Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Miracle #9
December 9th Miracle #9
The lights had been turned off; we had made it yet another day. All we knew was we were one day closer to going home...HALLELUJAH, PRAISE JESUS!
As busy as her physical therapy regimen was during the week, there was still a loneliness that invaded our hearts and thoughts each day. Jacoby NEEDED people to boss around, our other children needed their Mom and Dad back, we desperately wanted our family back together.
However, it made me realize this miracle I almost missed....we faced this challenge TOGETHER each and EVERY day. How many times had I walked down the hospital floor to see room after room with only a child in it...parents or loved ones no where to be found. These children were in good hands with the wonderful nurses, but some people didn't have the luxury or overwhelming support that we had to be with their child all day and night. How hard that must have been for them!
Jason had a boss and co workers that insisted he stayed with Jacoby at the hospital; they wanted him to be with us. We will be indebted to each one of you forever.
Long story short, even with a full time job and 5 other children with extremely busy sport schedules, (I know you parents GET this) Jacoby never had to be alone. , not even for one day.
Thank you, Lord for that miracle of getting to be present.........
Monday, December 8, 2014
Miracle #8
December 8th Miracle #8
I had read of events like these, watched them on T. V. , even dreamed of them, but NEVER had I been a part of one personally; December 19, 2012 changed that forever.
It was a freezing winter night, the kind that would keep most sane people bundled up inside for the evening; but not this night. This night there were hundreds of people with only one thing on their mind...and it wasn't their warmth. It was a precious young girl who's life had changed forever with one dismount.
People were desperate at this point to help in any way they could. While, Jacoby laid in bed at Children's Hospital with a raging fever...family, friends, and hundreds of people we didn't even know, were sitting in a theatre ready to give of themselves by their presence, their smiles, hugs, tears and finances at the"Gift for Jacoby" Benefit Auction. As if the sheer amount of support wasn't enough, somehow they had been able to secure the event at the beautiful Temple Theatre on the Tacoma waterfront.
As Jason and I were pulling up to the theatre, we just stopped and stared for a moment. This amazing sight was worthy of a moment of silence. Then, almost instantly, I went into complete panic mode. I wondered if I had made the right decision to come. What kind of mother was I to leave my daughter with her Grandma when she was so sick? What if I cried the entire auction?
No...I KNEW these people deserved to see us, even to just feel close to Jacoby through us. Yes, yes...we needed them and they needed us. I opened the car door and stood up only to feel like I was going to fall over...I was instantly weak.
"O God, please help me...please........
Just like "Footprints in the Sand"....somehow, someway....God carried me into the theatre that night, and O what my eyes saw. I saw one of the most inspiring, breathtakingly beautiful miracles I had ever seen. In just under 3 weeks of time, God had worked through so many willing people to make an event take place that takes at LEAST 6 months to a year to plan! Olympians who I had watched as a child win medals and come through great adversity, were sitting right across the table from me. Im talking 4 feet away, folks! I saw gymnasts Jacoby's books were filled with and athletes such as Hope Solo come over and offer her sympathy and a hug. The theatre was filled with hundreds of people; many we knew, many we didn't... but one thing they all had in common.....a love and concern for a young, precious girl named Jacoby Miles. The auction brought in $150,000 that night...150,000 dollars!!! We knew a large portion of this would go to stem cell therapy in Mexico and much needed therapy and supplies.
Looking back, that night flew by like a dreamy haze, yet an imprint of love through those people will never be forgotten...it truly was a miracle.......
I had read of events like these, watched them on T. V. , even dreamed of them, but NEVER had I been a part of one personally; December 19, 2012 changed that forever.
It was a freezing winter night, the kind that would keep most sane people bundled up inside for the evening; but not this night. This night there were hundreds of people with only one thing on their mind...and it wasn't their warmth. It was a precious young girl who's life had changed forever with one dismount.
People were desperate at this point to help in any way they could. While, Jacoby laid in bed at Children's Hospital with a raging fever...family, friends, and hundreds of people we didn't even know, were sitting in a theatre ready to give of themselves by their presence, their smiles, hugs, tears and finances at the"Gift for Jacoby" Benefit Auction. As if the sheer amount of support wasn't enough, somehow they had been able to secure the event at the beautiful Temple Theatre on the Tacoma waterfront.
As Jason and I were pulling up to the theatre, we just stopped and stared for a moment. This amazing sight was worthy of a moment of silence. Then, almost instantly, I went into complete panic mode. I wondered if I had made the right decision to come. What kind of mother was I to leave my daughter with her Grandma when she was so sick? What if I cried the entire auction?
No...I KNEW these people deserved to see us, even to just feel close to Jacoby through us. Yes, yes...we needed them and they needed us. I opened the car door and stood up only to feel like I was going to fall over...I was instantly weak.
"O God, please help me...please........
Just like "Footprints in the Sand"....somehow, someway....God carried me into the theatre that night, and O what my eyes saw. I saw one of the most inspiring, breathtakingly beautiful miracles I had ever seen. In just under 3 weeks of time, God had worked through so many willing people to make an event take place that takes at LEAST 6 months to a year to plan! Olympians who I had watched as a child win medals and come through great adversity, were sitting right across the table from me. Im talking 4 feet away, folks! I saw gymnasts Jacoby's books were filled with and athletes such as Hope Solo come over and offer her sympathy and a hug. The theatre was filled with hundreds of people; many we knew, many we didn't... but one thing they all had in common.....a love and concern for a young, precious girl named Jacoby Miles. The auction brought in $150,000 that night...150,000 dollars!!! We knew a large portion of this would go to stem cell therapy in Mexico and much needed therapy and supplies.
Looking back, that night flew by like a dreamy haze, yet an imprint of love through those people will never be forgotten...it truly was a miracle.......
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Miracle #7
December 7th Miracle #7
It was early evening and the day was finally coming to a close. Someone had knocked on our door and the nurse popped her head in and said,
"Someone is here to see you, Jacoby. He said his name is Steve Penny. "
Jason and I looked at each other and then at Jacoby; this was the President of USA gymnastics. What?!
We all had about 5 seconds to panic about the fact that we looked like individuals who had crawled out from underneath a rock! However, Steve walked in and put us to ease right away. He was so kind as he talked to Jacoby and then mentioned he wanted to make a call; there was someone that wanted to talk to her. He dialed a number and then told us he would be connecting us to Nastia Luiken. He had been told she was Jacoby's favorite gymnast...which was very much the truth.
We stood back and just watched Jacoby talk to Nastia for a few minutes. It was a pretty AMAZING way to end a day...don't you think?
It was early evening and the day was finally coming to a close. Someone had knocked on our door and the nurse popped her head in and said,
"Someone is here to see you, Jacoby. He said his name is Steve Penny. "
Jason and I looked at each other and then at Jacoby; this was the President of USA gymnastics. What?!
We all had about 5 seconds to panic about the fact that we looked like individuals who had crawled out from underneath a rock! However, Steve walked in and put us to ease right away. He was so kind as he talked to Jacoby and then mentioned he wanted to make a call; there was someone that wanted to talk to her. He dialed a number and then told us he would be connecting us to Nastia Luiken. He had been told she was Jacoby's favorite gymnast...which was very much the truth.
We stood back and just watched Jacoby talk to Nastia for a few minutes. It was a pretty AMAZING way to end a day...don't you think?
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Miracle #6!
December 6th Miracle #6
With house plans on the table and people ready to build, we knew the home addition was a "GO". However, we were immediately faced with a major roadblock; we needed the building permits FIRST.
For those of you who don't understand what this is or even means....just understand these can take MONTHS to get approved...months! Melanie had wanted the ENTIRE home addition done in UNDER a month. Everything had come to a screeching halt; the building couldn't even START without this precious little detail.
I wish I could say that I responded in an "admirable"way...like "hello" God can open ANY door! Instead, I remember thinking all plans of moving Jacoby home before Christmas Eve had just flown out her hospital window. We went from such a "high" to such a "low"...all because of one silly step in my mind.
The VERY next day, Jason and I were standing in Jacoby's room at Children's hospital. Jason's cell phone rang; it was Melanie. She HAD IT...she had the building permits; we had the "green light" to build. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! Jason and I looked at each other and just laughed...ONLY MELANIE ROACH!
But we knew who was opening the doors for Melanie....the miracle maker!
Friday, December 5, 2014
Miracle #5
December 5th--Miracle #5
Jacoby had FINALLY fallen asleep. Other than the low hum of the vital monitors in her room, it was completely quiet. Nightmares had become a normal part of her sleep, so when she was peacefully sleeping, you "thanked God" and made a quick trip to the bathroom or waiting room where family and friends graciously waited to hear a quick update. It was in the Harborview Medical Center waiting room that another miracle came to life.
I had walked out to the waiting room to find Melanie and Dan Roach visiting with my family. Melanie had her lap top out and looked like she was trying to figure something out. She looked up and said, " We already have people ready RIGHT now to start a new home addition for Jacoby; if ONLY we had a set of house plans drawn up, right?" Tears came to my eyes and a large lump made it impossible for me to swallow...
"We do, Mel,...we do." Still in disbelief, I called Jason over.
" Did we not just draw up "rough draft" house plans with your mom last month and stick them in the organizer on the kitchen counter? Jason nodded his head.
"They want them....they want the plans," I said.
Everyone who had just listened to the conversation seemed to understand the preciousness of what they had just heard.
All Jason and I could think was ....someone was 10 steps ahead of us...someone knew we would be needing those house plans, someone who just so happens to specialize in miracles!
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Miracle #4
December 4th--Miracle #4
IT WAS RAINING......LETTERS....hundreds of them; letters of love, concern and support for Jacoby and our family. We stood in disbelief as we watched this miracle unfold in front of our eyes. Within 48 hours of her accident, we had hundreds of letters pouring in through anywhere and everywhere. The gymnastics community, soccer community, school communities, college communities, churches, friends, family, even support from across the country and around THE WORLD from people we had never even met. This didn't even begin to TOUCH the countless voice and text messages left on our phones, steady stream of visitors, and endless media clippings on Jacoby's story.
Now, we're not the youngest chicks out there; we have seen a few amazing things transpire in our day, but this.....this we had NEVER seen before. Frankly, who were we, or Jacoby, to receive such attention. The unbelievable concern from the media and people in general, humbled us for life. We love and appreciate all of you; we are forever indebted to you. We watched it happen and we STILL don't believe it....now THAT'S miraculous!
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
2nd Year Celebration...It's All About The Journey!... Miracles #1-#3
It's been 744days, 17,856 hours, 1,071,360 minutes ,and about 32.71 million seconds since Jacoby's gymnastics accident.....but really, WHO"S COUNTING?
We just passed Jacoby's 2 year marker, and YOU CAN BET THIS FAMILY IS GONNA CELEBRATE! We celebrate a beautiful life; a life that has forever changed ours and so many others.
Even as Im writing this now, it's hard to control my emotions and not sound clique. I'm desperately wanting to describe in words what my own head can't completely make sense of yet. However, one thing is for sure...we're all still here, we're still breathing, and we STILL choose joy; there is ALWAYS hope...always.
Two years ago, I vividly remember receiving "the call". Jacoby had fallen on her dismount, she couldnt feel anything. Those moments become etched into your very soul; you can remember where you were...who you were with....and the crisis of belief that soon followed. I remember telling myself I could handle a compound fracture, 2 broken legs, broken ribs but paralyzation...paralyzation was not a word I even wanted to say, much less watch my daughter live out.
"No...no...no God, please....not her, not Jacoby. This one is for me, not her. I begged and begged.....and begged some more. If wailing the loudest and longest would have changed her circumstances, I do believe she would be walking now. As the hours became days, and the days became weeks, it became painfully clear we would have to decide what we truely believed; would we live in fear? Would we allow ourselves to drown in discouragement and doubts; or stand up to fear and let our pain push us.
These past two years have brought up many questions, but the one that is asked over and over is how does Jacoby stay sane and continue with a positive outlook? I don't even begin to understand God's ways, but I DO happen to know that answer. Jacoby's faith in her Savior was and IS her rock , her stronghold, her refuge when no human alive can give her what she desperatly wants. Her actions prove she truly believes in a God who has a plan for her life and has her in the palm of His hand. I could write chapters on the first 6 months of her injury....literally chapters; however, that is for a book and that is coming as well. But, you poor folks who thought you were gong to get a quick blog update would not be too happy with this ol mom if I confused blog with book right now. Therefore, we shall keep things on "blog status" today.
Yes...today we celebrate lessons learned and changes in our perspective. Jacoby would be the first to tell you her accident is a gift, a gift that transcends what we can see on the surface. On the surface, you and I see a paralyzed, 17 year old girl. We see a girl bound to a wheelchair, uncapable of being independant and very dependant on the care of others to get her through the most basic tasks. But what you CAN"T see, is a 17 year old girl with faith that puts a saint to shame, a girl who has a heart the size of Texas, and a girl who can capture an audience of any age simply with her smile and story.
To lie and say these past two years have been easy, pain free, and had little or no effect on our family would be just that...a lie. Jacoby endures SEVERE nerve pain every other day. She has decided medicating cannot be the answer for her because the meds that actually work have the side effect of blurring her mind, so she endures the pain. She's a 17 year old TEENAGE girl in a WHEELCHAIR....need I say more! The list could go on and on, but it won't ...because we choose to place our trust in God and choose a positive perspective. We don't get to choose our trials, but we DO get to choose how we will respond to them. Are we going to give up and give in when trials come or allow them to make us stronger? Jacoby made her choice back at Harborview Medical Center, that is still her choice today.
Since my last blog in the late 1700 century, Jacoby really hasn't skipped a beat. We now fill our days with sophisticated things like homecoming dances, SAT's, parasailing, slurpee runs and public speaking. (yes...she is working hard on embracing this one considering how much she LOVES to talk up front!) Jacoby has become quite the public speaker and speaks at many events, churches and schools. As we have learned to say, "BRING IT ON"!
QUICK THERAPY UPDATE: Jacoby is continuing to strengthen the muscles that are firing and building those that are not through electronic stimulation. The overall impact is "increased independence" as she is able to do more for herself. Also, she continues to have excellent health and remains unhospitalized due to, in part, continued exercise therapy.
Vertical Therapy continues to be a COMPLETE blessing to Jacoby and our family. These people have become part of our family, our daily schedule and we can't imagine life without them. Chris , Jacoby's main trainer, USED to be asked questions like, " Are Jacoby's triceps "firing" at all?" Now, he is asked questions like, " When are you going to ask your girlfriend to marry you?" " How many kids are you going to have?" He has definitely moved in closer on the family circle.
These are just a few recent events I KNEW we couldn't leave out:
1. Jacoby's 2nd Annual Run!
YES...she got us to run again...this time it was in the August sun! Unlike the first race where we all resembled ice figures, this race was on a GORGEOUS day; purple "Go Team Jacoby" shirts everywhere. There is something powerful and healing in participating and contributing toward a good cause. It is a beautiful reminder we're not alone; we all want to see Jacoby and everyone else affected by spinal cord injuries to find their fullest potential....ultimately, A CURE! Our hearts are with you all...We run for EACH ONE OF YOU!
There is really no way possible to adequately thank all those who made "Gift for Jacoby " run possible. I honestly pray continually The Lord will give us constant opportunities to "Pay it forward"; I guarantee He will.
Melanie and Dan Roach... my eyes fill with tears just typing your names...THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING you have done, yet never HAD to do; thank you, thank you, thank you.
There are so many of you who volunteered and sacrificed hours and hours taking care of details. Thank you to each and every one of you who showed up or contributed on race day to show support for Jacoby and our family; you will NEVER understand how much that that means to us.
Next year, it will be even more exciting as we grow this event. We will be giving a portion of the proceeds to spinal cord research and to others in similar circumstances. THE CURE IS OUT THERE; we want to do our part to find it! The race will be November 14, 2015, so put it on those calendars a year in advance.
2. PARASAILING!
Yes, you heard me correctly! Jacoby decided on the spur of the moment this summer she wanted to parasail at Lake Chelan. We were all SHOCKED and practically in tears! I mean, isn't it my job as mom to say, " that's crazy thinking, what if you cant hang on?" (which she couldn't ...might I add) Here is a perfect example of telling your child to face their fears and then wanting to hit yourself over the head because you basically HAVE to give my your blessing...back up your big mouth because they are doing what YOU told them to do! FOR PETE"S SAKE! Actually, the credit belongs to a speaker she met at the Youth Disabled Leadership Camp named Barry Long. He inspired her to fight against her fears and go do something she was afraid of...his words melted into the marrow of her soul; she came home from camp a changed girl. Thank you, Barry....
Watching Jacoby get pulled up hundreds of feet into the air was.......beautiful.....simply beautiful. No wheelchair, no confinement, COMPLETE freedom. I do believe I scared the poor gentlemen running the parasail half to death when I began WAILING uncontrollably. I don't know where it came from, and I most certainly didn't know how to shut it off. The higher she went, the harder I cried. She was finally FREE! But more than that, it was her smile from ear to ear. Now THAT made it all worth it; she was happier than a child on Christmas morn! O LORD, freeze this moment....
That day something changed in me as well. I realized many of us stop challenging ourselves; we quit believing there is great reward in conquering our fears. So I challenged myself to stop making excuses....time to do something I was afraid of too! The rest is history...thank you, darling.
Just a few weeks ago, Jason and I were blessed enough to sit around a big table with some of the people who had witnessed many of the miracles at the time of Jacoby's accident and the building of our home addition. It occurred to me that if it was AMAZING to Jason and I to hear these stories, it would be bless your socks off too! So here goes....CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN OF MIRACLES! My prayer is that by sharing our recent miracles surrounding Jacoby's accident, you will see your OWN miracles; they are there if you want to see them.
Dec. 1st-- Miracle #1
The day of Jacoby's accident was Friday, November 16, 2012. I had dropped Jacoby off at practice after school and then came home to pick up the rest of the troops. We were heading out to a soccer game on the peninsula. We received "the call" literally 10 seconds before we got on Interstate 5. Jason pulled over right before the onramp, swung the car around ILLEGALLY and began to drive as quickly as he could to Roach Gymnastics Center. Had we received the call even 1 minute later, we would have been stuck in traffic and unable to be with her for God knows how long. We talk about how AMAZING the timing was on that call ALL THE TIME.
December 2nd--Miracle #2
The evening of her accident, they moved us from St. Josephs Hospital in Tacoma to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Jacoby had 2 surgeries that needed to happen ASAP. The 1st surgery was needed to realign her vertebras in a straight line. Her C4 vertebra had faceted her C5, which means it had jumped above it.( Yah, not looking to good for the ol spinal cord! )They had to screw a halo in her head, and hang a weight in the back to keep the vertebras from shifting before they went in for the 2nd surgery. The 2nd surgery was needed to put the rods in and to fuse the vertebrae. Completely unknown to us, Jacoby had a large blood clot in her lungs. The doctors didn't tell us that they didn't think she was going to make it through the 2nd surgery. They said goodnight to us and assured us they would be back first thing in the morning, only to turn around 20 minutes later and tell us they were taking her in right away. (This was around 3am) Another miracle...Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord! I'm glad we had no idea until after the surgery....thank God we didn't have to plan a funeral the next morning. (Our hearts go out to the people that do.)
Dec. 3rd--Miracle #3
JACOBY'S SPINAL CORD WAS NOT SEVERED!!! After the 2nd surgery had been completed, the surgeon came out to talk with Jason and I. They had believed the spinal cord was severed before they went into the surgeries, but realized it had just been stretched to "seran wrap" consistency, but had NOT been severed. THIS WAS HUGE....
A huge "thanks" to the 1st responders for doing such a great job at delicately moving her off the unstable foam pit; you guys rock!
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Full Race Album on Facebook
We just passed Jacoby's 2 year marker, and YOU CAN BET THIS FAMILY IS GONNA CELEBRATE! We celebrate a beautiful life; a life that has forever changed ours and so many others.
Even as Im writing this now, it's hard to control my emotions and not sound clique. I'm desperately wanting to describe in words what my own head can't completely make sense of yet. However, one thing is for sure...we're all still here, we're still breathing, and we STILL choose joy; there is ALWAYS hope...always.
Two years ago, I vividly remember receiving "the call". Jacoby had fallen on her dismount, she couldnt feel anything. Those moments become etched into your very soul; you can remember where you were...who you were with....and the crisis of belief that soon followed. I remember telling myself I could handle a compound fracture, 2 broken legs, broken ribs but paralyzation...paralyzation was not a word I even wanted to say, much less watch my daughter live out.
"No...no...no God, please....not her, not Jacoby. This one is for me, not her. I begged and begged.....and begged some more. If wailing the loudest and longest would have changed her circumstances, I do believe she would be walking now. As the hours became days, and the days became weeks, it became painfully clear we would have to decide what we truely believed; would we live in fear? Would we allow ourselves to drown in discouragement and doubts; or stand up to fear and let our pain push us.
These past two years have brought up many questions, but the one that is asked over and over is how does Jacoby stay sane and continue with a positive outlook? I don't even begin to understand God's ways, but I DO happen to know that answer. Jacoby's faith in her Savior was and IS her rock , her stronghold, her refuge when no human alive can give her what she desperatly wants. Her actions prove she truly believes in a God who has a plan for her life and has her in the palm of His hand. I could write chapters on the first 6 months of her injury....literally chapters; however, that is for a book and that is coming as well. But, you poor folks who thought you were gong to get a quick blog update would not be too happy with this ol mom if I confused blog with book right now. Therefore, we shall keep things on "blog status" today.
Yes...today we celebrate lessons learned and changes in our perspective. Jacoby would be the first to tell you her accident is a gift, a gift that transcends what we can see on the surface. On the surface, you and I see a paralyzed, 17 year old girl. We see a girl bound to a wheelchair, uncapable of being independant and very dependant on the care of others to get her through the most basic tasks. But what you CAN"T see, is a 17 year old girl with faith that puts a saint to shame, a girl who has a heart the size of Texas, and a girl who can capture an audience of any age simply with her smile and story.
To lie and say these past two years have been easy, pain free, and had little or no effect on our family would be just that...a lie. Jacoby endures SEVERE nerve pain every other day. She has decided medicating cannot be the answer for her because the meds that actually work have the side effect of blurring her mind, so she endures the pain. She's a 17 year old TEENAGE girl in a WHEELCHAIR....need I say more! The list could go on and on, but it won't ...because we choose to place our trust in God and choose a positive perspective. We don't get to choose our trials, but we DO get to choose how we will respond to them. Are we going to give up and give in when trials come or allow them to make us stronger? Jacoby made her choice back at Harborview Medical Center, that is still her choice today.
Since my last blog in the late 1700 century, Jacoby really hasn't skipped a beat. We now fill our days with sophisticated things like homecoming dances, SAT's, parasailing, slurpee runs and public speaking. (yes...she is working hard on embracing this one considering how much she LOVES to talk up front!) Jacoby has become quite the public speaker and speaks at many events, churches and schools. As we have learned to say, "BRING IT ON"!
QUICK THERAPY UPDATE: Jacoby is continuing to strengthen the muscles that are firing and building those that are not through electronic stimulation. The overall impact is "increased independence" as she is able to do more for herself. Also, she continues to have excellent health and remains unhospitalized due to, in part, continued exercise therapy.
Vertical Therapy continues to be a COMPLETE blessing to Jacoby and our family. These people have become part of our family, our daily schedule and we can't imagine life without them. Chris , Jacoby's main trainer, USED to be asked questions like, " Are Jacoby's triceps "firing" at all?" Now, he is asked questions like, " When are you going to ask your girlfriend to marry you?" " How many kids are you going to have?" He has definitely moved in closer on the family circle.
These are just a few recent events I KNEW we couldn't leave out:
1. Jacoby's 2nd Annual Run!
YES...she got us to run again...this time it was in the August sun! Unlike the first race where we all resembled ice figures, this race was on a GORGEOUS day; purple "Go Team Jacoby" shirts everywhere. There is something powerful and healing in participating and contributing toward a good cause. It is a beautiful reminder we're not alone; we all want to see Jacoby and everyone else affected by spinal cord injuries to find their fullest potential....ultimately, A CURE! Our hearts are with you all...We run for EACH ONE OF YOU!
There is really no way possible to adequately thank all those who made "Gift for Jacoby " run possible. I honestly pray continually The Lord will give us constant opportunities to "Pay it forward"; I guarantee He will.
Melanie and Dan Roach... my eyes fill with tears just typing your names...THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING you have done, yet never HAD to do; thank you, thank you, thank you.
There are so many of you who volunteered and sacrificed hours and hours taking care of details. Thank you to each and every one of you who showed up or contributed on race day to show support for Jacoby and our family; you will NEVER understand how much that that means to us.
Next year, it will be even more exciting as we grow this event. We will be giving a portion of the proceeds to spinal cord research and to others in similar circumstances. THE CURE IS OUT THERE; we want to do our part to find it! The race will be November 14, 2015, so put it on those calendars a year in advance.
2. PARASAILING!
Yes, you heard me correctly! Jacoby decided on the spur of the moment this summer she wanted to parasail at Lake Chelan. We were all SHOCKED and practically in tears! I mean, isn't it my job as mom to say, " that's crazy thinking, what if you cant hang on?" (which she couldn't ...might I add) Here is a perfect example of telling your child to face their fears and then wanting to hit yourself over the head because you basically HAVE to give my your blessing...back up your big mouth because they are doing what YOU told them to do! FOR PETE"S SAKE! Actually, the credit belongs to a speaker she met at the Youth Disabled Leadership Camp named Barry Long. He inspired her to fight against her fears and go do something she was afraid of...his words melted into the marrow of her soul; she came home from camp a changed girl. Thank you, Barry....
Watching Jacoby get pulled up hundreds of feet into the air was.......beautiful.....simply beautiful. No wheelchair, no confinement, COMPLETE freedom. I do believe I scared the poor gentlemen running the parasail half to death when I began WAILING uncontrollably. I don't know where it came from, and I most certainly didn't know how to shut it off. The higher she went, the harder I cried. She was finally FREE! But more than that, it was her smile from ear to ear. Now THAT made it all worth it; she was happier than a child on Christmas morn! O LORD, freeze this moment....
That day something changed in me as well. I realized many of us stop challenging ourselves; we quit believing there is great reward in conquering our fears. So I challenged myself to stop making excuses....time to do something I was afraid of too! The rest is history...thank you, darling.
Just a few weeks ago, Jason and I were blessed enough to sit around a big table with some of the people who had witnessed many of the miracles at the time of Jacoby's accident and the building of our home addition. It occurred to me that if it was AMAZING to Jason and I to hear these stories, it would be bless your socks off too! So here goes....CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN OF MIRACLES! My prayer is that by sharing our recent miracles surrounding Jacoby's accident, you will see your OWN miracles; they are there if you want to see them.
Dec. 1st-- Miracle #1
The day of Jacoby's accident was Friday, November 16, 2012. I had dropped Jacoby off at practice after school and then came home to pick up the rest of the troops. We were heading out to a soccer game on the peninsula. We received "the call" literally 10 seconds before we got on Interstate 5. Jason pulled over right before the onramp, swung the car around ILLEGALLY and began to drive as quickly as he could to Roach Gymnastics Center. Had we received the call even 1 minute later, we would have been stuck in traffic and unable to be with her for God knows how long. We talk about how AMAZING the timing was on that call ALL THE TIME.
December 2nd--Miracle #2
The evening of her accident, they moved us from St. Josephs Hospital in Tacoma to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Jacoby had 2 surgeries that needed to happen ASAP. The 1st surgery was needed to realign her vertebras in a straight line. Her C4 vertebra had faceted her C5, which means it had jumped above it.( Yah, not looking to good for the ol spinal cord! )They had to screw a halo in her head, and hang a weight in the back to keep the vertebras from shifting before they went in for the 2nd surgery. The 2nd surgery was needed to put the rods in and to fuse the vertebrae. Completely unknown to us, Jacoby had a large blood clot in her lungs. The doctors didn't tell us that they didn't think she was going to make it through the 2nd surgery. They said goodnight to us and assured us they would be back first thing in the morning, only to turn around 20 minutes later and tell us they were taking her in right away. (This was around 3am) Another miracle...Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord! I'm glad we had no idea until after the surgery....thank God we didn't have to plan a funeral the next morning. (Our hearts go out to the people that do.)
Dec. 3rd--Miracle #3
JACOBY'S SPINAL CORD WAS NOT SEVERED!!! After the 2nd surgery had been completed, the surgeon came out to talk with Jason and I. They had believed the spinal cord was severed before they went into the surgeries, but realized it had just been stretched to "seran wrap" consistency, but had NOT been severed. THIS WAS HUGE....
A huge "thanks" to the 1st responders for doing such a great job at delicately moving her off the unstable foam pit; you guys rock!
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