I have attached some recent pictures of Jodie in rehab. These are really amazing and such a blessing. These are proof of God's healing miracles upon Jodie as she continues to progress.
These were taken 2 weeks ago by mama while she was visiting Jodie. As you can see Jodie is HOLDING HER HEAD UP ON HER OWN!!! Her therapists have really been working with her to strengthen her neck muscles and get her to hold her head up without assistance. We have a picture taken one month before these and she is walking with her head propped up on a pillow wedge and then a month later she is starting to hold her own head up! These pictures are truly amazing. Honestly, when Mama first showed them to us, she didn't say what she was about to show us, she just held them up and at first I didn't recognize who they were - that's how much she has improved since I saw her last (on Memorial day!). We were all amazed at them!
In addition to holding her head up more on her own, she has also become much more "animated" with her facial expressions and engaging more and more in reaction to conversation and what's going on and being said around her (by turning her head more toward you, making sounds and facial expressions - remember me telling you in the last email about her expression when she pinched me). We are seeing a lot more of "Jodie" lately. She is looking so much better, too - more like herself. I love her smile in theses pictures.
I also attached a picture of her with Mama and the parents of one of her friends and roommates from college (Calee). It's another great pic of Jodie smiling.
The family consultation with her therapists, doctor, and staff was about a month ago. I was unable to attend but Mama, Beth and Bubby (that's what we call our brother, Andy) all were there and it was a great meeting. They all raved on and on about how much they enjoyed working with Jodie and how motivated she is in her therapies. They even said that without trying to be partial - she is one of their most favorite patients because she just works so hard and they can tell how much of a fighter she is and how much support she has and how much she is really working to get better. One of them said that a few days before the meeting, she was working with Jodie and explaining to her why she was pushing Jodie so hard on whatever they were working on and she had an alphabet board she'd been working with Jodie on using and Jodie pointed out the letters "I know" in response! She said that she really hopes Jodie will start talking soon because the first thing she wants to ask her is "girl, what have you been thinking about all this time?"!!!
They commented on how that even with Jodie's limitations she works harder and is more determined than some patients who are a lot more able than her - just to prove what a fighter and how much determination she has within her to progress.
They continue to work with her daily on speech, occupational and physical therapy. In PT, they get her up most every day to walk (on the walker assist) and you can see her in one of the pictures doing this. Of course, she still is Jodie and has better days than others in her therapies but overall she is continuing to progress and get better each day.
Our grandmother went with Mama this past weekend to visit and I know Jodie enjoyed seeing her. And as I mentioned, one of her friends and her family also recently visited - you can really tell the joy in her when she's around familiar faces.
We are so proud of her and so thankful and grateful for all of her progress thus far and know that God will continue to heal her and make her stronger. She is a miracle and we know that God has a plan for her.
Please continue to lift her up daily in prayer - He is listening. I specifically ask that you pray that she will be able to talk again and regain more motor abilities.
Thanks to all who have sent mail - I know that she enjoys getting the cards and letters.
God's blessings to each of you,
Jennifer
Thursday, July 07, 2005
July 7 Update
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