Up twice in one day!!

Well, Jon got up in his chair after all this morning. Rick, the chair rep, finally came today to do the pressure mapping. So Jon got up, ate breakfast in the chair and then went down to physical therapy. I wasn't there but according to Mom there weren't any areas they had to worry about, the seat is good! I was quite surprised to see him back up (for the second time today!) when I got there around 5. We went down to the activity room where Jon joined us in eating some pizza!! We went back to his room just to get a game and go back down again to the activity room. We played Password. When we started on the second card (there are 10 words per card and we each had our own), Jon said he was tired and wanted to go back to the room. He needed suctioning after he got back into bed.

Matt said that there is a young woman (around 26) that was shot in the neck and has the exact same injuries as Jon (complete injury at the C-6). She also has a 3 year old daughter to raise. So she has something to work toward. She does not have a power chair yet but when she does, Matt would like them to meet and have some therapy together. This will give someone else for Jon to talk to that has the same damage. Maybe when he sees her determination, he will get some too. Matt is also going to ask a man that has been a true quadriplegic for 40 years to come in and talk to Jon. He has to use his mouth in place of his hands, just like Joni Eareckson Tada (internationally known quadriplegic that has become a disabilities advocate.) Jon and I watched the movie on Joni (it's actually pronounced johnnie - her dad wanted a boy). Since her injuries were not the same he didn't seem to connect as well as I had hoped. He said "she's gone through a lot". With this young woman at the center, he should be able to relate. I think it will be very good for him to talk to someone that can truly understand what he is going through. We try but we can never truly understand.

Mom said he seemed to be in better spirits today. He went down to visit his old roommate Jack from CRSI that is at the this same facility. Jack's room is on the way to the therapy rooms so Jon tries to stop on the way down each day.

The goal is to get Jon up twice a day. I am trying to get him to go outside for the 4th of July fireworks in Westerville. His parking lot should have a relatively good view. He told me today that he hasn't done fireworks for a few years now. I think it would be good for him but I don't know if he will go for it or not.

Thanks for checking in. Please continue to keep Jon and the family in your prayers. Please add this young woman with the same injuries Jon has to your prayer list as well. Thank you and God bless you.