Tag Archives: Injustice Anywhere

February 2015

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February 2015

Hello to everybody,

I must begin by thanking everyone for their amazing support and all of the wonderful comments on the website and the new Facebook page. When Sarah, from Injustice Anywhere asked if they could create a Facebook page for me I was hesitant. I have never seen a Facebook page and, admittedly, don’t fully understand how it all works. But for that matter, I’ve never seen a website, laptop or smartphone either. However, since the Facebook page was created I’ve been told of the many people who have left the most extraordinarily supportive messages. I have also been told of the messages from some special people from my past who I thought had forgotten about me. Every night, on the phone, Lisa reads me your personal messages and conversations; with tears in our eyes we talk about your beautiful words of support and encouragement. Your comments warm our hearts and bring us strength and hope. Personally, from us to you, thank you.

I want to take a moment to send a special hello to some old friends, Randy, John, Tina, Jimmy, Heather, Patricia, Steve, Manny & Becky, Christine, Melissa, Richard, Laurie and Mitch. I love you all. It’s been wonderful to hear from you. I have been told of your support and kind words. It touches me deeply. As I was read some of the old stories you shared on Facebook and the website I smiled warmly. It brought me back to happier times. Thank you. I miss you all.

I also want to tell everyone about a very special event I had the privilege to attend. We had two more dogs at the prison graduate the NEADS dog training program and be placed with clients. Honey, a yellow lab, and Eddie, a black lab, were placed with veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The two veterans came into the prison to meet the men who trained their dogs. In a “meet and greet” event, attended by all the men in the dog program, Correctional Officers and other staff, and the Superintendent, these men came to thank US for OUR service. Amazing! Meeting these men, both Army veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was awe inspiring. They spoke about their multiple tours in the Middle East and the disabilities they returned home with. Both soldiers explained how their new service dogs will give them more freedom and mobility in their daily lives. Moreover, the companionship and confidence their dogs give them, they explained, is immeasurable. One of the veterans, with tears in his eyes, told us about his combat experience and how it often leaves him debilitated. He explained to us that his new service dog, Honey, already senses his trepidation and moves in to bring him comfort. The other veteran explained that he wakes in the middle of the night with night terrors, but Eddie jumps on his bed and reassures him that the perimeter is secure.

I consider myself privileged to have met these men and I am honored to have played a small part in providing them with a new service dog and lifelong companion.

Brian and Dancer January 2015

Brian and Dancer January 2015

Dancer’s training is going well. She is now nine months old and progressing steadily. Dancer now knows all of the obedience and task commands and we are now working on proofing these commands in different areas and with distractions. I continue to be proud of her and will update you on her progress.

To my family, my daughter, and Lisa, I love you all and miss you very much. Thank you once again to everyone on the team fighting to bring me home. I never lose hope and faith because of all of you. Every day brings us one day closer…

Brian

 

Christmas 2014

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Descending Dove Festival of Lights LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro photo by Samantha Aguiar

Descending Dove Festival of Lights, LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro
photo by Samantha Aguiar

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

To everyone, we wish you all a happy and safe holiday season.

I want to send a personal hello and thank you to some very special people.

To my family, I love you all and miss you very much.

To Lisa, the most special and amazing woman I’ve ever known…I love you.

Amber, every day you make me proud. In your smile and in your laugh there is love. You bring light to my life.

To Heather, Kate, Sue, Frank and Chris; to Drs. Laposata, Squier, Hua and Van Ee; to John, Lisa, and Don, from me and my family, we all want to thank you for your belief in my innocence and your hard work on my case.

Vickie, also, has been so supportive. Despite the fact that Vickie and her family have been fighting their own battle for justice, she has gone out of her way to send kind words. Thank you.

To our friends at Injustice Anywhere…Bruce hosted Lisa on his Blog Talk Radio program in September then officially endorsed my case. Sarah wrote an amazing article on our story for their holiday newsletter.  We had no idea that they were planning to write about our struggle. Thank you for this incredible show of support.

And to some special people from home that I think about every day: Charlene and Sean; Manny, Becky and their boys; Eddie and Deb; Randy and his family; and Mary…I love you all and want to thank you for your love and support. Merry Christmas to you and your families.

And finally to everyone who has signed our petition on Change.org, shared a link to our website on their Facebook and Twitter, and just support us in our struggle for justice…Thank you to all of you. You and your families are in our thoughts and prayers.

To update everyone on my progress with Dancer, the NEADS Service Dog I am training…She is doing great and we are both working hard. Her training is moving forward and she is doing well. She is learning all of the foundation work that will become finished obedience and shaped command. She is a very happy and lovable puppy who is a joy to work with. All of the other trainers love her as well. I am very fortunate to have her to train. She makes me smile every day.

The end of the year is upon us. It is a time that we reflect on the year that has past, and then contemplate the new one to come. This past year has been a roller coaster ride. We have had several encouraging ups, and we’ve had some devastating lows. Looking forward we will stay positive and continue to have faith, hope and love. We are always thankful for what we have, and choose not dwell on what we don’t have. Our hope is that 2015 will bring new opportunities, open doors, and finally bring me home to my family. It’s been a long year, but we’re not giving up. We continue to have faith that our family will be reunited. In our hearts we know that everything will be okay…

Remember that every day brings us One Day Closer…

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Brian

 

9/29/14

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Hello once again.

Let me begin this post by sending a thank you to Bruce Fischer and everyone at Injustice Anywhere. The internet radio interview earlier this month was amazing. We greatly appreciate the fact that Injustice Anywhere chose to profile our story and that they ultimately decided to endorse my case. Thank you. I would also like to send out a very special thank you to Lisa, our web administrator and advocate. She was awesome! On behalf of me and my whole family, we love you Lisa. Although she was very nervous, she did a sensational job during the interview. She is my hero and best friend. Lisa, you are amazing.

And then there is my mom and daughter…as difficult as it can be for me to be reminded of how all of this has affected my family, I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have ALL of their love and support. All of my family, friends, and other supporters give me strength to get through each day. To Amber…I am sorry. I am sorry for all you have had to endure. I am sorry that through no fault of your own, you have gone without so much. In spite of all the difficulties and obstacles you have had to face throughout your childhood, you have become a beautiful, smart, sensitive and strong young woman. You have CHOSEN to be happy and to have hope. I am so proud of you. I love you.

Brian, Amber, and Lily September 2014

Brian, Amber, and Lily
September 2014

In my last post I promised updates on Lily, the Black Lab I have been blessed to have an opportunity to train as a NEADS service dog. She is great and very smart. She knows all 54 commands necessary to become a service dog. I am looking forward to her being placed with a client that needs her. She is scheduled to graduate sometime next month. I am sure Lily will change, as well as enrich someone’s life. This past weekend Amber and I took a picture with Lily in the prison’s visitation center. Lily will stay with us in our hearts.

I would like to tell you all about one of the best, most rewarding parts of the NEADS Prison Partnership Program. Every few months there is a dog graduation. Once a service dog has completed their training and has been placed with a client, the clients come into the prison to meet the men that trained their dogs. This past week I had the privilege to attend the most recent graduation ceremony here at the prison. I had the honor to meet three disabled veterans, diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The three soldiers came to the facility with their newly placed dogs to meet us and thank us personally for training their dogs. Each of them explained how their dog will change their lives, and what having a service dog means to them. It was amazing. For us, the trainers, the graduation brings the whole process full circle. It can be very difficult for us to be given a new puppy who knows nothing, training her and take care of her for up to 18 months, then ultimately having to watch her leave to be placed with a client. Getting to meet the person who has gotten her…seeing their smile and love for their new service dog, makes it all worth while.

Thank you once again to everyone for their love and support.                                                 Everyday brings us One Day Closer…

Brian