July 25, 2006
I thought the daily successes would be slowing into weekly successes but each day I see a stronger, quicker Whitney. It happens in every parent child relationship, the day you stop wrestling or racing your child because now they can beat you:) Well, Whitney got 71 and beat me in the dynavision. That is such a huge goal reached (not the beating me, even tho she is gloating alittle) but for driving reaction time.
Her road back to gormet cooking continues as she went grocery shopping in occupational therapy and bought pizza rolls, ranch dressing and juice. She will make lunch for a friend tommorrow. In speech therapy,, she was working on note taking. She says she takes good notes but her writing is still slower than normal. By the time she got to physical therapy her ankle was very swollen so they iced, elevated and stretched.
Again today we thanked God for another great doctor. Whitney had an appointment with her physiatrist. I am learning so much, a physiatrist is the doctor that is the head of all the therapists. It is awesome how they all work together thru their different disciplines to achieve common goals for Whitney. We had met the physiatrist the first day at Spectrum but that seems like years ago and my mind was overflowing at that time so it feels like we really met him for the first time today. The therapists each submit reports and he checks Whitney's progress and gives direction for the next few weeks. He checked Whitneys muscle strength, her reflexes, her memory and her walking. He was thrilled with her progress and encouraging her next steps toward full recovery.
We praise God for the therapists, doctors, nurses, administrators, workers that God has brought into our path. Each using their gifts and abilities God has given them to help us and Whitney on her road to recovery in such a positive way.
Romans 12:6-8 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
1 Cornithians 12:4 "There are diffent kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working but the same God works all of them in all men."
May you use your gifts today to love others so that through you they will feel God's love.
In Christs love,
Whitney's mom
Her road back to gormet cooking continues as she went grocery shopping in occupational therapy and bought pizza rolls, ranch dressing and juice. She will make lunch for a friend tommorrow. In speech therapy,, she was working on note taking. She says she takes good notes but her writing is still slower than normal. By the time she got to physical therapy her ankle was very swollen so they iced, elevated and stretched.
Again today we thanked God for another great doctor. Whitney had an appointment with her physiatrist. I am learning so much, a physiatrist is the doctor that is the head of all the therapists. It is awesome how they all work together thru their different disciplines to achieve common goals for Whitney. We had met the physiatrist the first day at Spectrum but that seems like years ago and my mind was overflowing at that time so it feels like we really met him for the first time today. The therapists each submit reports and he checks Whitney's progress and gives direction for the next few weeks. He checked Whitneys muscle strength, her reflexes, her memory and her walking. He was thrilled with her progress and encouraging her next steps toward full recovery.
We praise God for the therapists, doctors, nurses, administrators, workers that God has brought into our path. Each using their gifts and abilities God has given them to help us and Whitney on her road to recovery in such a positive way.
Romans 12:6-8 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
1 Cornithians 12:4 "There are diffent kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working but the same God works all of them in all men."
May you use your gifts today to love others so that through you they will feel God's love.
In Christs love,
Whitney's mom
posted by ncerak | 8:55 AM
22 Comments:
Praise the Lord! Rejoicing in His healing, strength and power in Whit's life. Thanks for continuing to update all of us on her progress - God bless!
Hello
That was a lovely final sentence and I will remember that always. It is so lovely to hear that Whitney is doing so well. I've been following your blog regularly and it is always so lovely to hear that she continues to make such wonderful progress. Although I am in the UK I feel so close to you as I follow Whitney's progress and remember all of the others involved in that terrible accident.
My very best wishes to all of you
Kelly
Thank you, Whitney's Mom, for your post today. You truly have a gift for writing.
Many prayers of Praise & Thanksgiving are going up for Whitney and your family.
God is Love and He is showing you just how much He loves all of you.
May you all be richly blessed today.
Sincerly,
A Taylor Mom
Something Whitney's mom said today made me think about the first time I sent a child off to science camp with her third-grade class for 3 full days. I was frantic, not knowing how she was for those three days, and so incredibly relieved upon her return to me. I read how overwhelmed Whitney's folks were in the first few days, when they initially met her physiatrist, and had so much to take in. I kept thinking how shocking it must have been for them to have found that their daughter, who they thought was safe in her Father's arms, was, in fact, injured, alone (not with her family), and had been struggling for her life for five whole weeks. And I remember how I felt when my daughter was away for 3 days!! I cannot wrap my mind around the feelings any parent feels about taking care of their child, and the balloon of acknowledgement that hit the Ceraks when they learned their daughter was here and needed them. Every now and then, a few words written by one of you, whether it be mom or dad, or even sister, shocks me back into the realization of what it must have been for the family to have found your daughter again after 5 weeks of thinking her out of your physical reach. I'm amazed at the turn of events, at the progress your Whitney continues to make toward her total recovery, and at the faith your family has maintained throughout these past few months. I can only wish you continued blessings from God, as I go and hug my children a bit closer. How precious these gifts from the Lord.
I have been following Whitney's progress since I learned of the story. It hit so close to home, as my son was in a car accident and suffered a TBI and had to learn to walk, talk, learn, eat, etc all over again. Whitney is making remarkable progress! I wanted to just mention something and not be negative, but my son also had one of his leg swelling all the time, and Whitney's could be something completely different, but his problem ended up being a blood clot from him being bed ridden for a couple of months. I just wanted to mention it, just in case. I keep Whitney in my prayers and I believe they helped my son.
Terry - New Orleans, LA
tbm1028@yahoo.com
I just had to comment today. You blessed my heart. Thank you for encouraging others to walk with God and honor Him with their gifts. I was just meditating on this this AM in my devtions. Blessings and thank you again for sharing Whitney's progress with so many who feel like they know you and want to be praying for you. Thank you Cerak family for using your gifts to glorify and exult the Lord. Prayering for you all.
I just had to comment today. You blessed my heart. Thank you for encouraging others to walk with God and honor Him with their gifts. I was just meditating on this this AM in my devtions. Blessings and thank you again for sharing Whitney's progress with so many who feel like they know you and want to be praying for you. Thank you Cerak family for using your gifts to glorify and exult the Lord. Prayering for you all.
Hi Colleen, Cindy {Verin} Rossavik here. I have been meaning to let you know how valued each and every entry on Whitney's recovery is. I am sure many feel the way I do, that your scripture input and shared faith is inspirational. I have Whitney and the family in prayer and just want to say thank you for sharing with all.
Hi Colleen, Cindy {Verin} Rossavik here. I have been meaning to let you know how valued each and every entry on Whitney's recovery is. I am sure many feel the way I do, that your scripture input and shared faith is inspirational. I have Whitney and the family in prayer and just want to say thank you for sharing with all.
Colleen, thanks for sharing your heart. Much much much love to you all!
wow thats awesome and i am praying for u and whitney while she is recovering! she is truly a miracle! im so happy for u guys!
~yours alyssa~
Thank you so much for your updates. Your story has touched my heart. I am a little confused. Did you mean Whitney's psychiatrist in today's post? Perhaps the physiatrist is a physical therapy Dr. Or, perhaps due to your exhaustion it was a misspelled word. Glad God is answering so many prayers.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Your blog is truly inspiring and I feel uplifted in God's glory each and every day I read it. I've always attended church and considered myself a Christian, but I feel your family's dedication has opened my eyes to what it really means to be fully trusting in the Lord. I pray every day that Whitney will continue to improve and ask God to comfort those who have lost love ones. We have never met, but you have touched my life forever. Thank you.
Thank you for the updates and progrss reports, as it takes me back to my days in rehab! My first meal I cooked was also mac & cheese, but with hot dogs and homemade banana cream pie for desert. I'm amazed how similar the experiences you write are to the ones I had.
In my "Survive and Thrive" presentation, I stress the importance of having goals and working with fortitude, perserverance, and determination to try to reach them. From what you've written, it appears that Whitney has her goals set in her mind and is working hard towards them with success (i.e. dynavision).
How exciting that a huge goal was reached in her driving reaction time! I understand how Whitney feels in that my therapist took the test to show a reaction comparison time for me, and my time happened to be better.
With regaining feeling and strength in my right side from the paralysis, my note taking was less than stellar and slow, as well. What worked for me was that I would tape record all of my classes and relisten to them later to make sure that I could fill the gaps in my notes. I also had a good friend with whom I studied and helped me fill in what I might have missed. Just a few thoughts that helped me with the various challenges I experienced.
Philippians 3:13 says, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
Not only do we have "earthly" goals, but we also have the goal to know and have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Praying daily for your family,
Darcy Keith
www.DarcyKeith.com
I have appreciated so much the effort of both families to keep us informed of the awesome progress Whitney has made. As I read your entry the day she took her first steps without the boot a quote by A.B. Simpson came to mind.
"Let us but feel that He has His heart set upon us, that He is watching us from those heavens with tender interest, that He is following us day by day as a mother follows her babe in his first attempt to walk alone, that He has set His love upon us, and in spite of ourselves is working out for us His highest will and blessing, as far as we will let Him- and then nothing can discourage us."
What a great God! You are in our prayers.
I was just wondering if you all could pray for my friend. She's 18, and gave birth today, to a not so healthy baby boy. He's not doing well at all. He was born in Petoskey today, and transfered to Grand Rapids tonight. They said he has a chromosome disorder. I know he'll pull through, but it just might make his recovery a little faster if God hears our prayers. Thanks.
I follow two blogs every night... this blog and one other of a young woman in Colorado that was involved in a severe accident as well... while their stories are differnt they are quite similar... In both cases you have two beautiful young women fighting to get back to "normal"... God has blessed both these ladies with great values, virtues, and most of all tons of love and support... May Whitney continue to grow strong and progress well... as well as adjust to life again.
Hi guys,
We've been on vacation and it was great to catch up today wiyh you guys. Good job Whit- pretty soon you will be on your way back to Taylor. We here in gaylord are all praying for you and your continued success. Our God has no limits and it's wonderful to see Him at work! I know that the fun in the sunners are missing you as a counselor this year. Hope to see you guys soon at home here in the alpine village. CYH
This is my first post here, and I don't know anyone involved, although I've been following Whitney's progress since news of the mixup first came out. (I also went back and read the original Van Ryn blog in order to catch up from the beginning.) Your testimony of grace is just so moving. I see the hand of God in allowing Whitney to live and recover so steadily from such severe injuries. Way to go Whit! I'm so sorry you had to spend your five darkest weeks without your family. You do have an awesome family! Now I look forward to an account of your return home, and whether you'll be going back to Taylor this fall. I also look forward to a blog post in your own words!
I hope you are able to receive God's compassion for what you're going through, especially the loss of your friends in the accident. This is not just something random, it's war! Assuredly, as a result of this, you will have a high calling in the Kingdom of God. You don't yet know how many people you've touched and lives you've already changed. (Perhaps, in due time, there will be a book?)
Of course I also remember the other families who will only be reunited with their loved ones in eternity.
Philippians 1:12, 19-26
Larry from California
A follower of Jesus
Does anyone know how the others who were injured in the accident are doing? I have been thinking and praying for them as well. The other day as I read the blog, I thought of Laura smiling down on Whit saying "You go girl". May the Lord comfort all of you.
Thanks for keeping us posted on Whitney's progress! So glad she is doing so well! Keep the faith! Someone asked in an earlier post what a Physiatrist was...here you go!
What is a Physiatrist?
A physiatrist is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. As the population of America ages, as people survive conditions that once would have been fatal, and as quality of life is an increasing concern, the field of physiatry is moving to the forefront of medicine. The specialty services all age groups and treats problems that touch upon all the major systems in the body.
I am thinking of your family everyday and wishing you very happy times to come in the future! It is a miracle that she has done so well in her recovery. May God always watch over you and your family. Take care!
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