Jewel / Rob Thomas Concert
We surprised Ashleigh with a trip to see her favorite singer Jewel in Columbus. We did not tell her about the concert until the morning of the show because she doesn’t sleep very well if she gets excited and anxious about things.
We had another huge surprise that did not come together until minutes before we left for the concert. My wife had been trying for weeks and weeks to contact someone with Jewel’s staff to see if there was a way to meet Jewel. We got a call confirming things right before we walked out of the door. We did not tell Ashleigh in case it did not work out.
No one came and the warm up band started and we were beginning to get worried. Even though we were told that Jewel upon hearing about Ashleigh said she wanted to meet her, we were worried that maybe the timing was not going to work out. Just then, someone came and got us and took us back among the buses. Jewel came out and talked with Ashleigh and Ash was in heaven. We then got the above picture with Jewel. It was almost bittersweet for her Mom and I as I remember her playing Jewel’s CD’s in her bedroom and singing right along. Now we just wish she could speak again to at least tell us when something is wrong.
When we got to Columbus there was a line all the way down the street of people waiting to get in. One of the security staff then came and got us and escorted us to the front of the line. We were asked to wait by a gate and told they would come and get us.
We stayed for Jewel’s concert and figured Ashleigh would be tired but she said she wanted to stay so we stayed for Rob Thomas’ concert as well. Jewel even came back out and joined him for a few songs. I know Ashleigh was exhausted by the time we got home but she said it was worth it. We really thank Jewel and her staff for being so kind and taking time out to make Ashleigh’s day.
wow Ashleigh looks so good and we know she enjoyed that day. Thanks for keeping us updated. We keep Ahleigh and her family in our daily thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Gale & Andrea http://www.caringbridge.org/nc/andrea
I found this story about Ahleigh when I was looking for information on brain damage recovery. My Nephew is in the hospital now, with severe brain damage, he has not woke up yet from his coma, but he is breathing on his own. We have faith that he will. I need to give this story to my sister. So she can see the progress that can be accomplished. Thank you for sharing your story.
i found this site while researching tbi recovery stages. my dear nephew was in a terrible auto accident 3 weeks ago today. he had a craniotomy, and has been diagnosed with DAI. In the last few days, he has begun to “wake up” and respond to very simple commands as well as recognizing and responding to loved ones. the “real” language, as opposed to the medical terms, are quite helpful. Your advice and experiences are priceless. I have referred my family to your site. Thank you for sharing Ashleigh’s story.
i found this site while researching tbi recovery stages. my dear nephew was in a terrible auto accident 3 weeks ago today. he had a craniotomy, and has been diagnosed with DAI. In the last few days, he has begun to “wake up” and respond to very simple commands as well as recognizing and responding to loved ones. the “real” language, as opposed to the medical terms, are quite helpful. Your advice and experiences are priceless. I have referred my family to your site. Thank you for sharing Ashleigh’s story.
Thank you for sharing your story with Ashleigh. My wife suffered a BI two years ago. She is home with me and my 3 sons where we know (like you)she will get the best care. We are blessed too that we can do this for now. It is heartwarming to know there are others like us because a brain injury is so isolating for the survivors and families. God bless .
My brother, Steven, suffered a very similar injury to Ashleigh in August of this year, he is still in a coma and is currently in a rehab unit in the UK. We have searched many websites but have found Ashleigh’s story inspirational as well as a valuable resource for what to look out for. We have recently been scared witless by high temperatures accompanied by violent shaking that no medical professional can explain, we read your section on ‘neuro storms’ with great interest and have printed all the info off to show to our consultant. Thankyou for sharing your story and we truly wish Ashleigh and your family all the best in the years to come.
Lee, Cornwall, England.
This story just brought tears to my eyes! My 31 year old husband has a TBI since September. He was just transferred out of ICU and is now on a regular floor. I am eager to get him into rehab and I can only hope and pray my story can be as successful as yours! If you or anyone else reading this would like to email me, please do! [email protected]. I am looking for any support to offer or receive! Good luck and god bless!
From half-way across the world
to Ashley & carers and all others undergoing testing life situations, hold on. With lots of love & patience, miracles can be created. My son is already with more than 4 years of very severe tbi/dai. God’s Miracle is showing everyday since his survival. Lets keep on sharing experineces. [email protected]
i found your story when looking up info on brain injuries..i think it is amazing how you guys are sharing your story with people..not only is it inspirational but its motivational..my best friends 14 year old little sister and my little 5 year old cousin are both in icu right now due to brain injuries..this story gives hope..please pray for my family as i will do the same for you GOD BLESS
Hi, I went to school with Ash, I remember the day it happened. She walked into my class and told her brother to find a ride home she was leaving. Later that day we heard. Icouldnt believe what had happened. But through all this she has been one of the biggest inspirations in my life. I have a boyfriend who is handicap now and has TBI now. I am getting ready to graduate as an OT, when we are researching tbi’s I always send ppl to this site and look at her story and her achievement. That being handicap doesn’t stop you from having a life, there is possiabilities for everyone. Thank you so much for having this web site for us to use and show us how she is doing. I know that your story as not only helped me , but it has touched others as well. Ash you are still my prayers and I always think about you when I pass your house. Tell your brother I said hi and that i miss him as well. God Bless and stay strong keep your head up high even on bad days. love you lots..
Tiffany Nease
Tiffany;
Feel free to stop by the house whenever you are in the area. I know Ash would love to see you.
I was in a drunk driving crash, I was rushed to the hospital in a police car because they were the first on the scene. I was described as “almost dead” by my mom. I was just 3 years old and my sister wasn’t a year old yet.
I was in a coma for several days maybe a week or 2 or even 3 or 4.
I heard years later that the driver that caused it didn’t have any money to get from him and so we couldn’t get money from the accident. He probably did have insurance on his car, you’re not allowed to drive without it, but of course that doesn’t stop some people.
After my time in the hospital, I went home because there weren’t any rehabilitation centers back then, there are some now but brain injury is still misunderstood, education needs to go further.
I was catagorized as a misfit by society. I was in special classes for disabled and troubled kids, and those kids really had tough behavior problems, some of it was scary to me [no murders but lots of bullying]. I was being bullied by the whole class, so it was scary. I was bullied everywhere I went. I didn’t understand why everyone hated me, I didn’t do anything to them, but it turned out that it was becausee of the girl I was hanging out with as a friend that these people were against me because she was telling them things, passing notes at school, asking dumb questions, telling people to do things, etc.
We moved away from that school district and into another, I could remain a loner without being harrassed.
It wasn’t until 1992 that I had found a rehab for someone like me, the accident happened in March 1971, March is Brain Injury Awareness Month as well. I moved away from home into another county to attend the program. I was in a residential townhouse for awhile without roommates to help with chores but then 2 roommates moved in, one roommate didn’t work out, she was too angry, it was too soon after she was released from the hospital for her to comply and listen to what she was told without swearing back or just yelling at them. People need time to recover before they go into a rehab program because they need to be willing to except the help. She was not willing. She was on attack mode in the house with me and the other girl. She was kicke out and another roommate moved in.
I learned a lot, more than my own family has taught me, they believed [& still do] that I’m too disabled to do anything and that I can’t think for myself. This is why it took a program like this to teach me basic living skills. I am greatful for them in teaching me all the skills I am usuing now in my own apartment, without them, I’d still be at home depending on my mom & dad for everything and I’d be more depressed because I’d feel like I wasn’t growing.
I was sad to hear that this rehab went out of business not long after the group I was with was discharged from the program, they really did “work themselves out of the job” so to speak, this is something they took pride in because that meant they were helping the people that came to them.