Latest Update on Injured Volunteer

I don't usually do two blogs in one day, but I just received an update on the volunteer who was injured two weeks ago today and wanted to make that available to you. This is what his son had to say just today:

"As for my dad, he continues to make a lot of progress. As far as speech/memory and the mental side of things, while he is still a little slow, much of that has come back to where he is close to normal. Each day he gets further from the accident (which as of today was 2 weeks ago) the brain heals a little bit more and that helps. They did an MRI yesterday to check to make sure there weren't any further issues with his brain, and that came up pretty clean. He asked to do the reading himself, so I think that is a pretty good sign as to where he is with his cognitive
skills, considering this time last week he really wasn't able to read. On the physical side, his balance is still troublesome, which makes walking hard, but he feels, as well as the nurses, that it is getting better. Again, as the brain continues to heal, that should help with his balance as well. While he still is utilizing a walker, as well as some assistance, to walk, it is improving and he is feeling stronger. The physical therapy he is involved with now is pretty intense and long, but has been helping. While he is exhausted at the end of a day, I think he sees the daily progress in himself, which is encouraging.

The hospital staff indicated today that they expect him to be able to go home around Sept 12, which is great news (of course he feels he is ready sooner). The therapists indicated that at that point, they are confident he'll be able to walk up stairs with some assistance (and the rail), and should be able to walk around himself with the use of a walker or cane. That is quite a relief that the house won't need any major alterations. Once he leaves the hospital he will continue to go to therapy on a regular basis, which should help further strengthen his walking.

We are very encouraged by the progress he has made thus far, and grow more optimistic each day as to where he is going. We recognize how fortunate he is and we are that he is doing as well as he is doing.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and concern. You have no idea how much they mean to him, and to us as a family."

Keep praying!