Here is an update from my Dad.
I, Ryanne, may add some info here and there…. my input will be in red.
Much has happened since we left Barrows Rehab. We have enjoyed living with Grandma Benson even though we seem to be gone most of the time. Our typical day is filled with appointments for rehabilitation, exercises, workouts at the gym, and then we finish things off with swimming therapy at a facility in Mesa. Once a week or so Wes gets a massage to help loosen up his knotted muscles. He has been able to work on some homework, but so much of his day is filled with getting stronger that he is often exhausted. He is sleeping much better at night since we left the hospital, despite the fact that we wake him up every 3 to 4 hours to rotate his body in bed so that he does not get pressure sores. Health wise he is eating and drinking better and usually feeds himself. Almost every day he is discovering something new that he can do on his own with little or no assistance from someone else. We bought an XBOX 360 about 10 days ago and he has really enjoyed playing the games with family members. He is learning to adapt to the controllers, it will take some time but we think eventually he will be able to work them as quickly as he could before the accident. To play, he puts a board in front of him with a sheet of sticky paper. He puts the controller on it so it doesn’t move and then uses his wrists to use the joy sticks. I tried to play like he does and he kicked my trash. He has an ipad and he is getting very good at operating it.
We spend our Saturdays at Grandpa Greene’s house having pool parties. Wes really enjoys being around everyone, especially the kids. We keep his water adventures limited to the heated pool in Mesa but someday he will swim in a regular pool. Spinal cord injury patients often have a difficult time regulating the temperature of their bodies. The water is still too cold for him to get into in a regular outdoor pool.
A couple of weeks ago Wes received a video made by the youth in our ward in Three Forks. It really made all of us laugh and Wes really enjoyed it. Thanks to our Three Forks ward for making it so fun. We really miss all of you so much. Thank you for your love and encouragement, it has made a big difference. I don’t know how to get it onto the blog but when I figure it out I will put it on here.
Wes is really looking forward to being home for graduation and seeing everyone that weekend. We will be doing rehab in Utah and will spend more time back home in Montana. We will post some video of Wes swimming soon. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers and please keep it up. It does make a difference. We continue to see miracles all the time. To our great friends, the Roderick’s, we heard about your temple date and we are making plans to be there. Congratulations. We are so excited.
Our biggest surprise over the last three weeks was the surprise visit of our daughter, Ryanne… me. We thought we would not be seeing her for at least a year so it was a tremendous surprise to have her show up at Grandma Benson’s. We were so sad to see her leave. Ry spent hours visiting and playing games with Wes, we all miss her. A special thanks to Ry’s husband, Ben, for letting her come and be with us.
It’s true. I made a last minute trip to see Wes… and the rest of the family. I wish Ben could have come with me and I think everyone wished the same thing. Wes is a game player. He always has been. We played a million games together and had a lot of fun. We got my mom to play Halo against Wesley for a few minutes and he dominated. She has some potential though. I am excited for Wes to go to Utah because our game playing relatives live there and Wes has ALWAYS loved play games with them… the Kings.
My parents are doing an amazing job with Wesley. Wes is very fortunate to have them. On my flight back to Louisiana I was reading a talk by Elder Rasband from General conference a few weeks ago. He quoted President James E. Faust,
In Elder Rasband’s talk he also quote the scripture Mosiah 24:15,
The kindness others have shown them is uplifting and strengthens them. It is not possible for me to write about the deep suffering they have experienced or the immense joy they have felt from expressions of love from others and overcoming hurdles. Their love for the Savior is deep and the knowledge that he will not leave them comfortless keeps them enduring.
John 14:18, 27
If you would like to read all of Elder Rasband’s talk you can find it here:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/special-lessons?lang=eng
I, Ryanne, may add some info here and there…. my input will be in red.
Much has happened since we left Barrows Rehab. We have enjoyed living with Grandma Benson even though we seem to be gone most of the time. Our typical day is filled with appointments for rehabilitation, exercises, workouts at the gym, and then we finish things off with swimming therapy at a facility in Mesa. Once a week or so Wes gets a massage to help loosen up his knotted muscles. He has been able to work on some homework, but so much of his day is filled with getting stronger that he is often exhausted. He is sleeping much better at night since we left the hospital, despite the fact that we wake him up every 3 to 4 hours to rotate his body in bed so that he does not get pressure sores. Health wise he is eating and drinking better and usually feeds himself. Almost every day he is discovering something new that he can do on his own with little or no assistance from someone else. We bought an XBOX 360 about 10 days ago and he has really enjoyed playing the games with family members. He is learning to adapt to the controllers, it will take some time but we think eventually he will be able to work them as quickly as he could before the accident. To play, he puts a board in front of him with a sheet of sticky paper. He puts the controller on it so it doesn’t move and then uses his wrists to use the joy sticks. I tried to play like he does and he kicked my trash. He has an ipad and he is getting very good at operating it.
We spend our Saturdays at Grandpa Greene’s house having pool parties. Wes really enjoys being around everyone, especially the kids. We keep his water adventures limited to the heated pool in Mesa but someday he will swim in a regular pool. Spinal cord injury patients often have a difficult time regulating the temperature of their bodies. The water is still too cold for him to get into in a regular outdoor pool.
A couple of weeks ago Wes received a video made by the youth in our ward in Three Forks. It really made all of us laugh and Wes really enjoyed it. Thanks to our Three Forks ward for making it so fun. We really miss all of you so much. Thank you for your love and encouragement, it has made a big difference. I don’t know how to get it onto the blog but when I figure it out I will put it on here.
Wes is really looking forward to being home for graduation and seeing everyone that weekend. We will be doing rehab in Utah and will spend more time back home in Montana. We will post some video of Wes swimming soon. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers and please keep it up. It does make a difference. We continue to see miracles all the time. To our great friends, the Roderick’s, we heard about your temple date and we are making plans to be there. Congratulations. We are so excited.
Our biggest surprise over the last three weeks was the surprise visit of our daughter, Ryanne… me. We thought we would not be seeing her for at least a year so it was a tremendous surprise to have her show up at Grandma Benson’s. We were so sad to see her leave. Ry spent hours visiting and playing games with Wes, we all miss her. A special thanks to Ry’s husband, Ben, for letting her come and be with us.
It’s true. I made a last minute trip to see Wes… and the rest of the family. I wish Ben could have come with me and I think everyone wished the same thing. Wes is a game player. He always has been. We played a million games together and had a lot of fun. We got my mom to play Halo against Wesley for a few minutes and he dominated. She has some potential though. I am excited for Wes to go to Utah because our game playing relatives live there and Wes has ALWAYS loved play games with them… the Kings.
My parents are doing an amazing job with Wesley. Wes is very fortunate to have them. On my flight back to Louisiana I was reading a talk by Elder Rasband from General conference a few weeks ago. He quoted President James E. Faust,
“I have a great appreciation for those loving parents who stoically bear and overcome their anguish and heartbreak for a child who was born with or who has developed a serious mental or physical infirmity. This anguish often continues every day, without relief, during the lifetime of the parent or the child. Not infrequently, parents are required to give SUPERHUMAN nurturing care that never ceases, day or night. Many a mother’s arms and heart have ached years on end, giving comfort and relieving the suffering of her special child.”Watching my parents and siblings take care of, spend time with, and encourage Wes I have seen that ‘superhuman nurturing’ that President Faust spoke about. Those of you who know my parents know that they are pretty amazing. Their experiences with suffering, patience, and sacrifice have displayed how truly wonderful they are. They get up in the middle of the night to rotate Wes to prevent pressure sores, get up with him, stretch him, get him ready for the day, help him eat, deal with sketchy insurance claims, work out with him, go to therapy with him, feed him some more, go to more therapy with him, get him ready for bed, and they encourage him.
In Elder Rasband’s talk he also quote the scripture Mosiah 24:15,
“And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.”As I have repeatedly read that scripture, I keep seeing the suffering and anguish my parents and Wes have felt and then I see them smiling and laughing. I was amazed by the cheerful attitude I felt in their presence. Their faith in Christ is not limited. They rely on Christ and acknowledge His hand in their experiences.
The kindness others have shown them is uplifting and strengthens them. It is not possible for me to write about the deep suffering they have experienced or the immense joy they have felt from expressions of love from others and overcoming hurdles. Their love for the Savior is deep and the knowledge that he will not leave them comfortless keeps them enduring.
John 14:18, 27
“I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you….
“My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
If you would like to read all of Elder Rasband’s talk you can find it here:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/special-lessons?lang=eng
Oh my goodness it's been awhile since I've been on Wes's blog so tonight I had some time and read all the updates.....AMAZING! Seriously your family and Wes are incredible! I love to read the posts! It's so uplifting and inspirational and truly touching! Please let us (and the whole Peart crew) know when you get to Utah! We would love to help in any way we can...dinners, games, a place to stay, more dinners! We are continually thinking of and praying for Wes and all of you! Keep up the amazing progress!
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