Joe and Cecilia’s Story

Site created on July 5, 2010

Welcome to our site about Joe and Cecilia's recovery journey!

For PHOTOS of the gingers:
http://picasaweb.google.com/liz.detwiler

For MOVIES of their recovery: (https://vimeo.com/user7356949/videos)https://vimeo.com/user7356949/video (https://vimeo.com/user7356949/videos)s


Hello everyone, thanks for coming.  This is basically what we have pieced together about what happened. Joe and Cecilia Detwiler (siblings) were in an auto accident on the fourth of July, 2010 around 2:15pm down at our grandparents' farm on Highway F, between the lake and the Byers house (where we usually stay).  I (their oldest sister Liz) will try to give you the most updated information I can. We're trying to keep panic at a minimum.
 
They were found by a passing motorist pinned in our grey F250 that had hit a tree.  We don't know why or how the truck hit the tree yet, and may not ever find out if they both don't have that memory available (I know that I don't remember the details of my car accident either). At this point it doesn't matter anyway. The good news is that the passing motorist was only switching out vehicles-- meaning he had to drive back down the highway he just came and that's when he found them.  He was only away for moments at most, and immediately called 911 and began to apply pressure to Joe's wounds. So they were found quickly. Point=us.

It took awhile to cut them out of the vehicle, as Joe was unconcious with facial lacerations and massive head trauma and Cecilia's legs were pinned under her seat..and those freaking F-250's are made so well that it was difficult to destroy it to get them out. They were airlifted by helicopter to St. Louis, after they were quickly annointed by a priest friend of mine (Fr. Charlie Pardee) who was visiting the farm that day. Point=Us (and God).
 
Uncle David and Patty were able to be at the hospital to meet Joe since they were in St. Louis at the time (and my parents were still driving from the farm to St. Louis with Uncle James). 
I think I go to the journal part to tell you the rest of the updates, so go there!

Newest Update

Untitled

Journal entry by Liz Detwiler —

Happy third anniversary today, friends.  It feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago. Our thanksgiving continues.  

When I think about where we were three years ago today--in the hospital waiting room with our family--I think about our cousin Bernadette Godfrey, who has been there (at Children's Hospital) over this holiday week. They removed most of another malignant tumor from her brain last week and her family and doctors are still deciding next steps. 

To mark this anniversary day/month, maybe we could all direct all our Nemo prayers (throwback, eh? ha!) towards her comfort, her peace, and her healing. You guys have inexplicable special powers when it comes to praying for the healing of young brains, so I'm thinking if we focus it all, Captain-America-style, on her and the Godfrey clan, maybe she and her family can get some relief.

The rest of us are well. Cecilia will start college soon, Joe continues in the seminary, John is engaged to lovely lady Jen and will tie the knot this year, Kevin graduated from the SLU MBA program and has a nice new job with a bank, and Trish is trucking along at her firm downtown and is taking a quick break from studying for the CPA exam to enjoy the summer with her peeps (with a well-deserved trip to Costa Rica!). Mom is very busy ripping up our first floor in honor of getting it ready for "the new baby!"  Yep. Tom and Stephanie are expecting a little one on Halloween! (Of course on Halloween--that's how Big T rolls. Apparently.) Though, the last time I checked, infants didn't need hardwood floors, finished patios and new cabinetry, but what do I know? Faye is beside herself, but the person who is MOST excited is me. Because I'm officially off the hook for producing a grandbaby! Now Mema Faye can "die in peace." Literally, she said that. I'm in my last year of grad school, having a great summer in Boston and trying to pull myself together before September. Have some great peeps here and look forward to next year with them.  Have a good night folks, know that you and yours are in our thoughts.

~Peace,
Liz
Read More of the journal posted Jul 4, 2013
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