Mark's gait training continues on track

Hello,

Here we are two months after Mark started standing with aid 8 seconds at a time, we are no close to a minute in time. He still needs a person behind him but his legs are getting stronger and he is more able to control them.

In standing mode with a person behind him holding his right leg strait, he can take a step with the left leg and also put the leg up on a book.

Speaking is also getting stronger, this in relation to loudness, his sentences are all well form. We are going to start studing for our Naturalizacion exam, please send good vibes are way

Mark is standing a for up to 30 seconds at a time!

Hay every one!

 

Thanks for the e-mails, and sorry for our always late updates.

Last time we blog, Mark was learning to take steps, we are still working on that, but know trying to do it with crutches, and also to stand with no assitance.

This september 2008, Mark is going to see if he is accepted in the Grossmont speach clinic, please keep your fingers cross

I have several pictures that we need to ad so you can see this tall guy standing!

Bye for now Rosie

Mark in the News...

Hello everyone!.... Yes we are terrible updating this blog, but a full revamp is soon here!

For now we wanted to share this:

Challenge Center featured in Union Tribune Article

PEGGY PEATTIE / Union-Tribune Every year, residents around the county pay tax dollars to four districts responsible for overseeing public hospitals. And every year, part of their money goes to causes that have little to do with the hospitals, such as a struggling fire district, a rehabilitation center or a senior citizens club. Brain-injury patient Mark Israel took a few steps... (click here to read full article)

Wow almost two years with no postings!!!

Hello and thanks for all the comments and e-mails!

It has beem almost two years since our last post. Mark had just graduated from the Sharp Intensive Rehab Clinic and home was, well home again.

 

To my surprised today when Mark wanted to start working with the Alt.usage web site, we found a link to our own journal!

Oy! what a trip down memory lane for me. For Mark it was good as he said it help him see himself before he had more control of his body.

It was hard to read about how he could not even move a leg or how he was not able to follow me with his eyes.

Right now after celebrating his third year since the accident, Mark is still home with us, still going every day to a wonderful  rehab gym call Challenge Center, in La Mesa here in the San Diego area.

Last post we told you Mark was eating out for the first time, since then we have enjoyed many, many outings, overcome the fact that he could not drink thin liquids (which he can now), he slowly but steady is regaining his magnificent voice, and is actively getting Gait training.

That's right folks, the guy who three years ago was recomendent for disconecting of life support systems, is now relearning to walk, argues with me constantly (and corrects my spelling) and tells me all the right stuff to keep me going!

For all those who are new to brain injuries, don't give up.... It's a long road, a hard road, and I would take it again for him in a heart beat.

I LOVE YOU MARK, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK......

 

Mark's first cinema visit after hospital

Here are some pictures of Mark's first visit to the movies, plus eating some greek food (mainly a gyro).

 

Mark is home!!!

We have two months of pictures to share from Mark's acute rehab at sharp. We have many ideas to share too, but right now we are still just enjoying the fact that he is home. After one year and four months, he is here.

We still have many more challenges to overcome, more gains to have, but the fact that our life is not dictated by a hospital policy, a nursing home or someone else, is just incredible.

Mark is In Sharp Memorial!

We have been here 3 days, we are still not sure what to hope for. Mark was doing so well in Las Palmas, I am trying very hard to keep our routine going until we have a true routine here.

Any way here are some pictures of this new place:

The first here is Mark helping me pack!

We love the one with the fat plush cat... after a shower and a looooong day he was ready to sleep.... the cat was our idea, Mark just smiled and took it for a little bit. After the pictures he was living on the nightstand.

Next you can see him getting out of the ambulance that took him to Sharp.

Then there he is in his new room (kinda ugly! but we are not here for a long time)