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Our Warrior’s Adventure (click ‘See All’ to read story)

* Please see September 21 post for latest update *
Facebook at Jack’s Journey https://www.facebook.com/groups/jackweekspeeps and Instagram at jackweekspeeps https://www.instagram.com/jackweekspeeps/ (click the links to visit each social media page).

Updates (9)

September 21, 2021

It’s been a while since I have posted an update...to be honest.... life gets in the way. There are good days and bad days, like every family with young children.... but for us, the injury is still very front and center.

On June 27, 2020, we marked a year since Jack’s spinal cord injury. This is what I posted on my personal Facebook page.

It was one year ago today at 2:42pm-our lives changed forever

Most people say "our lives changed forever" with immense joy or heartbreaking sadness…. a baby born, a freedom finally acknowledged, a life lost.

But I’ll take this day for myself.

It’s not easy living with trauma.

Jack and I have both been more sad than happy lately.

Guess it’s part of the journey, Jack's Journey, we are learning that it’s ok to let go of the life you thought you were going to have and forge a new one.

Today starts a new year for us - hope is back in play!

Love you all-near and far

In the past 9 months that we have been home from Sheperd Rehabilitation Center, boy have we been waking up to a new world! It's overwhelming when you get home from a place that KNOWS what you are going through, from people who KNOW first-hand what you are going through. You can tell your story, but only those who have lived in it can understand. That's so true of everything in life. A divorce, a death, a childbirth, happiness, sadness....

Kip and I have been humbled by the support, love, and prayers that we have encountered throughout this journey. All these things have led to us being able to attain and create some really amazing things for Jack.

From the accessible van from Mobility Works (aka Darth Vader) to the endless medical supplies not covered by insurance. The ramp that allows Jack to enter the house, the battery powered Hoyer Lift that helps us get him in and out of bed, every day. The manual wheelchair (also funded by the great Travis Roy Foundation. The ROHO cushion needed to treat his pressure sore.....

The biggest two, for him and his mental wellbeing, have been...his own space and Project Walk Boston.

Project Walk Boston is an amazing place that has changed Jack's view on getting stronger and fighting for the future. It is an hour away from our home and we currently take him two days a week. This facility has made us all feel like we are home again. It's where acceptance, courage, non-discrimination, and hope lives. The costs are not covered by insurance, but that is no way to look at this. He needs and wants it, so we get it done.

There are plans on getting him to Kentucky, where he can get an epidural implant for upper body function (use of his fingers and hands) as we wait for the new stem cell therapies to become approved. This, sadly, is on the back burner due to a pressure sore that is making life extra hard, mentally, and physically.

Many more things are in the works to help Jack cope with his injury:

- Unlimited access to uninsured therapy. (This is the most important)

- A deck, so he can participate with all the outdoor fun that happens daily (think: dog chasing a frisbee, brother, sister, cousins making s’mores, fire-pit and enjoying the sunshine on his face)

- A pool remodel and lift, so he can get back in the water-facing a fear that I can only imagine.

- An Action Track Chair that will allow him to explore the wonderful landscape and access trails on his 5 acres of land that will allow him to get down to the creek and fish.

Your contributions, volunteering, love, and prayers are how these things will come into fruition for Jack.

Thank you all for all your support - past, present, and future. When I look back at how my family got through this...I will smile and know that love is the answer.

I am not sure we could ever say thank you enough, but we will always pay it forward :)

Cammie

* New photos found under Albums

* We have taken to social media to communicate updates. Hope to see you there!

More information:

- Facebook at Jack’s Journey https://www.facebook.com/groups/jackweekspeeps

- Instagram at jackweekspeeps https://www.instagram.com/jackweekspeeps/

- Mobility Works https://www.mobilityworks.com/locations/wheelchair-vans-for-sale-in-gray-maine/

- Travis Roy Foundation https://www.travisroyfoundation.org/

- ROHO cushion https://www.permobil.com/en-us/products/seating-positioning/cushioning-products/roho/other-cushioning-options/roho-custom-product

- Project Walk Boston https://pwboston.com/

- Frazier Rehabilitation Institute https://www.uoflhealthnetwork.org/frazier-rehab-institute

February 19, 2021

2.19.2021 It's a cold and snowy February morning. Jack and Gus are asleep and Birdie is up with me.

Jack and I got home on December 11th....I can't believe it's already been 2 months.... Jack's space is nearing completion (pictures below!), PT/OT have hit a rhythm and some great goals have been set.

In PT, Jack has been getting into the standing frame and will be getting into a manual chair next week! He's also been strengthening his shoulders and biceps and last week, he sat up unassisted (with a PT in front and in back of him) for 1 minute and 30 seconds! Still no triceps firing nor any finger movement, and he still has no feeling below his nipple line. It's taken longer than expected to get used to this new life.

Jack's spirits have been down quite a bit, as well as myself, as I have been sick. It's hard to be away from the place that made everything feel more normal.

It crashes in on you, the longevity of the injury. It's exhausting. And to top it all off, Maggie broke her foot last week and is in a boot for 6 weeks.

Independence is key to our next transition. Alexa will enable him to turn on and off his tv & Xbox, the lights and the heat. He will finally be able to shower, instead of having bed baths.

Eat independently

Drink independently

These thing will definitely lift his mood and mine too.

But Spring beckons new life, new growth, sunshine on our faces and a new project in the works!

My idea is to plot and create wheelchair friendly trails on our land for all to use. I have contacted my friend, Jill, (she created Kids Movement Project) to help spearhead this project with me and engage our community.

We bought a home in Gorham with 4.5 acres that includes woods and a beautiful creek/river right behind our house. The idea is for Kids Movement Project to make a "project" out of mapping and building trails wide enough for Jack’s wheelchair, through the woods and along the river. The desire is for Jack to be able to spend more time outdoors and to create trails for others to use, growing our community. We are now early (and I mean early) in the planning stages of this exciting project!

It's really comforting knowing that the love and support is out there. It's easy to get stuck. I don't know why I always quote movies and books, but as Dory says "Just keep swimming, swimming swimming....."

Love to all of you out there

Thank you for continuing on our journey of HOPE

Photo Galleries (10)

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Guestbook

December 27, 2023

Jack,

You have many fans across the country! Because… you are inspiring all of us to pursue everything in life, in spite of our challenges!

Very, very proud of you!

Michael
Peoria, IL

Michael Bork

February 4, 2023

In memory of Richard Weeks

Nancy Powell

December 4, 2022

Sending love always.

Emily Parr