Hope is a waking dream. — Aristotle

by Jen | Aug 22, 2014 | Day by Day, Uncategorized | 9 comments

Hi Friends,

Jen here. Just taking a moment to tell you (on Allison’s behalf) that today was a good day. I journeyed with Allison from San Clemente on up to Vernon’s new space at Kindred Hospital in Brea. Yeah, it is about 30 minutes additional driving (beyond Mission Hospital), but the benefits of this new environment were readily clear to us.

We walked into the lovely facility and within minutes were greeted by many staff, including a social worker who had Vernon’s file in hand and was ready to answer Ali’s questions and offer resources of support. He exuded the respect and care that you would hope for in this setting. The physical therapist was equally kind and knowledgeable. The nurses were respectful, and made space for our concerns and questions, and joined us in hope. OK, well we just met, but that’s what I felt anyway. 🙂

Vernon was mostly-awake for a good portion of the time we were there. He seems like he’s getting in gear for the work that’s ahead of him. He was moving his legs, drawing one knee up toward his body. He was able to transfer a squishy ball gently from one hand to another. And when I tried to play a little video of a comedian for him, which I thought was funny…Allison asked him if he thought it was funny also, and there was what we saw as the nod of ‘no’. Oh well, I tried!

I’m so happy to know that in the right timing, the right spot became available for our friend. He’s lined up for the trio of physical, occupational and speech therapy Monday – Friday each week. How nice, they give him a break on the weekends! The photo below was taken while exploring the physical therapy area within the hospital. Looks like they are well equipped to do everything they can to get Vernon moving again. And that soccer ball is sure to trigger some great memories, right San Clemente Soccer Club?

September is nearly here, and Vernon’s not the only one starting a new routine. Allison will be getting prepared for the new school year with Maki and Justine, while making many trips to Brea to encourage her husband. I will be sure and post some new and practical ways that you can support Allison and family in the near future.

I’m blessed to be part of this community that loves this family so very much. Thanks for reading.

– Jen

Signs and Wonders

by Jen | Jun 27, 2014 | Day by Day, Uncategorized | 19 comments

Hi, I’m Jen. If I haven’t met you somewhere along this journey, I’m one of the many people out there blessed first by Allison’s friendship, then by the addition of Vernon and Maki into her, and our lives. It was about a year ago that Vernon, a font designer, and myself, a graphic designer, decided to set up an office space in downtown San Clemente. We painted a wall, built a couple tables, and have shared many laughs over coffee or tea with friends and clients. That gives you some background to my posting to the blog this evening.

Today I had the opportunity to make a visit to the hospital with Allison and our friend Allanah. It had been about a week since I had seen Vernon. I picked up a couple of his font and design books from the office, as something familiar to share and maybe read to him. On my last visit, he had just begun to open his eyes and his jaw was still wired shut. It was special to know that Allison was finally beginning to get some face time on the other side of the intense sedation he had been under. I hope you don’t think this is bad of me, but I think I had hoped for him to be able to express himself more than he could. And I think that just comes from not knowing exactly what to expect. As we ask many questions so that we might know what we can reasonably anticipate in Vernon’s recovery, the answer boils down to this, each person is different. Vernon’s case is unique to him, his combination of injuries, how long he’ll take to overcome the next hurdle.

And just as I was feeling unsure of how things are going, I could see ‘hope’ all over again today. ‘Signs and Wonders’ if you will.

He really had progressed so much since my last visit. Where he had one eye open, he now held both eyes open. And closed them on Ali’s request. I spied a new cautious testing of his jaw movement. Hand squeezes and raising his shoulders indicated a clear response to our questions.

Now those of you who know me are aware of my off-beat sense of humor. You’ll enjoy this. Somehow in our talking to Vernon, I asked about my poor sense of humor. I asked “Vernon, squeeze Ali’s hand if I have the worst sense of humor.” Well, I thought I was in the clear as no response initially came, then sure enough, the biggest shoulder movement and squeeze we’d seen so far. Geez, thanks Vernon.

In all seriousness, I know you would all be as touched as I was, to see Allison gently ask Vernon questions, to let him know what is happening, how Maki and Justine are, and just their special connection in this new way of communicating. These next days will require equal doses patience and encouragement. I smile ear to ear when I see all of the ways their friends, church and community have rallied around the Adam’s family. You guys, you are great — I see my dear friend Allison being strengthened by you. And I see Vernon being astounded not too long in the future, when he feels the love that has poured in for him from around the world.

I look forward to seeing what is next, celebrating with all of you the small signs each day that Vernon is healing. My fortune cookie said at lunch today – “The sky’s the limit this month” – I grinned, that’s for my pal Vernon, on his journey back to us. Thanks for reading my post, from one friend to another.

Thankful and Hopeful,

Jen

“He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth…” Daniel 6:7