Post from Karen re: Josh update on the Caring Bridge Website
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008 01:43 PM, CDT
Hey everybody,
I typed up a nice post last night, and pressed save, just to see it evaporate before my eyes! This has happened before, and I don't quite know why this is. I was too tired and frustrated to type it all over again. So, I'm here today.
Josh is having a good week of "stepping." Brittany continues to work him very hard, so much so, that he asked to walk in today, saying he was tired of sitting in the wheelchair. We had just gotten to the building! I couldn't find a close spot to park, so I thought, so much for him walking in on the walker, and I dropped him by the entrance wuth his chair. I made the loop around the block and I must say, I'm getting VERY good at parallel parking! I managed to squeeze inbetween two cars quite nicely. And there didn't appear to much room either. I was quite proud of myself. It was the last handicapped spot in front of the building, so, off I went, walker in tow to find him. I figured he had already gone up to the gym and I would leave his walker with a very disappointed Brittany. As I was walking to the elevators, there he was, waiting for me. Ha, I was very pleasantly surprised. This is not like Josh. Every chance he gets to wimp out of using that walker, he usually takes. Not today. I was very proud of him for this and told him so.
His morning sessions take place on the 11th floor treadmill. So, this requires a lot of walking for him when he's done. As, Brittany doesn't let him come downstairs in his wheelchair. I just love this girl
He has to leave the treadmill room, go down a long hallway, turn a corner, down another shorter hallway, through some doors, to the elevators. Down to the sixth floor, through the lobby, into the therapy gym. It's a pretty good distance, on top of him having just completed an hour on the treadmill! Than, he gets a full 1/2 hour of strengthening exercises and some independent walking.
I have started to ease back into running again, and I am re reading my non marathon runners guide to running a marathon, book. There is a story in there about a young man when he was 20, who suffered a severe cervical spinal cord injury, C3-C6. He nearly lost his life 3x, being paralyzed from the ears down. He took part in this group of marathon runners, and although he did not run the marathon, one year after his accident, he managed to walk 15 miles, while the others ran the marathon. He said, he simply refused to listen to all the negative "you will never be able to" comments made to him, by the health care professionals, and worked his butt off. First, not being able to move anything, all he did, was use his brain, because he said, that's all he could actually use. He would lie there for hours, visually moving each muscle and limb, mentally, until one day, his big toe moved! I wish you all could read this story, Josh is going to read it. I was very overwhelmed by this story and the power to overcome. It reminded me of that eighth day when Josh moved his toes for the first time, how ecstatic we were.
Something wonderful is happening. He is meeting some wonderful young people here at the Mac House. This started yesterday. He has now realized an empathy for the situations that some of these people are going through and told me last night, that there are some "really nice people here." I haven't been able to get him out of our room, to know this for himself. I'm so glad this is happening. I liken it to when he finally came out of his shell @ Shepherd, when I had to go home for two days in November and leave him there by himself,when he was an inpatient. This is when he finally turned the corner, reaching out to others who were worse off than him. He is presently in the 2nd floor living room chatting with a few of his new friends.
I learned of an Amish family last night at supper, whose horse and buggy was hit by a vehicle, paralyzing their 20 year old daughter. She is currently an inpatient at Frazier. I am going to try and speak with them tonite at supper and ask how they are doing and offer any support I can. Josh and I saw them outside today when we were heading to the car after his session. Did you know that every 41 minutes someone suffers a spinal cord injury? The highest percentage coming from car accidents, sports injuries and diving accidents are next. We know families from all categories. These injuries are so devastating, so when I hear of another family,it upsets me so. Just a little fact for you.
Our good friend Joseph Toomey and his mom Regina made the pilgramage back to Shepherd yesterday, to start the Day Program. Please keep Joseph in your prayers and pray for something really BIG to happen for him while he's there. It's an exhausting pace, we know all too well, and Regina will need all the strength she can muster, daily. Especially pray for God's provision for them. Thank you.
Have a beautiful day today, we thank you, as always, for your love, prayers, and support. Karen
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