Update on Neil, May 6, 2022

Hi everybody! 😃

Many of you have been asking about Neil and his progress. Thank you so very much for continuing to pray with us for his healing.

Neil came back home to Red Deer on March 16. It has been so good to have him back again. He was able to maneuver the stairs and get around the house quite well, so that made things easier for all of us. Learning how to make your body walk and function again is a piece of work! Wow, so many things we take for granted... He did take a few spills (face plant on a plywood floor when he stumbled) but otherwise did great over the first couple weeks!

We weren't sure how it was going to work for continuing physio and occupational therapy, but God looked after that for us too. Within 2 weeks, Neil was in for a one hour per week session of both physiotherapy and occupational therapy. The new therapists assessed him and gave him excercises to work on. He did some of them 😉 but most of the progress came from just getting back involved in life. He has surprised the therapists. He told me that his physiotherapist was shocked a couple of weeks ago when he told her that he was out longboarding around the block with Rachel (sister). 😳

The first week in April, Don & Matthew had work with the business out in BC, both in Abbotsford as well as in Nanaimo and Parksville on the Island. So... Neil hopped in with them. They were gone for about 10 days so that was a good test. Lots of movement and involvement. He couldn't yet help much on the tools but he could "supervise" . 😅 He did learn a lot more about what his Dad does with his business in Instrumentation servicing water treatment equipment! They were able to visit Uncle Lorne (Don's brother) & Auntie Karen while they were out there too, so lots of card games were helpful for the building of manual dexterity 😂 as well as helping Auntie Karen make sourdough bread.

Over the past month, he has had time to heal and rest. He would tell you that he figures he has about 80% strength back in his right hand/arm, but maybe only 20% in his left hand which is frustrating for him. He is working on his endurance and strength as he gets physically exhausted within a short time, but it's getting better! There are still some internal nerve issues as well that need to be regenerated too, but we're trusting that the Lord will continue to heal it all. God is so good!

He is driving again, which he loves to do. He owns a 2005 Volkswagen Golf with a manual shift transmission - good for the leg muscles to work the clutch and brakes. 😏 Good practice for the neck muscles doing the shoulder checks. He has gone a few times now taking Laura's dog to the dog park on walks, and going for walks around the block. Susan even talked him into going for a ride on the horse out at the farm, and he did great! Talk about practicing balance and coordination again! He spends time around the house doing life in general and playing with the 5 kittens (long story... 😅) which bring so much fun into life as we raise them to sell. Last weekend, a few of us drove to Saskatchewan to see Auntie Joanne (Don's sister) & Uncle Michael. Neil helped with a few projects and even took a spin on their bicycle on the gravel road. He's definately getting his balance and coordination back. His nerve regeneration, strength and endurance will come.

He does recognize that he will now need to change his profession /career plans. He was well on his way in Carpentry, but he's now considering less physically demanding work, perhaps in the field of Instrumentation or Locksmithing. We didn't even know that Locksmithing was a journeyman trade until we realized that the keys to his vehicle were lost (through the chaos of the accident) and he had to get his car re-keyed. Was very interesting (and expensive!)

So... that's our update for now. If you would continue to pray with us for Neil's complete healing, we would surely appreciate it! It will be a while before he is able to go back to work, so we are praying for the Lord's guidance with all that is involved in choosing and starting a new career as well as for his healing. It really is hard to understand the emotional and physical toll a traumatic accident like this takes on a person. Neil has amazed us and encouraged us all in so many ways.

God is good, and He is faithful. We keep praying to our heavenly Father, asking and speaking in Jesus's name that Neil will be healed and used mightily in whatever career he chooses, as he serves the Lord with the mind and body that has been healed!

Thank you, again, for joining us on this journey! We love you all!

Margaret ❤️

(out in Sask walking by the river, on horses, on bike)

(one of the buildings that Neil helped build - look closely - he's standing beside the building on the left. These were big buildings!)

(Neil holding baby Briar Marie Ebenal - Matt & Lisa's baby born last Saturday)

Neil with kittens... so fun.

Not sure why some of the photos are sideways, but better than nothing. 😉

Blessings to you all! ❤️🙏