Update :: February 2, 2010

Hello Friends of Charla, Charla's surgery went very well. Dr. Alam performed some remarkable changes to Charla's face. Some rib cartilage was used to create a nose structure which greatly improved Charla's profile. The left eye socket was worked on to close up that area with a small skin graph taken from her thigh. Her scalp was cleaned up as is continues to heal. Charla's side was very painful for a few days where she preferred not to be moved or worked on. A few days later; Dr. Alam removed the bandage and stitches by her eye socket. Charla is feeling much better about herself. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Stephen and Michael Nash 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

Update :: January 24, 2010

Hello Friends of Charla, Charla has had some good days and bad days. She gets congested and this causes pressure in her head and on her ears. Hopefully the surgery that Dr. Alam is doing on Tuesday will improve this condition. On the bright side Charla heard a sound file from Cameron thanking her for the dinosaurs she gave to him for Christmas. What boys do not like dinosaurs? Cameron also received a dinosaur skeleton that had to be put together. Dr. Alan chuckled telling us about what a chalange it was. Is this a rib? Charla is still experimenting with her diet. Today she had pancakes and syrup. Travis, (How strange this is!) makes a special effort to puree this for her. He is a good guy! I finished reading all the letters and started having the computer read the emails. I still have many more to format. I search many of the letters for email addresses and added them to the newsletter. Hopefully people visit the website and will send Chala an email. We had a meeting with the hospital staff to talk about Charla as a canidate for the face and hand transplant. The decision for this type of surgery is conditional based on many conditions. Any one of these conditions could exclude a canidate. At the Cleveland Clinic, Charla could become a canidate for a face transplant or for a hand transplant, but at this time she is not to be a canidate for both. The Cleveland Clinic made this decision in the best interest for Charla. The Cleveland Clinic has never performed a hand transplant. It is not in the best interest of the patient to perform both together until they have more experience with hand transplants. We are disappointed but understand the reasons. We continue to be hopeful because Charla has not been excluded for any reason. However, these conditions could change based on what they learn with future transplants. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Stephen and Michael Nash 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

Update :: January 10, 2010

Hello Friends of Charla, I am sorry for not writing sooner. I came back to Ohio on January 1st and picked Briana up at the Cleveland Clinic. The next morning we left the apartment and I started my visits with Charla. Holidays are the hardest time to cope and I have noticed this change with Charla. These are the times I read to her the most. There are so many cards and emails that I am constantly lagging behind. More is much better! Charla and the family appreciate your strong support. We had a visit on Christmas day with Dr. Alam, his wife; hauna, their 4 year old son; Cameron and a daughter to be named in one month. They brought cookies! I love cookies! Cameron was very quiet but opened up near the end of the visit. They gave Charla a stepper for her to have workouts with. This helps to provide more variety with her exercises. Shauna and Charla talked about horses, an activity that both had enjoyed in their lives. It is nice to be with friends during the holidays. While I went back to New York, Briana and Charla had a great time together. Some days during the holidays the Clinic had some entertainment that they were able to enjoy. During the day several different musicians played music for everyone walking in the hallways. The entertainment and being with Briana certainly help to lift Charla spirits. Charla takes me for walks and we are able to let our talks wander to just about anything. The exercise is good and allows Charla to continue to adjust. I ordered a telescopic cane that I plan to adapt to Charla's disability. I plan to make a slightly conical shaped cuff with the cane attached. The cuff will be lined with foam to allow Charla to push her arm into it. I figured that this method would give Charla more independence since nobody need to assist her with any adjustments to put it on. Charla is eating more solid foods. She is becoming very creative in the methods to thin out the puree foods. Charla still need to use a straw to eat. She uses water, apple sauce, juices, and broths. She figures out the what foods and which additive mixed in to obtain the best taste. I believe that next week is when Charla will have another procedure on her face. This could change based on Dr. Alam's schedule and priorities. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Stephen and Michael Nash 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

Update :: December 23, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, Charla and I have been working a long time each day to catch up with a lot of letters, packages, donations and emails. I had the computer read half of the emails received after Oprah Show and Interview with Meredith Vieira on the Today Show. I read 100 letters or more. I am getting better at reading the letters and not getting as choked up. I usually have to take a deep breath. Several gifts were received and are helping to give the hospital room more of a Christmas Spirit. Our thanks go out to everyone for their support. All the prayers and kind words do help and currently is helping Charla feel so much better. Charla wanted to make a visit to meet everyone on the ICU. She does not remember this time period but went there to express her thanks. We brought a few bags of candy. I went down earlier to ask if she could visit. When Charla came down, within seconds the word went out and everyone was there for Charla to meet. We will return again to meet others that were not present. I know that if I work on ICU to see someone who was in the Jaws of Death, return to thank me; would definitely be a high point to always remember. Charla took Marci (one of her girls) and me to McDonalds for ice cream. They have one in the cafeteria area. Marci had a fudge sundae because she said that she was craving chocolate. Charla and I had a strawberry sundae. I do not know why they call it a sundae when you can have it on any day of the week! It is days doing something different that can really make you forget about the time and be happy for the moment. Charla, is preparing to have another surgery next month. She does not care to hear about what they are doing. I believe the description of the procedure is too much of a graphic reminder and not that she fears the surgery. Nobody likes surgery but Charla knows and accepts that this is what needs to be done. Briana will be surprising Charla for Christmas. I will take a brief trip back home to spend some greatly missed time with my wife and not to forget; Simon. Steve will be in Virginia with his family. We all plan to get together sometime in January. We do this whenever situations make it too difficult to meet on the day of the holiday. After the holidays we will have a clearer outlook on what Charla's short term treatments will be and where. The long term treatment is still unclear because certain medical conditions need to be met. Many intermediate options also come into play regardless of the long term. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Stephen and Michael Nash 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

Update :: December 13, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, When I returned I found Charla feeling a bit down in the dumps. I started to read her some cards that came in and she slowly responded. The next day she wanted me to read some more. She is feeling much better thanks to everyone's support. I caught up with a lot of tasks while I was at home only to find a lot of tasks I need to do here. The mailbox is overflowing with good wishes for Charla. I also got pounded by a lot of emails. I read a few cards a day and I managed to compile half of the emails into a PDF file for the computer to read them to Charla. Charla is still slowly making progress. She walks around her room a little bit, learning how to navigate in a environment that she is familiar with. I am starting to work with her to learn how to use a cup and straw which will allow her to get a drink on her own. This is more difficult that it sounds. Besides having the handicaps, she also has no sensitivity to the area replaced with a part of her thigh but the is some loss of feeling to the jaw area. A straw was found to be too hard as it would poke into other areas before she could navigate it. I am now trying some soft tubing fed through the straw for support. There is a sense of comfort and freedom since the Oprah show and the Today show with Meridith. There is no more guarded precautions needed to be out in the public. She still wears the hat and veil to allow others to feel more comfortable when she is out of her room. Briana is doing great, getting all A's in her classes. She also has had a couple promising interveiw at colleges. She is focusing in business and math. I am making plans for her to be here some of the time during the Christmas holidays. The Stamford prosecutor has announced that they will not be filing any criminal charges against Sandra Harold. We understand the decision and thank the procecutor for taking the time investigating this incident. Our family's focus is and always will be the rehabilitation and functional recovery of Charla. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Stephen and Michael Nash 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

Update :: December 1, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, I will be returning on Thursday to stay with Charla. Charla was surprised and very happy that Briana came for Thanksgiving. Our family certainly has a lot to be thankful for. Charla's visitors also included Briana's boyfriend, Jeremy and his mother, Lori. I been very busy doing everything I can to prepare for winter. I serviced 4 snow blowers, 2 lawn tractors, and two lawn mowers. I have also done Charla's and my taxes. They are for 2008, so I guess I am a little late. Next year should be much quicker. I am sure much more will be happening soon. Charla is making such great progress. Meeting the public was a very big step for Charla and she is very happy to meet every one. I will be reading all your responses about Charla on the Oprah show and with Meridith on the Today Show. You all are very great friends. Thank you all for wishing all of us to have a Happy Thanksgiving. Our family hopes and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Stephen and Michael Nash 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

update :: November 23, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, I am sorry for the late update. The responses from the Oprah and the Today shows were just fantastic. I hope to have them ready to read to Charla when I return in December. I received all very positive responses about Charla unveiling herself to the public. There were many reasons to do this but the it was done at Charla's request. One of the hardest moments an accident victim has is to go out in the public. For Charla there were additional issues that made her move to be in the public even harder. The hospital and media people made this event for Charla an easy task. Through the media assistance, Charla hopes she has helped to prevent another tragic accident that could had easily been prevented. There was an existing law that was not enforced and new laws were enacted in various states. Charla hopes that unveiling herself will give hope to others who have been disfigured. Medical science is continually making advances. Connie's life has improved and so it will for Charla. The Friends of Charla will see from this point in her life the transformation that medical treatment can now provide. Charla and I had the best birthday ever. It is still OUR day and we are not alone! Charla and I are the happiest ever!!! She can really throw one memorable party, that's for sure!! Charla is very determined to get better. She does not need to know all the specific details of her injuries. She knows that they are extensive! She knows that the doctors will do their best to repair the damage. She has a fear to be alone. Only natural in this situation. As she learns more skills and more abilities, she will find that she can be alone when she wants. It is so amazing that she does not remember when she woke up! She says that it was easy. Anyone who read the newsletters will know this is far from the reality! I have to give credit to the hospital staff and the support from the public. The hospital staff provides the best service in the world. When reading the cards and emails I always told Charla that I was amazed at how many friends she had all over the world! She agrees and is always was happy to hear them. She is inspired by other peoples stories and their reactions to be positive. Briana will surprise mom for Thanksgiving. She is going there with her boyfriend and his mother. She has only met them once and being a mom she still wants to be involved with everything in her daughters life. Briana is receiving a lot of support. The Stamford community is working together to have various services provided on prom night for Briana and Jeremy, her boyfriend. Everything that a young couple needs for this very special night. More details later! So much has happened! I still have much more to update everyone about. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Stephen and Michael Nash 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

update :: November 11, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, Many thanks to everyone for the happy birthday blessings to the both of us. I always new that Charla would be happy to be with Briana. Briana would still have her mom and Charlie would have her Breezy. This is Briana's nickname. I wondered for the longest time if Charla, herself could ever be happy. I no longer have that fear! On Oprah you will finally see the person that I have been writing about. What has happened to Charla should never happen to anyone. Charla wants everyone to know this. People need to be protected and exotic animals need to be in an environment that is normal for them. There are many reasons for why Charla has come out to show everyone the damage that has been done. An important fact that everyone should understand is that this was Charla's decision. The producers first had to meet Charla to talk to her, before any interview. Charla would make the final decision. The Oprah people are the best. After a couple of meeting, Charla would be joking around with them; having fun. On Oprah you will see a person that has been severely damaged but a person that is strong and independent. A person that is not angry or bitter. Charla is very honest and lets Ophra know her true feelings. There is doubt and there is fear but much more courage and strength. A person that wants to move forward and get better. The person I always told you about; Charla is a nice lady. She can even joke around with Oprah. Oprah is very honest with Charla. She describes to Charla the damage that she sees. Oprah also describes what she feels. Charla has a long road ahead of her. Her path of treatment will soon be decided. She is very grateful for everyone's support! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Stephen and Michael Nash 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

Update :: November 10, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, Some great exciting news to share. I am out in Cleveland for a very special time for Charla and myself. I have been in New York for the past few weeks thinking that I came too close to having our birthday alone on November 10th. This year we had to be together. It is a very special event for the both of us. While at the hospital I ran into Connie, the first face transplant patient at the Cleveland Clinic. She was with her daughter and grandson. I past her and quickly turned and said; "Connie!". Hi, I am Michael Nash, Charla's twin brother. She quickly asked about Charla. We talked for several minutes. When I mentioned that Tuesday was our birthday, She took the watch off her arm and asked me to give it to Charla. It was a talking watch. Then she remembered that we were twins and said she was sorry she did not have a present for me. I chuckled and said that this was also a present to me. How thoughtful. Connie just met me and remembered every detail. I gave her daughter my contact information and she plans to visit Charla. They both have been asking about each other. Other exciting news is that Charla is meeting Oprah. The meeting will be shown on Wednesday. I know everyone will have mixed feelings about Charla doing this and if she actually wanted to be on TV. I made every effort to let her know that that it was her choice. I insisted that the producer meet and talk with her first to discuss the process. Chad Parks was very good talking with Charla. He went the extra mile to bring in the filming crew a day early to meet Charla, making sure Charla would be more comfortable. A lot of filming was done to show a day in Charla's changed life. Briana, Steve, and I were also interviewed with Charla present. I will discuss this a lot more next time. What you will see is a very strong will woman who has been very damaged but continues to be positive. Oprah will meet Charla on Tuesday. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Stephen and Michael Nash 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

update :: October 27, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, A few years ago I invested in the purchase of an office building. I had been searching for a long time before I found what I was looking for. I purchased a building on Broadway in Port Ewen; a part of Esopus. The reasons I chose this building was because I believed I could make it work. The best reasons were that the town was doing major work to make Broadway attractive And the people were friendly. People took an interest in my work. They would stop to ask me about it and compliment me about it. The folks in Esopus sponcered a benefit for Charla. It is a wonderful feeling to know that people came together to help the twin sister for one of the town's newest member. This confirms what I already knew. The people of Esopus and Port Ewen are nice people. It is reassuring to know that you are not alone and your neighbors are there to help. Charla sends her love, hugs, and thanks. I should also recognise my neighbors where I live in Pleasant Valley, NY. Shortly after the accident several neighbors came to offer any assistance they could offer. They knew I was away from home for long periods to stay with Charla. Work around the home does not go away; they offered and gave their assistance. Charla is doing well. We are waiting for some new information about her treatment plan. This is a more unique situation and it requires some extra coordination to address Charla's therapy and her injuries. She is in good spirits, expecially since Briana came to visit Columbus day weekend. When Briana was in Ohio she visited some colleges. Last weekend we went to a people to peolple event; an ambassador program for young people. This weekend she has visited some more colleges in CT. I been a bit busy and have not yet asked her about her visits to the colleges. Steve is doing very well. He enjoys some of the amenities at the new apartment. He has met a few neighbors that have been very nice to talk with. I am back home catching up with missed work and preparing for the New York Winter. I have not been in Cleveland during the winter but I plan to this year. I know how to hibernate! Not much new but this will soon change. The lawyers representing Sandra have been busy. Nothing I did not expect because Charla's lawyer mentioned several months ago that this would be a part of Sandra's lawyers stategy. I reassured Charla that this is only a distraction. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Stephen and Michael Nash 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

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