My cousin Kim and son TJ We constantly worked on different cognitive exercises to sharpen David’s memory such as color and shape puzzles, picture and word recognition games. My cousin Kim had sent him various educational books and a Leapfrog phonics board, which we used to practice on alphabets and numbers. He would follow my actions drawing circles and squares using crayons and played memory game. It was accelerated classes to open years of education files that were stored. I referred myself as his coach and worked his arms and legs constantly. Ana Carolina and David's friend Kimberly would love to watch the “Step Up 3" movie and B-Boy DVD's competitions with him, play memory or card games and hang out. We kept David busy working every day.
Speech therapist Stacy placed the order at Jackson Memorial Hospital for the swallowing test, which we looked forward to and prayed it would be soon. The tracheotomy incision was healing well and he continued to breath 100%.
During the following weeks loved ones – grandma “Mama Aby”, brother Fernando, my sister Gaby and James, little cousin Chris, my uncle Rick and my sister Lucy came to spend time with us.
During the following weeks loved ones – grandma “Mama Aby”, brother Fernando, my sister Gaby and James, little cousin Chris, my uncle Rick and my sister Lucy came to spend time with us.
 Fernando continued to wrestle with David's new reality. | Fernando continued to have a hard time accepting David’s injury. Because he remained in Central Florida, I believed it made it harder to grasp the process like the rest of us who lived the issues and saw David every day. During his visit, he had David close his eyes and listen to a music CD he had prepared for him. Music and dance had always been the strongest common ground amongst them. I knew David was enjoying every moment of it. |
David stared at grandma “Mama Aby” with such intensity as if he wanted to talk to her. She prayed and spoke to him about beautiful memories and things to look forward to such as the trip to Portugal, which they would go together. Gaby would work on repeating gestures as nodding yes and no and mentioned how within her every three weeks visits David’s cognitive progress was evident. Uncle Rick recommended the use of HD earphones for David to listen to music. When my sister Lucy came in the room, David kept looking at her and at me several times to what appeared to me as if he was placing her into context as he held her hand and did not want to let go of her.
 Lucy |  Mama Aby |  Gaby |  Rick |
Cousin Catherine and son Christopher I was especially touched by the visit of my cousin Catherine’s youngest son Christopher. Because of his age, I expected he would be shocked at David’s situation - but instead – his warmth and tenderness towards David was unique and genuine. There was no need for words. In silence, they both looked at each other expressing their affection for one another. It reminded me of Jesus’ words on becoming like a child who are simple and true at heart. I just observed and prayed for that endearing moment which filled my heart with joy and hope.
There were difficult moments as well - during this time. After three weeks, it was time to say goodbye to Kimberly whom we had gotten accustomed to have around. It was obvious that it became hard for her to leave. Two days later, as Fernando hugged David goodbye, he reached out with his left arm and hugged him back and they both cried. Mama Aby went back home and my heart felt compressed like a raisin. I would miss having her support and unique loving care and I knew David would too. There is nothing like a mother’s presence.
David’s reaction to certain actions such as fixing the earphones, hugging or opening his mouth when presented with a spoon was labeled by the therapists “with purpose” and considered improvement in his condition.
We would always be ready and prepared if there was an opening at therapy to quickly take David to work for as many as four times a week. He learned how to place small pegs into a board to work on fine motor skills. He would hold the weight bars as if he would remember going to the gym.
David’s reaction to certain actions such as fixing the earphones, hugging or opening his mouth when presented with a spoon was labeled by the therapists “with purpose” and considered improvement in his condition.
We would always be ready and prepared if there was an opening at therapy to quickly take David to work for as many as four times a week. He learned how to place small pegs into a board to work on fine motor skills. He would hold the weight bars as if he would remember going to the gym.
They worked on his balance and posture. From not being able to lift his head and keeping it straight without support - to holding it up on his own was a miracle on its own. The therapists were always so motivated to work with David. Each one of them became our angels.
A new task was visiting the computer room. David watched attentively to every one of my moves. I named every part of the computer: mouse, monitor, websites, browsers, clicks etc. I wondered if he would recall his own business website which he had spent hours and resources perfecting and working on to become a beautiful site. When he saw the page of “Elevated Entertainment” pull up, it felt as if time stood still. Observing David’s gaze at the site pages, I could imagine all these brain wires searching and linking to old files.
When I played Fernando’s youtube video, he cried. This event proved to me that David was recognizing moments and events. For the subsequent visits, David would watch the neighbors use the mouse and imitated them.
One afternoon my heart stopped as David figured out how to move the wheelchair with his left arm as we watched this other young man race up and down the hallway with his wheelchair. I wished soon I would hold a competition between them. It must have felt good to have the ability to move independently, I thought.
After David had fallen asleep one evening, his roommate Stucky asked me for a kiss good night and gave me one too. With a childlike smile he turned to his side pleased I had agreed to his request. I meditated how a simple kiss on the cheek had this great effect on this young man.
After David had fallen asleep one evening, his roommate Stucky asked me for a kiss good night and gave me one too. With a childlike smile he turned to his side pleased I had agreed to his request. I meditated how a simple kiss on the cheek had this great effect on this young man.
There was a real world in this home that made me constantly wonder how I could help. In the meantime I would bring “coladitas” or shots of coffee to the 4 to 5 men who would line up at the lobby waiting for my arrival every morning. I would listen to the same stories of 92 years old – Dona Luisa who would invite me to visit her mother and we would walk around in circles at the back patio pretending to walk towards the bus stop. I would accompany Danny at the lobby who would wait for his mother for lunch every day whom had been anxiously trying to take him home for the last 3 years. I would look for Mr. John who was teaching David how to fist bump or help find brain game websites for patients who would call me, as I would pass by the computer room.
David and I at the back patio. In the middle of our ins and outs with David, these people brought a unique perspective to our lives. It was a whole new world. This small community of patients, nurses and other employees were the stories that matter and the thoughts we carried in our hearts and prayed for. I looked forward to seeing them every day.
After two weeks, we received the call from the hospital – David’s swallowing test was scheduled for the following week. We lifted prayers of thanksgiving and mobilized all prayer warriors for it to be successful.
Leaving at night was difficult as David became more aware. He would get agitated as I would get ready to leave. I would stay as long as I could, many times up till 10 pm waiting for him to fall asleep. I continuously thought of taking care of David back home. Jorge began to research for options. The decision involved many people, services, paperwork and special permissions. As a family, we agreed that we would move forward as the Lord would open doors and at the time He would chose.
After two weeks, we received the call from the hospital – David’s swallowing test was scheduled for the following week. We lifted prayers of thanksgiving and mobilized all prayer warriors for it to be successful.
Leaving at night was difficult as David became more aware. He would get agitated as I would get ready to leave. I would stay as long as I could, many times up till 10 pm waiting for him to fall asleep. I continuously thought of taking care of David back home. Jorge began to research for options. The decision involved many people, services, paperwork and special permissions. As a family, we agreed that we would move forward as the Lord would open doors and at the time He would chose.
It is such a broken world. We are so easily entertained with trivial things and events, which only cater to our senses - that we miss the true important opportunities to connect with others who are in need of a smile, a caring gesture or a simple conversation.
(1 Peters 3:3-4; Colossians 3:12-13; Matthew 18:3)
(1 Peters 3:3-4; Colossians 3:12-13; Matthew 18:3)