Pull Through Darryl Tait

To all our loving supporters, our family & friends;

My sincerest apologies for not writing you sooner. I apologize, should I have made any of you anxious because of my delay in writing an update on Darryl's progress and where we are in his/our journey.

Rehab requires alot of commitment, time and energy from all of us. It is like Boot Camp for Spinal Cord Injuries - there is soooooooo much to learn and sometimes when you are still resolving medical issues the learning curb just floods you and you feel like you are barely treading water.

Last weekend, after Jamie got back from Atlin/Whitehorse, I left early from GF Strong to take a breather and just relax by decorating our Christmas tree. I was feeling overwhelmed by what lays before us and fear of the unknown was welling up in me. I thought the decorating would give me an opportunity to switch my thoughts. There on a Christmas ornament, my Mom had given me last Christmas (when our family gathered in Atlin to celebrate together), the first words on it spoke instantly to my heart, "Fear not". My vision blurred as tears from the depths of my soul recognized that my Heavenly Father knew my heart and my thoughts, and was reaching down to give me encouragement and comfort through His Word written upon this simply designed tree ornament . I truly could feel His arms enfold me and just hold me!!!!! The RICHNESS of HIS LOVE never CEASES to AMAZE me!!!!! How REAL your LOVE IS, LORD !!!!!! The reality of His presence washed over me with a peace that filled my heart !!!!

Darryl is being a real trooper at this Spinal Cord Boot camp. He has only been here just over two weeks and is at the head of the class in advanced wheel chair skills after attending three sessions. His physiotherapist could see he was far beyond the basic class level because of his awareness of balance and placement of his body to accomplish the task at hand. The physics of it come to Darryl naturally because of all his sports activities !!!!

He has Physio everday and now Occupational Therapy looks like it will be daily as well after the holidays.The Christmas holidays break will be great for socialization but will put a slow down on the rehab portion of his development. Attendance at Educational classes are a requirement for rehab and I can't imagine not taking these sessions. He attends pulleys classes 3 times a week when his pain is not too much. In the midst of all that Darryl has to accomplish daily, the doctor have had to reduced his pain medication by two thirds because he is experiencing some negative side effects from the medication. The net result is incidents of autonomic dysreflexia (as I described in my last email). It is a real balancing act for Darryl to manage his own well being and get to know his body post spinal cord injury !!! We, as his support team, do the best we can but sometimes it just doesn't seem enough, especially when you see his face grimace with pain. Oh, Lord, if only I could bear that for our son !!!! Also, some of the meds he is on causes nausea, so eating continues to be a challenge. Darryl presses on with this task knowing it is in his best interest to eat and maintain, and hopefully gain back the weight he has lost. I put together a chicken ceasar wrap together for him this evening and he devoured it!!!! YAHOO!!!!!! BIG SMILES ALL AROUND!!!!

He does have the opportunity to explore other realms like the music & art studio, possibly take some cooking classes,and hopefully down the road, experience the pool. So many of the clients tell us what a wonderful feeling it is to get off there butts for just a little while!!!! Which makes alot of sense to me!!!!!

Today's challenge in physio for Darryl was to attempt a transfer of his body from his wheel chair going up into a vehicle that has 4-5 inch height difference. It took a couple of tries with our assistance but by golly he did it!!!!!! YAHOO, another VICTORY!!! It can be pretty scary for him because he is always trying to find his balance with every new thing he tries. He has describe it is like balancing his upper body on a big ball at all times. Accomplishing this transfer to the vehicle enables us to take him to our condo and anywhere else he wants to go throughout the holidays. It looks like he will be able to have day passes and for that we are ever so truly thankful. It will be a wonderful thing being together in our temporary Vancouver home for Christmas!!!!

Luke 2:8-14 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

So, we are going ahead without fear because God is in control of our circumstances. Amazingly, today, almost a week later, God gave me this verse: "Don't be afraid for I am with you, Don't be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand" (Isaiah 41:10). He is walking this journey with us and we will not be discouraged because He continually shores us up with His LOVE & STRENGTH through His Word.

We are thankul for all of you and your continued demonstration of love!!!!! May you have a Blessed Christmas with family and friends!!! I will try and get another update out next week before the Christmas holidays.

With much love, gratitude and prayers,

Jamie, Barb, and our beloved Darryl (with Curt and Becky in South America)

P.S. If you are trying to reach us can I please encourage you to email us or call our condo phone number (778) 737-2429 before 8:30 am or around 10:30 pm or leave a message and we will do our best to return your phone call (we have unlimited phone calls anywhere in North America included in our rent). Our cell phone bill has been outrageousy high for the past couple months and we can't afford this on going expense. I have turned my cell phone off for the rest of our duration in Vancouver. Thanks for helping us out on this matter.