Behold I Make All Things New

New Photos of Zack

Friday march 30, 2006

Friday March 31, 2006 Zack’s last week with the Easter Pageant has been an exciting one. Dr. Mook from Frazier Rehab came to see him in the pageant on Wednesday and Mary Beth (Occupational Therapist) and Amy (Physical Therapist) also from Frazier Rehab came to see him last night. Zack was so excited to see them and we were able to get new pictures (quite different from the ones we took with them when he was in the hospital). Dr Mook is a deacon at Shively Baptist Church and he will make arrangements for us to speak there one Sunday night. Mary Beth also talked to Zack about us coming back to Frazier Rehab to talk with other families who are currently dealing with brain injuries. Zack enjoys going to see patients at University Hospital and Frazier as much as he likes speaking to other teenagers about his journey. He told me earlier this week that he is glad that he got in the accident, not that he wanted to die (he made that very clear) but because it has made him a better person. He says he prays more and doesn’t want to disappoint God by doing bad things like smoking or sneaking out. He is so different to be around now. If we go to an appointment somewhere and have to sit in the waiting room he always wants to talk. Before he was like any teenage boy and had very little to say to adults. He also loves babies and toddlers, always going up to talk to them. I think he would make a great youth counselor.
We had an exciting day Monday when I took Zack to get his drivers permit at 8:00 AM. He was very excited and told me he prayed most of the night that he would pass. He told Scott and I to be praying for him while he was taking the test. He passed with flying colors and was showing everyone at Frazier East his new permit. Scott picked him up after therapy and took him driving. When I got home from work Zack wanted to show me how well he could drive so off we went again. He told me his Dad cried the whole time and when I said “Did you scare him that much” he replied, “No, Dad just cries a lot”. Scott still gets overwhelmed whenever Zack accomplishes another milestone always thinking about how we nearly lost him completely. It’s hard not to think back to the days not long ago when Zack struggled to speak and now he speaks before hundreds of other teenagers. Or to remember how we thought he would never go to school and now he is driving there. Of course now he wants to drive whenever we get in the car but it is a privilege he well deserves.
We are looking forward to Spring Break when we will finally get to have a family vacation again. We will be in Hilton Head like many times before and are anxious to see what Zack remembers. We have been seeing some definite improvements in his memory since he started taking the Excelon. He is starting to remember events from the last few years although the months preceding the accident are still gone. It seems that places, or songs or movies will suddenly make him remember something from the past that was lost with his accident. He is doing so well and has met all his O.T. goals at Frazier East that once he returns to school after Spring Break he will start going three days a week. This will give him a better chance of keeping up with what they are studying and how he will handle the work load next year. Since he will be dropping to two days a week at Frazier we are hoping to extend his therapy part time through the summer. He is looking forward to relaxing by the pool this summer (he will have plenty of time for that) but we also need to keep exercising that brain to insure he is ready for school in the Fall. He wants to get back in shape and has made me promise that I will get up and run with him on the beach everyday on vacation. He has regained all his weight lost in the hospital, plus a little extra from those big meals we encouraged. He looks good but he hasn’t been able to exercise since the pageant rehearsals started so he is out of shape. By summer he will be lean and tan with that brilliant smile that lights up a room (do I sound prejudice? I am!).
I worked for 2 ½ hours last Sunday (and several more later in the week) trying to post new pictures on this site but was unsuccessful. I finally figured out how to use the scanner and saved the pictures to a disc but posting those seem impossible. I emailed them to Tim (my web master) tonight so if we are lucky he will be able to get them posted. One of these days someone needs to come and show me how to do it.
For those who wanted to know where we speak next I can tell you that April 11th we will be at Barret Middle School (in the morning) and at Trinity High School on April 26th. We will speak at two different classes in the afternoon and then to their FCA Group at 3:00. That evening we will be at Brandenburg Baptist Church at 7:00 PM to speak to the youth group from the surrounding area. I am still finalizing the arrangements with other local high schools and churches. All the churches and FCA groups would welcome any visitors for those that would like to come hear us. Hopefully we will be expanding on Zack’s speech but for now 2 – 3 minutes is great for him. Please pray that our message is received with open hearts and minds and that we can reach other teenagers struggling with the choices they make every day. Let them see in Zack the work of God and instill in them a desire to know His awesome power. Please continue praying for Zack’s complete recovery for the Glory of God.

Friday March 24, 2006

Friday March 24, 2006 Zack is so busy now with school on Tuesday and Thursday, therapy the other three days, homework and the Easter Pageant that I hardly get to see him. Most days he and Scott have already left for church by the time I get home. It dawned on me just yesterday that now our rolls are reversed. When Zack was in the hospital and at Frazier Rehab I was with him all the time and Scott was home with Dylan and the girls. Now they are off being soldiers together and I am at home with the kids. I know how Scott felt when he said he was lonely. I miss them. I wait up until they get home but usually Zack is tired, takes a shower and goes straight to bed. I am grateful that they are in the pageant, it is a spiritual experience, they are making good friends and it is a bonding experience for Scott and Zack ….but….I am looking forward to playing cards with Zack again and having a conversation with Scott that’s not rushed.
Wednesday I sat in on Zack’s speech session at Frazier East. Leslie wanted me to see where Zack was in his reading and get a sense of the work we need to do over the summer to have him ready for school in the Fall. Zack still reads slow but is able to read every word in his high school world history book. Comprehension is still difficult because he has to focus so much energy just reading and we still fight the aphasia. However, when she had him read the same subject matter at an easier reading level his comprehension improved drastically. She suggested we look into some alternate books that are easier reading in subjects like history and science. She also said that we needed to plan his classes out to give him the necessary credits to graduate but not overloading his schedule. I talked to Carol Britton (Zack’s tutor at Christian Academy) and she was going to check into what credits Zack needed for his Junior and Senior year and how we could utilize alternate books. Carol has become such an advocate for Zack within the school system that takes such pressure off of me. She has already worked out Zack’s schedule for his Junior year and it is set up to where Zack can be successful. He will have plenty of study halls in which she can work one-on-one with him. Zack took a really heavy class load as a Freshman and met many of his high school requirements the last two years. God was planning our path even then because now Zack is able to have a light schedule as a Junior, which will be his hardest year while still recovering. Scott and I talk about how we see God’s plan unfolding every day…how he set this up years ago…how he put just the right people in all the right places. It is so comforting.
Thursday morning we went to Ky Country Day to speak to the Upper school (about 180 high school students). Zack had written his own speech and had been diligently practicing. Dr Perri, Leslie and the new student speech therapist, Suzanne and the new student occupational therapist, Carol Britton and Trish Tobe (she arranged my first speech at KCD) all came to support Zack. Rick Thompson (Zack’s friend that graduated from Christian Academy last year and now attends Western University) came with us and ran the power point. Although it was an audience of mixed religious beliefs, the students were attentive and interested. Zack did great. He spoke slowly, clearly and had it perfectly memorized. It was short but to the point and I think those students that might have tuned me out were definitely interested in what he had to say. Zack didn’t seem near as nervous as I felt. We were all very proud of him and I hope this is just the beginning of his desire to speak publicly on the journey God has placed him on. The upper school director spoke to the students when we were through and did an excellent job of addressing the faith issue. She stated that there were many different belief systems within the student body and even if they didn’t share our faith we still had a message they could learn from. It was our first experience speaking to such a diverse group of religious beliefs and we look forward to other opportunities. No matter what they believe they can’t deny the fact that “our” belief in a powerful, merciful God has changed the way we look at our situation. We can have an attitude of hope and victory “because” of our faith and that alone is a testimony to God’s power.
Zack passed his final, all inclusive written driving test at Frazier today. Suzanne had told him that if he got an 85% of above on this last test she gave him then he could get his permit. Before he went to bed last night he told me to get him up an hour early so he could study. He also studied as we were driving to Frazier. He wouldn’t let me turn the radio on (which he usually has blaring) and I couldn’t talk to him. He was serious about passing this test so he was studying every free moment. As I drove in silence I was remembering what Dr. Kraft told me at Frazier…”He will be able to do anything that he really wants to do”. He was right. Everything that Zack has set his mind to he has accomplished, against terrific odds. I steal glances at him and am full of admiration. He has been through so much in the last eight months and has proven what faith, prayer, determination and a positive attitude can accomplish. Monday morning 8:00 AM I will take him to get his permit. He got a 99 on his test. He deserves it more than I can justify being nervous. It represents hard work, a major accomplishment, a well deserved reward. Please continue to pray for us. Pray for Zack’s continued recovery. Pray that he will be ready for his Junior year in the Fall. Pray that he will have more opportunities to share his testimony. Pray that God’s glory will shine through Zack as an example of His faithfulness and awesome power.
Sidebar: as soon as I figure out how to use my scanner I promise to post new pictures.

Friday March 17, 2006

Friday March 17, 2006 Zack had a very busy schedule this past week. He has had dress rehearsal for the Easter Pageant every night since Monday, which required him to be there by 4:30 to get into make-up and costume. He has given up his nap over the last 2 weeks and seems to be handling it pretty well. He is very tired by the time he gets home at 10:30 or 11:00 PM but he is not complaining. I had to tell Carol Britton that now that the pageant has started there is no time for me to work with him on Rhythmic Writing during the week. She understands the demanding schedule and appreciates the importance of his involvement in the pageant so she agrees that we should just work it in on the weekends.
This past Sunday night the entire family (and Zack’s friend Lindsey) went to Westport Road Church of Christ. We enjoyed dinner and got to meet many of the people who have been praying for Zack since his accident. After dinner I spoke to the youth group (with many adults in the audience) and at the end Zack came up and answered a few questions. We had talked about what he might say on the way to church but by the time he got up there most of his thoughts were gone. I cued him and he said a few things but mostly he just smiled. Scott has heard me speak on Zack’s accident and recovery several times but he still gets very emotional. He had to move to the back of the room by the door where he sat in tears through most of the presentation. On the way home I finally convinced Zack that we needed to put what he wanted to say on paper and develop some written cues. He does not want to memorize a speech (I’m not real sure how successful that would be anyway) but instead wants to speak from the heart. I told him it could still be spontaneous but his thoughts need to be organized. He agrees since he will be joining me at Kentucky Country Day School when I speak to the high school assembly next Thursday morning. He really enjoys going to places to hear me speak and feels it is important for him to get up and tell other teenagers about what happened to him and how to avoid the same fate. I wish I could take him every time but sometimes his schedule does not allow it. This past Wednesday I spoke to the high school assembly at Whitfield Academy. Ironically there were several students there who knew Zack and others who had heard his story. It was an attentive group of about 175 students. Then on Wednesday night I spoke to the youth group at Crestwood Baptist Church to 200 teenagers. Several kids came up to me afterwards and told me how they were impacted by Zack’s story. I am surprised at how suddenly nervous I still become right before I speak even though I have done this 10 or 12 times. Knowing that my heart races, I have shallow breaths and my palms sweat, I am surprised that Zack is not more nervous. He seems to take everything in stride. He has finished his third week back in school but for him that is only 6 days since he only goes two days a week. Carol (his tutor) and Leslie (Frazier speech therapist) have agreed that World Civilization probably is not the best class for him to take right now since it is so fragmented for him. It is very hard to keep up when he is only there two days a week and each day is dependant on what was taught the day before. Instead Carol will spend that hour working with him one-on-one with reading comprehension and organized writing (like what is necessary for a term paper). This will help him improve in every school subject and prepare him for his junior year this Fall. He gets along great with Carol. She is very supportive and encouraging (and appreciates his silliness at times). I spoke to Dr Perri (psychologist) today and he said now is about the time we should start seeing the effects of the Excelon he started taking at the end of February. This is the medication that facilitates memory and Leslie told Dr Perri that she is noticing some subtle improvements in Zack’s memory this week. Scott told me yesterday that Zack remembered an incident that happened when he was at Frazier Rehab which surprised us since we were told he wasn’t likely to remember any of that time. We are praying that the Excelon will jump start his memory and help him recall what he learns in school. He has gotten very good at reading chapters and finding answers to complete a worksheet but is far from being tested on that material. I am not discouraged because in January he couldn’t read a paragraph and highlight what was important and now he can complete worksheets. We feel very fortunate to have so many people working with him towards the same goal…getting him ready for school next year.
I have missed Zack and Scott this week since they are usually gone to church by the time I pick the kids up from school after work. I had left a message on Zack’s cell phone saying that I never get to see him anymore and I miss him. Then yesterday I received a message from him saying, “I’m sorry I have been gone so much doing the pageant thing but I’m trying to get closer to God so don’t get mad”. I miss him but I gladly give him up to God and the pageant. He and Scott are making great friends there and Scott said it is the most spiritual thing he had ever been involved with. The Roman Soldiers pray together every night and share their concerns. Last night was Guest night (the formal dress rehearsal) and I took Dylan and the girls. Carol Britton, Zack’s friend Brooke and Brooke’s Mom Dee Dee also went with us. The pageant was wonderful and made even more special because Zack was able to be in it. As I first saw him march across the stage I couldn’t help but think back to when he was learning to walk again at Frazier Rehab. Who could have ever imagined six months ago where we would be now? He looked so handsome in his soldier uniform and this time I knew that helmet covered a full head of hair. During the pageant he fought back a smile when he walked past me in the aisle (Roman soldiers are supposed to be stern and mean). Afterwards when we saw him in the atrium he beamed a smile that lit up the room. We took pictures and he showed off his stage makeup tan. He and Scott are getting closer than ever sharing this experience. He is surrounded by Godly men, praying with them and sharing stories. He is inspiring to many others that saw him in the hospital and now watch him perform and act silly backstage. We are blessed beyond belief and appreciate this journey, even at its darkest. I was given a scripture verse from one of the members at Westport Road Baptist Church that has new meaning for us now. Isaiah 45:3 “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” Please continue to pray for Zack’s complete recovery and specifically that he will be ready for school in the Fall.

Wednesday March 8, 2006

Wednesday March 8, 2006 Zacks first full week on our new schedule takes a little getting use to. He went to school Thursday and got to go to chapel which he has really been looking forward to. He said it was very good but he got a little mad when some people started clapping off beat to be funny. He really gets into worship…he knows how much he has to be grateful for. On the days that he goes to Frazier East and is not working with Carol Britton I have to do Rhythmic Writing with him at home. It is difficult carving time out especially on Monday and Wednesday. When he leaves Frazier I have to take him to Vision Therapy which isn’t over until 4:45. We get home at 5:00 and he has to be at church for pageant practice at 6:00. Somewhere in there he needs to eat. We are making it work and know our schedule will be less demanding when the Easter Pageant is over. Although the pageant practices are really cutting into his social life we see positive impacts. One scene always finds Zack watching in the sanctuary. When the blind man calls out for Jesus to heal him Zack stares intently. After that particular scene on Monday, Zack walked up to his Dad and Scott told him he looked tired. Zack shrugged his shoulders and said matter of factly, “I was crying”. He said that is his favorite scene in the pageant and I can’t help thinking that Zack pictures himself as that blind mind and realizes that Jesus healed him. He is making new friends with some wonderful Christian teenagers that are also in the play. He is also starting to connect with some of the Sophomores at school which is great since he will start his Junior year with them in the Fall. He worked on his power point presentation at Frazier and on the weekend. He did much of it himself and I was very surprised when he showed it to me. He presented himself, his accident, therapy and a look ahead. He used pictures from the hospital and therapy. It was very good and I especially liked his ending in “looking ahead”. He stated that he knows it will be hard but he has faith that he can achieve all his goals because “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”. Carol was with him in computer when he presented to his class yesterday. Zack told me that his was the best one and Carol agreed that it was very impressive. He takes great pride in his work and I think this attitude will go a long way to his success in school. He also did a good job on his Ghandi report but got help from Leslie (speech therapist). A lot of his time at Frasier is now spent with them going over his school work and developing strategies for learning. Carol also teaches him strategies and how to apply them in Instrumental Enrichment. All efforts point towards cognitive rehabilitation and Carol is a great addition to our therapy team. Zack looks forward to his sessions with Dr Perri especially when they are able to go to lunch together. He told me that Dr Perri has kind of taken the place of Jose (occupational therapy student) who finished with Frazier in February and who Zack really bonded with. He hopes to get to see Jose again and maybe go bowling.
Today I took Zack and Dylan to the first Regional girl’s varsity basketball game. We were hoping to see Christian Academy play for the championship on Saturday but they lost. It was especially sad since it would be the last time Meredith Marsh would play for CAL since she graduates this year. After the game Zack and I went to University Hospital to meet Josh McIntyre and his family. Josh is 19 years old and was hit by a car while helping a stranger. He suffered a broken leg, hip and spine damage and traumatic brain injury. We met Josh, his mom, grandmother, aunt and two friends and were able to share encouraging words of hope. They immediately recognized Zack from his pictures on the bulletin board in ICU and had even been on the website. Josh had been in the same ICU as Zack but is currently in the critical care unit. His condition is very much like Zack’s when he was transferred to Frazier. His mother now worries about the recommendation to send him to Pathways, the neuro unit of Christopher East nursing home. We talked about the need for her to forgive the women that ran over Josh and keep a positive attitude about his recovery. I think the family was greatly encouraged to see how far Zack has come in such a short time and we exchange numbers so we can follow up with him later. I was pleased that Zack asked them if anyone there believed in God and prayer and when they told him yes he responded “good cause that will help you a lot”. We prayed with them and then his Mom walked down to ICU with us to visit the staff. There were several nurses working that had cared for Zack and they always appreciate when a patient comes back to visit. We also got to see Linda at the information desk. She prayed with Scott the day of Zack’s accident and helped him through some really rough times. As we walked to the car Zack told me he really liked visiting Josh. He pointed out that everyone was crying when I was talking to them about Josh and he liked that. He feels their crying means they care a lot about him and it makes it seem important that we came. He says he wants to keep visiting people in the hospital when they are really “messed up” because he can make them feel better. He knows how blessed he is and feels the same sense of responsibility to offer hope to others that Scott and I feel. He also wants to share how important it is to pray and trust God…he gets it!
These hospital visits do a lot of good for us. I am instantly transported back to the time when we waited desperately for Zack to wake up and can more fully appreciate where we are now. God looms large again. Its like a mini mission trip…we receive as many blessing as the people we come to see. We are looking forward to our visit to Westport Road Church of Christ this Sunday evening where I will speak to the youth group. This is where the Rivards go to church and everyone there has been praying for us since the accident, following Zack’s progress on the website and offering words of encouragement. Many of these people visited us at the hospital and at Frazier Rehab and I am sure they will be excited to see how well Zack is doing. It seems we now have family in Christ all over Louisville. Brought together by a tragedy, bound together by faith and basking in the awesome power of God. He is still in control. We ask for your continued prayers for Zack’s complete recovery for the Glory of God!