Official website for Jessica Krehbiel

Dear Family and Friends,

Just a quick update. We went to La Jolla, California for a week. It was the best thing we’ve done so far! Jess went to one on one physical therapy 6 hours a day for 5 days. The six hours were broken up into 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening. We were done by six o’clock every night. We did get some time to sight see and enjoy the beach. Tim and I went to every session and took notes. We all learned so much. We came away with renewed hope for Jessica’s future. Waleed (the therapist) was amazing and very smart.

Jessica got a new brace for her left leg. The old one was all wrong! In fact, ridiculous! We were told it’s like putting a square peg in a round hole. All wrong. It was doing her more harm than good. Once it was explained to us, we could see that clearly for ourselves.

We are not going out to physical therapy at this point. Jess is highly motivated and wakes up early to do an hour of therapy by herself. We’ve set a room up in our house with all the necessary equipment. Then her and I do an hour to an hour and a half therapy in the afternoon, and her dad works on walking techniques and more physical therapy in the evening. So 3 hours therapy for Jess a day!

Jess still works. She has fewer hours in the summer, which is ok with her. We’ve been hanging out at the pool a lot. She is being trained to have more responsibilities at work. She also is still being tutored on lots of new and exciting things. For example, writing resumes, doing spread sheets, creative writing, learning a lot of stuff that a college student would need to know to get going on school, and taking computer skills as well.

Jessica’s short term memory is so so, so we’ve learned to laugh at the funny things like “What did I have for dinner an hour ago?” It’s not always like that, just sporadically, HaHa. She has learned helpful compensating skills. One being using her phone to put down appointments or important things she needs to remember. Her desire to be independent is strong and she wants to drive so bad. Her dad takes her driving every so often, Jess does really well and a drivers license may be in the near future.

You know, there are some things I’d like to say… Having a head injury was something out of Jessica’s control, she didn’t choose this, it just happened!

Jessica has recovered for beyond what we were told. We are forever indebted to a loving father and his mercy on our family throughout this extremely hard time. Jessica is NOT stupid! She communicates and comprehends her surroundings. She’s a 23 year old girl wanting to have a normal independent life and she is working hard at that. I am amazed at her resilience and courage. Nobody should ever sell Jessica short on intelligence. It would certainly be unfair! i guess right now our biggest hurdle besides walking would e social interaction, (imagine that.) The opportunities just aren’t there at at this time and maybe it’s just not the right time, but I have no doubt that those people who will one day be friends with Jess and love her for who she is and what she has become are out there. The time just hasn’t come yet. It’s a strange position to be in. Always walking next to my daughter I have found that we get a lot of stares and curious lookers. I never thought I’d be in that position. I’ve come to conclusion that anyone who walks with Jess has to be pretty sure of themselves. Not that I am, but I’ve found that most people are kind, it’s what you give back. A smile or Hi always works. Or lookers are usually curious “Wow, I wonder what happened to that pretty girl.” It’s a strange feeling having eyes on you. And frankly, I think both Jess and I cant wait until we can blend into the background.

Let me acknowledge others who struggle with loved ones who have traumatic brain injury, my heart goes out to you– I wish i could take it all away, but you can’t. I know the feeling of loss and hurt that are being felt– believe me, many times I’ve wished I could turn back time and change our situation. I wonder what it would be like if August 23, 2006 would of never happened– I hope someday I can look back and say I learned this because of this… I already can in some small ways. I pray for those out there, know my heart is with you! There are brighter days.

Thank you for thinking of Jess and visiting her website. I will continue to update. New pictures are coming soon!

Fearless
Facing the face of the unknown.
Her future forever changed.
My Daughter
In the mirror, I see…
Eyes of Hope, Two women, different somehow
Rebirth
WE are fearless together.

-Geri Krehbiel
2008

Forever Dedicated to Jessica, our hero.

-The Krehbiel Family

Hello Family and Friends,

First of all, we would like to say “Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you to those of you that supported the 5K Walk, Run, or Roll for the B.I.A.U Association and
running for Jessic. It was so much fun! Something accomplished we thought we never could. It was so very touching to be with all of you and feel your love and support !
What a fun way to celebrate Jessica’s 23rd birthday! By the way, Jess walked with her dad, arm in arm 1 1/2 miles. Wow!! You are totally awesome Jess. I know that was
very challenging thing to do. WAY TO GO GIRL!

We are all sill working very hard on all the walking stuff. Yes, it’s discouraging at times, but we keep plugging away. Actually we are going to LaJolla California in June for a
week. We have been told about a place called the Nevro-Ifrah Functional Rehabilitation and Habilitation organization. Jess will be having 6 hours of physical therapy a day for a week.
3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening. This will indeed be a challenge for Jess but we feel it will be an opportunityfor Jess that may help change her life for the better.
We are also looking forward to some vacationing time inbetween the beach, shopping, and Sea World!

Jessica still has a job and enjoys her time there. She diligently works out at the gym with her trainer and that is paying off well. She is so strong and healthy! Her sense of humor is
so in tact and she is a crack up and keeps us all laughing. She would love to have her drivers liscense and be able to get around by herself. She is getting closer to that all in time.
I don’t know if her reaction time would be fast enough yet.

We are slowly trying to get back to normal (whatever that may be?) looking into some new therapies in the fall. I think summer will be very low key and take a rest for a while.

Jess gets lonely and would love to have more association with people her age. I tell her that will come in time naturally. Hang in there Jess–you are so strong!

We have new pictures in the photo gallery. Some back to Halloween and currently at the race. Thanks to all again for checking on Jessica’s progress.

Love to all-

The Krehbiels–dedicated always to Jessica’s recovery

*POEM
Thank God every morning when you wake up there is work to be done.
Being compelled to work brings diligence, temperance, self respect, and a thousand other
virtues the idle mind will never know.

Announcing the Brain Injury Association of Utah 14th Annual 5K Run, Walk and Roll.

When: Saturday May 17th 2008 at 8:00 AM
Where: Liberty Park. 600 East 1300 South. Salt Lake City

Register online at www.biau.org
$20 on-line registration on or before May 2nd
$25 after May 2nd or when registering at the park

Please Join us for Jessica’s 23rd birthday. Come support Jessica as her family supports this very improtant association and the work they do for Brain Injury victims and their families.

All registration money gets you a long sleeve shirt and goes to programs such as “Be a Head Smart Program”, educating elementary age school children about head safety. It also educates the communities and families about brain injury (packets) and keeps the Brain Injury Association web site updated. It also helps the Task Force of Veterans returning from Iraq to know how to help their families and loved ones.

Everyone who registers for this 5K in support of Jessica and her family will receive a yellow bandana from the Krehbiel family to wear the day of the race. (Yellow is Jessica’s favorite color)

After you register, please call the Krehbiel’s at 489-5491 or 489-9864 and leave a message with your name and phone number to receive your bandana.

We can’t wait to see you there in your yellow bandanas

For more information about the race, call 801 484-2240 or 1-800 281-8442

Dear Friends and Family-
I know it’s been a while since the last update. Our family has een busy with the January 5th wedding of our oldest daughter Sara- what a happy time! How exciting it is to see how the Lord works His blessings in our lives. How a plan was set up long efore we knew it- Thank you to the Smith family for a kind, patient daughter and an incredible valiant son. How blessed we are because of them.
Jessica is doing well. Although there are times when she gets discouraged (who wouldn’t) she still is so strong physically and emotionally. She has a desire to serve but just hasn’t figured it out yet. She has a tendency to say she’ll do things when she can walk. We are trying to encourage her to get out and be a little more social, it’s a tough situation. We are trying to find where these opportunities might be. We have to remind ourselves that it’s the journey getting there!  And not to think so much about the ultimate goal, but to learn and enjoy the journey, and eventually that goal will be here before we know it. There are some wonderful opportunities that are coming our way soon having to do with some brain imaging and tasting to better help is to know how to help Jess. More details on this later next month.
Jessica still goes to physical therapy twice a week for 2 and a half hours and works out at the gym 3 times a week for 2 hours. She loves to get on the eliptical and now can go a imle in about 25 minutes, it’s the way she gets her cardio in. It’s great! She is so strong and in such good shape! Jessica’s walking is coming and her therapist Von Hill is so encouraging and guves us so much hope, he tells us that he see’s improvement in Jess every week. We are looking forward to warmer weather and getting outside more.
Kade turned 2 on the 11th. Wow how time does go by. Sometimes slow and sometimes fast. Kade has been such a blessing in our lives filling a sad void on a daily basis with simple joys, smiles and hugs. Trust in the Lord. He knows what we need. He knows our hearts and finds a way to heal when healing is so needed. Thank you for thinking of Jess and keeping her in your prayers. We love you all.
Always dedicated to Jess,
The Krehbiels

I was given a wall plaque this year for the holiday season- it said… “Wise men still seek Him.” Sometimes when things get tough or harder than we may have anticipated in life, it’s easy to let blame and resentment fill our days. Turning away from the Lord because we don’t feel heard or forgotten, I know I have had to fight these feelings at times throughout the year only to find that it was lonely there and much harder than it needed to be. What my soul truly yearned for and has always known was to “Seek Him.” When I truly seek Him, that’s when the day is brighter, I feel less lonely and Wonderful Peace comes from the one who knows and loves me best, who knows my heart, hopes, and dreams. I wish for Christmas to you all, the Peace and Joy that comes from seeking Him. “WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM.”

Jess is doing well and continues to amaze and inspire us all. She is still progressing. She isn’t quite walking on her own yet, although her trunk strength has greatly improved. She continues to work hard at therapy, which is alot of fine tuning. She is also back in the pool once a week. She doesn’t really like it, but is still cooperative.

Jess has weight and strength training at the Gym 3 times a week. She has trainers David and Naomi Mayne, they are so good to work with Jess and are blessings in our lives. Their expertize and friendships are invalvable and we thank them. They can’t possibly know what they mean to us. Jessica is strong and healthy. We both are learning about good nutrition and it’s positive effects on the brain and how it makes us feel.

Jess is so funny and hasn’t lost her sense of humor, she’s a crack up to be around. She enjoys her job and the children that adore her and go out of their way to say Hi. She is especially excited for the holiday season with all the shopping and gift giving.

Well till next month- Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers.

Always dedicated to Jessica’s recovery.

-The Krehbiel Family

Over the past year my mom has devoted herself to my recovery. She has let everyone know about me and my ups and downs. She has been an example of faith to so many people. Now it is my turn to tell you how great my mom really is.

She is always thinking of others. She always checks to see if I am comfortable and if I need anything. This is so much a part of her daily routine that I know that all my needs will be met even without asking. Through all these months of recovery, mom has attended every therapy session. She has become my number one cheerleader. Because she has been to every therapy session, she could be a therapist on her own. She knows when to push me and when to lay off.

She is always cheerful and has a good attitude about meeting our family’s daily needs. Anyone who knows our family knows that this can’t always be fun. When I am feeling discouraged or down, she knows just how to lift me up and she even comes shopping with me when it is not her favorite thing.

My mom always looks for the good in things. She is positive about herself and others and makes the best out of the hardest situations.

To sum things up, I’m lucky to have her as a mom. In my eyes, there is no better mom!

Jessica

Please check out the latest pictures in the photo gallery.

Hello Family and Friends,
I’ve had a hard time writing this month. A lot is going through my mind. Jessica’s therapy at “Now I Can” is ending on Thursday. We have been going there for 7 months, and now Jess is moving onto other things… but her walking is getting better, her core strength is stronger, and she doesn’t lean to the right so much. She now recognizes when she is leaning. Her left leg still hyper extends back and does not bend as well, but it has improved from last month. She does better with shoes and her brace on, which isn’t what her attire is around the house. Her balance has much improved and getting better everyday. At “Now I Can,” they had been working a lot lately on Pilate’s, wobble boards, and balance, which has been very good.
We are excited for a change in the next phase of her recovery- She and I will be working with a couple (David and Naomi Mayne) who are qualified in “Physical Fitness and Life Coaching.” They will help Jess and I with Nutrition knowledge, Physical Strength, Goal Making, Confidence, Motivation, and Social Skills along with much more, I’m sure. This will be 3 times a week for 1 and a half hours.
She will also be going to a new therapy place that is much closer. Her therapy time will be 2 times a week for 2 hours at a time, mainly concentrating on Gait Training and Balance. I’m hoping the Physical Fitness Life Coaching and Therapy combined will be a success and compliment each other in different ways. Jessica continues to work 3 to 4 hours a day at her Secretarial job. She likes it and what a good experience for her. Jessica’s attitude continues to be positive. She is so strong- don’t get me wrong - there are times when she gets discouraged or sad, but it never lasts long and she’s back at it again. She really does keep me going. She has often said ” Why worry about what I can’t change? You just have to move on.”
I decided to write a few thoughts I had this week from my own personal journal and share them with all of you. Sometimes it helps to vent.
October 11th I had been asked the question, ” Do you think that things like this happen for a reason, or are they supposed to happen?” Of course I have thought about this question a lot. I’ve experienced grief in a lot of different ways. When Joshua, our first son, died at the age of 2 from a drowning accident, this question of why and was this supposed to happen played in my head for a very long time. I can honestly say that grieving is a refiners fire. At least for me, it was you have to strip away everything and come to terms on how you will handle this and what will you do with it? The answer I had to this question in this particular case with our son was to me a yes. There was a purpose, there was a lesson or lesson’s to be learned. During that time, I realized more than anytime, how much Heavenly Father loved me - his tender mercies to carry me through such a painful time proved never failing. He knew my pain and heard my grief. Every waking hour I cannot say it is that way for everybody, but for me, the lesson of a loving Father who will carry my burdens, was so very evident in my life - and I’ve carried that with me as a part of who I am my whole life since.
Somehow I have found the grieving different this time - I want to say harder, but it’s just different, almost unidentifiable - I have thought both incidents have been life changing and each one came with its own set of situations. I choose to believe that in both situations, there was a choice or a sacrifice for reasons I have yet to figure out. A sacrifice that Jess knew needed to be made for our family? And, the people who know her then and now? Maybe the sacrifice was for herself, her posterity? All of that is still in the Refiners Fire. No - I don’t think that Heavenly Father said OK. August 23rd 2006 will be the day and it will happen this way at this time- even though those have been things that I have truly struggled with. I think all that is Free agency- agency in Jess doing her thing that day, agency about the person who pulled out in front of Jess, just doing there thing and the chain of events after that.
IT’S AGENCY! And now the Father looks on us and says, “What will you do with this? How will the people in this story deal with it? Do they become bitter and resentful?” Although those are feelings I’ve struggled with, but knew that it would destroy me and my family, will they turn to the Lord? Will they trust the Lords will? Will they exercise faith and prayer? Will they treat others with kind kindness and fairness? Knowing that every person who comes in contact with them are children of a loving Father - Are we becoming better people? And what will Jess become? Who will she be? Although I have a feeling that Heavenly Father already knows what she will become and what her potential is - I think He knows the life lessons we are learning. I may not see them now. I didn’t realize them immediately last time either. But, we are still in the refiners fire, waiting to be refined, waiting to be polished, and in the meantime, what do we do with it? Agency is the plan of the Father. The why’s are the things I have to put on a shelf and wait ever so patiently. That Fire is blinding sometimes! The people in this story are learning to TRUST. Little by little.

Jess has a bright future and we continue to support and pray for her. We believe in Jess and her continued progress.
Well, until next month - love always, The Krehbiels: Tim, Geri, Sara (Kade), Samantha, and Ben
“There is a space in Heaven for everyone.”

We added some new photos today to the photo gallery. Check them out here.