We went to California a week and a half ago to visit my brother Keith and my parents while Keith was in the rehab center in Roseville. Keith was in an accident at work a while back and hurt his back. He started feeling better but still took it easy and then decided to move to Sacramento to finish school. A few days after he got there he was walking out of Sac State and was suddenly hit with paralysis from the waist down.
A long story short and after a 9 1/2 hour back and spinal surgery they found 4 buldging discs into his spine. They were able to remove two of them and said the surgery was as successful as they could have hoped it to be. But he is still unable to walk and may not ever be able to walk again. He has made great progress but slowly. In rehab they are teaching him simple things like rolling on to his side and getting from his chair to bed and vise-versa which he is unable to do with out aide thus far. He is a stubborn guy which right now it is working to his advantage cause he is determined to walk again even if it is with a cane.
To get him out of bed they have to put him in a sling and lift him with a mini crane thing... it's crazy... and he wouldn't let me take a picture.
He turned 27 while we were out there and my parents through him a big b-day party. So many people traveled up from Arcata and some flew in from other places to be there. It was really cool to see him surrounded with such great friends supporting him all the way.
It was really hard seeing Keith laid up in bed and in a chair yet he seemed so calm and emotionally stable. I would have been a mess. We pray for him daily. Ty woke up one morning at 5:30 crying. When I came in to see what was wrong he said we need to say Heavenly Father (prayers) for uncle Keith. I called a few hours later to make sure Keith was okay and he was. But I like to think that perhaps Keith was struggling at that moment physically or emotionally and Ty felt is need for love.
I don't know why things happen to some of us and not others or why some of our trails seems so hard... but I know Heavenly Father is watching over him. I know that if this was bound to happen it was a blessing that it happened only days after he moved to Sacramento within 10 minutes of one of the best facilities in the state for people in his condition. My parents have been so great to be at his side the entire time even sleeping in those uncomfortable chairs that turn into cots for 8 weeks straight. I know this is so hard on them seeing their son struggle in such ways. What a blessing they are as parents.
We spent the entire time at the rehab hospital but the boys would get restless and Drew was awesome to entertain them with rides in Keith's wheel chair and trips McDonalds play land.
Keith has to wear this brace... if he gets out of bed... for three months while his back surgery heals. Ty thought he was like Ironman.
Keith is a big guy and has been since he was a baby... everyone at the rehab asks him if he was a football player and if that's how he got his injury! :)
The boys loved getting rides on Keith's cool bed with grandpa.
We love you uncle Keith!
