kEEP SMILING...

Jo has been an all-star the past few weeks, each day he shows more progress.  In fact, he does so well at times it makes me nervous about posting, then I realize God is in control, he is working his way back.

Jo is showing  cognitive progress!

• Jo is awake often and very alert, anytime someone enters the room he shifts his eyes to see who it is.  He locks eyes with that person and it feels like he is saying hello!
• Jo is showing purposeful movement on a regular basis, several times a day.  When he stretches he can lift his head of the bed, both legs and arms, and curls into a ball then reaches out tall.  This happens several times a day, most often when we turn him from side to side.  Before we turn him we tell him "Jo, I am going to turn you to your side, now would be a good time to stretch" he does it every time!  
• A few days ago Jo had a few visitors he hadn't seen in awhile.  They stood on either side of the bed.  For the first time Jo turned his head from side to side to look at them.  A full neck turn to the left back to the right and then again left to right. It was slow and challenging for him but very exciting, he has always shifted his gaze but turning his head is simply amazing.
• During the same visit our friend talked and joked with Jo.  He whispered a joke about dad, making fun of dad is Jo's favorite thing to do, he smiled and almost chuckle, it was amazing.  Jo's smile always lit up a room, now even more so, and it always brings tears.
• Jo had a visit from his buddies just a day or so ago.  He was so visibly excited to see them!  His eyes were wide open and he smiled the entire time!  It was so great to see.  He so badly wanted to talk, it was hard to watch that part, but it was just so touching to see him back engaging with his friends.  

I'll spare the post from detailed rants about insurance.  The real health care crisis is less about coverage and more about a system designed to send any family, covered or not, into an abyss of debt.  We are the luckiest family I know, we have amazing support and I am blessed with great coverage from my employer.  Even with that you see what a game is played with these providers. Drs. and insurance companies in constant debate about what is "needed" and what is wanted.  An endless stream of letters of "medical necessity" clearly designed to slow the process and delay benefits.  Every initial claim is denied, then reviewed, then approved or denied again because they need more info and yet another "medical review".  Then ultimately approving what was clearly a necessity from day one, at least 30-45 days after it was needed.  In the middle of it all are amazing nurses, Drs, and parents all trying desperately to do the right thing for their loved ones.  It is absolutely exhausting to keep up, but I am motivated by getting Jo everything he needs regardless of denials and bureaucracy.  I am 100% certain, as I've learned this lesson with my autistic son previously,  the insurance company is counting on your weakness, banking on you forgetting, capitalizing on your frustration, and drawing every request out as long as possible, assuming you will give up, they've got the wrong family is they expect that.

Enough negativity, we cannot thank you all enough for the support, we are blessed, and Jo is doing better everyday.  He has already defied every prediction about his future, and he and God are just getting started!

Jojobinks, keep smiling for us it lifts us so high we can'T help but cry.  You are coming back completely and the Lord is with you.  We will be patiently waiting with you, God is giving us strength to rely on his plan.  We love you to the moon and back sweet angel, YOU'VE GOT THIS!!!

JO IN 2014 WITH HIS BEST BUDDY ASHTON...EVERY VISIT BRINGS A SMILE