Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Gardens, AFO, Secrets, and The Staple Fairy

http://www.prayforjessie.org/

Here is a glimpse into Jessie's Day in therapy and an introduction to her Therapists at KKI (Kennedy Krieger Institute)

This is Beth, She is Jessie's Occupational Therapist, and she and Jessie planted a Mirror Flower Garden together today. At the end, Miss Beth let Jessie take one flower back to the room and put it on her window to remember the day and what they had done. What you may not notice, is that Jessie is sitting on a cylinder that rolls slightly, and each time it does, Jessie mus react and balance. Jessie just thinks that she is playing a game and never realizes that she is doing therapy. Miss Beth is great!!


This is Miss Heather. She is Jessie's Physical Therapist, and does many things, but focuses a significant amount of time on walking. Today, Jessie got a new customized AFO brace that helps keep her foot at a 90 degree angle...essential for learning how to walk again. She may wear an AFO for the rest of her life, or she may be able to walk someday without it. The guy working on the wheel chair is Mr. Mike. He's giving Jessie's chair a front-end alignment.

This is a view of Jessie's room at KKI. That's Dr. Carson and Coach Thurman (the bunny) hanging up in the background.





Here is Miss Heather (Dr. Carson's PA), getting ready to remove Jessie's staples. She had 66 in her head, and some of them didn't cooperate as they were being removed. We tried to calm Jessie down by telling her that "The Staple Fairy" would be coming tonight, and that if she let Miss Heather take them out, the Staple Fairy would give her a quarter for each staple removed and waiting under her pillow. I guess that I should have done the math on that one first. Oh well, I guess that $16.50 is not too bad...especially since Mom has to play staple fairy tonight.

Here's Mom and Jessie telling secrets so Dad can't hear. I'm happy that they can share secrets. I hope that they share secrets for the rest of their lives...that's important for moms and daughters.

OK, drum roll please. Monday, Matt cut his hair so that he could look like Jessie, and the picture is finally in. Matt, it looks GREAT!! Jessie is going to feel so good that you sacrificed your hair for her. We're proud of you!!


And Here is the whole crew. Matt, Jake, and Josh climbing rocks in Veedawoo between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming. They still look like they're having a miserable time. Boys!! Mom and Dad love you and we can't wait to see you again soon. We'll be at the Baltimore airport waiting for you on July 1st.


http://www.prayforjessie.org

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOOK AT YOU!! A few days ago you were looking pretty sad in that bed, and now you're sitting up straight at therapy. You are amazing. Work hard

Anonymous said...

keep trying hard jessie --your determination will win any battle!! you look great!!! grooms family ---xoxoxoxoxoxoxoox

Anonymous said...

You all are amazing! Just thanks is all we can say. She just looks from the pictures Great! My girls think she is at the hospital around the corner, I tell them daily how far away you guys are, but to no avail the same questions daily. So, when you return to TX I hope it is okay if Jessie has friends come visit. They are chomping on the bit to see her. We will wait to see how you all feel about all that when you get here. Cris and Kristi she looks soooo good, thank you again for sharing. We are the ones blessed to have you in our lives. We will continue to pray for you and all those around you all.
Much love from Aledo,
The Hefner Family

Anonymous said...

Once again my entire body is filled with goose bumps! Jessie looks so good in ALL the pictures! Way to go Matt- such a great big brother! May God continue to bless your family and as always my thoughts and prayers are with Jessie and your whole family!!!
XOXO
Kara
Ft. Worth, TX

Anonymous said...

66 staples, my goodness that's alot. Tell Jessie that she is the bravest little girl on earth. A real trooper. The hard work now will pay off in the future. Thanks so much for allowing us a peek into your daily activities. We are so thankful that Jessie is on her way to a long healthy life. We pray for her and your family daily. Your strength through all of this is simply amazing. Love from Aledo.
Donna & Tyler.

Anonymous said...

Way to go Jessie!!!! You are very brave. I wonder if the "staple fairy" is related to the "tooth fairy". You have a wonderful day today. You are an amazing little girl. And your brothers are awesome too. I'll bet you can't wait to see them.

Kristie in Fort Worth, TX

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your journey with all of us! You truly are blessed with an incredible family! Your love, faith, strength, trust and determination speaks volumes to so many who are reading! You are all such an inspiration! Jessie, you look fabulous, we are all cheering you on! You go girl!!!

I pray you all have another great day with lots of fun learning and rebuilding at KKI. And that you all are blessed today with God's goodness; love, peace and joy.

Look forward to reading your next entry!

Matt, your haircut looks great! I bet it feels good too. You are an amazing brother. I hope you and your brothers have a blast this summer. You must be excited to see Mom, Dad and Jessie soon.



Lots of Love from Texas!

Anonymous said...

Jessie you are Awesome... You look wonderful... And I bet it feels good to have those staples out.. Keep working hard and we will see you soon... Hang in there Mom and Dad... when you come home you will have lots of people wanting to help you! Love ya... Susie

Anonymous said...

Hi Miss Jessie.....I have been following your story daily and you just amaze me more and more every day! You are so very brave!!! I haven't met you personally, but I feel like I know you and your family! I too live in Aledo with my daughter Megan who is 17 and going to be a Senior in the Fall. We ordered PINK T-shirts and bracelets from the "Pray for Jessie" website and we're planning to wear them on Sunday when we attend the Texas Rangers Game where they will be honoring a beautiful young lady named Jessie Hall and our very own Aledo Ladycat Champions. I really wish you could be here for that....but I'm sure there will be so many pictures that when you get home...you'll feel like you were there.

We pray for you daily and can't wait for you to come back home!

Your "new" friends in Aledo....
Terri & Megan Sherman

Anonymous said...

thanks for the updates!! Brody shaved his head for Jessie on Monday and kept asking to see Matt and his shaved head...now i can tell him to look on Jessie's site....yes he goes and checks every once in a while.
Jessie stay strong, mom and dad Keep the Faith.
loves and hugs from the Morrows in Aledo!

Anonymous said...

AWWWWWWWWWWW LOOK AT JESSIE she looking very good for what she has been thru i know she feels a little better now that some of the staples are out .We can name Jessie "Pretty in Pink Jessie" she looks awsome .It was great to see her brother to have his head shaved and i know the boys can't wait to see mom and dad and then Jessie can say my STINKY brothers are coming to MD to visite. Jessie all i can say is you are one amazing child that is determinte to get yourself better each day .God Bless Jessie and mom and dad and the rest who is helping Jessie come along .Take day by day and get some rest when you can .Jessie YOU LOOK SO GREAT keep up the great work .God Bless.

Dundalk

Anonymous said...

Jessie---YOU GO GIRL! You are a very couragous and inspirational child of God. Thank you for being such a wonderful example to us all.

Matt---you are still quite a handsome young man with that shaved head. And a very loving one at that! I am sure Jessie will love to rub your head when she sees you.

Hall family---have a glorious and joyful reunion next week. God bless you all!

Anonymous said...

Jessie---YOU GO GIRL! You are a very couragous and inspirational child of God. Thank you for being such a wonderful example to us all.

Matt---you are still quite a handsome young man with that shaved head. And a very loving one at that! I am sure Jessie will love to rub your head when she sees you.

Hall family---have a glorious and joyful reunion next week. God bless you all!

Anonymous said...

dear jessie - I love you very much -you loook very cute when you are bald --I love your pictures everywhere.. I am glad that you were happy when you got my package. I am going to be sending you some more things soon-- I love you jessie hall - love, Alexandra
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxox