Life As It Was
Josh 2009 Prom Night with Dad
Josh 2009 Prom Night with sister Taylor
My Hero
Today is the nineteenth day since Josh took a new direction in his life. I am personally amazed of the unexpected twists, turns, ups, downs, bumps, jumps, surprises, thrills, chills, knuckle gripping and nail biting events that take place every day. I don’t think you could write a story that kept you intrigued, motivated and inspired as this real life experience. Who needs a reality show? You can’t get anything more real then living this reality with Josh Gray. I started to think about society and how kids as well as adults look or even depend on having an idol, hero or some sort of person to admire or aspire to. We are so easily impressed or moved by their ability, skills, or accomplishments in their career because they are public figures. It could be athletic abilities of setting or breaking records. There are some of us more impressed by those who are financially successful. Others are impressed and motivated by the people who have accomplished fame. There is nothing wrong with us looking at the people that are placed in front of us by the media. Or we may find it easier for the media to tell us what is inspirational. Sometimes we tend to find it to difficult to just take a step back and look around us. To really search and look at what is right there in front of us for what is inspirational or heroic. It is typical and expected to go with the majority. It is also the American way to think big, go for the grandioso. I sit here at this point in my life and hope that one day my own kids could find a hero in someone close to them or just an ordinary person who does something extraordinary and inspiring that they can actually feel it and be a part of it. Someone who can encourage and motivate them realistically so that they feel that maybe they might or could be an inspiration to someone as well by what they do. I can remember going to school and having that assignment given to me “Who is your hero, or who inspires you” and thinking real hard what my answer was going to be. I always searched for the right answer, because I thought I should pick my parents or someone famous. The result was always the same I picked someone famous. The truth then and up until nineteen days ago was there wasn’t really anyone that I would say was my hero. Of course there were many people in my life that inspired me for different reasons during different moments in my life. Did I ever think that I would be back in the position where I would be writing a story about a person I felt was my inspiration or I saw as a hero, “Never” would be my answer. As I write this now I realize never to say “Never”. I am proud to be writing this story. I am proud to say I am a forty-year old mom who in my own right has had many challenges in my life and was proud enough of myself for overcoming certain obstacles and unfortunate circumstances. I didn’t find myself to be easily impressed or inspired by other people. Regardless of the strength that I thought I had many times I felt weak and hopeless as though I wouldn’t be able to get through certain times. But honestly I never appreciated my life and those challenges and accomplishments no matter how small they may have been. I took for granted the normalcy I have been able to maintain and be blessed with, that getting through each day is heroic and an accomplishment to be proud of. Now that I have found a real hero and true inspiration I realize that every day that I just get up and accept the day and get through it and face just my life obstacles and challenges can maybe be an inspiration to someone else, hopefully my own kids. Josh Gray has become my inspiration to be strong for me and hopefully that I will one day pass that strength and inspiration on to other people. Josh doesn’t fight every day to become better for anyone else but himself but without knowing it, his fight becomes the inspiration to so many other people. It could be so easy for Josh to give up and no one would question it, as a matter of fact it was expected. Now because of the strength he has shown it gives all of us hope to never give up and never believe anyone when they say something is not possible. Anything is possible with hope, determination and love. Why does today touch me even more then the last nineteen days, well Josh is walking on his own. He is using a cane and able to lift his right side to move it forward. If you have followed Josh’s story I don’t think I need to say much more about how incredible this accomplishment is. You know what I do wonder, is do you think Josh would have ever discovered what he was capable of if his life had not taken this course. I hope that each of you realize what you really are capable of and never underestimate yourself or let anyone else leave you to believe you can’t do something.
Following up on Josh’s heart surgery from Friday 6/26/09 it had some concerns but results were positive. As earlier stated the doctors discovered a second hole close to the first. This caused the surgery to take longer than expected. They successfully closed both holes. I will attempt to describe the procedure and hope that you can get an idea of what was done. The holes were side by side they put a device I can only assume is like a wire that is made of nickel and titanium in to squeeze the two holes together. As Gary described it was if they brought the holes together by squeezing them until they faced each other like two parts of a yoyo. It will take about four to six months for tissue to form over the area and be completely healed. After surgery there were concerns because Josh’s blood pressure was higher than normal and he had to be closely monitored. He spent the evening in I.C.U at CHOC. He was in slight discomfort and did receive pain medication to make him rest peacefully. It was necessary that he not move for the first six hours after the procedure. He made it through the evening without incident. The next day several tests were conducted such as an echocardiogram to determine if he was fit enough to return to Casa Colina. Everything came back positive. As before with his first departure from CHOC no time was wasted and little notice was given. They got him up and in the ambulance and sent him on his way to continue his incredible recovery. Josh is now back at Casa Colina Rehabilitation Center in Pomona and continuing to amaze therapists, doctors, family and friends. We welcome everyone to start visiting Josh to help him during the recovering process. I don’t expect that Josh will give me many days off from reporting something incredible, so stay tune. The family would like me to encourage you to share Josh’s story and welcome everyone and anyone regardless if they know Josh or not to visit the two websites set up. Josh’s story is incredible and it should be shared.
6/26/09 Heart Surgery
I don’t know much at the moment but what I do know is that surgery took a little longer then expected. Took about three and half hours rather than two. The reason for the extra time is they discovered a second hole which they also repaired. As far as I know Josh is doing fine. I will be visiting the family tonight and have more information later on this weekend.
At His New Home
It is hard to believe that it has only been two weeks since we joined the new journey Josh is on. In my wildest dreams I would have never have known or believed that a sixteen year old young man could impact my life, my heart and my faith the way Josh’s life has. His dad and I have talked about this and as I express to him how sorry I am that him, Josh and the family have to experience this unfortunate incident it has had an impact on the lives of so many people. It has brought union, prayer, faith, hope and inspiration to so many other lives. The most remarkable thing to me in this journey is that it hasn’t slowed down. Everyday for Josh seems to be a miracle that must be documented. Josh is in his temporary home at Casa Colina Rehabilitation Center in Ponoma and is adapting and working hard on his recovery. He appears for the most part to be happy and comfortable in his new surroundings. The family seems to be pleased with the staff and the care and treatment that Josh is receiving. The family has printed a number of pictures of Josh and the family and posted them on his wall. This definitely brought a huge smile to his face. Gary spends most of his time at the center and is still spending his nights with Josh. However, the world does tend to move on regardless of the set backs that we as individuals encounter in our lives. This is the same for Gary. It has been necessary for Gary to return to work so that he can maintain the care that Josh is getting as well as survive. He has welcomed getting back to supporting himself and the kids but finds it a little hard and sometimes exhausting to be away from Josh. He does have comfort knowing that him and Melody are working as a team in the care for Josh and when he is not there Melody is going through the daily therapies and keeping Josh company. Visits aren’t just sitting around and talking like it might be with any other patient recovering from an injury. Any and all time spent with Josh is therapy. Continuously working on speech, motor skills and helping him with the basics. Every minute is a therapy session and it is that one more minute that brings Josh closer to recovery and returning home.
Since Josh has arrived he has shown some incredible improvements that definitely give promise to seeing some astonishing results. On Wednesday 6/24/09 Josh was lifting his right leg on his own. This was not a huge movement, only a slight movement up. But it was enough to indicate that there was voluntary movement. Josh has been working and pushing himself very hard in therapy and it is no surprise with his determination that he is already starting to show this type of improvement. During one of his therapy sessions he was working on his walking with a walker. He began to get into a really good rhythm on moving (remember he still needs assistance on moving his right leg). After a few minutes his dad congratulated him on his effort and asked Josh if he wanted to know how far he had gone. Of course Josh answered “yes”. They got a tape measure and discovered he had walked 60 ft. Can I get a “WOW”. Now the therapist did inform them that it was typical to see the leg adapt and show improvement faster then the arm. It is important that while Josh is lying down he be turned from left to right every couple of hours especially during the night. What is remarkable is that the last two nights the nurses have not had to turn Josh. They have reported that Josh is rolling over on his own from side to side. This is not only incredible in progress but a great benefit to Josh in order to help prevent bed sores. Josh still struggles with the speech recovery. This is expected and will most likely take longer then anything else. There is confusion and memory loss to overcome. This type of reprogramming takes time and constant repetitive lessons. Josh can count to ten but again still has difficulty with the alphabet and reading. He is given homework everyday. Gary received some great advice from one of the nurses after one of Josh’s therapy sessions. She told him that he may want to try to get Josh to sing. This will help with memory and speech technique. Gary is always open to anything that might help Josh. So one day Gary brought his guitar and along with Josh and his sister Taylor went out into the garden. They started with Happy Birthday. Josh seems to pick it up quickly and they were able to get through several verses. So Gary started to make a song out of his homework where they sang everything. They started with the days of the week and then moved on to some sentences that Josh needed to work on such as “I want to —– (eat, drink, sleep, etc.). Josh did very well and they all had a good time. The singing could definitely help. Melody has brought the family dog Gizmo and spent time with Josh in the Garden. This definitely brought a smile to Josh’s face and he really seem to enjoy it. The most surprising thing of all that I have heard from Gary was talk of Josh going home. When this was brought up I just happen to ask Gary when do they expect Josh may go home. In my mind I was thinking six or even twelve months. The answer I got was maybe as soon as four to six weeks. Can I say it again, “WOW”.
Josh is scheduled for his heart surgery to repair the hole tomorrow 6/26/09 at 9:30am at CHOC hospital. They plan on keeping Josh overnight just as a precaution.
If you would like to visit Josh at his new home at Casa Colina (255 E Bonita Ave Pomona, CA 91767-1933) the visiting hours are: Mon. – Fri. 4pm to 8pm; Weekends 12 noon to 8pm. I know Josh would love to have people come by. This is a huge part of his success to recovering. Josh does have a phone is his room but we are not yet sure of the number and he has not mastered knowing how to answer the phone.
Thank you again to everyone for your prayers and support. Josh’s story has been so inspiring to me that I share it every chance I get. It never gets old and each time I still get goose bumps and find myself in tears because I feel he has touched me so deeply with his courage and strength. I can definitely feel God holding Josh up and helping him reach down deep inside his soul for the strength that was given to him. What I have learned is that we all have more strength then we ever thought possible and some of us may never find out how much we have if it wasn’t for the challenges we face. I now welcome the challenge because I know my strength and faith will get me through along with the love and support of family and friends.
