March 10 Update

Wanted to send along the latest update on Jodie.....

She had a doctor's appointment last week with Dr. Yablon and he was very impressed with her - (her last visit with him was in November) and he remarked that this was the best he's seen her. She was very responsive with him and did really well with following his commands. He also said that he would plan on taking her feeding tube out of her stomach next month (she really doesn't have any need for it!). She continues to eat well and Mama gives her medications in her food, without the need to do so in liquids through the tube. So we'll be glad when they remove it and so will Jodie!!

He also told us that we could have her hair "done" so my best friend (and one of Jodie's) is going to put a few highlights in it for spring. Her hair grew back a shade of brown after being shaved so many times and we think this will help her feel more like herself by giving her a little "style" and color. Jodie has always been very particular about her hair!

Now that the weather has gotten nicer, Mama takes her for walks in the afternoon and they went with my sister and nephew to the park near their house last weekend. A few weeks ago, Mama drove her to Oxford on a pretty day. We also want to take her to a baseball game in the coming weeks.
A friend of my mom's, Lyn, has been in Greenwood for spring break (she now lives in Atlanta and visited Jodie when she was at the Shepherd Center) and she could not get over the changes in her since she saw Jodie at Christmas. She was asking her all kinds of questions and Jodie would answer to yes and no on her talking board. Lyn teaches children who have dyslexia, etc. and she gave Mama a few pointers, and one thing she talked about was getting Jodie to reach across the midline of her body and Mama realized that Jodie had started doing that recently. Where Jodie only use to pull down the left side of her shirt (she helps Mama when she's getting her dressed) she now reaches across and pulls down the right side. Mama gave her a hairbrush this morning and told her to comb her hair and she brushed both sides. Lyn has also suggested us getting Jodie books on tape for her to listen to and stimulate her brain.

About a month ago, I was asked to speak at a prayer conference in our hometown on how the power of prayer has affected our lives since Jodie's accident. It was a powerful night hearing people recall how prayer and God have lifted them and brought them through some tough times and how prayer allows God to perform miracles in our lives. We brought Jodie with us and it was so great because so many people who have not seen her since the accident were able to visit with her. It meant a lot because many of them commented on how that, even though Jodie couldn't speak to them, they could sense it and see it in her eyes, that she recognized and knew them. Many of them shared with her memories that they had of when we were little and hearing us run around and play in our grandmother's (and their) yards and watching us grow up and other such memories. She held their hands and it was truly remarkable how great she looked. It was a very moving experience and I'm so glad that God has allowed Jodie to affect so many people's lives.

How encouraged we were by the news of the Scantlin lady who spoke again after 20 years post-injury. In fact, my mother called and spoke with her father and he was just precious. He told mama of his daughters injury (which is far more severe than Jodie's) and how elated they were for her to speak to them and remember so much after all these years. I pray that we don't have to wait that long, but am assured that it will come in God's time.

I claim that God is going to give her the ability to speak to us again. I truly feel it in my soul.

Thank you so much for all your love and prayers for Jodie. I will continue to keep you updated.

God's love and blessings,
jennifer