Contact Jodie's Family

Nancy Tharp ntharp@vikingrange.com

Beth Tackett btackett@vikingrange.com

Andy Edwards aheiii@gmail.com

Jennifer Eastland jenneastland@hotmail.com

Glen Tharp gat1963@roadrunner.com

Sybil Tharp - no email

May 18 Update

Jodie had a good 1st week at "camp".

(we arrived at Timber Ridge late last Monday afternoon) On Tuesday morning in her first physical therapy session, they therapists got her up out of her chair, positioned her in a special walker and assisted her in taking her first "steps" since the accident, 30 steps to be exact. We were elated - of course, mama, beth and I were crying tears of joy, as were some of the other therapists and patients present. It was as if time stopped for that moment and we all witnessed God's healing hand in that room.

I have attached a picture. (that's jodie with the pink shoes)
As you can see the therapists (Carey - a man - is in front and Chessica, is behind Jodie) Chessica assisted Jodie by guiding her left foot for the first 5 or so steps and then "set her free" to take it to 30. Carey attached a rope that has a hook on one end to the shoelaces of Jodie's right (foot) shoe and he uses the rope to pull that foot forward, while Jodie put pressure on and continued to take the steps with her left foot. (her right side is the part of her body that is "impaired" and in which she has the most involuntary movement - she does move that side of her body, but it is with much effort and sometimes unintentional). By looking at the picture you can (hopefully) get a sense of what I'm trying to explain. When they started out Carey said "okay, Jodie, let's see if we can get you to take 20 steps" - I think Jodie was in the mood to "show out" and decided that 30 sounded like a better number!

They are very proactive at Timber Ridge and are extremely optimistic concerning Jodie. Of course, she has instantly charmed them and they called Mama yesterday to see if it was okay if they ordered Jodie a new mattress because they didn't think she liked or was comfortable in the one they had! We were able to decorate her room in any way/manner we liked (with no restrictions) so we have it looking so cute! One of the things that I like most is that her room looks NOTHING like a hospital or even a rehab facility - you would actually think she was in a dorm room or something similar. She is in an actual "cabin" and there are 8 total in her cabin (they all have private room/bath). Jodie is directly across the hall from the nurses room. None of the staff is dressed in hospital garb - they were jeans and logo shirts. Even the doctor was in khakis and a pullover. They asked us the first day to make sure she had a bathing suit so they could get her in the pool. They immediately asked if she liked to have a shower in the morning or night (anwer - morning) and said she would have one daily. They emphasized that they want her to feel as much like home and routine as possible and even asked for us to bring her makeup if we wished.

We were very pleased and felt very comfortable with her being there. I hope to have more pictures to share in the future.

Continue to pray for Jodie, her recovery and for progress at Timber Ridge. Pray for her therapy sessions and therapists -
I will update with more later.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

May 6 Update

Wanted to let you all know the latest on Jodie.....

We took Jodie to the coast a few weeks ago - Mama and Beth had a conference at the Beau Rivage so we took Jodie and my 3 year old and Beth's 4 year old. We had a good time. Jodie went to the spa and had a manicure and pedicure - she really seemed to enjoy. It was really her first "vacation" since the wreck. The weather was just beautiful.

At the same conference we saw the lady (Dana) who got Jodie into Shepherd Center in Atlanta. She suggested (based on her observation of Jodie) that we look into Timber Ridge Center outside of Little Rock. They are a brain injury rehab and recovery center and have a program that specializes in tone and movement (Jodie's muscle tone is really tight, esp. in her arms and legs).
They completed an assessment there and the paperwork has already been finalized. She will live there as inpatient (much like Shepherd and MMRC), except this time we will go and visit on the weekends and let Jodie stay there. Her length of stay (as with all rehabs) will depend on her progress - after 14 days they will do a treatment analysis and her length of stay will depend on that, possibly 4-6 weeks (more or less).

I'm calling it "camp" for Jodie as I think it will not only be good for her to go into the program and be exposed to a different level of rehab - but a chance to get a change of scenery - the place is in the mountains - somewhat like a ranch setting. Jodie always loved to go to camp in the summers so that's why I call it that! I also think it will be good for Mama to get a rest. I know it's been really rough on her mentally, emotionally and physically with the rigorous demands of being Jodie's primary caretaker. Of course, she can't stay apart from Jodie for long so she will go every weekend to be with her.
Jodie will be admitted to Timber Ridge Ranch NeuroRehabilitation Center in Benton, Arkansas on Monday (May 9). The website is http://www.neurorestorative.com/AR.asp

Thank you for your continued prayers - please especially pray for Jodie and for an increased level of recovery. I believe in God's miracles, as I know many of you do, and so my prayer is for a miracle - for God's infinite healing on Jodie.
I know Jodie is continually lifted by so many in prayer, but I also ask that you pray for my mother - I don't see how she does all that she does but her strength certainly comes from God.

I will keep you all updated on Jodie and her progress at Timber Ridge.

God's love,
jennifer