The Not So Simple Things…

We had a scare the other night that just reminded me again of difficulties people face when their bodies are compromised. It sure does not seem fair, but even the simplest things become a challenge.

Ashleigh was having trouble urinating the other day to the point that we decided if she did not go in the next half hour we were going to have to take her to the ER. Luckily, we did not have to take her especially when she almost always gets an infection whenever she is catheterized.

People with paralysis also face these type of difficulties. Bowel programs are needed to keep the individual healthy. And it doesn’t stop there. We are real sticklers about trying to keep people away from Ashleigh when they are sick because it is just so hard on Ashleigh when she gets even a little cold. First, she is not able to tell us when something is wrong. Secondly, small things like blowing your nose, clearing your throat, and all the other things we take for granted can be difficult or impossible.

Ashleigh has trouble moving so she can sometimes get in an awkward or even dangerous position and not be able to move herself. On her old bed she slipped between the bed rails and got stuck. While I try to keep a good attitude, this is the kind of stuff that really kills me. Here the person with a severe brain injury or paralysis or other compromising problem has so many challenges to face and here on top of everything else they can’t even go to the bathroom or rub their face when it itches.

I know there is supposed to be a reason, but, can’t these folks just catch a break and have a few of the simple things stay simple things?

5 Comments

  1. Anonymous on November 19, 2008 at 9:11 pm

    Hi Ernie,
    I have never blogged before. I think Ashleigh’s big visit with Palin had to be great. I knew I liked you folks….perhaps she will run for President in 2012!

    Seriously though, I have to thank you for providing this site. I have learned a lot over the last 2 hours. I now have a basic and much better understanding of what to expect (if we are fortunate) in the time to come. Our friends son is critical and presently in medical induced coma. You have encouraged me to stay positive and I will.

    You are correct about the power of prayer, positive thinking as it is therapeutic to say the least.

    I will remember your story and pray for you, your wife, and Ashleigh and all her caregivers. You are special and I thank you for giving me some peace and knowledge as how I might be able to help my friend. I will continue to seek ideas. My son was the lucky one. He was sitting next to the boy who was injured. We are blessed but feeling very sad at the same time.



  2. Anonymous on December 20, 2008 at 2:09 pm

    I was linked to this site by a friend’s caringbridge account. I work in a public school with fragile children who are disabled. I have learned much from your site. You should be very proud of the service you have provided.

    The information will help me in my job, and provide some training that I have to verify.

    Not only that…I have seen the preciousness of your Ashleigh’s life…and the lives of so many others. I am reminded to stop looking at my own situation and not feel sorry for myself, as I am prone to do.

    Another prayer goes out to the Lord of All for you and your family today. May God richly bless you and provide you with every need you may have.



  3. Anonymous on December 20, 2008 at 2:09 pm

    I was linked to this site by a friend’s caringbridge account. I work in a public school with fragile children who are disabled. I have learned much from your site. You should be very proud of the service you have provided.

    The information will help me in my job, and provide some training that I have to verify.

    Not only that…I have seen the preciousness of your Ashleigh’s life…and the lives of so many others. I am reminded to stop looking at my own situation and not feel sorry for myself, as I am prone to do.

    Another prayer goes out to the Lord of All for you and your family today. May God richly bless you and provide you with every need you may have.



  4. mike on December 1, 2009 at 10:18 pm

    Hi,
    I'm not sure where else I could comment at. I live in Clayton, Ohio and my mother was recently in a car wreck and has a TBI. She is out of her coma but still not able to talk or move much yet. She swings her arms around a lot and opens her eyes then shuts them. We are all praying for her but I would just like you to know that your website has helped and thank you.
    – Taylor



  5. Jim on January 18, 2010 at 3:42 pm

    Mike,

    Have you ever heard of hyperbaric oxygen therapy? This is an off-label treatment for brain injury, but *is* FDA approved for 13 other indications, including 3 that are neurological, and several that involve tissue regeneration. HBOT is the *only* known procedure that is approved, and safe proven to regenerate tissue at the cellular level, and up-regulate a number of growth factors at the DNA level.

    *Please* watch the video on the attached page at http://www.hbot.com/free-hbot-video-recovery-of-curt-allen-after-hbot-treatment. It is of a 17 year-old TBI victim named Curt who recovered within *9 months* the abilities to speak fully, walk without assistance, eat – as well as regaining his previous personality, laughter, and of course the ability to think and express himself. Essentially he became alive again.

    Curt's recovery was after a brain injury which left him totally non-responsive, even after 3 months of intensive rehabilitation therapy. His recovery was after treatment with a *combination* of traditional physical and other rehabilitations and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

    This treatment is *not* a replacement for rehabilitation – both must be used together. Neither is HBOT particularly "new" – there was evidence and research that it worked published as far back as 1963, and a randomized trial presented at an international neurology conference in 1974 (in Paris, with proceedings in French – possibly why the US kind of "missed it") . There is more about this below where I discuss the current government funded military medical trials for TBI – because TBI is the "signature war wound" of the Iraq war.

    The safety of HBOT is not in question – the other 13 indications for it's use, as well as at least 20 years of safe use at the Harch Hyperbaric center (in Louisiana) will attest to that. At the Harch center trained technician watches over every single treatment session (which are 1-2 hours in length).

    The phone number for the center is The phone number for the center is 504-348-4357.

    You (or anyone else reading this) may email me at the email below.

    Godspeed,
    Jim Witte

    jw5587@gmail.com



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