Back from Little Rock, Things are falling into place!

Last weekend I flew to Little Rock to put things in order for my move back to Arkansas. I found an apartment, did some furniture shopping, and met everyone at my new job! It was a whirlwind of a trip but I was able to get everything accomplished. I made my deposit on what we believe to be the perfect apartment. It was very difficult to find an apartment close to work that was accessible but I finally found one. (See Pics below)!

Last Friday I was able to meet with everyone at ABC Financial. I was blown away at the reception I got when I arrived at ABC. Many of them remembered me from before my accident when I did several presentations for them with my previous job. I got there at 9 a.m. Friday morning and met with two ladies in the H.R. department. They took me on a tour of the company and I was able to meet most of the employees. I was very touched by the fact that they were willing to make any arrangements necessary to make the office more accessible. The ladies followed me with a notepad and pen and asked me if I needed the doors wider? If I needed a bigger desk? If the bathrooms were accessible for me? Afterward we went outside and they asked me to pick a parking spot that would be the easiest for me, and gave it to me! I was very grateful and humbled by there willingness to help me out and make the office accessible.

At the end of my tour I met my new boss, Bob! We spent about an hour in his office talking about my roll in the department. We talked about business and the direction of internal sales at ABC. After speaking with Bob for some time he mentioned to me that he was very sympathetic to my needs. I was curious, so I asked him, "why is that?" He then told me that his daughter was in a wheelchair and had been her entire life! I WAS BLOWN AWAY when he told me that! I knew right then and there that God was completely behind this new move and chapter in my life.

My move is set for for Thursday, April 29th, when we will load up the U-haul and start making our way to Little Rock. I still have A LOT of things to get figured out before my move. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and that my transition to Little Rock will be easy and problem-free!

Before I leave there is another post I want to make, certain people who I want THANK! My stay here in Florida has been amazing and so many people have gone OUT OF THEIR WAY to help me and be there for me! It is to much to type now, but please check back in a few weeks for the THANK YOU post!
I LOVE YOU ALL
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT

I HAVE SOME BIG NEWS!!!

I apologize for the delay in posting, but I had good reason this time. I HAVE SOME BIG NEWS so you might want to sit down for this!!! The news was so big that I felt like I deserved to tell some people IN PERSON. I didn't feel it was right for them to read about the news on my blog. The past few weeks I have been spreading the word to those closest to me, but......

I AM MOVING BACK TO LITTLE ROCK!!

God has blessed me ever since the accident and this move is no exception. He is always opening doors for me and continues to guide my life. The story of how this all came about is pretty remarkable. So bare with me as I explain everything.

A few months before my accident, I had a business conference in Minnesota. I flew up there for a continuing education summit on a software I was selling for my company. After the conference I flew back to Little Rock but along the way I got laid over in Chicago. Once I boarded the plane from Chicago to Little Rock this gentlemen sits down beside me. As most of you who know me, know my personality, I will talk to just about anyone. I struck up a conversation with the gentleman sitting in the seat next to me on the plane. He asked me what I did for a living being as I just came back from a business conference. I explained to him the software that I sold to banks and other businesses who want to send electronic deposits to a bank via digital imaging. The gentleman was very interested in my product and introduced himself as Paul, the President of ABC Financial in North Little Rock. ABC Financial is the nations biggest gym and health club billing company. They do marketing, billing and other services for gyms. Once we landed in Little Rock we exchanged business cards and he asked for me to do a demonstration of my software to his company. For the next several weeks I stayed in contact with ABC Financial doing multiple demonstrations and meetings. Shortly thereafter, I HAD MY ACCIDENT. The people at ABC were so nice to send a care basket of fruit to the hospital and have continued reading this blog and following my progress ever since.

One of my best friends in the world Eric Buckner, owns several gyms in Little Rock and also uses ABC Financial for his billing services. Eric and Paul are friends/business partners and one day I came up in a conversation. After asking about my progress, Eric told him I was trying to get a job and get back to my life. Paul said he would be interested in hiring me for a position in sales with his company. After several interviews with people inside the company, I GOT THE JOB! I will be working at ABC Financial in Little Rock starting May 17th!!

The past few weeks have been a WHIRLWIND! I have had so much on my plate working on my move back to Little Rock. I have been apartment hunting and trying to get everything organized for my move! We are leaving this Thursday to fly up to Little Rock to finalize all of my living arrangements and I will be making the move PERMANENTLY on May 1st. I am very excited to be back with my friends in Little Rock and back at Pleasant Valley the church that really took me in during my time there. Pleasant Valley ESPECIALLY took care of me after my accident, the LOVE that was shown to me by my friends and church family made me realize that it was the place I wanted to put down my roots! This next month is going to be really hectic for me, but I ask for the prayers of EVERYONE to please continue praying for my recovery and my move! Its a BIG LEAP for me but I know I am ready! I feel like this was God's plan from the beginning, even before my accident. ITS AMAZING how God puts people in our lives, even sometimes on airplanes coming back from Chicago! I will write on my blog a lot more often as new and exciting things are happening in my life. I WILL NOT GO A MONTH without posting again. But I could not post a blog until those who are the closest to me heard my news IN PERSON, I felt I owed it to them!

NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN MIRACLES!! Please keep praying for my complete healing!
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT!

I am so BLESSED!!! God is good to me!

I am so blessed, God has been looking after me from the beginning of this LONG journey and he has NEVER left my side! I knew from from the start this was going to be a long hard road and to do it alone would be impossible! I needed the support of all my friends and family but also I needed the strength that only God can provide.

I have spoken with so many people who have suffered a spinal cord injury and from speaking with them I realize just how lucky I am! I will NEVER take for granted the love and support that has been shown to me. Every gain that I make towards my goal of walking I will ALWAYS first and foremost give all the PRAISE TO GOD! There is no doubt that my recovery has NOTHING to do with myself, but through the grace that has been given to me.

I have always been a stubborn person, which can be a good thing at times.....AND BAD! When I make up my mind about something I am persistent and hate giving up on anything I start. I wanted to show people that through FAITH and PRAYER that miracles can happen. I wanted everyone to witness the miracles in my life and to be apart of this journey with me. I was very fortunate to have my family and friends start this blog. It has become my testimony to everyone so that they can witness the blessings that God has showered on my life. I want people to know that no matter what struggle is laid in front of you that YOU CAN OVER COME IT! I have spoken on several occasions on trials on our lives and the way God uses the hard times for you to grow closer to him! Struggles are not intended for us to feel punished but as OPPORTUNITIES to rely on God and to overcome the hard times!

I WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE who has been apart of this blog and who read it each and everyday! I am taken back with how many times i hear of people reading my blog. I never thought I could be given SUCH A HUGE PLATFORM to share my faith with others. It is truly a blessing and I feel it was God's plan from the beginning! He took such a horrible accident and gave me an OPPORTUNITY!

I have made a video of the progress I have made over the months. I hope you ENJOY! I will try to put together more videos like this in the future! I tried to download the video to the blog but it would not work. It was too big of a file, so i downloaded the video to YOUTUBE! Click on the link below to watch the movie!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlK2sOf7lZk

I LOVE YOU ALL!
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT

LONG AWAITED POST!

Well, its been almost a MONTH since my last post! I am sorry for the delay and I have been hearing from everyone that I have been slacking. I apologize again for the delays but I have had some wonderful news in the past couple of weeks. If you are living in central Florida, but more importantly in or around the Lake County area stay CLEAR OF ALL ROADS!! I AM DRIVING NOW! Vocational rehab has finally come through and I have a vehicle. I was able to get my license last Friday, and since then I have been tearing up the roads all over the greater Orlando area! I finally have my freedom and it feels GREAT!

On to other news, I have been continuing my rehab everyday here at home and with my PT. We are starting to finally see some quads starting to come in and are feeling them tighten when I work on my leg extensions. During therapy, I have been doing lots of standing at my walker with no braces with minimal assist on the knees. We have been working on finding the right standing position and weight shifting in order to pull my legs through to walk. Its a fine science, because if I lean to far forward me knees want to buckle. However, if I can stand back on my heels whoever is helping with my knees are able to greatly relieve pressure to almost none!

One of the most common things with people suffering from spinal cord injury is they give up! Most everyone will keep hope alive for the first few months, but as the months turn to years there tenacity to keep working and rehab starts to fade. They say, whats the point anyways? The doctors say I will never walk again, so it must be true?!? Most people don't want to put in the hard work for a false hope. They do now want to hang on to a dream they know will never come true. BUT NOT ME!! I am a very stubborn person, I have been my entire life! (JUST ASK MY PARENTS!) When I make my mind up, no one is going to tell me I CANT DO SOMETHING! I made my mind up, 2 years ago while laying in a bed in the ICU with doctors tell me that I will never walk again! I FIRMLY believed I would one day walk, but it was in God's timing. He is preparing me for something far greater and is using my struggles to bring glory to him AND FOR THAT I'M TRULY GRATEFUL! I will never take ANY of the credit for my recovery. All credit is to the one who is performing the miracles in my body each and everyday! I give all credit to GOD! He spared my life and has given me a second chance at life. Although this new life is different for the time being, I am in NO WAY at a disadvantage. I will overcome any hurdle or wall that is in my path by relying solely on God to pull me through.

I remember one doctor telling me it would take a miracle!! WELL.....A miracle they shall see!!

Please keep praying for my recovery! Pray that God will lead me down the right path!
Thank you ALL for the encouragement and support!
I LOVE YOU ALL!
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT

Here is a video I shot TODAY while working out at the Y!

Some Great News On My Recovery! More Blessings!

Its been a few weeks since my last post but I wanted to start off by telling everyone whats new with me. I have continued my therapy at home and I have recently gotten canes to help ween myself from the walker. I have practiced with the canes several times and I must admit it is VERY hard! I am going to keep practicing and hopefully soon, I can put away the walker and be more independent.

I mentioned before that I was experiencing a change in my legs, something that I had never seen before. Whenever I put E-stim on my legs at home, My calf muscles would begin to flex! Being that I am a (lower motor neuron injury) my legs should not respond with contractions in my muscles. I have been tested several times and for two years my muscles NEVER contracted. Suddenly my calf started to flex and twitch under electrical stimulation.

I wrote one of the researchers at Shepherd Center to tell her of my new discovery with my muscles flexing. She wrote back, "Brent, it sounds like you are one of the very rare cases in which your peripheral nerves have grown back over time and have made the connections to your spinal cord!"

It was exciting to hear that I was a RARE case! I have no doubt that my recovery is not due to a rare coincidence. My body is changing every week, and I am continuing to get A LOT of sensory back! My legs are becoming sensitive to a variety of different stimulation. I get excited every time I see a change in my legs, I know that I am getting a lot of recovery. Talking with doctors and scientist they have told me that recovery YEARS after injury is very possible and can happen with incomplete injuries. I have personally met numerous people who have had NOTHING for 2-4 years and then regained a great amount of function, SOME EVEN WALKING!

Sometimes its hard to believe it has been 2 years. I look back and remember the hospital and rehab in Little Rock like it was yesterday. I was so blessed to have the support of my church family and friend in Little Rock. The love that was shown to me will be something I will NEVER FORGET! Since returning to Florida I have been shown so much support. From my weekly game night crew to the people at my church at West Orange I am continually encouraged and built up.

I feel that God can turn any situation for good and I can see it throughout this journey. Im not going to lie, I want so desperately to leave my chair behind and walk but I know everything is in God's timing. I have made HUGE gains something that nobody thought could ever be possible. I am starting to regain more now than ever before. I am excited for what the future holds for me and look forward to confronting whatever comes my way. I will continue to rehab and work towards my goals. Please continue to pray for me and my recovery. I know I ask for prayers on every post but I can not say it enough. The prayers of everyone does more than any rehab could ever do! I know and have FAITH that God will make me whole again!
I LOVE YOU ALL!!
So much in him,
Brent

A CURE IS ON THE HORIZON! PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR MY RECOVERY!

It has been a few weeks since my last post. I apologize to everyone who is following my blog. Let me start off by saying THANK YOU! THANK YOU, for all of you who continue to read my blog after two years and for following my progress. You have NO IDEA what it means to me to hear that people are still reading my blog posts. It is because of all of your encouragement that I have remained motivated and continually work towards my goal of walking again!

When we started this blog, it was during the roughest time of my life. The doctors were not sure if I was going to live or not and the blog helped keep people informed. Since then, it has continued to not only inform people of my progress but has become my ministry to share with everyone God's blessings on my life! The REAL purpose of this blog is not just for my random updates on my progress, but that others can SEE GOD working through the miracles and blessings in my life! I hope and pray that when people read my blog YOU SEE CHRIST! I hope you see "WHAT IS POSSIBLE" through hard work and FAITH. I know I will one day walk again, I JUST KNOW! I will continually press towards my goal all the while giving God ALL THE PRAISE and GLORY for each success along the way.

Most of you have been wondering about my last post and the new addition to our family! My sister gave birth last week to a BEAUTIFUL new baby girl, Kyleigh Rae! She was named after her father, KYLE and my grandfather whose name was RAY and was a huge influential part on all of his grandchildren. I am very excited to be a proud new UNCLE!!

In my last post I had mentioned about saving my sisters umbilical cord blood. We had planned on extracting the stem cells from the blood which could then be used to treat my spinal cord injury. I talked with Dr. Wise Young the leading SCI researcher and after consideration we decided it would not be the best thing to do at this time. The chances that my sister's stem cells would be a match for me would be very slim, less than 25%. It would cost a lot of money to save the blood, and once the science was ready to move forward on the clinical trials it would be a gamble whether or not the stem cells would work. There is a large bank of stem cells which can be accessed once they start with the clinical trials. Using the stem cells from the bank would find me a closer match. They would do blood tests on me and then go to the bank to find the match, this would be a better choice than saving my sister's cord blood and crossing our fingers it would work? In other words should we spend a lot of money with a less than 25% chance of working? OR spend the money down the road and buy from the cord blood bank where we can find a donor with a 95% chance of working?

Science is making REMARKABLE strides in finding a cure! I have been told many times that if you have a spinal cord injury, this is an EXCITING TIME in research. They are making amazing discoveries DAILY! In the laboratories they have come close to finding a cure. WELL....they have actually FOUND THE CURE, but it has not been tested on humans yet. In the laboratories scientists have regrown the nerves in the spinal cord and have regained function in rats and other animals who are walking again after having there spinal cord's severed. They have seen it work in microscopes and in preliminary tests on animals. THE ONLY THING holding back the cure is BUREAUCRACY and MONEY! If any of you are scientist (which I assume none of you are) the FDA and government make you jump through 100 hoops before they open up testing on human clinical trials. Once you have met the hundreds criteria from the FDA, they throw 100 more hoops and road blocks in front of you! Its a NEVER ENDING struggle for the scientist to test their CURES on humans. Cures and effective therapies to CURE chronic spinal cord injuries are currently sitting on shelves in laboratories waiting to be tested on humans.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/video/16172312/index.html

This video link posted above is OLD! Dr Stephen Davies and MANY others have made HUGE strides just recently! This video is actually outdated as new research is coming DAILY! Our problem, as you can hear at the end of the video, "human clinical trials will HOPEFULLY begin in the next three years!" HAHA, that is the struggle scientists are facing! They need money and grants to fund the trials and the Government to allow them to test the therapies on humans. I have heard COUNTLESS scientists say they are on the BRINK of finding effective therapies to regain function and allow those with Spinal Cord Injuries to WALK AGAIN! All their data and tests in the labs tell them IT WILL WORK, but they are not allowed to give it to humans?!?
PLEASE, NEVER STOP BELIEVING! PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR ME! WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

I LOVE YOU ALL!
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT

SOME EXCITING NEWS!! GOD IS GOOD!

I have some exciting news to report to everyone about the conference I attended last week in Orlando. One of the top scientist in the world, Dr. Wise Young is working on a cure for spinal cord injuries had befriended me and we have become pen pals. About two weeks ago he wrote me an email saying that he would be in Orlando at a hotel in Disney for a large conference with other scientist and doctors. The conference was not opened to the public and was only for other scientist working on a cure for paralysis. The top neurologists from John Hopkins, The Miami Project, Shriners Hospital were all attending the meeting. Dr. Young allowed me to be a guest and sit in on the conference in the back of the hotel ball room. My family and I sat on the last row and listened to the scientists give there talks on the latest break through discoveries in spinal cord research. We were by FAR the DUMBEST people in the room haha!
Dr. Young got to the podium and talked about some break through things that he was working on. Dr. Youngs work revolves heavily around STEM CELLS. Stem Cells are building block cells that can be genetically engineered and altered to become ANY cell in the body. They can become, heart cells, muscles cells, and SPINAL CORD NERVE CELLS! This work is being done TODAY in the laboratory and they have genetically created nerve cells and implanted them into severed spinal cords in animals, AND THEY ARE WALKING AGAIN!!
Most of Dr. Youngs research is coming from Stem Cells from Umbilical Cord blood. When a woman gives birth, the blood which is in the umbilical cord is RICH with stem cells. They can use the blood from the umbilical cord and combine it with Lithium and are seeing amazing results. Nerve cells are bridging the gap and making connections at the injury site, causing animals to walk again and regain function.
This got me thinking.....hmmm WHO DO I KNOW WHO IS ABOUT TO HAVE A BABY?? MY SISTER!! HAHA I asked Dr. Young if maybe we could store my sisters blood and use it in me one day! He said, YES and gave me a website of a company that is doing just that. They collect umbilical cord blood from either donations or specific donors. The company works just like a blood bank. But instead of the Red Cross collecting blood from your arm, this company collects umbilical cord blood in order to use it to fight diseases and sometime soon...CURE PARALYSIS! Its going to cost some money in order to do this, but sister is more than happy to help and is looking forward to helping me in fighting this terrible injury.

http://www.stemcytefamily.com/

Please click on this website and you can read more about the AMAZING break through in stem cell research from Umbilical Cord blood. The best thing, is this is NOT controversial like embryonic stem cells. Please click on the link above and watch the informative video on the front page (third icon entitled WATCH THE VIDEO). This will explain everything. Please pray that we are able to do this!

I have included in this blog post a video of my walking. This was taken last Sunday. Mind you, I do have braces on in this video, because my knees are still too weak to stank for long periods of time.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR MY RECOVERY!
I LOVE YOU ALL
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT

I AM SO BLESSED!!

It has been awhile since my last post, but I wanted to share with everyone the blessings that have come my way recently. God has been watching over me from the beginning and each and everyday his plans seem to be working themselves out. I am starting to understand more and more what it means to put all your trust in God. He will take care of you if we can just learn to lay our troubles at his feet.

A few days ago I received a phone call from a gentleman who I attended church with in Atlanta during my time at Shepherds. The man is the brother of one of our dear friends in Florida. My brother and I both graduated with his niece and nephew from high school. He called me in regards to something that North Atlanta Church was doing as a ministry to others and he wanted to know if they could help me. An anonymous donor at the church gave a substantial amount of money to be given out to people who are in need. The only stipulation to the donation was that the money was to be given out in order to pay the bills of those in need. Unfortunately I did NOT have any outstanding bills at that time. I thanked him for considering me and offering to help me financially. Since the monies could only be used to pay bills, I did not have any need at that time. WELL, GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!! THE VERY NEXT DAY!! I received a letter in the mail from UAMS hospital. The letter I received was a BILL!! I thought we had handled the bill a YEAR ago, and I had not heard anything back from the hospital over the bill in question. As it would turn out, I DID owe the money from my time in Little Rock. Needless to say, the North Atlanta Church is handling the bill. GOD IS GOOD!! It is amazing how he has watched over me and taken care of my every need. From my home being remodeled, and my surprise fund raiser in order to raise money for the Shepherd Center and now my outstanding bills have ALL BEEN HANDLED by wonderful Christians. I could NOT have gone through this without the never ending love from the brothers and sisters in Christ who have given SO MUCH to help me out!

God has been taking care of my every need. He is not only healing my body but he is taking care of my EVERY NEED!! There is NO DOUBT that the timing of the church in Atlanta helping me and the bill that came the day after was a coincidence! God is in control of my life and he is guiding my recovery. I know that the plans he has for me will be GREAT! I can not wait to speak to others to share my amazing story of recovery and blessings! I pray God will be glorified and that I can bring others to him through this injury!

PLEASE continue praying for my recovery! PLEASE do not give up on me. I know that as time passes that people will fade in and out of my story. I am coming up on my two year anniversary and I still have years to go to reach my goal of walking again. I am making SUCH great progress and I am seeing amazing things with my legs each week!! I NEED YOUR PRAYERS in order to overcome this injury! Its going to be a LONG, TALL mountain to climb but with all of my support and with God as my focus, I will achieve my goal!

THANK YOU ALL
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT

MY TRIP TO LITTLE ROCK AND TV INTERVIEW

I apologize for the delay in posting, I was waiting on my TV segment to air so that I could include it this weeks blog.

My trip last weekend to Little Rock was amazing. Because of the weather, we were not able to fly into Little Rock. Instead, we flew just outside Atlanta to my dad's office and drove to Little Rock from there. We were not able to get to Little Rock early enough on Thursday so my television interview was postponed until Friday. When I arrived at UAMS, I was anxious and excited to meet Dr. Pait, the surgeon who saved my life. I arrived early for my interview with THV 11 news. When I came into the new lobby of the hospital, I was met by Andrea Peel who worked in P.R. for the hospital and arranged the TV interview. Well, when I came to the hospital, I had a BIG SURPRISE waiting on me! Andrea, informed me that Dr. Greenwauld, my shoulder surgeon and ALL of the nurses who worked on me in ICU were also going to be coming down to meet me. I couldn't believe it, I was so excited to meet the entire staff who worked on me during the most crucial moments when my life was literally in the balance.

Soon, after my interview began I looked up to see Dr. Pait standing there! I shook his hand and gave him a hug, I couldn't stop thanking him for all the work he did on me. Shortly thereafter Dr. Greenwauld came down and I was able to thank him for the complex shoulder reconstruction he performed on me.

One of the greatest moments however, was to meet the ICU nurses who were there for me EVERYDAY! One of the nurses even brought my chart down to go over all of my injuries. I was amazed by all of the details of my injury while reading through my charts. The nurse explained to me that when someone is injured they are given a grade based on the severity of their injury. Anyone with a grade of 15 or higher needs the most urgent of care and requires a LEVEL 1 Trauma unit. The nurse said when I came in I was given the grade of 38!! I enjoyed thanking all of the nurses who took care of me. There were lots of hugs and tears and was a WONDERFUL experience.

It was also wonderful to see all of my friends and the people at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ. I spoke to the SEEKERS and SINGLES in the gym on Sunday morning. It was so great to speak to everyone and share my story. My lesson was called "DEALING WITH STRUGGLES IN YOUR LIFE." I always look forward to seeing my friends and speaking to PV!

BELOW IS THE VIDEO OF MY TV SEGMENT ON THE NEWS! You can see my doctors and all of my nurses who saved my life!!

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR ME AND MY RECOVERY!
I LOVE YOU ALL,
SO MUCH IN HIM
BRENT

Im Going to Little Rock This Week!!

This is going to be a wonderful week for me and I am very excited! On Thursday, I will be traveling up to Little Rock to go to Harding's homecoming and visit with old friends. I will also be attending Pleasant Valley Church and will be speaking there as well. This will be the first time I have spoken to the Church since last December. I always look forward to speaking to P.V. and seeing the people who have made a lasting impact on my life!

This is going to be an extra special trip for me. For the FIRST time since my accident I am going to meet the people who saved my life at UAMS hospital. I was in ICU from Dec 8th until January 17th. While I was there, I had three surgeries and spent the entire time in ICU. I was induced into a coma for most of that time, and the times where I was awake, I was so heavily drugged I was not coherent! I never got to meet any of my surgeons and doctors who took care of me, especially in the initial trauma unit.

Last week I tried to make a phone call to Dr. Pait, my neurosurgeon. I was put through to his nurse and left a message. A few days ago she returned my phone call. I told her my name and that I would be visiting Little Rock next week. I told her I would like to meet Dr. Pait and thank him for saving my life. I was SHOCKED, when the nurse remembered me! She remembered every last detail of my accident and my family as well. The people of Pleasant Valley also made an IMPACT on the people of that hospital. There were close to 100 people in the waiting room and the over flow was sitting in the hallways the night of my accident. Every nurse and doctor working on that wing remembers such an AWESOME outpouring of love that was shown to me following the first few days after my accident! The love that was shown to me by all of my friends and church family made an impression on them and they were able to see God's love through it!

The nurse told me that she would look through my files and would try to gather up all of the nurses and doctors who worked on me throughout the most crucial times while I was in ICU. She told me that I was in rough shape and said, "It was touch and go with you for a long time." The people at UAMS worked for weeks to save my life. Through all of the complications and all of the surgeries God was with them and my life was spared. My surgeon's nurse told me that she is going to keep my visit a surprise and will not tell ANYONE I am coming. I am going to shake the hands and hug all the people who saved my life (I JUST HOPE I CAN MAKE IT THROUGH IT!) I am forever grateful for all the prayers and support that was shown to me! The love shown to me from Pleasant Valley has made a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed it. God's love was shown to all the workers and I am so humbled and blessed to have been apart of such an awesome congregation! I look forward showing my thanks to everyone and express to them my gratitude.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING ME!! PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR MIRACLES AND MY TOTAL AND COMPLETE HEALING!
I LOVE YOU ALL
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT

Some Amazing New Progress! Praise God!

In this post I wanted to share with everyone my progress and blessings in my life!! God has blessed me so much as of lately and I am excited about my new progress. Let me leave everyone in suspense and start off by talking about my week.

1)Last weekend, I had a lot of fun as my brother took me out on the lake and I was able to go skiing! Don't jump to conclusions, I was not up on regular skis but I went with the Disabled Water Sports of Florida as they were putting on an event near my house. They had specialized skis that you would sit in and could go out on the lake. The Cypress Gardens ski girls helped out and volunteered to be side skiers. These are professional skiers that you would see do the pyramids and stunts during their shows! (side note: I told me brother that I would rather the GIRLS ski with me!) haha he TOTALLY understood and side skied with others who were boating. It was great to meet others with SCI injuries and also to go skiing! I have not been on the water since my accident so it was wonderful to get some sun and fun!

2)I had my driving evaluation last week and I am currently in the process of looking for a vehicle. I went last Friday to go shopping and I am narrowing my search, trying to find the right vehicle. I am excited to start driving again and can not wait to get out on the road. We will get a vehicle within the next few weeks.

3)Now for the moment you have been waiting for, NEW PROGRESS! I am considered a LOWER MOTOR NEURON INJURY! which means that my legs should NOT respond to electrical stimulation and contract the muscles. I have been using E-stim on my legs everyday since my accident and a few nights ago, I noticed that my calf muscles are FLEXING NOW!! Once I put the E-stim on my legs my calf muscles twitch and fired, something my legs are NOT SUPPOSE TO DO!! For almost 2 years I have NOT seen this happen before. I spoke with one of the top SCI doctors who explained to me that I was regaining motor neurons. He said that in order for the leg to twitch I have to excite the motor neurons, which as a LOWER MOTOR NEURON LESION I am not suppose have them! I took the E-stim, off my legs and whenever i tried to flex my calf muscles I WAS DOING IT! PRAISE GOD!! I am regaining more movement in my legs! Not only am I flexing my calf muscles but I am also wiggling my toes on my right foot at will. I have noticed my toe movements have become more voluntary and I can move them every time. PRAISE GOD!!

This injury has taught me many things, one is patience and also to rely on God. I know I WILL BE HEALED ONE DAY!! I have known this from the beginning! He has a plan for my life that I am just now starting to figure out! He is using my body and my recovery to bring Glory and Honor to him! I am so thankful for all the blessings in my life! I ask for everyone to continue to pray for me as I work towards walking again! THANK YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS!
So much in him,
BRENT

START OF MY HOME WORKOUT PROGRAM!

Well, its another week at home in Florida and I am starting my home exercise program that was given to me from the Shepherd Center. My family and I have just joined the YMCA by my house where I will continue my rehab daily. My therapist still comes to my house every week and we build on the things that Shepherd taught me.

My days will consist of the following: 1)Passive Bike for an hour 2) Standing frame for an hour 3) Working out on the Nustep leg bike at the YMCA for an hour 4) Upper body workout at the gym 5) Walking with my braces in my driveway and we hope to walk in the gym at the YMCA soon. 6) I also do a therastim treatment on my quads and calves to keep my muscles strong. Once a week my PT comes to my house and we do various exercises at my house. My legs always feel so great when my PT comes to my house and really works on my core and increasing my strength in the muscles I have regained in my legs.

That is a days work for me! I am excited to start working out at the YMCA and also continuing my walking. My goal is to ween myself from my wheelchair and ONLY use my braces for an entire day. I want to start using my braces everyday, so that I will become more comfortable walking. Its like, if you want to teach someone how to swim, you just throw them into the water! haha Its either SINK or SWIM! I guess I just have to throw myself into "WALKING" so that I will get better at it! I will try to keep posting videos of my workouts at the YMCA and from my therapy at home.

Some GREAT news! Today I took my driving evaluation and passed with flying colors. Vocational Rehab had a driver come from Tampa to my house and we drove around my town. The teacher said I did GREAT and I have NO PROBLEM driving! Now, we are going to look for a vehicle. Once we decide what vehicle to get, Vocational Rehab well pay for the modifications. The gentleman today said, I will NOT need many modifications after he saw what I was able to do! I hope to be driving SOON!! I CANT WAIT!! I am so ready to start driving!
PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS!!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT

HOME SWEET HOME!!!

Well, im sorry again for the delay in my blog posts but I hope to get back on track of writing every Sunday night.

I AM HOME FINALLY!!!! With mixed emotions I have returned home to Florida for a break from rehab. I hope to return to Beyond Therapy in the future but until then I will be at home working on a home exercise program that was given to me from Shepherds. I was very pleased with the Shepherd center and the progress that I have made throughout my time there. I have increased my stamina and strength and I am still seeing great progress in my legs.

I have been extremely blessed by everything God has done in my life! I would NOT be where I am today had it not been for all of your prayers and support. From the beginning of this injury, I have made up my mind, THAT I WILL WALK AGAIN!! Despite what any doctor or the statistics says, I will OVERCOME this to walk again. I will not lie, it has been a struggle but my goals are in sight. I have been working hard during my rehab, and I am still in need of more return to my legs, but I know it will come. I have prayed for complete healing and complete healing I know I will receive! I have not lost my focus and never thought for one second what my life would be like in a chair. I know that this will be temporary and I will continue to work and pray until my goal are accomplished. God does not know medical statistics, nothing is impossible to God! I ask for everyone to PLEASE keep me in their prayers and continue to ask for complete healing. Pray that my legs will return to me fully, I know it will happen! I have already defied the odds due to your prayers and I know my progress will continue!

Below is a video of my LAST walking session at Shepherds. I was able to walk two full laps around the basketball court without stopping. My progress has been amazing but the BEST IS YET TO COME!! One day, I will walk again and I will be completely restored. BELIEVE IT!! Because I do!! Thank you all for your support and encouragement. I have not been doing this alone and I am forever grateful!
I LOVE YOU ALL,
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT

WALKING FASTER!!

I know these videos are looking redundant and I apologize for that. However, my walking is becoming faster and faster during each of my walking sessions. I am able to cover more ground and increase my distance during each session. Not ALL of my Beyond Therapy regiment has consisted of walking. I work out for 3 hours a day, (3x1 hour sessions) and during each hours session I am doing something different. I have only really posted videos of my walking, because that is what I am most proud of and my therapist always has an aide "helping/watching" during my walking sessions so he is always free to shoot the videos. During my other hours sessions the aides are usually not available so I do not have anyone to shoot the videos.

I am making SO MUCH progress, each week I am constantly encouraged by my gains. God is truly blessing me along this path to recovery. I realize this is going to be a VERY LONG and arduous task but I know I will over come this injury. I have always kept the thought, that I AM GOING TO BEAT THIS THING, IM NOT GOING TO LET IT BEAT ME! My therapy each day is very hard and I am pushed to my limit in each session. At the end of this walking session, I had to have the chair put under me with 5 min to go in the hour, not because I was done, but because I ALMOST PASSED OUT! I am trying to walk further and faster with each and every day. It drains me both mentally and physically, but my strength does not come from myself, but from God who sustains me! If I keep my focus and allow him to work through me, I know that I will walk again one day! He has already showed me so much progress, I will continue to trust in him and we will see this miracle through!

On another note: While online the other day, I was contacted by that girls mother who I had met at shepherds from the random stranger at the concert. All of her family and friends were coming up on Sunday to meet with her and she wanted me to share my story with all of her friends and family. I met them up in the lounge on the 6th floor Sunday afternoon and we talked for a few hours. It was wonderful, to share with all of her friends and family the blessings I had received throughout my recovery and to encourage them and give them HOPE. I remember what it was like to be in her shoes, to hear the grim outlook from the doctors, to hear you will never walk again. I remember how NO ONE had answers for me. All I ever heard was, "NO ONE KNOWS how you will heal, BUT STATISTICALLY SPEAKING BLA BLA BLA"...(that was usually the part where I tuned out my doctors)haha! I want so badly to meet with newly injured patients and tell them, THAT THERE IS HOPE!!! WE CAN WALK AGAIN!! Through a lot of faith, prayers, and hard work we CAN MAKE IT! I hope to make that my mission once I recover from this injury!

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support! I COULDN'T have made it this far without all of your help and encouragement! PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYER FOR COMPLETE HEALING, as I KNOW it will come!
GOD BLESS,
I LOVE YOU ALL
Brent

Another record breaking week!

Well....AS USUAL, I am a few days late in posting on my blog! haha, Please forgive me, I get pretty busy here in Atlanta, and I try to only post when I have a good video or story to share.

Let me start off my telling you about an AMAZING story that happened to me just this past weekend! God has blessed me so much throughout this journey and part of what I feel is my obligation to share with others my blessings and give hope to those who do not have any. It is AMAZING how God works in our lives.

My brother in law Kyle came down to Atlanta so that we could go to the concert of our favorite band. O.A.R. While at the concert,we sat in the ADA seating for wheelchairs. A young girl saw me in my chair and climbed the railing to come talk to me. She asked if I was going to Shepherds? I said, YES I am there for rehab right now in Beyond Therapy and I am working on walking again. She told me that she was JUST at Shepherds that day visiting her friend! She told me that her best friend was in a bad car accident and is currently an INPATIENT at shepherds, she was injured just under a month ago. After sharing with the girl about my accident and my success she desperately wanted me to talk to her friend. She gave me her name and asked me if I could encourage her cause she is going through a rough time. All the doctors were giving her a very slim chance of walking again, based on the severity of her injury. So yesterday I made my way to the hospital and went into her room. I said, "YOU DON'T KNOW ME, BUT YOUR FRIEND AT THE O.A.R. concert said I had to meet you!?" We talked for about an hour! She was so glad that I came to talk to her and said that, it has changed her outlook on her recovery! She said I gave her HOPE when no one else would. I told the girl, that the secret to recovery is through FAITH and PRAYERS and NO DOCTOR, will EVER write you a script for that! I was so glad that God used me the way he did that day. A stranger at a concert, sitting RIGHT in front of me and had a friend who needed comforting at the Shepherd Center.......YOU TELL ME THAT WASN'T GOD WORKING!!??

Now onto my recent progress in BEYOND THERAPY:

Usually, my therapist is always trying to push me further during EACH new walking session. If I walked 276 feet on day, he wants to to shoot for 300 the next. Constantly upping my distance and endurance. Well, on this walk, I not only beat my previous mark, but I destroyed it! I went an extra half a lap around the basketball court! That may not sound like much, but during my first session several weeks ago, I had to sit down once I reached 20 feet. Now I am taking laps around the basketball court without stopping. I am getting less fatigued and I am pushing myself harder during each session!

Also, I have been working on a machine called "the power tower"! This is kind of like the total gym that you see Chuck Norris promoting on the late night infomercials. You lay on a sled and it has pulleys and cables for you to squat your body weight! My therapist has been feeling my muscles in my quads and hams twitch and quiver as I push through my legs! This is good news, it is showing that I am getting some signals to my muscles, they are weak and can no completely contract the muscle, but they are TRYING TO!! They are twitching and quivering TRYING to turn on!

The video below, may look like the ones that I have posted in the past. WELL...PROBABLY, EXACTLY like them, BUT...what you don't see is that I CRUSHED my old distance record in this walk.

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR ME!!
I LOVE YOU ALL,
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT