Journal entry by Rebekah Carlson —
Hello everyone...
It's been awhile... there has been so much to say, but with everything going on, sometimes as difficult life is with MS.. we still are so blessed which truly makes it's hard to complain !!
A few things to report: Christian has not been up in his chair since his feeding tube surgery. We are having some difficulty with his tube ( tube has a few microscopic holes) which is a bit frustrating, but all in all his weight has gone up !
We have a feeling that a trip back to the doctor will come at some time, but one reason we have been reluctant to schedule anything, is that being in his wheelchair is very painful for him. His wheelchair is 7 years old, and it has been a challenge.
But just like everything else in this journey, God shows up at the perfect time!
Yesterday, Christian received a new wheelchair ! To describe the difference between his 2 chairs is like comparing sleeping on a hard mattress with just wood and a covering to receiving a Temprapedic ! It was that different !
To sum it up, his "Chair specialist" said.. " When I see Christian in his old chair, I see the chair... but when I look at him in his new chair... I see him! He had no pain.. and he stayed in his new chair for 5 hours. He was dizzy, but his body had a lot of adjusting to go through.
One of the other things that came with his new chair, is the ability to drive with his eyes ! It has been about 4 years since he has been able to be independent in his chair ( which is also a reason he is not too excited to get in his chair)...
That all changed yesterday ! Within 5 minutes of putting this new technology on, Christian was doing laps around our kitchen and living room. God has blessed him with the ability to use this eye gaze technology for a few years in his bed, but this was definately new to be able to drive.
To let you know how big this is... He is the FIRST veteran in all of Central Missouri to receive this.. the technology is fairly new, so it took some convincing and several meetings by Physical therapists, Occupational therapists, chair specialists, etc., to meet and agree to approve it trusting that Christian would be successful at it.
I have already had 2 calls today from the VA following up. They had already received word that is was already a success.
There are still some tweaks here and there in the future, but this definitely changes things. If he can get in his chair more, he can possibly get stronger and wean off of the dizziness.. which means opportunities to go out.. especially church.. which he has yet to go to since we have moved 6 years ago.
In closing, we would appreciate your prayers again... He is having issues with both of his tubes (supra-pubic and his feeding tube).. please pray that he will have the strength to get these issues resolved. And please Praise God with us for this amazing Blessing !
Thank you all.. and God Bless... attached is a short video of him driving his chair with his EYES !
It's been awhile... there has been so much to say, but with everything going on, sometimes as difficult life is with MS.. we still are so blessed which truly makes it's hard to complain !!
A few things to report: Christian has not been up in his chair since his feeding tube surgery. We are having some difficulty with his tube ( tube has a few microscopic holes) which is a bit frustrating, but all in all his weight has gone up !
We have a feeling that a trip back to the doctor will come at some time, but one reason we have been reluctant to schedule anything, is that being in his wheelchair is very painful for him. His wheelchair is 7 years old, and it has been a challenge.
But just like everything else in this journey, God shows up at the perfect time!
Yesterday, Christian received a new wheelchair ! To describe the difference between his 2 chairs is like comparing sleeping on a hard mattress with just wood and a covering to receiving a Temprapedic ! It was that different !
To sum it up, his "Chair specialist" said.. " When I see Christian in his old chair, I see the chair... but when I look at him in his new chair... I see him! He had no pain.. and he stayed in his new chair for 5 hours. He was dizzy, but his body had a lot of adjusting to go through.
One of the other things that came with his new chair, is the ability to drive with his eyes ! It has been about 4 years since he has been able to be independent in his chair ( which is also a reason he is not too excited to get in his chair)...
That all changed yesterday ! Within 5 minutes of putting this new technology on, Christian was doing laps around our kitchen and living room. God has blessed him with the ability to use this eye gaze technology for a few years in his bed, but this was definately new to be able to drive.
To let you know how big this is... He is the FIRST veteran in all of Central Missouri to receive this.. the technology is fairly new, so it took some convincing and several meetings by Physical therapists, Occupational therapists, chair specialists, etc., to meet and agree to approve it trusting that Christian would be successful at it.
I have already had 2 calls today from the VA following up. They had already received word that is was already a success.
There are still some tweaks here and there in the future, but this definitely changes things. If he can get in his chair more, he can possibly get stronger and wean off of the dizziness.. which means opportunities to go out.. especially church.. which he has yet to go to since we have moved 6 years ago.
In closing, we would appreciate your prayers again... He is having issues with both of his tubes (supra-pubic and his feeding tube).. please pray that he will have the strength to get these issues resolved. And please Praise God with us for this amazing Blessing !
Thank you all.. and God Bless... attached is a short video of him driving his chair with his EYES !
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