I feel as though I have been invited to experience something so incredible and miraculous. It’s as if Josh’s journey is a gift of hope, strength and faith to all of us. I feel honored to be able to share with all you a day that we all thought wouldn’t be discussed for weeks maybe months or years from now.
Today, Wednesday 6/17 has proven to be an exhausting but successful day far beyond anyone’s expectations. It started with occupational therapy. The process began with getting Josh out of bed and into a wheelchair. He was guided on how to get one foot out of bed and then the other and then getting himself out of bed. This was therapy not only for Josh but the family as well because it required them to learn the process and assist with teaching and helping Josh. He was then taken to the rehabilitation gym in the basement where they worked on upper body maneuvers. Training the brain on receiving what the right side was doing. This included moving a basketball from left to right and up and down. Also showing him how to use the left hand to guide and help the right hand. Therapy requires everyone’s participation and will become the responsibility of everyone as Josh grows, learns and moves on.
Josh returned to his room and had a short break prior to having his speech therapy. During this session they worked on swallowing and eating solid foods. This included eating a breakfast that consisted of egg mcmuffin, French toast, OJ and Gatorade. The therapist feels Josh did so well with breakfast they felt comfortable having him try lunch. He did so well it was determined to have his feeding tube removed. But wait the incredible accomplishments do not end here, there is more and it is mouth dropping.
Shortly afterwards it was time for physical therapy. This revolved around leg strengthening, learning to use the parallel bars. Josh was able to make a couple of trips on the bars. This was about teaching the right side of the brain what to do with the entire body. It was very exhausting and Josh was asked several times if he wanted to continue and he enthusiastically responded with a “yes”.
I bet you thought the day would be slowing down and allowing not only Josh but the family to take a rest. Well you are going to be surprised. It was time for speech therapy again. This time is was suppose to be about teaching Josh to communicate. Mostly by pointing to pictures, using hand gestures, etc. Suddenly just as the therapy began Josh decided this was going to take too long and he decided to fast forward the process. He spoke; mom and dad heard his voice for the first time in a week. Can you imagine the tears and the joy of this incredible accomplishment? Can you guess what his first word was —- Lakers. The speech therapist was surprised and didn’t want to slow his motivation down so it was decided to move forward in another direction. They started him counting. First “one” then “two”, Josh counted to ten. Ok, lets keep it going now lets try the alphabet. First, “a”, then “b”, but the success wasn’t as great as the first. There was some confusion with letters and numbers and what he was thinking he was hearing.
As Gary told me this story I had no idea how I was going to express what he and Melody were feeling during this process. I don’t think there are words to tell you what a magnificent accomplishment this is.
I truly believe that the strength and support Josh has had at his bed side from his incredible parents has allowed Josh to absorb and apply the strength. As a parent I can only imagine how proud and grateful they are to have been blessed with such a strong and confident young man. As his dad said to me, Josh is so full of confidence right now and as long as he maintains that confidence there is nothing he can’t do. That confidence has allowed him to go from just learning the basics to attending the advance class. How courageous this young man and family are during this time. It is from prayers, love and support that miracles truly do come from. Thank you Josh for giving me something I didn’t know I had “Faith”. What an angel you are. Love ya.
