June 3 Article in Ole Miss newspaper

The following article appeared in today's edition of the Daily Mississippian. Click below to view the article.
http://www.thedmonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/06/03/40bebb2bdbe18

UM student continues recovery
by Michael NewsomDM Campus News Editor
June 03, 2004

For many trauma victims, the road to recovery is a long one, filled with ups and downs, and for former UM student Jodie Tharp, the same is true.

Tharp, of Winona, is continuing to rehab in Atlanta and seems to be making significant progress according to members of her family.

Tharp was a senior in the spring but was injured in a automobile accident April 3 on Highway 6, near the Water Valley interchange while returning to Oxford.
A person at the scene called an ambulance using Tharp's cell phone and then called the family. Tharp was considered comatose because of her low level of brain activity when she arrived at the Elvis Presley Trauma Center in Memphis.
In Memphis Tharp underwent a craniotomy, in which a portion of her skull was removed to alleviate some of the pressure caused by her injuries.

Tharp was admitted to the Shepherd Center in early May and has been making steady improvements each day according to members of her family.

Tharp works three to four hours per day in speech therapy,
"She tries to talk to people. She makes sounds with her mouth. She mostly communicates with hand signals," said Nancy Tharp, Jodie's mother, from her cell phone at the Shepherd Center, where she has been since her daughter began rehab.

Tharp undergoes physical therapy for three to four hours per day and spends her weekends seeing visitors, many from Ole Miss.

Last week, Tharp had a cast removed from her left arm and has been moving the hand and arm since then.

"She's going to therapy everyday making slow progress. She's trying really hard. She's come a long way," Nancy Tharp said.

Tharp responds well to familiar voices.

"You can't imagine the expressions on her face when I hold the phone up to her ear and a friend is on the line," Nancy Tharp said.

Jennifer Eastland, Jodie's sister, has been sending an e-mail newsletter to friends and family while her sister is in Atlanta.

The last update was a positive one.

"Last Thursday was quite a day to be thankful for. Jodie really showed out for her doctors and therapists," Eastland wrote. "When Mama arrived at the hospital that day, they were waiting for her to let her know that Jodie had been the most responsive yet that morning and had followed almost every command they asked of her."

Tharp will be at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta until June 15.

While Tharp has been in Atlanta, an event was being planned to honor her in her hometown.

A benefit for Tharp is planned for Saturday afternoon from 3 p.m. until at the Montgomery County Coliseum in Winona. Mac Ables of Winona organized the event.

"I don't know her, but I met her sister a few times. I knew she was in an accident and traveling back and forth," Ables said. "I knew she needed prayers, but I knew she needed some financial support as well."

Ables said the event - simply titled "The Jodie Tharp Benefit" - will have an auction in which 300 items, including a football signed by Eli Manning, will be auctioned for Jodie's benefit.

There will be carnival-style games, like a dunking booth, and games for children.

Many items for the auction were donated by businesses in the Winona area.
Ables said support has also come from many in the university community.
"We appreciate everybody at the university that has helped -the girls from her sorority and others," Ables said.

Ables said he has received 40 e-mails since he started planning the benefit.
The Montgomery County Coliseum is located just off Interstate 55 in Winona on Highway 82.

For meal tickets in advance or driving directions, contact Moore Memorial Methodist church in Winona at 662-283-3804.

Ables said donations can be sent to The Jodie Tharp Fund. P.O. Box 467 Winona, Miss. 38967.

UM student continues recovery
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Posted by:
06/04/2004
i don't know jodie all that well but...
nathan gorman
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