An Amazing Year!
2019 seems like it has been a whirlwind of activity and progress. We have much to be thankful for! You may remember that at this time last year we identified "adventure" and "relationships" as our focus for 2019. We plunged into the year with some big goals, and you plunged in alongside of us! Here is a snapshot of some of Josh's activities:
Water Skiing in August.
Snow Skiing over 31 miles in November.
Cycling over 143 miles.
Completed 539 hours of therapy.
Started aquatic therapy.
Traveled 15,196.8 miles for therapy and activities.
In addition to these activities, Josh has made the following measurable gains:
The restoration of his vocal chords.
Increased arm and hand function.
Increased leg strength.
Increased core strength.
Increased use of adaptive communication device.
A reduction of his Baclofen pump dose.
All of this from a guy who was given little chance of ever even waking up!
The word "Presence" has been used frequently by friends and doctors to describe the change they have seen in Josh. This is in part the way he presents himself to them visually...he looks better. But it is also their experience of Josh when they begin to interact with him. The potential for making gains towards our second goal of "relationships" is there. So our goal for 2020 will be to put greater emphasis on communication which will increase the opportunity for relationships. We want to increase his presence. All this while continuing to explore opportunities for adventure.
All of the opportunities and progress would not have been possible without the hard efforts of Destination Walk, UAMS, the National Ability Center, the VA's Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, Victoria's Victory Foundation, Achilles International-Arkansas, and prayer warriors like yourself! Our family thanks you!
Prayer Requests:
Josh will return to San Antonio to the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center on January 13th. We expect this to be a shorter visit as they will be assessing his progress and update the strategy for his recovery moving forward.
Funding/Grants for Josh to continue with Destination Walk as well as return to hyperbaric chamber treatments (oxygen therapy).
Increased communication in all its forms; speech and adaptive communication device.
Our "All In Tour" taking place June 5 - 24.
Thank you for your support of Josh and his journey. Your love and prayers are felt and have served as a true source of strength for our family.
"I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. My eyes have wasted away with grief; It has become old because of all my adversaries...(yet I know) The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication, The Lord receives my prayer." Psalm 6:6-9
All in for Josh!
Mike