Hi. I haven't done this for a while because I didn't have a whole lot of information besides..he's ok, he's doing well in his therapy... But, I've spoken in more length to Linda, and now that Joel is there, I know he'll give me a great summary. The other night Linda told me that Keith is sitting up by himself, moves himself to the chair by himself. He can get around in his wheelchair by himself. They had him take his first steps the other day, and said he did pretty well. That's basically what they are working on now in therapy. Getting him literally, on his feet again. His conversational skills have improved VERY much. Most of the time he's making accurate sentences, while sometimes he can't find the word, which is totally normal, and something even more promising, is that he knows when he uses an incorrect word, and gets pissy. :) He keeps trying though. Joel said that when he walked in to the therapy floor that Keith is staying on, that Keith (Rel, you'll be able to picture this) was sitting out in the open area where there is a big table, and people just sit around it and chat. It's right next to the nurses station, so I'm sure he was intending on picking up on some nurses!! Anyway-Joel said that Keith's face just lit up, and he held out his hand for a handshake. No pauses...That's one thing that everyone needs to remember, Keith's memory is completely in tact. The only reason he didn't remember certain things was because he was so lethargic, and because his brain took a beating! But, everyday, they say, he's getting better and better. Linda said that he is VERY assertive in his therapy, and a week or two ago told one of his therapists " I want to walk and talk again". That's basically all there is to know. His health is good. I'll write you guys again after I see him when we go up there next weekend. Lamont is becoming an Officer (YAY LAMONT) in the Navy, so we'll be there for the commissioning, and will go see Keith for a day or so. I know Lamont really would love for Keith to be there, so keep your fingers crossed, I'm pretty sure he'll be out of the therapy center by then. We'll see. Take care everyone, and remember what a miracle this has been. xoxo ><> Jen
10:09:10 PM    comment []

I remember when my sister Teresa had her accident. It was her 3rd day of school at Nebraska, on a full swim scholarship, and she was on her way to practice on her bike and was hit by a bus. We were so fortunate that her injuries were not more extensive but her foot was awful and eventually she had to give up swimming. At the time, we all felt like it was so horrible and we couldn't understand the meaning behind it. Then I came across this book about Angels and there was this quote from it...

"Why are people born blind?" and the angel said, "To learn to see with inside your eyes." "Why are people born deaf?" and the angel said, "TO learn to listen from their heart." "Why are people born with disfigurements and why do people lose limbs? And the angel said, "To learn to be whole from within, not without."

And so my nine toed sister with a mangled foot is far more whole than she ever was before despite all that she lost and had to give up.

I know it probably seems unfair, and at times, difficult to keep pushing to get better but I know you will pull through all of this and I know this experience will only strengthen you inside and out.

My warmest wishes for a speedy recovery - Chrissy Mauck
10:09:08 PM    comment []