<p>Title changed. Moderators received a report, then read thread and saw the OP wants title changed as well. We agree. It is more sensitive wording. </p>
<p>Sometimes these things only occur to us a bit later.</p>
<p>Thanks for reporting (by pressing “Report Problem Post”). We read every report and take action when appropriate. You can self-report or report on a post where you see a problem.</p>
<p>Also thanks for your continued concern for a fellow student.</p>
<p>Student who fell had many more hours of surgery including a “cage” that replaced his third lumbar. He has been able to do some minimal talking and doesn’t remember the accident. He can wiggle his toes and flex knees but has a long road ahead of him. </p>
<p>His dad says, “keep those prayers coming. It’s working.”</p>
<p>Thank you paying3tuitions for the wording change in the title to this thread.
cc411 thanks for the update on the young man. I am so thankful he can wiggle his toes and bend his knees. Glad he doesn’t remember the accident. That can come later when he is ready for it.</p>
<p>I was talking to some kids over lunch who knew him personally and apparently this kid has 9 lives. This past summer while in Denmark the kid was jumped by a bunch of Dutch soccer fans. Jackson had no brain damage despite the fact that they all had baseball bats and beat his head continuously. This kid is wolverine.</p>
<p><a href=“http://patrickwhite.net/USC_Outdoor_No_Matter_What.jpg[/url]”>http://patrickwhite.net/USC_Outdoor_No_Matter_What.jpg</a></p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>dreamsupsidedown I like the tribute to USC Docs! USC students are so fortunate to have them so close.
Randy1991 Be Careful, what you have heard from these people could be gossip or the the truth. Hard to tell.</p>
<p>An encouraging update from Jackson’s dad on the FB site.</p>
<p>[Prayers</a> for Jackson Roddy | Facebook](<a href=“http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prayers-for-Jackson-Roddy/158630470840714?ref=ts]Prayers”>http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prayers-for-Jackson-Roddy/158630470840714?ref=ts)</p>
<p>The update does sound encouraging, and what a wonderful family.</p>
<p>Here is the latest update from Jackson’s father with some specific prayer requests:</p>
<p>"Sunday is a good day for prayers. Even the Bible tells us it’s a day for rest. Our hope is Jackson gets plenty of prayers and plenty of rest. </p>
<p>Yesterday Jackson had surgery for 9 hours. The surgeries were the second set designed to repair broken arms and legs. With all the metal going in to his body, I keep thinking of that image of Wolverine from the movies. I haven’t noticed any retractable talons going into his hands but he’s going to have a hard time getting through security at the airport. </p>
<p>Jackson is feeling a lot of pain. I can’t imagine how he deals with it. I won’t give you all the details but know he is one strong individual. </p>
<p>Carol asked me to ask you all of you to focus your prayers on three items today. She wants you to pray for no infections, no blood clots, and strength for Jackson. I’m not sure that this is how prayer works but she didn’t care. Mama Bears can be this way. </p>
<p>The outpouring of support continues to be crazy. If my daughter Caroline was driven to school by everyone who has offered, she would have to go to high school for 10 years. She is 15 with a learner’s permit and like her Mama Bear mother, wants to drive her way. I think she has been scaring Carol’s Mom with her driving to and from school (similar to how Carol scares her mother with her driving). Actually as her older brother Werth and I know, Caroline is an excellent driver. </p>
<p>The messages I have received have shown me the good in people that I feel blessed to witness. Every now and then I receive messages that make me smile. There is something special about Notre Dame alumni using “Fight On” to make their point that is strangely amusing.</p>
<p>I want all of you to know how lucky all of us feel. We have been extremely blessed all of our lives and in this situation, our streak of luck continues. We are way ahead of the percentages with Jackson. The support from all of you is extremely lucky. We know we have a long way to go and God only gives you what you can handle. Apparently we can handle a lot. </p>
<p>Keep those prayers coming and for goodness sakes “Fight On!”"</p>
<p>Update from Jackson’s dad:</p>
<p>"It’s good to be home. Colorado has been home to us for a long time. Jackson is in a great place for rehab. I can’t imagine a better place than where we are for this phase. </p>
<p>Our travel last Monday by ambulance and air was an adventure. We started by getting out of the hospital quickly and then getting stuck for an hour in LA traffic. Jackson sarcastically asked “Who knew there would be traffic on a Monday morning?” When I questioned our options, one of the attendants told me we could turn on the siren if Jackson would say the magic words. “Jackson, are you having trouble breathing?” He refused to lie. Watching them load him onto the plane with all the monitoring gear (as well as all of our gear) was something. The thrust on the takeoff and the speed of this jet was unbelievable. We both talked later about wondering how long we felt the force of the plane on takeoff. He had one opportunity to ask for pain medicine anywhere on our trip. He decided to wait until the last half hour on the trip because the landing in Denver might be rough with all the wind. We landed safely in Denver and headed to Craig Hospital. Mama Bear only called three times on the 15 minute trip to find out where we were. </p>
<p>Craig Hospital is a wonderful facility and the staff has the most positive attitude. Jackson has been able to feed himself a little (remember those broken arms and wrists can make it a little difficult). He has also been able to drive himself about in a wheelchair with a back brace for a short period each day. In LA we were able to get him to sit up on the edge of the bed (with the back brace) for almost a half an hour. Remember this is a game of inches. Each inch is significant. The most significant part of these inches is Jackson’s ability to control himself. It’s great to see the smile on his face when he is in control and considering upping the speed of the wheelchair. </p>
<p>As we know the road to recovery has ups and downs. Our down of late continues to be a gastrointestinal problem that we’ve had since LA. The problem makes it difficult for him to hold down food. The doctors are focused on the issue and we hope the problem is resolved in the near future. Please add this to your prayers. </p>
<p>I returned to working in the office last Tuesday. I was surprised to see my partner had hired someone to replace me while I was out. The good news is since they couldn’t figure out I do, the new hire was lost and we let him go. Seriously I want to thank everyone there for working with me and my crazy schedule this last month. </p>
<p>The support people have shown us continues to amaze us. I thought when we left LA, the Trojan Family couldn’t find us. We have had a visitor from Jackson’s fraternity bring a card from Pi Beta Phi. Jackson looked immediately for the message from his Big Sister. He really appreciated all the messages. Carol and I received a card from the parents involved in the Fraternities and Sororities at USC to make sure we understood we weren’t alone. Heck I thought the support of the Monks was a big deal a few weeks ago but now we have the support of “the Force”. Jackson received an autographed photo from Mark Hamill (aka Luke Skywalker) noting the “The Force will be with you… Always”. I didn’t know the Trojan Family controlled the Force, but I’m glad they’re using it for good and not evil. </p>
<p>Our friends in Denver have been great in giving us space this week and we really appreciate the support. It will take me a long time to respond to all of the support, love, and strength sent our way. Someone very wise in Denver suggested having someone other than Carol and I coordinate having a few dinners brought to us. It saves us a lot of time and it’s a blessing. Mama Bear isn’t ready for this but we will be back. </p>
<p>It’s great to be back in Denver and have Jackson at a facility as great as Craig Hospital. We also want to Thank Everyone in Los Angeles for their help and support. Also the support across the country from everyone through their prayers, messages on Facebook and CaringBridge, and continual offers for doing “ANYTHING” has been a blessing. </p>
<p>By the way, if anyone has seen the rusted cars that used to be in my front yard …. </p>
<p>Keep those prayers coming and as always “FIGHT ON!!” </p>
<p>Jim Roddy"</p>
<p>Thank you for the updates bbgg.
I have been thinking of how Jackson was doing. I’m glad he is now closer to home. He has such a long road ahead, but I’m inspired by his spirit, and the fact that he has such a great family and so much support.</p>
<p>Here’s an update from Jackson’s dad. I thought some might be interested in an update. Great to see Jackson walking!</p>
<p><a href=“Redirecting...”>Redirecting...;
<p>10.16.11
.by Prayers for Jackson Roddy on Sunday, 16 October 2011 at 18:09.Where in the world is Jackson Roddy?</p>
<p>Well this is the first update since March of 2011 for those of you keeping score. We have been busy.</p>
<p>In March he got out of the hospital and took his tour before his next set of surgeries. Coming out of the hospital his appendage status was:</p>
<p>Right Arm – Good Strength but couldn’t extend fully due to problems with internal hardware.</p>
<p>Left Arm – Good Strength and Functionality</p>
<p>Right Leg – Some movement (he could drag his leg back lying on a bed)</p>
<p>Left Leg – Little movement (but he could wiggle his toes)</p>
<p>On our trip we went to USC and Las Vegas. At USC we saw our friends in administration and Jackson’s fellow students. The “family” welcomed us and President Nikias had us in for breakfast. We were trying to look at some housing options and see a few friends but the “family” made the trip extremely memorable. ([USC</a> Freshman Visits Campus for First Time Since Accident - USC News](<a href=“http://uscnews.usc.edu/university/usc_freshman_visits_campus_for_first_time_since_accident.html]USC”>http://uscnews.usc.edu/university/usc_freshman_visits_campus_for_first_time_since_accident.html)). We then went to Las Vegas met brother Michael and saw the sites. What happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas.</p>
<p>In April Jackson had the surgery to replace the hardware in his right arm. His right arm was in a cast and non-weight-bearing for six weeks. With only one good appendage (his left arm) he was fairly immobile. Caroline and Jackson bought a pug puppy over the internet. Annabelle arrived and originally because she was so small (see photo Jackson 1 attached) we thought we may have been taken in an internet sales scam. However she has grown into her crossed eyes and uneven ears. Jackson referred to this portion of his recovery as the Lucky Charms and Reality TV therapy days. He ate Lucky Charms (they’re magically delicious) and watched reality TV (no redeeming quality) as his body began to heal. The appendage status for April and May was:</p>
<p>Right Arm – In a cast.</p>
<p>Left Arm – Still good.</p>
<p>Right Leg – More movement. He could lift his leg in the air lying flat on his back.</p>
<p>Left Leg – Some movement. He could shake his leg a little.</p>
<p>At the end of May his cast was removed and his mobility began to return. Mama Bear and I met with a few folks to talk about continuing rehabilitation. The numbers show more movement (rehab) generally leads to more recovery. We were looking at places in Boulder and Arvada Colorado when I received a phone call from a person at Craig Hospital (Jackson’s address from November through March). They were starting a new therapy and wellness center to provide advanced fitness to people with spinal cord and neurological injuries. They had never done it before but recognized the need. Now that hospital has been around providing the best inpatient care forever. We were truly blessed that the timing for the PEAK center came along when it did.</p>
<p>PEAK stands for performance, exercise, attitude and knowledge. It’s really a land of miracles. On day 1 for the PEAK center there was one therapist, Jackson (Member number one), and a dog making sure everything was ok. See the second attached photo (Jackson 2). From the inactivity of the recoveries, his core was weak. He (and they) went to work to develop his strength. The appendage status for June, July, and August was:</p>
<p>Right arm – Good strength, better hardware, but extension limited due to scar tissue from operations.</p>
<p>Left arm – Still good.</p>
<p>Right leg – More movement and strength. He could pull his foot back as well as forward.</p>
<p>Left Leg – More movement but new hindrance. The muscles in his lower leg had tightened to the point he couldn’t stand flat footed.</p>
<p>In September Jackson was scheduled for surgery to remove the scar tissue in his right arm and release the tendons in his left leg. His core strength from his workouts at the PEAK Center was much improved. After the surgeries we took a week off from the workouts. They felt they could work with him one week after surgery so we went to the PEAK Center one week later. Jackson thought they would do a little stretching and some minor movement. Jackson works with two therapists named Julie and Bree. They call their work team JaBrUlie (Jackson, Bree, and Julie). </p>
<p>He comes in with a cast on his leg and his arm in a brace. The first thing they do is tell Jackson to get up on a walker and let’s see what he can do. Amazingly he starts moving his legs. Now he is sweating bullets and working as hard as he can but it was a thing of beauty. Two weeks later and his improvements have been amazing. Check the Posted video.</p>
<p>In the video they have a knee brace on his left leg. Because the ankle doesn’t move (due to the cast (he chose the Barcelona colors)), the knee could hyperextend which Julie is protecting. Imagine what this might look like in a few months.</p>
<p>We can’t thank all of you enough for your support, your prayers, and your kindness.</p>
<p>Please keep those prayers coming and FIGHT ON!</p>
<p>Jim Roddy</p>
<p>.</p>
![http://patrickwhite.net/USC_Outdoor_No_Matter_What.jpg[/url]](http://patrickwhite.net/USC_Outdoor_No_Matter_What.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
