What a Difference a Few Weeks Makes

Jack's accident was 2 weeks ago Saturday.  It's amazing the progress he has made.  He gains confidence daily. Giving him the courage to try new things and stretch his legs and move his body.  Getting out of the house for the first car ride proved to be quite dramatic with neighbors coming out to see what the commotion was and if they could help.  Now a car ride is the first thing on this mind and he manages to get into and out of his seat in the car with little or no help.  Today we decided to put him into a full bath and let him soak.  What therapy that was for him.  His leg floated and he was able to stretch and move it as he is supposed to every day to keep the muscles long and strong.

After a bath and a clean up he was my date to the SUU coaches luncheon to hear about the last football game and to see one of his heroes, Coach Ed Lamb.  Coach Lamb invited Jack to come and watch practice on Tuesday or Thursday and get pictures with the players.  He and Charlie will be over the moon!

Through this entire experience we have been so fortunate to have loads of people rally around us and offer help and support.  In the grand scheme of things it is such a minor speed bump on the road of life.  We know that.  That knowledge just makes the support of others that much more valuable.  It makes a difference to feel cared for and loved in a community we are relatively new to.  We are all on the road to wellness and Jack plans to try school on Wednesday.  Another first, another milestone.

Jack's Progress Report..2 weeks Post Accident

Jack works everyday to get more experience with his crutches.

Friends provide great therapy.

Follow up X-Ray 10 days post op.

Jack's first car ride!

Working on crutches with Brad.

Going downstairs...really?...Tough for Mom to watch but he knew just what he was doing.

In the basement...Slept in his own bed last night!

Coach Johnny Brown of SUU Basketball

Coach Ed Lamb of SUU football.

A Visit from Grandma and Grandpa Cook and Braxon

We finally got to see what is under all those bandages..YIKES.  It looks like a good start to a Halloween costume.

Charlie, Jack and Braxon playing Legos

A quick visit from Grandma and Grandpa Cook was super fun.  Especially since they brought Braxon as a surprise.

Jacob Bolton (football team mate) comes for a visit

Sam's 1st Film Festival

About 3 months ago Sam asked Brad and me if he could enter a film festival he had read about on a flier at our local theater.  It's a Southern Utah film festival sponsored by the group of theaters in this area.

He and a group of friends, including his siblings, came up with a script, costumes and props and pulled together an entry for the short film category.

The past 3 days have been the festival, culminating in the awards ceremony last night.
Given the busy past several days we hadn't made it to St. George for the festival up until yesterday when I took Sam and 4 of his cast to see the screening of the film and attend the awards ceremony. (Meantime, Cairo looked after Jack while Brad and Charlie were at the Cedar 3rd football game.)
With a favorite SUU student looking after Jack, Brad and the other 2 two kids made their way to St. George for the awards portion of the day...
The results...

I hope the fact that he is holding some cash in this photo is a foreshadowing of what this hobby may produce.

Cast heading into the awards ceremony

Sam and his buddies getting ready to view their film on the big screen

Dallin Brown (Cast) and Sam

The award: A nice trophy and an opportunity to take 25 people to a private screening of a movie of his choice at our local theater.  Also, lots of $$$ in gift certificates to spend on anything from movies to concessions at Westates Theaters.

Sam was awarded an honorable mention for his film.  He was by far the youngest of all the producers/directors.  Many of whom have made multiple films and have high-tech editing and producing equipment.

Jack's recovery, 7 days post accident.  We have both had a bath (or sponge bath) and are doing our daily rehab.