Rick, Mariah’s dad and Matthias stopped by the parsonage at 12:45 today.  We talked a while about how thankful he is about YOU.

Without you there would be no use for the website and so much less encouragement for Rick and Michelle so from his words to your eyes…Thank You!

Now, on to the latest news:
Over a several hour period, Mariah has transitioned from her hospital bed, to a chair, to standing and taking her first few steps.  It was very challenging because the transition awakened all her pain receptors and she had to go through some pretty yucky nausea.  But she did not give up.  Through the tears and the searing pain Mariah and her body brace took her first steps since July 7.

Rick wants to remind everyone to continue to pray and not give up.

There will be times that even Mariah will be discouraged.  I know that’s hard to imagine, knowing how much courage she has shown and how miraculously the Lord has been present with her. Just remember that our greatest weaknesses are triggered by those moments of our greatest triumph.  The power to overcome those times of weakness will come in response to her prayers and to ours.

Another bit of good news is Mariah’s response to the Benefit Concert we plan to have on September 13.  She finds it hard to believe that our love in action is continuing to be poured out.  She is thrilled.

All of our plans are going to require us to dig deeply but I know you have it in you because of how much you love.  Thanks so much for loving, caring, giving and praying.  All of us together are touching Mariah through the Holy Spirit in answer to our prayers.

We received an angry comment from one of the boys on the hike with Mariah.  The comment was inappropriate on several counts but it does deserve a response because we must believe that he has Mariah’s best in mind.

The bone in Mariah’s neck that was broken is located at the thoracic section, and T2 would be the second vertebrae down from the top of that section.  If the break had occured above T1, in the cervical curve, the boys who heroicly stayed with Mariah until help arrived would not have seen any movement.  The fracture in T2 would still allow Mariah to have nerve impulses to her arms and legs.  That is why boys, Mariah could still move a bit while you were with her.

So the point we are making here is not that Mariah was paralyzed from the neck down, she was not. The break in T2, what we have called a break in her neck was medically verified in the Trauma Center of the Hospital with all manner of scans appropriate to their diagnosis.  The good news we are celebrating is that the fracture of T2, which would have meant Mariah would have to be placed in a halo, is no longer a fracture. Mariah does not need a halo to immobilize her head while she continues her healing.  We are happy that what was once broken is now restored.

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Anatomy Guide: Normal Spine Normal Spinal Curves MEDICAL REVIEW: Reviewed by Michael Smith, MD, May 2004 SOURCE DOCUMENTATION: Orthopaedics: A Study Guide, 1999, McGraw-Hill. LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This tool is for general information purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It may not be right for you and should not be relied upon in making decisions about your health. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.