Alex Preston

On December 31st 2005 my 9 year old son suffered a traumatic brain injury after flipping a 4-wheeler and crashing into a tree head first without a helmet on. Even now I get chills remembering the overwhelming feeling of helplessness, grief and fear of that day. I had no idea if he would make it or not. Everyone kept telling me he would be alright, but I would be lying if I said I didn't doubt it. The days that followed were a nightmare.My bedside vigil consisted of constant prayer, crying and watching ICP monitors inform me that more and more brain damage was occuring. I was so scared. He was in a coma and so critical. I prayed to please give my son back the way he was. But then after a week of him getting worse I pleaded with God to just give him back. He was dying right in front of me. I didn't care what he ended up like, I just didn't want Jesus to take my boy. I never thought that I could ever feel as bad as I did when my beloved mother died until this happened. It by far surpassed it. I was devastated beyond belief.

Several days later , he started to open one eye! Oh my God I was so happy! I told myself " he's back!" But it wasn't quite what I had thought. Yes, he was "awake" but it was like nobody was home. He was in what is called a near coma. He had sleep and wake cycles, but unaware of his surroundings (is what I was told, I'm not so sure). They sent us to Dallas for re-hab 7 weeks after his accident. We all had high hopes for this major transformation to happen while there but after 6 weeks the doctors sent him home with a poor prognosis for a mental and cognitive recovery. They said there was nothing more they could do, They asked me if I wanted to place him in a nursing home. He had a trach, feeding tube and in a wheelchair. They said he would never walk or talk again. But he was alive, and I kept telling myself thats all that mattered. His family wasn't giving up on him. I brought him home.

To make this long story shorter, Alex was blessed to have a loving and supportive immediate and extended family that never allowed him to stagnate in a room or wheelchair. We constantly talked,read to him, took him in the car daily, took him to church etc...basically re-oriented him to his surroundings. In early July of '06 his sister Jessica taught him to say " I love you". At the end of that month, while I was driving to my brothers house he out of nowhere blurted out " my Jerry is a fireman" ( talking about my brother who is fireman) I almost ran off the road! He was talking! And hasn't stopped since lol ! He started school in mid August and was walking by October, 10 months post accident. Today Alex is doing wonderfully. He is 90% of who he once was and is 100% the love of my life. God is Great! The doctors were wrong and amazed at his progress. I received unending support from my family and community and for that I am forever grateful.

Gratitude. A simple word with tremendous meaning. Today my life is all about gratitude. So many people allow their kids on ATV's without training or helmets in our area. It is an accepted practice. Unfortunatly we learned the hard way just how dangerous this is. It has to stop.

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