Sorry I haven't updated in so long.  We have been busy and sometimes its hard to find the time to sit and write down all that's going on.  I few quick updates:

• Jo continues to be strong as ever.  He is awake, alert, and responsive to all of his visitors.  He smiles frequently and loves to joke around.  Definitely normal for Jo!
• We have won a battle with insurance over in home physical therapy and after denying coverage for 3 weeks (just 6 total hours were initially approved) we start again tomorrow.  I'll spare the details on why we had the delay, it makes no sense anyway.  Good news is we are back on track.
• Jo had 2 Dr. appts last week and while he did struggle with his motion sickness, reports from the Drs were all good.  Nothing specific to report other than Jo is progressing in his recovery in every way, but it will take time.  
• We should be getting our mobility van within the next week!  Amazing to even think about, and we will be able to schedule a few more appointments.  Not having a van adds at least 4 hours to any appointment for pickup and drop off, it is just horrible.
• Jo started a new diet that  is 100% organic REAL FOOD and created specifically for recovery from a TBI.  He gained a little wait on his previous formula but he has also stretched out.  We are very excited about the new nutritional formula, it is awesome stuff!
• Jo loves visitors and really enjoys the company, he smiles big when he sees a familiar face, it is amazing to see!
• Jo is now getting taught at home through visits from his current teacher Mrs. Marshall (also his favorite).  He loves reading along with her, and is so excited to see her!
• The school is also doing a full evaluation on all of Jo's abilities.  He will receive a review from an occupational therapist, speech therapist, psychologist, and teacher to make a plan for the upcoming months.  It is very exciting!

Halloween is almost here all the kids have their costumes and it is hard to think about Jo not being as involved as previous years.  Last year he decided to go trick or treating at the last minute.  I imagine this year he would have stayed at home and handed out candy, he was always so happy to see the little kids all dressed up.  He would give away half the candy to cute little guy or gal if he could.  We will keep him involved!

My sister also connected with great family who makes custom wristbands and makes the available on Amazon.  Picture below, if you're interested please grab one,  a potion of the proceeds go to Jo's recovery.  I ran out of jowitz wristbands a long time ago and  I know so may people have asked for more.  This wristband is a little more robust and should hold up better, and it is definitely the easiest way to get one.  http://a.co/5Vo31eV
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Jojobinks you are amazing in every way.  Your smile is just as infectious as ever, and we see it more every day.  We know you are in there fighting so hard to get back to yourself.  You are the bravest person I know and we are so proud of your progress!  Keep resting and fighting God is with you and he is healing you, we will wait patiently.  Love you to the moon and back sweet angel, YOU'VE GOT THIS!

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A quick update on Jo.  He is extremely stable and relaxed.  He is physically stronger everyday and can now sit up for more than 25 minutes!  It is not easy, and it obviously drains him but he never gives up!  Each day he grows a little stronger, and he is working his way back to us, thank  God.  The past few days Jo has been less animated and engaging than in the past, we believe he may be a little sad about his current state.  We can only imagine what it must be like to will your mind to make your body perform the simplest tasks.  It must be extremely frustrating and depressing at times, it's not hard to understand why he has good days and bad.  He still blesses us with his smile many times a day, it is truly amazing,

This Thursday my family and I were able to attend Jo's benefit marking both the most exciting and humbling event we have ever been part of.  So many people took time out of their lives to help us we cannot begin to express our gratitude.  Every detail was covered, and the spirit of love could not have been stronger.  We hugged and laughed more people than we could count, it was such a special night.

There were so many contributions it was overwhelming.  One thing that stuck out most to me and my family is how love carried the night, and despite the circumstances of our need for help, our friends and family were all in great spirits.  All we heard was encouragement and words of faith and hope for Jo's full recovery.  His story has touched many lives and as parents hearing that provides a sense of comfort despite our challenges.  We did not spend a night hearing "I'm sorry" instead we heard "Jo's got this, and we love you".  We can't tell you how important that is to us, our sense of hope is strong, but with your support our faith never waivers.  One day at a time is our new family mantra.

A few notes of special thanks to the "Team Witzman" for organizing, planning, and directing this amazing event.  Pennie, Val, Brenda, Wendy, and Manette, along with their amazing families, made us feel so special.  We still don't know how you did it, but we could never thank you enough.  We know you were not alone, please pass along our deepest gratitude to everyone involved, but wanted to thank you each personally for your time and dedication to our family, we love you all so much!

The final miracle of the night was an amazing gift from the Santiago family.  As the event wound down we were asked to meet with their family to talk about another donation.  We were completely shocked and humbled by their offer of a mobility van for Jo.  It changes our life immediately and all at once provides our family a chance for reasonable normalcy for Jo.  Not only can we get to appointments on our own schedule but in addition we can take Jo out for a stroll through the mall, a park, or to the store.  We've said many times before, our family is not complete without Jo with us, this amazing gift allows that to happen now.  We are still in shock that we are so blessed.  God bless your family for this amazing gift, someday we hope to pass it on to the next family in need.

I've talked many times about the angels on earth who've carried us through this journey.  Never have they been more on display than this event.  I've copied the text from what would have been my thank you speech, if not for my inability to get through the first sentence.  Wendy read it to the group on my behalf.  We've never felt more love and we are deeply touched to be so loved by so many.

Today was one of those days.  Not like anything I've had before this tragedy but something I've become sadly accustomed to the past 5 months.  Life moves slowly, painfully so, and we yearn so much for what we used to have.  It doesn't mean we will never get it back, in fact we have faith we will, but in silent moments of reflection the pain is difficult to measure.

Jo is rock solid.  The past few weeks have been by far his best since being discharged.  He is so obviously aware of his surroundings and is so engaging it takes our breath away.  If you walk in the room he turns, looks in your eyes, and shows his amazing strength on resolve.  He is so engaged it makes it hard to leave the room at times, thankfully we have been  blessed with amazing nurses who clearly care for Jo deeply.  Leaving him in their care is extremely comforting and necessary to keep the rest of our life going.

If you've browsed around the site you've probably noticed something about Jo.  If you knew him personally pictures don't really do it justice...THAT SMILE.  I've heard people talk about smiles that light up a room, with Jo the light was blinding.  His smile so genuine and innocent it felt like he was touching your heart.  I'm happy to report, that smile remains, his connection even stronger than before.  Jo is in there, fighting his way back, his smile easing our pain and giving us the strength to remain patient.  Lately he smiles often, and it has become easier to get that smile out of him.  At those moments, for however brief, he is peaceful, happy, and so close to us.  I cannot describe in words the way his smile makes me feel, nor the numerous times he brought me back from the depths of desperation with that smile.  It's like he knows when I need it most, when I am down, when I am dwelling on the past, feeling like it isn't fair, impatient, desperate for progress, and blind to how far we have come.  He shows me that dimple and darkness I so often fight disappears, it is just he and I sharing a moment of pure love, I cannot hold back my tears, every time.

One thing hasn't changed, Jo loves to laugh at dad.  I'd do anything to make him smile, fortunately I don't have to do much to make him smile.  Yesterday I told him, "Jo I am learned Dr. and I am here to take care of you.  I will make sure your mom doesn't do anything wrong".  He smiled ear to ear, it was amazing.  There is nothing I miss more than laughing with my boy.  If you thought his smile was intoxicating you should hear him laugh, please God please let me hear that again soon.  

I'm sure many of you can relate to those feelings that crop up with "facebook memories" or likewise on Google pictures.  For some reason I can't hesitate to click "view more".  I really should have learned by now that in my sometimes fragile state this is not a good idea.  Unlike my super hero wife I still can't look at pictures of Jo without issues.  Videos are even worse, hearing his voice makes me crumble.  Today I clicked on google pictures and stumbled upon a video that brought me to my knees.  It was Jo scoring a touchdown in his flag football league.  He was a stud player and nothing brought me more joy as his dad than watching him play.  He played like he lives, free and fast, graceful and powerful, and with an emphatic joy that was contagious.  I broke down for an hour after that, it was one of those days.  It just hurt so bad.  Please God please, I need to see that again someday, however far away, please give us that joy again.

Jojobinks you and your mom are my heroes.  I have never seen such strength, and never felt so much love.  We are so excited by your progress and so anxious for more.  Please keep lending your strength to be patient, we will never give up hope, and we have faith we will get you back as you were.  It is God's will, and you will be a testimony to his love.  We love you to the moon and back sweet angel, YOU'VE GOT THIS.

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