Unbelievable Progress!

While I have been across the country and sad that I can't be there with Jesse, my mom and Laura have been sending me videos and pictures that make me cry tears of joy! Jesse spent 10 days in the "care facility" with little to no noticeable progress and a trip to the ER resulting in another ICU stay. Now, after only a few days in the inpatient acute rehab facility at the hospital, Jesse is able to use his own strength to sit up in bed, independently transfer from a bed to a wheel chair and back (with the use of equipment from the physical therapist) AND use his right leg to pull himself around in a wheel chair! This week he was able to take off his neck brace (with support from a nurse who held his head up) to shave his own face and head using his left arm. Not to mention wear clothes for the first time in almost a month! That's the difference between therapy for 1 hour a day/ 5 days per week at a "care facility" that was understaffed and 3 hours a day/ 6 days a week at a rehab facility with state of the art physical therapy equipment that is fully staffed. Can you imagine what it would be like for him, now and in the future, if he had not been blessed by each of you advocating for him? Can you imagine what it would be like for him if his senator and congressman had not taken the time and effort to then advocate for him with the VA? This is life changing for him and I encourage every one of you to send thank you letters, make thank you phone calls, or send thank you emails, to Congressman Walden and Senator DeBoer. While this is life changing for Jesse, I am pessimistic about the effect it will have on other veterans in similar situations. I encourage each of you to find local veterans who don't have family or friends advocating for them and become that person for them! I encourage each of you to contact your own elected officials to see if any of them are working on legislation concerning veterans or who may know of local organizations where you can volunteer to help. One person can make a difference. YOU can make a difference! You HAVE made a difference. Thank you! -Emily