CPR

If you haven't had a chance to get your CPR Certification.  Please do so, you never know who you might need to save.

Eve of 2 yr Anniversary

As I dropped my 16 yr old off at SCHS this morning, I glanced at "The Tree" and thought "two years ago today our life was normal".  But what is Normal?  2 years ago today we were doing our thing as a family, today we are closer to each other and have more appreciation and compassion for others.  Its been a long, hard 2 years but we are still Beating the Odds and getting better everyday.  We are all changed forever, its up to us to make that change become a  Good or Bad thing.

Thanks to the St. George News for writing a follow up story on the Boys.  View it at


http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2012/09/26/snow-canyon-lightning-strike-victims-two-years-later/

Summer Update

We started the summer off right with a visit from our friend Professor Blankenbecler and his wife.  We met "The Professor" the week after Alex and Dane were struck by lightning.  He contacted us at UMC, and we became fast friends because of our many similarities, all 3 of them had been struck by lightning, and survived, they all love physic and hiking.

Alex started a new therapy for his hands.  Its called EMG-Neuromuscular Training Program (NTP).  It was designed to help patients with spinal cord injuries and most types of paralysis learn to use their muscles again.   We have seen a little improvement which is encouraging.

Dane is still working at Lins while he gets ready to leave the nest and move to Cedar City for his first year of college.

Alex finished his first year at Dixie State College and did great (all A's & one B+).  He will go back to DSC in August.

This summer Alex and Dane have had a few  "All nighters" playing a game called  DayZ.  They seem to enjoy it, it must be fun to keep them entertained all night long.

We continue to run into people around town that supported the boys, through prayer and donations.  We are always so happy to meet them and are so grateful for all they did for us.  Alex and Dane are walking miracles.

Kaleen aka Alex's mom

Another Milestone for Dane!  Dane will graduate from Snow Canyon High School today.   He will continue to work this summer then go to SUU this fall.   Congratulation Dane!

Miracle Men!

The title idea was giving to me by Rhonda Tommer who has done way more than just give me a good ideas.  She has been there for us through thick and thin - Thanks for being a great friend and neighbor!

Listening to Alex and Dane give their interviews makes me proud to know them.  No they aren't perfect but Yes they are miracles.  They both struggle with all of this, they didn't want to be struck by lighting and they didn't want the attention, but in a flash that all changed.

Thanks for the continued support!


http://connect2utah.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_604.shtml

KUTV 2 News - Update on Alex and Dane Tonight at 10:00pm

KUTV 2 News is airing an update on the boys tonight at 10:00.  We are grateful for the continued support on their Road to Recovery.

The things I think of at 4:18am

Dane and Alex were hanging out last night in Alex's Man Cave - I heard them around 2am, again around 3:30, the talking got so loud  that at 4:18am I hauled my tired self out of bed to remind them that others were trying to sleep.  I have to admit though that as I walked back to my room I smiled.  I smiled and then thought about the 2 of them and the things that have happened over the past 14 months.
Over the holidays, while visiting with family, we reflected back to last year and what was happening with Alex; Thanksgiving he was still in the hospital, we got to "check him out" for 3 hours, he was in a wheel chair and had to use a cuff to eat;   Today I can report that he completed his first semester at Dixie State College, he walks, runs and drives.  He's almost 100% self reliant.  His hands/fingers still aren't to full use but he has figured out a way to do almost everything.  He's making new friends and enjoy life.  Its good to see the old Alex returning.  Its still tough as a mom to watch him struggle with things, every morning when I hand him his pills (yes he still has to take a lot of pills for pain, seizures etc..) it breaks my heart to see his hands and scar from his skin graft.  Yet it makes me so proud to know that I can go off to work and that he will get himself ready and off to school on his own.  He's a fighter and I'm so glad!
Even though I'm tired today, I wouldn't trade it.  I'm so grateful to have Alex and Dane still with us, glad they are still friends and enjoy talking about physics (yes it was a horribly intellectual conversation they were having) at 4am.
Kaleen aka Alex's mom