Update on Jared - with very difficult news

I know some of you are starting to hear about this so I figured I better write a quick update.  Jared had an MRI this week and the neurologist now tell us he doesn’t have GBS instead he has Transverse Myelitis.  This is potential a much worse diagnosis, however there still remains much cause to expect he will make a full recovery.  If you want to read a little about transverse myelitis go to this web site www.myelitis.org or http://www.transversemyelitis.net  please continue to remember us in your prayers   I will write more in the next few days as I know more and have more time

Update on Jared - Found a van

Over the weekend we found a van. J J It is a 2000 Dodge Caravan with a dropped floor and an automatic ramp. It is very functional and has been used the past 10 years by the previous owner, Corey from Oak Hill.  Corey has been in a chair for 20 years and was very helpful and a delight to talk to.  He was just a real salt of the earth kind of guy, upbeat and happy. 

Thanks to everyone for all your assistance in the search and a special thank you to the Bartley’s and Joe and Joyce.  You trully have blessed us. 

The whole family went to the movies yesterday afternoon and it was so much nicer.  Jared simply rolls up into the van and there are special tie downs, built into the floor, to hold the chair in place.


I have become quite versed in all the nuances of these vans, from all my research, so if you need info feel free to drop me an email and I owuld be happy to share.

Of course our prayer is that we won’t have to use it for very long and Jared will be walking, but for now I think it will really improve Jared's quality of life, outside the house.  

Update on Jared

It has been a couple weeks since I posted, so I wanted to give you all a brief updated.

Jared is doing well at home and with his PT.  We still haven't had any major improvement in his movement or any more feeling, but he is getting really good at Xbox againJ. 

We certainly are happy with the decision to bring him home; I think he and the rest of the family are all very happy to at least be at our house and not have to live at the hospital. 

For those reading the blog who we don’t know personally and may be in a similar situation as us I want to tell you there are some serious things that we did not consider or know about when we moved him home and I would be happy to share my thoughts on these in detail with you, but suffice to say even though we are up every hour or so at night and keeping the dog from jumping on him and scratching him can be a  pain, having Jared home far outweighs any inconvenience to Vicky or me. 

Vicky and I are looking for a minivan with a dropped floor and a wheelchair ramp, (we have scoured online sources and haven’t found anything yet) the newer models are way too expensive so we have been trying to find an older model that we might be able to afford.  We really need something to make transporting him more practical.  I think the hardest thing we have faced since leaving the hospital is trying to get him in and out of the car.  The car and the wheelchair do not match up height wise and it is very difficult to move him.  Hopefully we can find something soon. (Definitely one of the things we underestimated in our decision, not so much on us but on Jared).   I think Jared would be much more inclined to go places if it was not such a hassle.

Jared and I did two Fridays ago get out and meet the guys for a fun night of cards. Jared said it was sad everyone in the room was old and yet he was the one who needed all the help J 

I was going to try to get some pictures of therapy on Monday, but we had a little medical problem (nothing serious) and he wasn’t able to go, so I will try again later in the week.

We are all trying to keep a positive outlook and we know that he will get better soon.  So please keep him in yours prayers and while I mention this please keep Randy and Kim Hutcherson in your prayers, good people need to know we are here for them.

Thanks again to everyone for all you have done for our family these past 6 or 7 months we really do appreciate everything.  I know i don’t always thank each of you individually but please know we are grateful to each of you for all you have done. 

Bill and Vicky

Update on Jared - Home cooking

Jared is home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We have a lot of  work to do with schedules and all, but we couldn't be happier to have him home. 

He had his first out patient physical therapy and we really liked the PT.  He seems to have plenty of experience and we are all hoping Jared won't miss a beat by not having Lisa and Deb as his primary therapists. 

More news as we get it, but rest assured we are very excited to have him home. 

We do have to watch Bo because he wants to always be in the bed.  Not so bad if we are monitoring but when they are alone Bo can be a load.



On the way home

Bo is big, but he is a lover!!!!

A couple new videos with some standing

The last one is not actually Jared :)

Update on Jared

Thanks very much to Rob Brame for bringing Jared a guitar and a small amp.  He still can't really play but it is good therapy to try.

In other news it looks like we will be bringing Jared home in a week or so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update on Jared some strength is returning

Jared's is working with PT to gain strength in his legs.  He still has no feeling, however he is beginning to gain some muscle in his legs.  We are hoping to bring him home in about 6 weeks.  This is contingent on several things and we are working hard with this time frame in mind. He is really tired of being in the hospital, it has been a very long 5 months!  While the people in the hospital are very nice, even nice people can get old when they are the only 10 or 12 people you see day in and day out. 

Update on Jared and a new Do

Jared finally let Sadie cut his hair and he shaved.  He looks somewhat like himself, just with puffy cheeks and very skinny legs.   

Jareds, friend from high school and roomate his first 2 years in college, Michael stayed the night with him Thursday 1/27/11.  It was real nice for me to be home with the all girls for only the 2nd time since Jared got sick.   Thanks Mike

Kyle stayed a couple weeks ago and I figure the staff can only handle them every couple weeks.  :)

This is a very nice email from Jeff Dowdy.  Thanks Jeff

I went to see Jared Penney today. He is the young man who had the Guillain-Barre syndrome last fall. He has been paralyzed for 130 days now and is in rehab. He has function of his arms but not his legs, yet. I am just wanting us to remember to pray for him as he recovers. He needs specific prayer for encouragement during these days when he improves so slightly. Also pray for his complete healing. Pray for his mom and Dad, Bill and Vicki Penney, and sister Alexandra. They have extra stress on them due to traveling to and from DeLand to Ormond Beach where Jared is located. Pray also for his grandparents as they assist in sitting with Jared.

I would like for us to rally around Jared and pray for him and his family during this time as he recovers.

Jeff Dowdy

Minister to Students

Stetson Baptist Church

1025 W. Minnesota Ave.

DeLand, FL  32720386-734-1991

Update on Jared some movement still no feeling below the chest

He is starting to get some movement in his legs and hips, however he still has little to no feeling below his chest. 

Update on Jared

Hello everyone

First let me start by saying thank you to everyone who is praying for our family.  It is truly amazing how many people stop me and ask about Jared and continue to reassure me they are praying for his full recovery. 


Now I would be remiss if I did not say thank you to everyone who helped out with Jared's room.  A big thank you to all who helped financially and those who did the work.  You are all a true blessing to our family.  The room is great and I think he will be very comfortable when he is able to come home. 

Jared has seen some improvement.  Although he still has no feeling below his chest, his muscles in his hips are getting stronger and as you can see in the pictures he can sit up now on the edge of the bed.  His legs and feet have the slightest movement on good days and as the doctors warned us it comes and goes.

His upper body continues to improve, although he still has a tremendous amount of pain in his elbows.  He can push himself up from the bed and is now doing much more of the work transferring himself from the wheelchair to the bed and vise versa. 

Many of you have asked about the rest of our family and how we are dealing with Jared's recovery process. Our extended family continues to be very supportive, coming to hospital daily and handling the things we need at home. 

Most recently we have been blessed by an long time friend who has offered to cover Vicky's salary for the next several months, this is going to allow us to all be better cared for.  Vicky will now have the time to care Jared and do the little things the girls need. This has really been a hard process on our entire family, most certainly harder on Jared than anyone, but all of us have Jbeen impacted.  So I say thank you and I can only hope to repay a small portion of this debt in some way, down the road. 

Looking forward our next big concern is insurance.  We have a meeting on Monday to determine if our insurance is going to allow him to stay at Peninsula Rehab, we are praying they do not make him move to a convalescent facility which will not have the same type of physical therapy he is getting now.  Please pray for us and that this meeting goes well. 

Christmas 2010 - Different but nice to be together