Disoriented Day

Yesterday we met with the Social Security representative to start the process of Paul receiving benefits in case that will be needed at a later date. With brain injury patients, it is a wait and see process, since patients can recover abilities over time. What amazed me was that the representative was so caring and personal about this case and expressed her good wishes for Paul's recovery so he could play his guitar again. In this season of good will towards men, we have been surrounded by so much love from everyone we meet. I believe the lesson here for me is that most people want to be loving and caring, but maybe it is our own behaviors that keep them from responding. I was thinking of how wonderful I had been treated by a representative of the U.S. government, which most people might automatically assume would be an uncaring person since they represent the government, which seems too big an entity to care. I was at a store as I was remembering, and in turn, I spoke with greater friendliness to the cashier. The cashier responded in kind. People want to care and need to be cared about. So simple, and yet, we get so busy and are so tied up in our own 'important' lives, we forget that every person in our pathway has a reason for being there. Yesterday was also the Feast of St. Lucy, the patron saint for eyesight since she was martyred and her eyes were purposely damaged. She was given the miracle of sight before she died. So I prayed at Mass and asked her to pray for Paul's eyesight to be returned, in god's time. Before Mass was over, my prayer actually became that each of us would set our 'sights' more on Jesus, than ourselves. And then the encounter with the Social Security representative and that was my confirmation that God hears our prayers. He provided me with a visual aid as to how we are to always treat others. No matter who they are, if they are in our pathway, find Jesus in them. Respond with His love. I am prayerful now that 'practice will make perfect'.

Paul had a down day in that he was disoriented. When asked what month, he said March. When shown 3 months to chose from, he said March, which was not a choice.
He said he was 18 yrs old when asked. I guess he learned that answer from me !
He said he had 3 brothers, and could only remember 2 of the names. The speech therapist also said he can use a straw now, but does have difficulty not choking. He is not swallowing as well as he should. He is also not trying to talk. The trach tube should be removed this week, so hopefully, that will help him get his speech back. Pray, Pray, Pray.
Also, they put a cast on his left foot to stretch the tendon. It will be taken off on Thrusday, and another one put on until Monday. He had a mold made for his right foot to be worn at night, to keep that tendon as it is. He will find standing and walking a lot easier if the tendon is stretched as it should be.

Today, we meet with the medical staff, so pray for all of them, that they will do all that God wills. I will update the blog later this afternoon with that news.
It will help us know where Paul is at this point in time, and the projected time frame for his release date from Shepherd, where he will then just be on out patient status.

God's blessings to you all, as you go forth and SEE the goodness of the Lord.
Love,
Jon and Rebecca Fidero