I’ve got to give it to Jaime, the physical therapist. In his way, he knows Vernon pretty well by now. He keeps pushing Vernon and yet is always patient and kind. And it is clear that Vernon trusts him. whether he likes working that morning, whether or not he remembers his name. I see it in the way he grabs hold of Jaime’s waist when he is being lifted from the chair or the bed. I see it in the way he tries to cheat the exercise by using his strong side instead of his weak, but when called on it, tries his best to do it correctly. It is remarkable how a young-ish man has so much trouble doing the smallest movements. I understand most of the issue is neurological, that the brain is having a hard time connecting to the movement of his limbs, particularly on his right side, which he favors as it were recently hurt.
This video should give you an idea of where he is with his physical therapy.
I didn’t capture it on video, but after this, Vernon was in the beginning stages of sitting up by himself. He almost toppled over a few times, but it was clear he was feeling his own equilibrium and would attempt to balance himself. Though he was still unsteady, it was an improvement on what I’d seen so far. In fact, after being put in his wheelchair, he seemed upset that he couldn’t go back to bench to sit some more.
Jaime complimented him after the session, saying: “Good job, Vernon, you did really well today.”
He lit up and replied: “Thanks. Means a lot!”
Vernon keeps asking for water, which he is not allowed to have yet. He is allowed to have an apple juice with a ‘honey-thick’ texture and is offered it by a spoon. Anything thinner makes him cough as he is still learning to swallow properly. He doesn’t love the stuff and usually wave. When I tried to give him the spoon today, he rejected it, but instead took the cup. I was so nervous he would spill it all over himself, but his hand was steady. I know he would have rather had water, but he did the best with what he had to work with. Again, I was impressed with his ability to drink from a cup. It’s another corner turned.
“Do not despise the day of small beginnings.” —Zechariah 4:10
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. —Theodore Roosevelt
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So wonderful to see Vernon working hard to lift his arm….and to drink from a cup…small steps but huge none the less! I kept reminding myself when we were there with him of how far he has come and that he is
heading down the right road to recovery. Its hard to see now, but he is going to recover and get his life back! Go Vernon! You too Allison! Keep it up – your hope and faith is amazing!
Thank you, Nancy…and thank you again for visiting him with Joe and Sandy last week. I appreciate the compliment, but I never think of myself as someone with great hope and faith…I have a little of those things, but since its all I got, I just go with them! 🙂 Yes, he is making improvements…its slow of course, but he is WAY better than before. And we keep believing that he will be even better in the coming months! Love you so much. xo
Allison,
Vernon looks like he is turning a lot of corners. Vernon and the rest of the family have been on our ladies Bible Study for a long time and we are still asking for God to work a miracle for you and Vernon and the rest of the family.
Love,
Becky
When my husband “woke up” after being put in a coma for cardiac arrest, they wouldn’t give him water either because he wasn’t swallowing well. The nurse eventually gave him crushed ice and a spoon to try to work on his muscle control. I watched him fling the ice everywhere but in his mouth for a really long time until the nurse stepped out of his ICU room. He looked at me, tipped the cup into his mouth, and ate all the remaining ice chips. I didn’t know whether to freak out or fall over laughing. I was so happy to see his rebellious side come back! I’m praying for all of you. I love reading about Vernon’s remarkable progress.
oh soooooooo awesome!!!!!! Remember the movie “What about Bob?” and he learned to take baby steps???? ….well, Vernon is taking huge big steps……Praying for continued progress!!!! Love that he took the cup! whoooo hooooo
What a wonderful post to read this morning….wonder what Vern will do today??? Love seeing the photos of him drinking from a cup…amazing day on many ways yesterday..thankyou Allison xx