Well, here we are 2 years post injury and probably a lot to catch up on seeing its been about a year since we have posted here. Gage overall is still continuing to improve although we have noticed some areas where he has stayed about the same. First off, we really see a difference in his short term memory, he will remember things more easily without being prompted and this is huge for him as this we believe has been his most difficult deficit. We are always trying new things to sharpen that short term memory and will continue to come up with new innovative ways to make it fun and not frustrating. 

Gage’s favorite activities come from anything physical...always up for a run, hike, pool games, weights etc! This brings us to our saddest news...Gage’s beloved physical therapist, Nicole, will be moving to Texas in December to start a new life with her husband Collin which means we are down to only a handful of sessions. Nicole is someone that Gage bonded with just a week after we came home from Colorado. This news was devastating to Gage and our entire family as there are no words to describe our gratitude for everything she has done for Gage both physically and emotionally.  She is his friend first and physical therapist second. Unfortunately, Gage is currently not in any occupational therapy or speech therapy. Most definitely not by choice, we have found with GREAT frustration that there is little to no resources for those two imperative therapies in South Orange County. If anybody has ANY suggestions PLEASE reach out as we desperately need help in this department!! Gage’s friends have been awesome at taking him to the gym, out for dinner or lunch and just coming over to hang out...it’s the most normal thing he has and that’s so important to him. Gage’s sister Kenzie got married July 29th and that was the highlight of our year. Gage was a groomsman and walked me down the aisle and was also asked to lead us in prayer to bless our meal.

Back in June we lost one of our own, Kyle Osborne who suffered a severe T.B.I. almost a year to the date before Gage was injured. Gage felt strongly about going to the service to celebrate and mourn Kyle who beat the odds only to succumb to his injuries a couple years later. We have stayed in touch with his family and ran the annual Dove Dash Reppin’ Team Osborne. It was an honor to be there and run for these amazing humans. We still keep in touch with our CHOC at Mission and CRAIG family and follow everybody’s progress. Recently we received a D.M. via instagram from a family who was at Mission Hospital. Their daughter, Bre, had recently suffered a severe T.B.I when she was hit by a car. The staff at Mission who was caring for Bre told them to look us up and thumb through videos and photos of Gage on this account as they felt that if they saw Gage's recovery it would give them hope. Gage and I were asked to come visit them at Mission Hospital. We went the next day and spent a couple of hours in the waiting room with the family and their closest friends. Gage had them laughing with his craziness and all that goes along with this injury and we think they felt better and more hopeful by the time we left...that’s all we can ask for!! When we got in the car that night, before starting the car, I grabbed Gages hand and said “those times that you ask me...“why did this happen to me?” and we’ve told you “we may never have that answer” well here is an answer now, you went in that hospital and sat in a room full of strangers and gave them something they didn’t have before we got there...you gave them HOPE!" I am happy to report that this beautiful young woman and her family are now at Craig in Colorado and she’s doing pretty well.

Gages stepmom Laura got us in to The Amen Clinic for some testing and some brain scans. We have not heard about the findings, if any, but it’s just one more resource to help him. I know everybody wants to know about the criminal case and because it is an ongoing case we still feel it is best to not really comment on it as we also have a civil case starting as well. We are blessed to have the love and support of family, friends and an amazing community. We have so much still ahead of us and that’s okay because time is on our side and we will get Gage to be the best he can be.

To see a slideshow of pics of Gage throughout this last year, click on this link....