Monday, November 15, 2010

More at Project Walk & Golf Fundraiser THIS Friday!

This is Zack up in the "walker" at Project Walk. They have 3 or 4 trainers helping out at first one behind him, one in front and one below moving his feet for him...a great moment seeing him up and moving forward.

Also reminder that THIS Friday (Nov.19th) is Zack's golf tournament fundraiser at Black Gold golf course in Yorba Linda (see brochure for details) or feel free to e-mail me. You can come play golf or just have dinner with us or both.

Look forward to seeing some of you. Zack's excited to ride in a golf cart!



Monday, November 8, 2010

Look at Zack "Standing"

Zack asked us to help him stand up. Adron and Levi are holding him up. It was GREAT to see him in that position. He has grown! He is now as tall as Adron about (5'11) Fun day!






































P.S. THANK YOU to all of you who e-mailed me or posted encouraging thoughts our way. It was very uplifting to hear from so many of you. Love, Amber

Zack's New Room!

Another Big Thank You is in order to Vince and Donna Campion, Yorba Linda Sunrise Rotary Club and my friend Stephanie Ruppe they have re-done Zack (and Levi's) bedroom. It is a small room and the boys share it. It was not a very great room to hangout in before but that has changed. The YL Rotary Club came to the house and actually put together the furniture they bought for us. Vince Campion is a realtor who read Zack's article in the OC register. He is part of the Yorba Linda Sunrise Rotary Club they wanted to help us with a project. Stephanie is a friend who I had asked if she would help me with Zack's room, when I got a letter from Vince so I asked Stephanie to call him. So between all of them Zack now has a pretty cool "teenage friendly" bedroom to hangout in. Thanks you guys!















































































































































Finished room...


























































This is Randy Maddix President and CEO of R.E.M sleep solutions. Randy is a friend of Vince Campion and heard about Zack and donated the most amazing bed ever. It is a full long temperpedic type ADJUSTABLE Bed! It has build in massage the head and feet can adjust up and down in different positions which is great for Zack and allows him to be able to change positions. We have now been able to give back his hospital bed that was in our living room and Zack can sleep back in his own room. If your thinking of buying a bed please give Randy a call @ 877.REM.BEDS I know that sounds like a sales pitch but I'm telling you its a great bed we are always laying on it with Zack. Thank You Randy!






















































































To replace the hospital bed in the living/family room Lazy Boy in Yorba Linda donated a Lazy Boy recliner chair. Zack can now join the family and sit in a regular recliner chair. Its Great to have him in with us when were all watching a movie or just hanging out. Thanks Lazy Boy. The Yorba Linda community has been so supportive. Again I'm truly overwhelmed and grateful. Thank you.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Zack on the Computer!

Yes! That is Zack on the computer. Zack has figured out how to use his thumb's weight (even though it doesn't work) to push down on the keys of his key board and iPhone. He can text like crazy and he goes on facebook like most teenagers (and adults) these days. When Zack puts his mind to something he does it, that's who he is. His positive attitude and prayers are moving him forward.

I do want to clarify this injury is NOT at all easy to deal with. For a once Very active teenage boy to have to be so dependant on help is extremely difficult, especially at his age when you are stretching your independence anyway. There are days when I wish he could call his friends and run out the front door like he use to or walk home from school and then complain to me that I made him walk "all the way" home.

We have to feed him, shower him, dress him, and more but what continues to surprise me is the strength I see in Zack and the mind set that he IS going to get better. What will that look like? No one knows right now. So we just take it a day at a time, stay hopeful, positive and pray for the best outcome. We live life in the meantime and look for all the blessings that are right along-side of this tragedy.

For now Zack is picking up where he left off with some things like playing one of his favorite online video games with NO hands, fingers or wrists! So the saying "where there's a will there's a way" It's TRUE!

Those of you who still read this blog "Thank you!" Even though sometimes I feel like I'm typing for myself or it's just going into cyberspace somewhere, I hope that reading this will encourage you in your daily lives to NEVER give up.

Thanks for listening.

P.S I've added my personal e-mail address on main page under contact info.

Love, Amber




Physical Therapy, Part 2

The last 2 weeks Zack's add a new trainer at therapy, she has been with Project Walk a long time and I was pleased that Zack had her that day. As they started working out with Zack she got so excited at some of the things he can do. She said "Zack they have been hiding you from me!" She was telling him how great it is that he has certain movements, some of them are specifically needed to walk. He is making progress. Both Zack and I were very encouraged with her enthusiasm and positive comments. Project Walk continues to be both physically and mentally great for Zack.







Physical Therapy, Part 1

Zack is continuing to do well at physical therapy. His siblings & family members like to come watch and be with him when they can. He really likes his team of trainers each brings something different to his therapy program. It makes the hour drive well worth it.













Monday, October 25, 2010

Archery Benefit Fundraiser -- November 14

Hi Everyone - Here's the flyer for the Archery Fundraiser coming up on Sunday, November 14!

click on the pic to enlarge....

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