July 30th at 7:15 p.m.

Jess had a good week in therapies. It was his last week of summer school and the therapists said he had the best sessions ever. Tami, the PT, who comes to our house was able to get Jess to open his right hand on command. It was so awesome because we have been worried about his right side and wondering why he couldn't move it as much as the left. We know Jess can move all of his body. It is just a matter of time for him to do it on his own. The brain is so complex.
We traveled to Twin Falls (60 miles one way) twice this week. Monday we had to have his neck brace adjusted again. Thursday he rode Camo very well so it was worth the trip. Camo has become quite attached to Jess. According to the girls at the arena Camo doesn't like to get too close to his rider's face but with Jess he moves right in and "kisses" Jess on the cheek. The relationship they are creating is very touching.
We also had an appointment yesterday with a rehab doctor in Twin. The neurologist that gave Jess the botox shot in his right leg a few weeks ago recommended we see her. She worked at the rehab center in Atlanta and he hoped she would have some suggestions for us. She was amazed at how well Jess looked after 13 months especially "with the severity of his injury". She said generally people in his condition have terrible contractures (where their arms, legs or hands are contracted and drawn in), or they are very thin and pale, or their muscles have deteriated, or they have extreme spastisity or skin breakdowns. Jess is free of all of those conditions and he still is not on any medication. She asked me questions about his therapies, his food, his sleeping habits, and then said, "I really can't suggest anything. You are doing a great job!" Of course, I wanted her to tell me when he was going to talk, eat and walk again and...of course...she couldn't. She just told me what all the other doctors have told us..."I have seen so many miracles, but we just don't know what the outcome will be." We talked about how so many of the military personnel injured in the war are coming back with traumatic brain injuries. We both hope it will help spur more research. She agreed with me that there isn't enough research being done for as many brain injuries as there are. But, I did hear on the news the President reversed some of his thoughts on stem cell research which is a good thing.I know it still all lies in God and Jess' hands. And, my job is just to learn to love more, help others more and forgive more...and that is a full time job!