Sept 28, 2023

Just 372 days ago, Jared started breathing completely on his own and finally had enough dead tissue removed from the wound on his lower back to get attached to a wound vac. He had a feeding tube and a colostomy bag. He had to be restrained so he would not climb out of bed or pull out any of his tubes. He had a neck brace that he hated and casts on his ankles. Family members were with him; watching him and protecting him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On his 31st birthday he had not passed the swallow test so the only ‘treat’ was a cake shaped card that his friend Bobby gave him. 

Fast forward to today, Jared is turning 32 in a MUUUCH better set of circumstances. He’s been living in his house in Austin for 2 months, he eats and drinks whatever he wants, his wounds are healed and he has no tubes, casts, bags or braces!! He has graduated from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane and he’s progressed from trying to escape his hospital bed to adventures such as restaurants, movies, swimming, concerts, boating and even bowfishing. 

And, although it’s taken an unreasonable number of phone calls, coordinating resources and some trial and error, we FINALLY have his therapy services moved from New Braunfels to Austin. Starting next week Jared will visit the NeuroRestorative center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 4 hours each time. He is set up to receive physical, occupational, speech, neurocognitive, and vision therapy during his visits. We believe he will also finally have some mental health services and counseling which he very much needs because although his quality of life is vastly better than on this day one year ago, it is still a struggle for Jared to accept the way his life has changed from the way he lived before his accident. The good news is his connection with God is very strong. He talks about how good God is and points out God’s beauty wherever he sees it; in nature, in people, in himself. Jared knows he’s alive for a reason, his purpose driven nature is beyond frustrated that God hasn’t revealed the reason to him, at least not yet. 

Thank you for those prayers you all started praying so long ago. For over a year your requests and appeals have been heard and so many have been dutifully honored by our merciful Heavenly Father. Please continue to pray that Jared finds the strength to live this new version of his life. Pray that he finds the patience to wait on the Lord’s timing as he continues to heal and improve physically and mentally. Pray that he can feel your love for him and that he can find and focus on the blessings of each day instead of the trials and obstacles.