MOBILITY! -- 2/11/06
Please note the updated entry for Thursday (with Photos).
Joseph is doing physical therapy and working hard (note photo 1 with Andrea the Occupational Therapy intern helping work out his left arm and wrist).
Joseph's sister, cousin, and friend gave him a "heart attack" for Valentine's Day. The hearts all over the room are really cool. They also attacked Weston's room (the missionary with the cancer surgery see Friday 2/3/06 update). He was really thrilled.
But Friday and Saturday were awesome days because of test driving the new power wheelchair.
Joseph felt so EMPOWERED. He has enough movement in his left arm and wrist to completely control the wheelchair. On Friday he tooled all over the hospital, including OUTSIDE. Everyone was ASTOUNDED. This is so unusu
al to be able to do this at this point (and normally not even possible for a C-4 spinal cord injury). He is able to go without his respirator for hours at a time (thus no following contraption in the photos). He has a small portable device that humidifies the air and he has a small mask over his trach (He also has his speaking valve on, so he can holler at people to get out of the way).
He was in his chair for about 3 hours on Friday and a couple of hours on Saturday. It really takes a lot of energy, but he is eating, drinking and sleeping to build it up.
There he goes. . . . Hey Joe, wait up!
Joseph is doing physical therapy and working hard (note photo 1 with Andrea the Occupational Therapy intern helping work out his left arm and wrist).
Joseph's sister, cousin, and friend gave him a "heart attack" for Valentine's Day. The hearts all over the room are really cool. They also attacked Weston's room (the missionary with the cancer surgery see Friday 2/3/06 update). He was really thrilled.
But Friday and Saturday were awesome days because of test driving the new power wheelchair.
Joseph felt so EMPOWERED. He has enough movement in his left arm and wrist to completely control the wheelchair. On Friday he tooled all over the hospital, including OUTSIDE. Everyone was ASTOUNDED. This is so unusu
al to be able to do this at this point (and normally not even possible for a C-4 spinal cord injury). He is able to go without his respirator for hours at a time (thus no following contraption in the photos). He has a small portable device that humidifies the air and he has a small mask over his trach (He also has his speaking valve on, so he can holler at people to get out of the way).He was in his chair for about 3 hours on Friday and a couple of hours on Saturday. It really takes a lot of energy, but he is eating, drinking and sleeping to build it up.
There he goes. . . . Hey Joe, wait up!
posted by Joseph Taggart -- Life, Family & Friends | 6:35 PM
4 Comments:
Looking good Joe!! I am glad to see you zooming around so soon.
Joe you are such an amazing person!I don't think I could deal with what you are going through, but look at you, keeping your spirits up, staying positive, ans laughing the whole way! Good for you! You inspire me everyday!
We all love you and are praying for you. My mom and Jim say hi and that you are always in their prayers!
Stephanie Davis(Record) and the LeClaires
Zowie! I go out of town for a couple of days and you're moto-crossing the hospital in a race car. What next! You look great and how wonderful to have enough mobility that you can control it with your hand. Must have felt grand to get out and see the sky and breathe some fresh air.
Well, as fresh as it gets around HERE, anyway. ;-)
Joe-
Way to go!! It's pretty hard to keep you down! Glad that you are making so much progress! A positive attitude goes a long way! I've learned a lot from watching you grow and progress! Keep up the hard work! p.s. Liz, you're kids are so cute!
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