January 28th, 2008-A Great Weekend!

Hello everyone!  I went to see Jitka, this weekend, and it was extraordinarily eventful!

First, I would like to thank Jitka’s dear friends Mandy and Lori on Wolfe Island who arranged a very successful party for Jitka’s birthday (Jan. 25th).  My parents went and were so so touched to see everyone there to support Jitka.  Thank you to the entire community on Wolfe Island!

Then, on Saturday, Jani threw a welcoming home party for Jitka at the new house.  It was heartwarming to meet all of the people from whom we have received e-mails of well wishes and support as well as those that have been helping out with the work on the new house.  I also had my first opportunity to meet Walker, the young man who arrived on the scene moments after the accident.  He stablized Jitkas spine and airway, and somehow managed to slow the bleeding from her gaping leg wound until EMS arrived.  Teresa had initially described him as a “trained paramedic”, as he had performed so calmly and skillfully under pressure-it seemed that he had done it a thousand times before.  We were all shocked to later discover that he is only 15 years old and was trained as a boyscout.  Fifteen going on 25.  He is a very mature young man.  I tried to thank him, but the words just don’t capture how deep our gratitude runs. 

Earlier that day, a very kind  reporter from “The Reflector” came by the house to interview Jitka.  She wrote a beautiful story that actually made the front page!  You can read it at www.reflector.com, and just search “Virag”.  The article is entitled “Homecoming”. 

Jitka is thrilled to be back home with her husband kids.  She watches them as though they were the first sunrise she had ever seen.  Jani lovingly carries her up the stairs and puts her in the bath tub, washes her hair and gets her dressed.  He helps her with her flexibility exercises.  That guy is a dynamo.  He embodies the vow “in sickness and in health”.  He is truly selfless. Jitka is moved to tears whenever we speak of what he has been through.

Finally, we went for a lovely walk on Sunday.  Jitka nearly made it down the street and back on her own.  Wasn’t lighting, but she did it.  She’s got grit.  As far as getting used to being at home-there were a couple of near misses.  When we got back home from the walk, she told me that the wheel on her chair was rubbing against her leg.  I held the side of her chair in one hand and tried to manipulate the wheel with my right.  To my surprise the d–n thing came off in my hand with one gentle tug!  It was hanging by a thread the entire time!  Fortunately I was able to knock it back on so that it was stable enough to hold her while I got her out of it!  Next, she decided to put her shoes on without putting her seatbelt on and nearly smooched the floor.  Managed to catch her that time too.  I can just see the people at Pitt County Memorial rolling their eye if she were to wind up back there again!

Ok.  Long-winded again!  But I will  sign off with one more expression of our sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your prayers, helping-hands, cards, donations, e-mails…the list is endless.  God bless you, and goodnight.

Kal