Hector and David Early the next morning David’s smile was so warming and revealing of his deep joy. I arranged to go back to Eddy and Ana’s apartment the next day. Speech therapist Stacy and her son Ryan came to work with wood puzzles and picture cards. David responded on command to every exercise. Later during the day Hector and my sister Noemy came by with beans and cheese “pupusas”, which are typical Central American stuffed tortillas.
The following day, it was evident that David was excited to get to the apartment. For his surprise, the Lamourt cousins and Sue came and spent the day with him. He had coconut gelato ice cream, laid on his bed, watched TV and laughed just doing silly things. It was such a blessed time together. I would try to arrange and visit every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
 Alex, Hector Luis, Sue, David & Ana Carolina. |  Having some great fun together like old times. |
Back at the nursing home, I summoned up all the fun things we did that day and by the time we finished dinner, David gave me a real kiss. Wow – he remembered what muscles to use to perk his lips and kiss. There was wonderful progress happening within that we couldn’t see until it would be revealed with an external expression. That was a great way to seal the day… with a kiss. I couldn’t stop smiling until I fell asleep that night.
A few days later, the therapist placed a cast on David’s right arm. He had done so well with the first serial casting, they decided to repeat the procedure to extend open his arm as much as possible. This would be done every two weeks. The facility had very little materials and hoped they would get additional supplies for the next casting.
One of the calls I had made was to the Central Registry of the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP). The program is managed by the Florida Department of Health and provides services, including assistance to injured residents to return to a community-based setting versus a nursing facility. One of the requirements to be eligible for services is that the patient has to be medically stable and have the ability to safely reintegrate into the community. From the Miami office, case Manager Elio called me to set an appointment to determine if David was eligible for the program. I had great hopes that this would be the case because they would be the link that would help us take David back to Central Florida.
Again we had all prayer warriors on their knees and I continuously reminded myself that God would allow only what was best for David. I thought that if we were given the green light from the Health Department and the Avalon Park would approve David into their in-patient program we were on our way home. At least I thought it was a good plan.
The meeting with Elio was so uplifting. His assistant was a young man who was in a wheelchair and as I saw him pulling himself in front of the computer – I became so inspired of the opportunities available to people with disabilities. They both provided me with lots of information and resources and immediately had the entire paperwork ready to be sent for approval. Elio then referred me to Kim in Orlando, a spinal cord injury survivor and case manager who mentioned the benefits of moving David back home. If David would become eligible, she would be contacting me to begin the process.
Change was in the air and I was taking it all in. We didn’t know the how, the when and the where but - there was definitely change happening for us - and it was exciting. Every day I waited for the call and prayed it would be the right step at the right time. We felt so blessed with the care and therapies that David was receiving at the facility. The residents, nurses, doctors, therapists became like family to us and we wanted to ensure David would not be left out from the support and services he needed back home.
Change was in the air and I was taking it all in. We didn’t know the how, the when and the where but - there was definitely change happening for us - and it was exciting. Every day I waited for the call and prayed it would be the right step at the right time. We felt so blessed with the care and therapies that David was receiving at the facility. The residents, nurses, doctors, therapists became like family to us and we wanted to ensure David would not be left out from the support and services he needed back home.
Tuesday that week, while David was working at physical therapy, the Avalon Park director called to inform me that the team did not consider David ready for their program and said he would be visiting mid December to re-evaluate him. As the therapists expressed how sorry they were to hear the news, a peculiar peace invaded my heart. I was reflecting on the news when I received another call - this time from the case manager from the BSCIP to inform me she would be visiting us the following week for an interview. She also said that taking David home and receiving outpatient therapy would be very motivating for him. I saw doors closing and others opening – God was allowing this for a reason. It had to be Him placing all the pieces in the right position. I chose not to have any expectation and continue to watch the Master unfold His divine plan. He was showering me with His peace so I would not despair but rejoice at His doings. We were moving forward.
We went back to our calendar poster in the room and tried to guess what day we would be moving back home. We agreed that December 18th would be a great birthday gift for Jorge. I just hoped that we would move in time to celebrate Christmas at home. Ultimately it was in God’s hands. He would know which was the right day. As I was getting ready to leave, David began to cry. I recited that God’s plans for him was for peace, that God was listening and that we had to plan for our trip to Portugal to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. As I leaned to kiss David good night, he gave me a real kiss again.
The social worker at the nursing home worked with the State about the possibility of transferring David back home and was constantly updating us on the process. I signed the paperwork for the transfer and now it was a matter of waiting for all the approvals to happen. The Lord had a plan and nothing was going to stop it from unfolding. Nurse Carson reiterated that the Lord would reveal the right time to leave.
Nurse Rose gave me Deuteronomy 8 to read. Nurse Rose was very close to my heart. From the moment she started working at the facility we clicked. She was a woman of faith and it amazed me to listen and watch her walk in obedience to God’s will. Even though she had no plans or desire to move from her job at a local correctional, circumstances brought her to the nursing home and she accepted the reality - not knowing how much God would use her with us. She would enter the room singing gospel music with her beautiful voice and always had a scripture to share. We developed a beautiful relationship. We became spiritual sisters. David always smiled when she would come to see him. Every morning on her scheduled working days, I would feel relieved to see her burgundy truck parked. I would be anxious to learn what the Lord would say through her every day.
After being absent for a few weeks, Nurse Rose returned with a heavy heart for she had lost a son to a bacterial infection. Her pain became my pain. With tears in her eyes, and with an inspiring zeal she made known to me how every word of encouragement and hope she had shared with me throughout months had all come back to her throughout the agonizing moments as her son was loosing the battle to the infection he had contracted. She emphatically explained how the Lord had prepared her in the course of our talks without her knowing what she would face in the coming months and sustained her with love, as a caring father would do. She was back to continue the work of love through serving all of us and caring for our loved ones - with the same joy and songs of praise. My faith was strengthened through her example of fervor and perseverance.
Meanwhile the therapists placed a cast on David’s left foot and kept mentioning how his arm progress was miraculous because they had no other explanation. It was not pressuring against his chest anymore.
We continued to go to Eddy and Ana’s apartment every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and spent time with family who continued to shower us with their details of love.
Elio from BSCIP called with the good news that the transition program would cover 90% of the costs. God continued to repeat in different ways that we were not to worry about financial burdens and that He was in charge. We continued our prayers of thanksgiving all the time. On Wednesday, December 7th we met Martha from the State of Florida. She proceeded with the interview and paperwork to take David home through a waiver, which would provide links to initiatives and various services at home. Her demeanor was refreshing and uplifting. She took the time to answer all our questions. She couldn’t guarantee any dates because we were heading into the holidays and this would delay some of the process but promised to work hard and complete every step as soon as she could.
The next day Martha called to inform us that a few miracles had happened to her and that it was not a coincidence that the people involved in David’s case were the right ones. When she placed a call to the case manager line, the person who answered was the one who had originally interviewed me over the phone months ago. She remembered our conversation and mentioned that my husband played bongos at church. She indicated to Martha that she would expedite David’s case.
We were overwhelmed with joy with all the good news. God was at work and it was wonderful to see it.
That night David gave me 3 real kisses. I told him I loved him and asked for him to practice saying “Hi mom”. The reading for the day said not to worry about the future. We knew God was running the schedule.
The next day Martha called to inform us that a few miracles had happened to her and that it was not a coincidence that the people involved in David’s case were the right ones. When she placed a call to the case manager line, the person who answered was the one who had originally interviewed me over the phone months ago. She remembered our conversation and mentioned that my husband played bongos at church. She indicated to Martha that she would expedite David’s case.
We were overwhelmed with joy with all the good news. God was at work and it was wonderful to see it.
That night David gave me 3 real kisses. I told him I loved him and asked for him to practice saying “Hi mom”. The reading for the day said not to worry about the future. We knew God was running the schedule.
The Lord always fulfills His promises. He calls upon his people to work out His plan. For God - a promise and fulfillment is one in the same. When your trust is in the Lord, hope does not disappoint. The Lord and Our Lady were carrying us in their hearts and that is why we experienced peace throughout this time of so many changes.
(Jeremiah 29:11; Mathew 6:34; Deuteronomy 8)
(Jeremiah 29:11; Mathew 6:34; Deuteronomy 8)
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