Phi Sig fundraiser for Jared

What an amazing group of men.  The Stetson Community is simply incredible, we had over 70 people in attendance.  Tommy, Mike, Brandon and all the others I haven't mentioned you guys are the best thank you so much.    I must also not forget the Sunshine Lanes folks Pete, Joe and of course Amanda.  Just an amazing time and our family really had fun it was great being around all of you, so thank you all!  I am just blown away by this community.

A couple new videos

Jared is definitely getting stronger

The world goes nuts dogs and cats caught sleeping together Ok so even I am feeling better and get off my bed

 

Update on Jared's Progress

I want to start this week by saying God is good and even in these difficult times I see him around me and my family.  Vicky and I made it to church today and it really does help us get thru the week.  On the Sundays we miss I fell different all week. 

Jared had a good week.  He continues to get stronger in his upper body and he had what they call trace move movement in his legs.  The best way to describe this is it might take 50 nerves to move your legs and he has maybe 2 working right now.  This is probably not the most accurate medical explanation, but at least it gives you an idea of what he is dealing with.  He has gone from not being able to lift a small cup of water to lifting a few pounds.

He can roll himself around in the wheelchair but it is still very tiring and he can only go in short bursts. 

Vicky and I have to say thank you to all of you who have volunteered to help with the building of Jared's room.  It is amazing the amount of people willing to take the time and come help.  Several contractors from our church have volunteered to do all the work and I will be trying to purchase everything this week so they can get started.  Just another example of the amazing outpouring of love we have witnessed since Jared went in the hospital

People have asked me about what we are eating and thanks to Rich (chicken parm last Sunday) and David (steak and chicken Saturday that we are about to eat again now) we have had incredible meals and leftovers.  David and Kathy have been so great not sure what we would do without them.  Of course not to be forgotten is Shelia Collins who always remembers Jared with food :) and Jen and Lucy with great bakery items. 

Jared had a special visit from Dr. Libby this week.  He was so impressed that she came and still hasn't stop telling people about it. 

PS Rich we have more little Pepsi for you.

Stetson University is holding a fundraiser for Jared

                             

Update on Jared and a request for assitance

Hello everyone

A quick update on Jared; he is progressing although painfully slow.  As you have seen in the videos on the blog, he is able to use his arm to move the wheelchair and now can eat by himself.  He still does not have feeling below his chest so this is now our greatest prayer.  We really need the paralysis to continue to move down his body. 

I wanted to start this post by saying thank you to all of you for the enormous outpouring of love, help, thoughts and prayers.  I heard a word from the Old Testament “mish-pah-KHAH” I looked up the meaning and it is roughly translated as extended family, clan or those considered family who are not in your immediate family but can be considered essential to you.  Well after these 6 weeks the people I hold as mish-pah-KHAH has increased in number dramatically.  It is impossible to express exactly how  much it helps when we receive an email, card, phone call or visit.  We truly cherish the relationship we have with each of you.

Ok now for the fun stuff.  Many of you have asked how you can help and we have a huge request.  Let me first say I don’t want anyone to feel bad if you cannot help, so please do not feel like you are being pressured into volunteering for something you do not want to do.   Everyone has been so great to us during this and I fully understand if you do not have the time or energy to assist.

As many of you know the bedrooms in our house are on the second floor and this will pose a huge problem when Jared comes home as it is almost a forgone conclusion that he will be in a wheel chair when he is released for rehab.  My solution to this is to build a room in our garage; again as many of you know I am pretty good with a ball, bat, hoop, net, etc, however I have never been a star when it comes to saws and hammers.  So what I need is help with designing the room, buying the necessary materials, maybe picking up of the materials (I have a truck), and then most important building the room. 

I am not sure exactly how long Jared will be in the rehab facility.  However, I am worried that when the decision is made to have him leave we will have a very short lead time and so I want to get started on the room in the next couple of weeks.  I guess email me or give me call if you think you can help. 

Oh and if anyone knows of ways to get the materials cheaper than simply going to Lowes please let me know, as you can imagine we are not exactly rolling in the dough right now, so anything we can save will be great. 

Thanks so much

Bill and Vicky

before shot

A couple of pictures of Jared before he got sick so you have a point of reference when you see him now

Random pics

BBQ on the patio thanks to David

wheel chair 10-2-10

Latest news

First I am typing this on my Ipad so excuse the typos

Things are moving slow when it comes to more feeling. He has patches of feeling on his side and he says he is starting to feel things internal in his back and sides.

We have had a good last few days. Jared is making good progress with his hand and arm movement, I will post a couple videos when I get them from the phone to a PC. The bad news is as his nerves heel the pain in his arms and shoulders is very bad. The Dr says pain is a good thing but try telling that to the person in pain.

Thanks to David we ate great this weekend first on Saturday he brought over BBQ and we went out on the patio and had ribs, fries and greenbeens amazing ribs :). Then on Sunday he brought over this cheese dip he makes (a personal favorite of Jared's). So like I said a great food weekend.

Vicky, the girls and I finally made it to church this Sunday. It was nice to be back

Since many