In Other Words

When Brian called me last night the excitement in his voice was contagious!  Though he had talked to his brother on the phone, yesterday was his first time seeing Jason in person since the awful trauma center days, so he wasn't sure how he would look or how things would go.  He and Jenn, and their 3 kids, Alyssa, 6, Mason, 18 months, and Audrey, 3 months, drove up to Bryn Mawr yesterday morning and arrived just after Jason's Saturday morning therapy session.  Carolin brought Jason downstairs to where the Ronald McDonald family room was and caught up to them just as Jenn was wheeling the stroller in.  Because it's still hard to know just what Jason remembers and doesn't it's such a feeling of relief when he says a name and we all especially wondered if he would remember all his nieces and nephews.  So it was awesome to them when he greeted Jenn and then said, "Hi Mason!".  Here is Jenn's account of their happy visit:

Once in the room, we all got comfortable along with Jason who (with Carolin's help) sat in a regular chair. We all chatted and Jason engaged in the conversation with us. Alyssa made Jason two pictures that she gave to him and he complimented them and thanked her. He read her picture that said "I like Jason Shepard, from Alyssa." We then gave him the box of stuff that we got from O.A.R. The box included an autographed album poster, a limited edition album collector set which had a CD, a DVD, a photo CD, a compass, individual photos of the band members, and a signed lyric book. There was also a certificate in the box authenticating the limited copy. The band also sent him a picture that they personally signed for him telling him to "get well soon" and we framed it for him. Jason kept saying that he wasn't worthy of such a gift and we kept telling him that he was more than worthy! 

We sat and talked with Jason and Carolin where she told us about his therapies and how far he has come. He would chime in and say, "it's a work in progress", when we would talk about all the things he has accomplished. Every once in a while, Jason's humor would come out and he would crack jokes or make his usual sarcastic comments.

We told Jason how Alyssa was just like him and loved to draw and read. She picked a book out from the little library they had there so she could show her Uncle Jason how well she reads. She picked a book about being a big sister. She sat on the little coffee table in front of him and read him the entire book. He was fascinated with her reading to him and just watched her intently while smiling every so often.

He then kicked his shoes off and got comfortable while we all settled into random conversation and watching the kids play. Another patient came in and put football on the TV which Jason seemed to enjoy. We started talking about how Carolin's due date is just around the corner. Brian asked Jason if he felt the baby kick yet and at first he said no but when Carolin reminded him that he has he said, "I probably have but don't remember", and then he said, "it felt weird".   Brian agreed!

Around 1:30 we all decided that we needed to have lunch. We asked Jason if we could have lunch with him and he said yes. Carolin made sure that it was okay with him and asked him if he wanted to have lunch downstairs or upstairs in his room. He decided he wanted to have lunch with us downstairs. So we all went upstairs to his room to grab his lunch. It was nice to see all the pictures and personal stuff crowding the ledge next to his bed.

As we were waiting for the elevator to go back downstairs, the doors open and Carolin's dad, Fred and brother, Maddock, came out.  So they went back in and came down with us. We walked to the cafeteria to find that it had closed 3 minutes before we got there. We went and sat at a round table in one if the common areas and Fred and Maddock offered to pick us all up lunch. Carolin asked Jason if he wanted to eat his sandwich or share a bowl from Chipotle with her. He kept saying "sure" and then he said "I don't know, I'll let my body decide." Once they left to pick lunch up, it was time for Jason to have his meds so Carolin took him up for that.   When they came back, we all sat around and Alyssa came to sit at the table across from Jason and started reading her book. He, once again, watched her read while the rest of us chatted.

When lunch came, he enjoyed spoon fed bites of Carolin's chicken bowl. Mason was enjoying some pieces of bread when he randomly passes gas and starts laughing. All of a sudden this HUGE smile spreads across Jason's face and he started laughing out loud and Mason joined him in his laughter. Then Mason did it again and sure enough, Jason started laughing again!  Mason kept laughing while watching Jason laugh. Mason reached his hand out to Jason to give him a high five and Jason did, then Mason gave him "pounds".  It was awesome! Then Mason got down and started running around playing and Jason watched him smiling.  When we were all done, Carolin asked him something to the extent of whether he was full or not and he said "I am pleasantly full".

 

Carolin asked Jason a few times if he wanted to go upstairs to rest and he kept telling her no. After a while, we could all see that he was getting tired and even though he didn't want to he agreed to go up and rest. He said, "I'll see you soon", before heading up to his room and we headed back to the Ronald McDonald room. After a few minutes, Carolin came in to see us before heading out to run errands. She told us how much she enjoyed our being there and that it was the best visit Jason has had and that he has never eaten with anyone so that was a wonderful first!

 

Jason rested for a while but Mason, (who hadn't had either of his naps he usually does), was starting to get fussy around 5:30.   Brian went upstairs to say bye to Jason. When getting up there he was greeted by Jason and he told him we were going to head out and that we had a great visit and how awesome he's doing. He told Jason he can't wait to see him again and that he loved him. He also told Jason he missed him. Jason told him he loved him and that he missed him too.

We had a wonderful visit and couldn't have asked for anything better!!!! We were so amazed with how well he's doing and everything he has accomplished in this short amount of time.


Who knows what miracles can occur by October 12 with your help! 

www.thejasonshepardbenefit.com

 

Attention, Attention, Read All About It!

www.thejasonshepardbenefit.com

We saw Jason on Wednesday afternoon and when we walked in we were excited to see him playing a card game with Carolin and her parents.  They were playing a simple game of poker but what a great eye hand coordination as well as brain skill for him!  He also had had not only had a full day of various hard working therapies, but had just come back from horseback riding, which he continues to really like.  For some unknown reason people with traumatic brain injuries are able to realign their bodies better and quicker through riding.  At the stables they do use an older mare with a wide back so it's easier for patients.   They go around an indoor rink and there are a number of therapists on each side of him so he is safe and secure.

Before the accident Jason would sometimes call me on his way to or from work and when I answered the phone I would hear, "Hi Momma!".  I don't think it will ever sound as good as it does now when I walk in his room.   He is starting to get back more and more of an inflection in his voice rather than the monotone he had been speaking with, and this visit we really noticed his sense of humor creeping back in which I know all of his friends will be happy to hear!

Jason has lost quite a bit of weight and his appetite hasn't been great so he isn't putting much back on.  Now that they started him on solids I did bring him one of his favorite meals - twice baked potatoes with ham and lots of cheddar cheese in them.  I've felt so helpless to do anything for him so it sure felt good when he finished all the potatoes on his plate!  Then today Carolin said he had his first full regular meal and she brought him Chipolte.  :D

Many TBI patients go thru various stages one of which is an "anger" stage where they lash out at people around them and can be very hurtful.  David and I kept saying we just couldn't see Jason being that way, (to which we were told even the best people can go thru it), and sure enough we were told on Wednesday that he has passed that point!  What a relief!  We were also told that Jason is one of the most cooperative and polite patients they have had on the floor and he apparently has been very loving to his caretakers.  I know anyone who knows him wouldn't be surprised to hear any of this!

The problem with Jason's right eye has been hard to decipher due to his inability to reliably tell anyone what problems he may be having but it appears that the suspected right side vision field is improving based on observations.  We continue to pray this is the case and he will be able to see as well as he did before the accident.

Another stage we were told and read about was once he worked to get to this point he would start wanting to leave the hospital.  He indeed has started asking Carolin when he can go home with her.
Right now he is still needing the care of the hospital but one day - maybe soon! - he will indeed get to go home with his wife.  We all want that as badly as he does!

Today is the two week mark until the, "Livin On A Prayer", fund raising event.   I know people tend to put off responding to things but it would be so amazing to get to the goal attendance this weekend and be able to plan even more for that night!  All proceeds go directly to Jason and it'll be an awesome evening full of fun, celebration, entertainment, and great food and drinks!  Please come, (donations always welcome if you can't attend), and help us make this a success!

 

www.thejasonshepardbenefit.com

Just a few highlights:

-Dancing to the sounds of Excessive Beats (www.excessivebeats.com)

-Delicious cocktail food during the evening by The Prime Choice Caterers
(www.theprimechoicecaterers.com)

- On stage entertainment at various times during the evening

- Card Tables

- Raffles through out the evening( where you can put your tickets towards the prizes you want)

- Cash Bar

- Silent Auction
   Example of some items:  3 night stay at Wyndham Resort of your choice
                                            4 night stay at Wyndham Resort of your choice
                                            Redskin Tickets & Parking Pass
                                            Sports Memorabilia
                                            Retired Walt Disney Collectibles
                                            Jewelry
                                            Art Work
                                            Signed Broadway Items
                                            Food and Wine Pairing for Two and a tour of Linganore Winery
                                            Vera Bradley Purses and Wallets
                                            Gift Certificate for Professional Photo Session                         
                                            Gift Certificate for 30 Cupcakes from local Cake Artist from TLC
                                            And much more!!!

SMILES!

It's hard to believe that a week from today will be October 1 but that means it's less than 3 weeks away until the Jason Shepard Benefit -" Livin' On A Prayer" on October 12 at 7 p.m. You can find out more info and purchase your tickets at:

www.thejasonshepardbenefit.com

Both raffle items and silent auction items continue to come in with the promise of many more and the website will soon be updated with auction items that have arrived. After the blog plea for sports tickets it was so amazing to find out two Redskin tickets, which include a parking pass, were donated! (And it's for the Redskins/Ravens game!) How incredible is that?   It would be so awesome to have more sports events to offer so don't hesitate to keep them coming in!

Not only was this a great Fall weekend weather wise but we had a great visit with Jason in every way!  Aaron, Lindsay, and their two boys drove down from MA on Friday afternoon and once they arrived Aaron went right up to see Jason.  As soon as Aaron walked into his room Jason said, "Hi brother!".  Though Aaron had been hearing the incredible progress Jason has been making,  it's another thing to see it in person - especially when the last time he saw him, (was it really only 3 weeks ago?), he couldn't hold his head up without support, his wheelchair was specialized to tilt him back, he was wrapped in blankets, and his only communication was an occassional nod yes or no.

Saturday morning David got a huge grin from Jason when he saw his Dad walk in.  It was the first time seeing more than a little half smile so you can just imagine the feelings David felt seeing how happy Jason was to see him.  It's so hard only getting to see him once a week - we can't wait til he is closer so we can see more of those smiles!

Early afternoon Carolin wheeled Jason out to a big grassy area by the hospital. We sat by a big beautiful tree in a little semi circle around Jason while both of the little guys ran around with David and Aaron.  We saw plenty of grins from Jason as he watched David kick a soccer ball way high in the air and Cole run to get it and then tumbling around with his Grandpa.  It was so perfect and relaxed - Jason interacted with our conversation when he wanted to and otherwise there was no pressure on him to "visit".    At one point Cole gently threw a rubber ball towards Jason, which landed in his lap, and Jason was able to throw the ball back to Cole - it was a memorable moment for me.  He was out with us for about an hour and a half when Carolin said it was time to go in for his meds and a nebulizer treatment.  Before this when we would visit him, Jason would be exhausted and ready for a nap after about 45 minutes, but this time he told Carolin he wanted to come back out afterwards.  We were so tickled!

And sure enough about 30 minutes later he was right back under the tree with us.  Kids are so incredible with any kind of change in people - even the previous visit 3 weeks ago the boys, (3 1/2 and 1 1/2),  just seemed to accept that Uncle Jason couldn't interact with them the way he usually did and played at his feet.  This time Cole was chattering away and a few word answer from his uncle was fine with him.  Meanwhile Owen would toddle over and line his little plastic dinasours up on the bottom of the wheelchair.  It was very healing for all of us I think.

Later in the car ride to go to dinner Cole excitedly said to me, "Mimi, Uncle Jason was talking to me!  Last time he couldn't talk and now he talked to me!" At dinner he talked about it again and said now he would change his prayers from please make Jason get better to please make Jason, "keep", getting better.  Even the little ones are gaining so much more of a sense of faith through this awful experience!  (Cole was even more excited on Sunday to tell his Dad that Jason called him, "little dude".)

Though Jason still has alot more to accomplish we truly saw our son this time.  His smile is almost in his eyes and a few times he said things that were typical Jason humor.  Even sitting in his wheelchair he had his legs crossed in the way he has always crossed them.  Best of all - though in the past it drove me crazy - he was cracking his knuckles!  That really reassured me he will come back to us the Jason we know and love.  (Anyone who has spent much time with J knows he frequently cracks not just his fingers but other parts of his body as well such as his neck, etc.)

Because his appetite is still not there the therapists decided to go ahead and see if he could chew okay at the end of last week.  Sure enough he did fine with a graham cracker and tonight he will get his first taste of a meal not pureed.  He will be alot more interested we're sure!

Also at the end of last week we found out his right shoulder and collar bone are pretty much all healed and his ribs are looking pretty good as well so today he was started on strengthening exercises for his right arm.  Unfortunately that made those areas pretty achy but once he builds his arm back up it will be much easier for him to do things.  In therapy he is also continuing to work on his speech and reading.  We haven't heard anything more about his right eye but we will be with him Wednesday afternoon and will hopefully find out more then.

We are so humbled that this miracle is happening to Jason - and so to all of us and all of you as well.  At times we are just speechless.  He still needs round the clock care but it is seeming with each passing day that the prayers that someday he will be able to resume a "normal" life may indeed be answered.  One of the worries is that people will forget and think he is okay and not needing those uplifting prayers - he still has a long way to go and even after he one day leaves the rehab hospital will need daily therapy to continue on his journey.  So please keep praying for him because God is listening no matter what religion or belief system you have!

This was one of Jason's - as well as all my boys - favorite songs growing up and the words seem to fit right now too.

HORSE SENSE

Jason has always had been very allergic to cats, and as a child, dogs as well.  When we went to a relatives farm and he got a close up visit with their horse he ended up with a very bad asthma attack.  When he was in 5th grade we got two rabbits and he ended up in the hospital twice til we realized they were the cause of more breathing issues.  So we were amazed when Carolin texted us yesterday that they had taken Jason horse back riding!  She said he had no allergic reaction and seemed to really enjoy it.  We were just tickled at the thought of him up in the saddle!  Later when Carolin asked him if he liked it he said he loved it, and today he told Carolin he wanted to do it again! How cool is that!

Food wise he is still not all that interested in eating but they will be decreasing the tube feedings in hopes that will give him more of an appetite.  I'm going to make him one of his favorite meals and though it will have to be pureed hopefully the taste will be tempting to him.

He continues to do more walking outside and the physical therapist has him doing stairs almost everyday.

A really big step has been that Jason seems to be becoming more independent during parts of his therapy and is just wanting Carolin's reassuring presence during the afternoon sessions.

Carolin says she's doing great and feeling good and all is well with baby girl Shepard.  With Jason not needing her during his morning sessions it will give her a bit more free time and maybe she can even get out for a meal!  :)

Today I found out about two more prayer chains going for Jason in New Jersey through his college roommates mother's co workers.  And so the healing and love just continue to spread.

The benefit for Jason on October 12 is fast approaching and I've heard some pretty incredible auction items should be arriving soon so keep an eye on that page. 
www.thejasonshepardbenefit.com

New Prayers Needed!

Wow this is getting really, "crazy", as Jason has been saying!   Carolin usually texts us after Jason's therapy around 4:30ish each day to give us an update but today it was 10:30 when she excitedly texted us that Jason had just walked into the room where she was sitting, walked over to the couch and sat down next to her, with his therapist only helping him keep his balance!  I told her it was all the prayers that went up last night after people read the blog.  :D

Unfortunately this afternoon there was some indication that Jason may be having some issues with his right eye though it's hard to tell what the problem is since he hasn't been able to communicate exactly what is wrong.  Please direct those healing prayers towards his beautiful brown eyes for now that perhaps this is just a temporary problem and they can figure it all out.

This past weekend we came up with some guidelines for visiting that will make things easier on Jason.  I know everyone already knows this but please make sure to email Carolin as soon ahead as you know at cares1218@gmail.com.  She is coordinating visits as it's really important not to overwhelm Jason with too many different faces and lots of assorted conversations.

The best time to visit Jason is week nights between 4-6 and then Sundays after 11.  Saturdays he has varying times for therapy so it's hard to plan times.  (We are going to reserve that day mostly for us and his siblings.)

As of right now he definitely gets tired with visitors after a while and again too much conversation overloads his thought process so visits are going to be limited to two people for 30 minutes at a time.  There are several really nice lobby areas on the first floor, and especially for people driving long distances, you can always wait there for awhile to give him some break time and then have another visit. 

For the rest of this month the only weekend day available is this coming Sunday, September 23 and Carolin says that is depending on the time as there are already people coming for parts of the day.  Jason has a very busy social calendar!

To help Jason and Carolin even more please make sure to get your tickets for October 12 at www.thejasonshepardbenefit.com.  It's going to be a really great night out and if Friday night at Ruby Tuesday's is any indication a great reunion of old friends from each segment of Jason's life with lots of catching up, laughter, yummy food, music, (which of course means dancing!), live entertainment, awesome raffle items,  and of course the silent auction with all kinds of cool items still arriving. (And hoping they keep arriving!  With the Capitols season in jeopardy those hockey tickets might not be coming so it would be great to get Skins, Nationals, Orioles, etc. tickets.  Of course you all coming from surrounding states might want to put in a word to your local sports teams for some tickets to donate to the auction too!)

Get Your Glasses Out!

It is absolutely remarkable to see Jason from one weekend to the next.  It's almost like he doubles what he can do each time we see him!  Carolin told us the therapists are no longer saying maybe he will be one of their miracles but that HE IS a miracle and they are now wishing they had taped his progress from his first day.  Too bad they didn't ask us because we could have all told them this wasn't going to go in any kind of typical way!

We arrived Saturday morning to find him in the front lobby where he was in his wheelchair all ready to get outside in the sun.  As soon as he saw us come in he said, "Hi Momma!"  I was thrilled!  Brian had given David a RG3 jersey, (for those not Redskin fans that stands for Robert Griffin III, who is the Redskins new player who is supposed to be awesome), for Father's Day but they talked it over and decided David would give it to Jason.  So David told Jason he had something for him and explained and held up the jersey.  Jason read the name, "Griffin" out loud and then within seconds said, "Cornelius?".  Again for those who aren't big Redskin fans, Cornelius Griffin, was a very good player on the team a few years back.  So this was amazing that Jason related Griffin to a past player he remembered!  RG3 is new this year so that really wasn't as important to us as him remembering something from a few years ago.  He thanked his Dad several times.  :D   We strolled outside for awhile then sat and had a very pleasant time chatting with him and Carolin.  As David describes it it's like talking to different parts of Jason at different moments - sometimes he sounds like a little boy needing reassurance - especially from Carolin - that everything is okay and she is happy.  At other times he sounds almost like the Jason we know and then at others like someone very old.  He is starting to have more expression on his face and not sounding as monotoned as he did the week before.  Though his eyes don't have his usual bright twinkling light you can see the change coming and maybe when we go back this weekend we will see it even more.  It was so nice to hear him say, "I miss you too", and "I love you too", a number of times and a few times without me saying it to him first.  At one point when we were back up in his room I caught him staring at me and when I smiled at him I got a smile back - mind you not full teeth - but it made my heart soar none the less - and tears came when he then spontaneously said, "I love you".  Oh what a highlight of the whole day!

All of the talking really wears him out and he was exhausted after a while - especially since he had done a lot in therapy earlier, so while he took a nap we got some lunch and by then Allison and Andre had arrived.  I took Mia for a walk while they went up with David to visit.   He recognized them and they were thrilled with how great he looked and seeing him awake and talking since they hadn't seen him since he was in the Trauma Center.
After he took another little rest Carolin brought him back downstairs and we strolled Mia along next to him.  We eventually ended up inside where he sat with us, Carolin, Andre and Allie, and Mia, and Carolin's Dad was there as well.  Clearly it was too many people and too much input coming into his brain as you could see him pretty much shut down right in front of us.
It's so hard when he's doing so well, and you want him to be himself, to remember he is still on a long journey - even if a miraculous one - and he easily gets overloaded with too much stimulus.  As someone said it's like a computer that got a virus and is slowly recovering lost information.  Start trying to do too much at that time and the computer will freeze and shut down.  It was obvious he needed a break and he and Carolin headed back to his room for some quiet time.  Unfortunately that was the exact time his Uncle Doug, Aunt MaryK, and cousin Phil arrived from Frederick.  We explained what was going on to them and they were, of course, very understanding though disappointed and decided to stay as long as possible in hopes they would still get to see him.  After about an hour and a half Allison and Andre really needed to head home but Allie just felt she couldn't leave without saying good bye to her brother. 

Just a word about Allie and Jason - Allison and Jason have always been close.  They got along great and it was Jason who at times would patiently help her with her homework if we felt like we couldn't get an idea across.  I clearly remember one time when she had to memorize all the state capitols and he knew a song to help remember them and he sat and over and over sang it with her so she would remember it.  She would talk to him about her boyfriends and though her other two brothers would tease her friends everyone always said Jason was their favorite brother because he never did.  When it came to trips or even sitting at the dinner table we always had the two of them sit together because we knew there would be no trouble.

 

 

It turned out they had the best visit of the day with Jason!  As they walked in Jason said to Andre, "Hey what's up Dre!".  Later Allison was sitting at the end of his bed and he looked at her and told her, "I just can't believe my little sister is here."  It was very touching for Allison.  During that time he also told her, "I'm jealous of you, and Aaron, and Brian."  We are only guessing that he said that in realizing just what hurdles he has ahead of him. 

He also spoke of things being expensive and costing a lot so it also seems he realizes at times the financial burden.  While we were with him we watched him turn to Carolin and ask, "Whose fault was it?"  She told him it was an accident and no ones fault but he insisted it had to be someone's fault.  Most of these thoughts are fleeting and I'm sure overwhelming to him and his mind naturally doesn't let him dwell more than a few minutes on them.  I can't tell you what an awesome thing you all are doing by so generously donating to his fund - thru the Donate button, by going to Ruby Tuesday's this past weekend, and by purchasing your tickets for the upcoming Oct. 12 fundraiser.   It will be so good when he can understand that is one thing he doesn't need to worry about for a little while and to just concentrate on getting better!

Sunday he had some morning therapy where they actually got him on his knees and practiced reaching while kneeling.  He also practiced eating.  He is getting mostly pureed food and Carolin said he is willing to try everything but still not too enthusiastic.  (Of course who can blame him!)

After a little rest his Aunt Cathy and Uncle Richard arrived and he gave them a big smile.  He told them, "Wow I haven't seen you in a while."  They had a quiet visit and he kissed Cathy goodbye and as Richard went to leave Jason said, "Go Skins."  So cool! 

Just before the Redskin game started yesterday Brian's phone rang and though it was Carolin's number showing up it was Jason on the other end when Brian answered it.  He told Brian he missed him and wished he could be with him.  They chatted for a few minutes before hanging up and Brian's eyes shone with tears of happiness and he had the biggest grin on his face ever!

It feels like such a gift each time Jason is lucid and says something he normally might - it's like this bubbling happy excitement! 

Carolin texted us today that he is stood straight up with some assistance while walking and for the first time the physical therapist took him outside to walk and it was the longest one he has taken so far.  He clearly loves being out!  He also did more practicing with sitting and reaching and eating.

It is flabbergasting to think it has only been a month since his accident.  To go in that short a time to being on life support, with many broken bones, laying unconcious, not moving his head, his prognosis of what he would regain uncertain to now sitting upright in a wheel chair, walking with assistance, talking more and more often cohesively can only be attributed to both his spirit and the healing prayers he feels surrounding him from all of you continuing to send messages of faith his way.  With each day that passes he seems to get closer and closer to being able to come home and the dream that he will hold his baby daughter when she is born coming true!

Please don't forget to buy your tickets early for the Jason Shepard Benefit and also remember they are still accepting donations for the Silent Auction!

TOO MUCH FOR ONE POST!

There is so much to blog about that I think I will have to divide this up into more than one post!  What an incredible weekend from start to finish!

Starting with Carolin's daily update Thursday that Jason had been shown some words to read and he got them 100% correct on the first try.  Another thing he can recall and won't have to relearn - so wonderful!  His physical therapy went well also.

Friday we were very hopeful we would see a big crowd at the Crossing's Ruby's and all of you wonderful incredible friends and family who showed up made that hope into reality.  We were absolutely blown away!  Having called ahead the Shepard family had big long table down the middle on one side of the restaurant and we had 18 of us around it.  As other friends arrived they lined the booths and tables all around us and then extended onto the other side of the place.  It felt like the old days as we saw so many people from the FHS theater days - it was fun to catch up and good to see the other "techie" parents, (or should I say "ugly heads"  ;)   So many of Allison's friends were there to support her brother, and so many other very good true friends to us.
Matt Kinney was there and he's the man we really have to thank for putting this together!  Guess we won't find out the totals until after tonight since it just ended but I'm excited to see what we all together achieved.  Word coming down is that Matt is going to try to do one of these occassionally so will get you dates of the next one when available.

Next up is the October 12th Benefit

• Home
• The Accident
• Auction and Raffle Items
• Gallery

 

On August 14, 2012...Jason's life was forever changed...
All of our lives changed that day...

If you don't already know the story, you can read all about what happened that morning here. His mother, Amy Shepard, has created a blog for anyone that would like to follow Jason's Journey.

On October 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., we will be hosting a fundraising benefit that will highlight a great silent auction. The event will be held at the Shoresh ballroom, 2428 Pleasant View Road, in Adamstown, MD 21710. We are currently accepting donations of auction items. For more information, please email us at thejasonshepardfund@gmail.com.

Tickets are available for advance purchase by using the link below. Each advance purchase ticket is $20.00 which will include a free Jason Shepard Benefit wrist band, as well as complete access to the event. The event will feature a silent auction, raffles, music, choreographed entertainment, cocktail food, cash bar, and much more! Tickets purchased at the door will be $30.00.

We found out recently that Jason does not have disability so he will not receive any type of income during his long journey to recovery. His health insurance will only cover a certain portion of his rehab. Jason's siblings and their spouses will be hosting this benefit in his honor in order to raise money for him, his wife, Carolin, and their baby girl due in November.

---

Number of Tickets

1 $20.00 USD2 $40.00 USD3 $60.00 USD4 $80.00 USD5 $100.00 USD

*Please note: If purchasing multiple tickets, please "add a note" in your paypal payment and include the full name(s) of the additional ticket holders. Advance ticket purchases will be verified by these names on a list at the door on the night of the event.

 

 

 

There is lots more info up on the website.  We are still in need of desirable items for the Silent Auction.  With the hocky season in jeapordy not sure the Caps tickets are going to come thru for us.  Any Nats, Orioles, and Redskins fan able to donate some tickets?  Please don't hestitate to email www.the jasonshepardfund@gmail.com.

Off to bed as my eyes are closing on their own so will have to finish tomorrow - when even more miraculous things take place!
 

THE RUBY YEARS

As much as we wish this could move with the speed Superman does Jason really is moving along faster than anyone predicted.  Well that is except those of us who have believed from the beginning that his would not be an ordinary case - that he was going to be the exception to the rule.  It's really hard to read news reports of other young people with their lives ahead of them that didn't survive and it makes me believe even more that he will make a full recovery.  And also makes me believe that he will be an inspiration to others.

He continues to work on walking and getting his brain to follow the right commands and building core strength up so he can support himself.  Yesterday he did stairs with only one assist!   His specialists are also having him do repetions of going from a sitting to a standing position.  And he's graduated from applesauce to pudding!  He told Carolin he liked the taste but thought eating in general was, "weird".  Carolin confirmed this was pretty typical for someone with a TBI and I had to laugh just imagining him saying it.  Obviously food has never been a big priority in his life!

We are really excited about the Ruby Tuesday's Giveback nights on Jason's behalf.
It is so awesome that they are doing this at not only the Ruby's where Jason worked but other ones as well.  Here's a little Jason and Ruby's background:
After graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in Digital Art and Animation Jason decided he really didn't want to sit at a computer all day. (I'm sure you parents out there can relate to how we felt at that news!)  So not sure what he wanted to do he applied for a job at the brand new Ruby Tuesday's being built not too far from us.  Once hired he helped with all kinds of things as items arrived to set up the new location.  He seemed to really love it when the restaurant opened and he was interacting with customers and they seemed to love him back.  He won an award for getting a number of sent in comments.  Next up he was trained as a bartender and continued to do great with customer interaction.  And it wasn't just customers who he developed a great repore with - he had a great group of friends who worked along side him.  Andy Chambers, who was the GM, seemed to see the potential in Jason and kept bugging him about training to be an assistant manager.   He was considering it but not sure when a group of Ruby's workers went to play a friendly game of football.  Another group of guys was playing, one that included some high school football players, and they challenged each other to a game.  Jason went in for a play and the next thing he knew he was on the ground in horrible pain.  His leg was obviously broken and several of his friends scooped him up and drove him to the hospital as quickly as they could.  Unfortunately it was his femur that was broken as well as several bones in his ankle smashed up.   We sat in the surgery waiting room late into the night while they put a rod in his leg and screwed plates into his ankle.   My mother's heart just broke at the pain he was in.  When he came home we set his bedroom up downstairs and had a rotation of friends and family visiting with him.  Obviously bartending did not include any kind of coverage and it was so sweet when his Ruby's friends showed up with money they had collected for him.  After several long months Andy was wonderful enough to put Jason to work in the office so he didn't have to stand and eventually Jason did decide to go for an assistant manager position.  It was that decision that led him to Carolin as he ended up helping to run the Ruby's at Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg and it just so happened Carolin was working there too.  And the rest as they say is history!
Andy Chambers is now managing the Martinsburg, WV Ruby Tuesday's which is how they got involved with this Giveback for Jason and Lancaster is participating since that is where Jason and Carolin now live. 
Here are some pictures I found from as the people in them call it, "The Ruby Days".

Ruby's Picnic

Andy Chambers

Warren

 

Joy

Craig & Vicki

Chrissi, Vicki, Tom

Ruby's Crab Feast

JASON AND RUBY'S

Once we knew Jason was going to live through the trauma of the accident the Dr.'s all warned us that his rehabilitation would be slow going and there would be ups and downs.  I worried about how I would keep a blog up with nothing to report.  Well true to form Jason has solved that!  The news today is that his therapists worked with him on steps and he did pretty well. (He isn't on his own yet but that will undoubtedly come.)  He also was able to pedal for about 10 minutes - how amazing is that?!!

And more good news today - during his therapy he had a few bites of applesauce!  The plan is as long as things go well with his swallowing and digestion of some actual food they will continue to give him a bit more each day.  My guess is that applesauce might just be the best thing Jason ever tasted!

 

And what good timing since food is just what the first fund raiser will be about!  His incredible friends at Ruby Tuesdays have arranged for four different locations to participate in the Giveback program.  Here is the official information per Matt Kinney who started this ball rolling!

 

Ruby Tuesday fundraiser

As many of you know, Jason and Carolin worked at Ruby's when they met. With some help from the Ruby's staff, we have arranged a fundraiser through the Ruby Tuesday GiveBack program. Ruby's has offered to give back 20% of your total check to help assist Jason and Carolin through this tough time. I know it's short notice but I just got final confirmation today. The following restaurants will be participating on the following days all day.

Sept 13th

Martinsburg, WV - 3276
960 Foxcroft Ave
Martinsburg, Wv


Sept 14th, 15th, 16th

Frederick Crossing - 4938
7385 Guilford Dr
Frederick, MD

Frederick Rt 40 - 2973
1312 West Patrick St.
Frederick, MD

Lancaster - 3670
2002 Fruitville Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601

There are a few rules, we can't combine this offer with any other coupons and you must bring a flyer for the corresponding store with you. Also, Ruby's has asked that we not hand out flyers in the restaurant or in the parking lots. With that said, print up a few, bring them to work, ask some friends, ask people at your church, lets get as many people as we can to participate..

 

 

To get the fliers just go to Jason Shepard Fan Club facebook page and click the Files tab near the top of the page and each restaurants individual flyer will come up for you to print out.  If you aren't on FB please feel free to email me at amycrops2@aol.com and I will send you one to download.

 

Here's everyone's first chance to unite together in our common goal! (And you get a great meal in return!)

 

AN INCREDIBLE WEEKEND

So many incredible moments this weekend!  So many emotions! 

Early Friday night we arrived to find Jason looking even better than he had the week before.  We were excited to see him nod his head yes and no to some of our questions. He seemed to doze off and I began to chat with Carolin about our newest granddaughter.  All of a sudden he opened his eyes wide looked right at me and asked, "Who are you talking about?"  His Dad and I just about fell off our seats!  Not only was he speaking clearly but we got a whole sentence!  He seemed to really follow our conversation but eventually he did drift off.  We went to bed feeling so excited!

Yesterday morning Carolin went to her long planned for baby shower given by good friends and family in Lancaster.  (And well deserved as she's been at Jason's side non stop for almost a month now!) We found Jason outside in his wheelchair with Carolin's Dad and we continued his walk while Fred went to get some breakfast.  We were so thrilled when we sat down with him near the pond and asked him a few questions which he answered pretty much with yes and no answers.  I just couldn't wait anymore and asked him if he knew who we were.  He looked right at us and said, "of course".  We couldn't help smiling at his answer - as though how could we even question that!
I told him how much I loved him and had missed him and as I wrapped my arms around him he said the words I'd been longing to hear, "I love you and missed you too."  Both David and I teared up big time! 
We talked a bit more and he suddenly looked at David and said, "What happened?  I don't understand."He put his hands on his head and was clearly trying to figure out what was going on with him.  It was really tough as David explained he had been in a bad accident and hit his head which was why he was feeling mixed up but we reassured him that he was doing remarkably well and would be okay.   A bit later David told him how Aaron and Lindsay and the kids had come last week and he asked, "Is Aaron coming?", very expectantly.   He then asked about Brian coming.  When I asked, "What about Allison", his answer was, "she isn't a brother", but he wanted to see her too.  We thought that was great that he clearly knew family relationships.
Soon Fred wandered down to where we were and said Carolin was on the phone.  We watched in amazement as Jason reached his hand out and put the phone right up to his ear and said hello!  We heard him answer a few yes or no questions from her and then in answer to her he said, "I love you too", before handing the phone back to Fred.  We were beaming! 
As we approached the door thinking he should go back inside to rest he apparently had other ideas as he moved his foot from the footrest onto the sidewalk so there was no way to push forward.  David asked him if he wanted to stay outside and he gave us a very strong nod so we all sat down with him again.  As David told Fred who the Redskins were playing Jason lifted his fist in the air in his best Go Skins move - so cool to see!  He nodded when David went on to talk about RG3.  (Oh and Carolin also had put a Redskin T shirt on him and he has a comfy fleece Redskin blanket on his bed Carolin's parents brought from home.)   David also told him about his uncle's getting good Redskin tickets for this season and Jason responded with, "That's amazing."
With all of this going on I just had to call Aaron and while I was talking to him David asked Jason if he wanted to talk to Aaron and he held his hand out for the phone.  What a heart grabbing moment to watch him talking to his brother!  We listened as he told Aaron he missed him too and then David took the phone back and Aaron was crying with joy and disbelief that only a week ago Jason barely responded to him at all and now he was talking to him on the phone!  It just lent even more magic to the day.  He wanted to talk to Brian and Allie as well but Brian was working and Allison was in a wedding so Carolin is going to make that happen sometime today.
After a bit more conversation we again tried to bring him inside but this time he grabbed hold of a pole just before the door and held on.  Okay Jason so you don't want to go in yet!  We started telling him about all of the many people reading the blog and praying and asking for him and he said, "That's unbelievable", and then, "it's crazy".
When we mentioned a friend David had run into from high school theater who was asking about him he said, "I was on the stage with him."  Wow we have been worrying about what he would remember from his past but clearly he remembers alot!
We asked if he wanted to go for another walk and he said, "sure", so David took off around the path again and later told me that Jason told him to "walk faster".  That brought another smile to my face.  Fred and I watched as the two of them stopped again by the water and later David told me he talked to Jason about his feeling like the angels and God had been watching out for him both during the accident and since and all of the many prayers from so many people were helping him to heal.  Jason looked at him and said, "I really believe that." 
Back in his room he really wanted to get into bed himself but with his collar bone still healing and his muscles still very weak we had to wait for the nurse.  He was not happy having to wait!  He finally got situated and his meds and you could see that all of the talking had really worn him out.  We put his IPod on which he loves to listen to and watched as he mouthed the words along to some O.A.R. songs - another very impressive thing. He dozed on and off for a bit until Carolin came back in and then he perked right up.  When Carolin leaned down to give him a kiss we watched as he gave her a kiss - as in he wasn't just being kissed - but an active participant!  Each thing he does just brings such a feeling of excited joy to our hearts!
The hardest part of the day was having to leave - he said good bye to us and when I told him I loved him he again said, "I love you too". 

So we feel better than we have in almost a month.  Looking back at how far we've come, when officially the Dr's never thought we would be at this stage right now, we have so much to be grateful for.  And as Jason said, we all believe as well that it is all of the many prayers and good thoughts that have given him the strength to continue fighting so hard, his wounds to continue healing so well, and his memory to apparently be coming back intact.  There is still so far to go but the constant pleading on my end to just let me hear him tell me he loves me again has been answered.  We haven't lost our son, brother, or cousin.   Carolin's family haven't lost an in-law, and Carolin hasn't lost a husband, and most of all their child hasn't lost her father.

Jason will be working extremely hard for months to come to regain the ability to walk and eat and many other parts of a normal life we all take for granted.  He will most probably have the PEG tube for months as his body learns to eat and digest again.
(He may get to try some pudding this week as a start.  Not sure Jason likes pudding but I bet he will after this!)  Most of all he will be working very hard to re order the synapses in his brain bringing back who he is to himself and the rest of us. Though he is talking we are still waiting for that beautiful smile and the inflections in his voice when speaking.  In answer to people asking how long this will take there is just no possible answer - he is already beating the odds and predictions we were given and as Carolin's Dad says each day continues to bring amazing changes - changes we were told would be much farther down the road.

Thank you so much for the continuing donations coming in. We want to let you all know how grateful we all are for your generousness in helping Carolin and Jason get through such a tragic time in their lives.  There is no doubt that without Carolin by his side Jason would not be as far along as he is and we need him to be able to stay at rehab as long as it takes despite his insurance only paying for three months of care.
It's unthinkable for him to get so far and then suddenly have to go home and stop the process.  The State can help but not until he is out of insurance and then they have to go thru the process of having to prove to the State he has no money, and does need continuing care, thus losing precious time he could be working hard.  We can't let that happen!  (The donation button is on Jason's Fan Club Page on Facebook as well as on this blog under one of the August posts.)

In that vein please also remember to go to Jason's fund raising event page:

www.thejasonshepardbenefit.com

and get your tickets for this awesome event his siblings and their spouses have been working so hard on.  Also if you have anything you can donate for the silent auction you can contact any of them at:

thejasonshepardfund@gmail.com

From what I've seen and heard it's going to be an awesome evening of fun and excitment!

Please keep your prayers going up and we'll continue to watch Jason's miraculous journey together!  I can't wait to blog again with more inspiring news!

LATEST & GREATEST

Jason continues to work super hard and with each day there is a slight improvement.  His walking skills are getting better and we are hoping we can see them in person this weekend when we visit.  His swallowing is also slowly improving which is a key function he needs back ASAP!   The best news we got today is that he replied to a question with a verbal "yes"!  We were also told he clearly said "no"to one of his nurses last night.  Seeing as how we were told that would be the last skill he would get back and it could be months I would say we just got another small miracle!

As Jason is working hard, (and Carolin too, both growing their baby and being with Jason every moment she can), his brothers and sisters continue working their own magic to put together an incredible fund raising event for October 12.  The website is now up with details, including purchasing your tickets.

www.thejasonshepardbenefit.com


They will be adding additional information and they should also have hotel info available soon for those of you coming in from out of town. We are all hoping to see lots of old and new friends and family from Lancaster, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Frederick High School, and everyone inbetween!

There have already been some very generous items donated for the auction and they would be thrilled to keep them coming in!   You can contact any of them at thejasonshepardfund@gmail.com

Praying, wishing, and hoping with all of you that we see Jason's smile, hear him talk, and feel his arms give us a big hug very soon!

BRYN MAWR

Yesterday was a steady pace in therapy for Jason.  He doing better everyday with walking - and starting to develop some toning in his legs and feet which should continue the more he gets moving.  They continue to work with him on swallowing but a lot of that is just time for those brain connections to grow back and then he can start working on getting some actual food in to fatten those arms and legs up!

I know lots of people are wanting to visit Jason and he has been cleared for family and friends to visit.  Hospital visiting hours are listed on their website but I'll list them here:

M-F   4 - 9
Sat    12- 9
Sun   10 -9

Please be sure to contact Carolin enough ahead of the date you want to visit so he doesn't have more than a few people at once.  It's good to also keep in mind he's working hard in therapies until 3:30 most week days and will be exhausted right after.  If you don't have Carolin's cell phone you can contact her at : cares1218@gmail.com

 I took some pictures over the weekend of Bryn Mawr and though it was overcast it still looked very inviting:

 (Borrowed this one from the website)

 

 

These two I "borrowed" from the Bryn Mawr website since it shows a sunnier day and different view of the grounds:

 



And this is the pool which I'm guessing Jason will have some therapy in at some point.

 

 

We are really excited about how involved Bryn Mawr is with the art community and Carolin has already talked to them about how much Jason loved drawing when he was younger.  He spent lots of time in the hospital for his asthma in middle school and I remember him filling many sketch books up!  (For those of you who don't know his actual degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University is in Computer Animation and Digital Media.)  We can't wait until Jason is ready for art therapy!

 

Brian is working on the Oct. 12 benefit website now and should have it up in a few days with all the exciting details of the evening.

 

We continue to hear of new prayers and thoughts for Jason everyday and according to the statistics for the blog over 16,500 people viewed it last month and we had 912 views yesterday alone!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Progress!

Jason is looking so good!  Last night Carolin gave him a haircut and a nice clean shave, (well aside from his goatee!), and with his outside scars all healing he looks almost like himself again.  He even gave a little smirk a few times over the weekend so maybe that smile isn't too far behind.   Of course what we are all waiting for is the light to shine from his eyes that tells us he knows we are there!

Though most weekend days he will only have half days of working so hard Saturday  he spent most of the day working with his various therapists very rigorously.  He was so exhausted when we visited him soon afterwards that he pretty much slept the whole visit but just putting my hand on his chest and feeling his own rhythmic breathing made me emotional when I thought of where we were just two weeks ago.

Yesterday we went to the hospital with Aaron, his wife, Lindsay, and their two little boys.  Jason was sitting at the front entrance in his special wheelchair and though tired out, and having just received an injection of pain meds, he did open his eyes when the boys greeted him.  Though at first they weren't sure what to think of their usually very animated uncle within minutes they were happily playing with their dinosaurs at his feet. Between dozing J did seem to be watching them play quite a bit.  We then moved inside to a huge Ronald McDonald family room which has lots of table games on one side and the other is a family room setting and also includes a little room full of children's toys and books.  David got our busy little 3 year old grandson interested in a game of table tennis and Carolin turned Jason so he had a good view and he really seemed to wake up and watch.   Though Carolin has been reluctant to leave Jason's side during the day we managed to talk her into going for lunch.  He became pretty upset when she said she was going for a short time and her parents would stay with him and shook his head no over and over.  As hard as that was for her it's yet another good sign that Jason is in there and understanding at times.  And as time goes by he will understand more and more!

Once we got back it was time for another pain shot so he was pretty sleepy for quite a while but eventually Carolin had the nurses get him into his wheelchair so we could give him some stimulation and get him outside again.  We were excited to see how to some degree he was able to sit up assisted and swing his legs over the bedside with help.  Once in the chair he even held his head up for a time while the head rest was adjusted.  That was very impressive compared to how little he was doing just days before!  There is a fairly good size pond with water fountains which we strolled around and eventually stopped in front of for a while.  David asked him if it was good to have a change of scenery and he shook his head yes.  Even though we had been told he was shaking his head yes and no to questions in therapy it was such a thrill to see in person!  He also seemed to brighten considerably and look right at his father when David started talking about the Redskins.  He also reached his hand out for him to take and I can't tell you how simple things like that make our insides sing!  Back inside in the lobby we were kidding around with Carolin's parents and he was definitely paying attention as when asked if he was married to Carolin he shook his head yes and then had a little smirk on his face when we teased him about marriage.  He slowly turned his head and looked right at Carolin making us all laugh.   Right after that he brought us all to laughter again when David asked him a question and he put his hands out and turned them out like you do when you don't know the answer to a question.  It sure seems like that Shepard humor is still there!

It is so hard to leave for home and be so far way when each day is bringing more progress - we want to be there and see each little move forward!  Carolin told us that in yesterday's PT they had him up again trying to walk and that he's gone in just 3 days from hardly able to hold himself up to doing 60% of the work himself!  It just seems like we can't use the word miracle enough when it comes to Jason!

Not to sound like a broken record but please please keep Jason in your prayers and thoughts that each day brings more miracles and that he continues to amaze everyone.
We need him to grow even faster than that little girl Carolin is carrying and be ready to have her placed in his arms!

I'll have lots more info on the Jason Shepard Benefit Event as this week progresses but if you haven't already, make sure to mark October 12 as a great evening which will include dancing, great food, awesome raffle items, and silent auction items that I guarantee will be much sought after.  And the best part will be showing Jason all of his friends from, as Brian says, the timeline of his life, come together in a united front for him!