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Sept 6

By Bud | September 6, 2008

Oh Boy it has been one very exciting week. It started with our return to Overland Park, KS and continued therapy at Quest to Walk and ended with a Broken Arrow football victory over arch rival Union after 22 consecutive losses dating back to 1989.

This week the therapist at Quest to Walk really put Peter through a tough regiment. He continued the standing at the pipe bars and this week they had him crawling with some assistance and also had him doing some very excruciating exercises while sitting up against a wall. The wall is very tough doing some upper body exercises and some ab work. Again while standing they felt his quads and glutes flexing. The crawling was very tough and he did get some motion of his hips and legs in the crawl that went across the floor for about 30 feet. We now have a dvd and book that explains the proper technique and purpose for each exercise. Our plan is to find a local trainer here in Tulsa that is willing to work with Peter a couple hours per day to continue this important lower and upper body therapy. We are very excited about this therapy and know it will help us reach our ultimate goal. The coming week will take us back to OU Med center and work on the LoKoMat and local therapy.

Thursday evening we visited our good friends in Kansas City, Mickey and Linda Vena and their daughter and son-in-law, Keri and Cody Ptacek. Mickey and Linda are originally from Pittsburg, KS and lived in Tulsa a few years before moving to Kansas City. Going to the Vena’s is always an experience and this time was not any different. Mickey grilled us some steaks and when I say grilled, I do mean grilled. The fire kind of got away from him and when Cody mention the huge amount of smoke on the patio Mick’s words were “That’s not good.” The steaks were very well done, in fact I guess you could say they were blacken. But when you are in the company of the Vena’s it does not matter how burnt the steaks are. Peter and I discussed on the way back to the hotel how those were the best steaks we have had in a long time because of the fellowship and friendship of the Vena’s. They are great.

We came back to Tulsa Friday and on the doorstep was a special present from Sean Hyland, a soccer teammate of Peter’s. In the package was an autographed shirt from OU coach Bob Stoops. The shirt said “OU Extra Strong” and Coach Stoops signed ” To Peter, Stay Strong & Go Sooners, Bob Stoops.” Can’t be a more important message than to stay strong and he is staying strong. To Peter’s delight the Sooners were strong today with a victory over Cincinnati. Thanks to Sean and his mom Cheryl.

Then we went to the “Friday Night Lights” at Broken Arrow and the big game against Union. BA played a great game and came away with the victory 24-9. Number 39, Carl Salazar, came through for us being perfect on extra points and sealed the win with a 38 yard field goal. The fans rushed the field, unfortunately there was 21 seconds left in the game and after clearing the field and a delay of game penalty, the last snap and final 21 seconds were finally surpassed and the fans, having already rehearsed, made an orderly rush onto the field. Peter and I were out there with them and when the team gathered around Coach Lancaster for his post game speech, Peter was there in the middle with Coach Lancaster. Instead of there being a cheer for the victory, the team began chanting “PETEY, PETEY, PETEY, PETEY…..” This was special and the many players, including the quarterback Cale Fulps, coming up to Peter and saying, “this one was for you,” meant so much to him. This is the one victory that Peter always wanted so bad during his playing days at BA. He finally got that win because the team has kept him on their team. Thanks to Vinnie’s Pizzeria for furnishing everyone with free pizza after the game and creating an atmosphere, for one shining evening, that this town of 100,000 made us feel like we were in small town USA, like the one I grew up in, back in Columbus, KS, population 3,500.

On the way home Peter made the comment, “See dad miracles do happen.” Many people have told me that they are praying for a miracle for Peter. After last night I have thought about that statement and I told Peter that a miracle is something that happens when it is suppose to be impossible for it to happen. Broken Arrow beating Union has never been impossible, just like Peter walking again is not impossible. They are both something that has happen and will happen from, perseverance, hard work, a positive attitude and great parent and fan support. When you keep going with all of these attributes, success will come and God will reward those that believe and have faith. God is healing Peter and He healed the BA football program last night.

We ask for your prayers to give us guidance in finding a trainer for Peter. We ask you to keep Katie, Jeff and Nathan, still patients in Denver in your prayers. We ask for special prayers for a friend of mine family here in Tulsa. Neal Sweeney was murdered at his office Thursday morning. This tragedy is unbelievable. Neal was one of the nicest individuals I have ever known. He always had a smile and would go out of his way to say hello to you and he always was concerned about how you were doing. Please pray for Janis, Neal’s wife, and his three daughters. We ask God to assist the police in finding the one responsible for this senseless act.

Progress is happening if it is ever so slight and Peter’s attitude is stronger than ever and with your prayers and Peter’s hard work……………………

He will walk again
Bud

Topics: Peter |