For those who know my family or who follow our blog, you may remember back on November 5, 2010, I posted an update about my sister MaeLyn's boyfriend and the accident he had. As a quick recap, Aaron and my sister were hunting and the tree stand they were on broke and he fell more than 25 feet out of the tree and landed on his back.
The fall had resulted in him breaking his back and injuring his spinal cord. The doctors told him he was paralyzed from the waist down and it was a very slim chance he would walk again. For a VERY active, outdoorsmen, the news was/is very devastating. In addition to that, he had to spend months in the hospital, countless surgeries, complications, battling serious infections, constant severe pain, set backs and, well you name it, Aaron pretty much had to go through it. Last year around this time he was released from the hospital and continued out patient rehabilitation therapy which seemed to focus on teaching Aaron how to live his new life in a chair.
Then, this past November Aaron's constant back pain (pain that it seemed he just took as a new part of his life), became so bad he went back to the hospital to see if something else was the problem. He then learned that he would have to undergo yet another round of serious surgeries where they took all of the metal pieces holding his back together apart and rebuild it. It was obvious it was a set back that weighed heavily on everyone's heart. And then, when the surgeons opened his back up they found out he had a very serious form of staff infection that has made a home on the hardware in his body. The doctors were forced to remove all the bolts, pins, screws, and rods holding his back in place for over a 10 days while they tried to kill the infection in his body. This meant Aaron was required to lay pretty much flat on his back without moving for more than a week and a half. This is how Aaron spent the Thanksgiving holiday. After killing the infection and rebuilding his back once again, Aaron recovered and spent the Christmas holiday once again trying to figure out how to rebuild his life.
It was at this point that Aaron was introduced to Euro-Team Physical Therapy, a place in Decorah IA, close to our hometown. This therapy place, unlike many others that he went to, seemed 100% dedicated to helping Aaron achieve probably his #1 goal.. the goal to walk again.
Although I've heard most of the diagnosis through my sister MaeLyn, I know that Aaron, his family and my sister have heard from many medical professionals, that they should accept the fact that Aaron most likely will be in a wheelchair, and although there is nothing wrong with that and we are all thankful that Aaron is still here, it is clear, that Team Aaron all want/dream/believe his life will be different.
Just a few short weeks ago Aaron started visiting the Euro Team Physical Therapy place and today Aaron shared with us this link. As I watch the video of Aaron take his first steps, tears roll down my eyes with sincere and utmost happiness. The determination in his heart is apparent on every ounce of his body as he forces one foot in front of the other. To me, Aaron is truly an inspiration.
I cannot even begin to imagine the battle both physically and mentally that he has experienced for the past year and three months. I can tell you though that, I do not personally know anyone stronger.
Aaron, I know we've said it for a long time and although we've always believed you can and will walk again, your video today shows me that you should start setting a new #1 goal. In fact, you should set a lot of goals, because I know you can and will accomplish all that you've ever dreamed possible.
Congratulations Aaron! Sending you all our love and happiness,
Until next time,
Angie, Jarrett, Gabriel and Michael
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