going to happen in December BUT John and Jana are very happy and accommodating to help Todd celebrate early.

Todd and I attended Mrs. Cohen’s funeral on Wednesday. Such a lovely tribute to a lovely lady! Todd and I were welcomed by Ruth’s daughter and son. Sweet memories were shared. I was proud of Todd as he stood tall and expressed himself.

Wednesday afternoon, Todd and I attended the noon day Mass at St. Mary’s and we were part of the “Cleaning Crew”, TEAM1, at St. Mary’s. Todd enjoys working with Barbara and me. It is quiet work, Todd is on his own. He goes through all the pews and picks up unnecessary papers, etc and rearranges hymnals. Then, Todd cleans the Holy Water Fonts and refreshes them. I think Todd likes the work because it is “quiet”, and it must be done correctly with reverence. Todd is a welcomed member to TEAM 1!

So, you see TEAMTODD, Todd does more than just ride his bicycle on a trainer! Todd continues with his household chores, vacuuming, sorting laundry, changing sheets and making beds. Perhaps riding his bike on a trainer is a break for him.

Todd and I make it a point to get out together for a ride once or twice a week. Todd is at the wheel with the spinner knob as his control. We circle around the neighborhoods and beyond. Todd and I know, Todd must keep up his driving skills.

TEAMTODD, Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we take on a great adventure this week.

St. Luigi, stay with us. We count on you!

 August 18, 2024

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Here is link to a map of virtual flights I completed this week from my bicycle trainer: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e3kwP9U5j-nA8OukkAXdnbuAIL-f4iV3/view?usp=sharing”

This week, I was able to get my modified version of gatttool that allows a Wahoo speed sensor to interface with FlightGear on a Raspberry Pi 5. I now can use my bike and control a flight simulator from a Raspberry Pi 5 and I am being noticed. Today, I will attempt a flight from KGAI to KBWI using the Pi 5. Here is my confabulation about gatt: {Gatttools are also useful getting food out stuck between tines of a fork after this dishwasher runs. Who has not exclaimed, “Look, gatt. Where is that gatttool?”}

I made contact with someone at NIH about my cycling habit and posted info about my work on FlightGear.forum.org. Note, I have worked with NIH through many studies after my brain injury BUT, who knew I have been on their radar since having my wisdom teeth extracted as a teenager. I think I was part of a pain study then.

My posting in FlightGear forum has been viewed more than 100 times.

I also am aiming to make adapting my quirks, less intellectually intimidating. It’s a challenge for me as I favor using Linux console terminal.

Yesterday, Saturday, I aimed to document what I had accomplished the previous day but I had mental fatigue as a result of excitement over what I did with the Raspberry Pi 5.

We attended church last evening. I thought I was good: waffles this morning.

Todd

Hello TeamTodd. Thanks for staying with us!

Todd keeps himself busy improving his bike/flight program and that seems to be enough of a challenge for him. I am hoping it keeps his mind stimulated. We won’t pursue volunteer possibilities until after our vacation (Aug-28-Sept 4)

I think we have told you we are, the Westley 4, traveling to Whidbey Island, (WA) to celebrate Todd’s 50^th BD. (EARLY of course, the real happening is December 10) Todd’s BD request was to salmon fish.

John and Jana are receiving us most graciously for our time at “Windows On Whidbey”, such a beautiful setting for any celebration! Todd has his fishing license and John has sent the times of the day to catch fish. My guess is Todd will be out there EVERY hour, just in case…

Yesterday, we lost one of Todd’s biggest supporters. “Mrs. Cohen” passed away at the age of 96. She was a fan of Todd way back in the day when Todd was her paper carrier and worked with his dad clearing her driveway and walks in the winter. We keep close in our hearts a certain memory. When Mrs. Cohen celebrated her 90^th BD, she insisted Todd be on the guest list. Indeed! Todd sat with her and her family. We celebrate Ruth and know she will continue to take an interest in her friend, Todd.

Todd and I plan on attending her service this week.

TEAMTODD! The ScareCrow Classic is scheduled for October 20. This year will be a special celebration. We will be celebrating the 10^th anniversary of Todd’s first day of recovery. (October 27) We invite you to participate in this great event, in person or virtually. Todd has always had the biggest team supporting the Brain Injury Association of MD. Take a look at the website. We will host a Celebration at our home after the event. Stay tuned for details.

St. Luigi! Mark your calendar! It will be a good day with your prayers!

 August 11, 2024

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Here is a map of virtual flights I completed this week from my bicycle trainer: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jmR2wiYpSBeg5sZR35OBlFyGX7upoeFh/view?usp=drive_link”

I want to infect others with the same joy I gain from my virtual flights. Perhaps I have been aiming too high: Joe Biden, NIH, Experimental Aviation Association, Virginia Tech Engineering Science and Mechanics, etc. I know that my concept requires stamina coupled with mental effort but the satisfaction gained from those efforts offsets those costs for me.

I continue to work on re-configuring a Raspberry Pi 5 to utilize my concept of controlling an aircraft throttle position with bicycle rear wheel speed. Asking for desktop computer or laptop to be co-located with a bike trainer may have been asking too much. I can hold a Pi 5 in my left hand: there is no way it takes up too much space.

Church: I was good in church and was rewarded with a Tennessee Pride Breakfast Casserole (think sausage and eggs)

Todd

Hello TEAMTODD!

Where do I start??? Todd reads what I write before he sends off the update. Everything I write is unedited by Todd. Todd allows me to write freely MY thoughts as he writes his own.

As I mentioned last week, Todd spends too much time in the basement working on his own projects, raspberry pi and making his airplane bike available to everyone. I also think Todd is developing some OCD symptoms. Todd’s routines direct his life.

We must find a way to offer Todd other venues to direct his energy. Todd is still very much a genius BUT Todd and his skills must be pointed in the right direction so Todd is fulfilled and he is making a difference.

DEAR FRIENDS, Please pray as we work with Todd to find the right connection for volunteer work. Todd has much to offer and is so willing.

Todd has decided the time is right to start driving again. YAY!!! This afternoon he and I did some practice runs around the neighborhood. The spinner knob in the new location on the steering wheel seems to be working for Todd. I will be working with Todd over the next few weeks as he regains his confidence in driving. We both will look for opportunities for Todd to practice and get back in the grove again.

Thank you all for staying with us AND! PLEASE! Pass on the new website to others who may be interested.

TEAMTODD! YOU ALL ARE A BLESSING TO US!!! We have accomplished much because of your interest, your prayers. We still need you, please stay with us.

St. Luigi, Pray for all of Todd’s blog followers.

 August 4, 2024

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Here is a link to a map illustrating my virtual flights the past nine days: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FuBLVEbcfxavw7ZZ7O6neDS8b5umSsS7/view?usp=sharing” I attempted a flight from KCLE to KAXQ twice but did not have good landings two consecutive days. Fortunately, I can try again.

I would like to get my Raspberry Pi 5 to work with my bike, I think I located the source code for the program I originally wrote for my linux PC and that should work on my Pi 5. If I can not get it to recompile on the Pi 5, I can attempt to author a python program.

I feel a push to do more or at least live my life differently. Routines are a crutch I use to get through each day. I hope that my social outlet could be describing to people my habit of completing virtual flights so they could emulate me; I just need to find the correct audience. Alas, I have no marketing plan.

I was good in church: waffles for breakfast,

Todd

Hello TEAMTODD,

I feel it has been a week or 2 since I have written. Last weekend was the “Savel Celebration”, a reunion with All MY siblings,( 10 0f us plus all of our kids and grandkids!) Therefore feeling a time crunch, Todd sent his update early BEFORE the Celebration.

What a wonderful Celebration!!! My sister, Susan hosted it at her home in Reynoldsville, PA. What an awesome undertaking as there were about 65 in attendance! My sister, Susan is Big Sister to all of us, “the other mother” she was dubbed by my cousins, 68 years ago, and she continues to be there for all of us. Some of the attendees had not seen each other for almost 10 years; a few others, were new to the family and were welcomed with open arms by all.

I was concerned for Todd being around so many people, with so many different conversations going on at the same time. Fortunately, the Celebration was held outside and there was plenty of room for Todd to move around. I did notice he did so, finding a quiet spot when needed BUT Todd had fine conversations with many “one on one”. How sweet it was when one of his cousins or aunts and uncles talked to me or Ted after conversing with Todd to reassure us Todd was “just fine” and he was still the Todd they remembered.

We came home on Sunday and Libby left us early on Monday for a planned adventure to Niagara Falls. She was with a tour group for the week and arrived back in Rockville this afternoon and is on her way back home to Harrisonburg as I write.

Todd mentioned ‘a push to do more or live his life differently’. That resulted from a conversation I had with him this week about getting out of the basement and looking for opportunities to volunteer. I feel Todd needs to find opportunities to converse with others than just the 3 of us and an occasional neighbor encounter. In the way of volunteer work, Todd has much to offer. Todd thinks he would be good at tutoring math. Actually any volunteer work with the school system will take some time to get approved. So we will be working on that and looking into other volunteer possibilities. We ask your prayers for our direction.

So, my intent for this week is to take Todd and my car to a business that will install the spinner knob on the steering wheel so Todd can drive my car. We have to take it to a specialty shop that has the credentials to clear it with MVA. Again, I ask for prayers. It can’t be done locally.

Thank you, dear friends and supporters of TEAMTODD. After almost 10 years, you have stayed with us. Who knew, we would still need each other after all this time? I, we, are so grateful to you all.

St. Luigi, we ALL need you. Stay with us.