Unbreakable Spirit

We originally created this blog when Noah was in a car that was struck by a drunk driver who ran a stop sign in the summer of 2009. The car rolled, and Noah was ejected from his wheelchair, breaking many bones, including multiple skull fractures. He also suffered from hematomas (bleeding on the brain), which is most life threatening. Little did we know that we would have need resurrect this blog just a short time later. On Thursday, October 18th 2012, Noah was leaving his home to attend his college courses. As he went down the ramp his seat belt, his most crucial safety device, gave out on him. Noah was born with a condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (http://www.oif.org/site/PageServer), which causes his bones to be very frail and brittle. He only fell a couple of feet, but has sustained many broken bones. Both legs are broken, he has fractures in his neck, cheek and other facial bones are shattered, and he now has a titanium plate in the front of his skull where the surgeon said the bone was "obliterated" and could not be reassembled. Noah had a tough time getting through the brain surgery (to repair hematoma and skull damage) on the night of the accident, because his body resisted the drugs used to clot blood. A specialist managed to find something that worked well enough that they could close him up. At this point each moment is crucial, and we are left waiting and hoping. Noah is still in the trauma ICU as a precaution, because though stable he is in very critical condition, and the trauma center is better equipped to revive him if needed. Today (10/21) Noah was evaluated by the neurosurgeons, which say he passed "with flying colors." Noah opened his eyes a bit (which is hard with the swelling), nodded and shook his head a little, gave a thumbs up, and was able to demonstrate movements with hands and feet in response to specific questions. All of this is such a huge relief because the Doctors have been very concerned about the high risk of brain damage. Noah is very heavily medicated and has been on a respirator to help him breath, so communication is limited and we still do not know the extent of any damage. We are just grateful and happy that he is in there and aware of what's going on around him to some degree. His parents ask him if he needs extra blankets and he is able to answer by wiggling toes or fingers, and he has rubbed his mother's hand in affection. For now, we ask that Noah is given time to heal. The coming days are touch-and-go, and the trauma center has very restrictive visitor policies. Noah's family is with him as much as possible, and just ask that other visitors contact us first. Perhaps it may be beneficial to Noah if you wait until he is stable enough to be placed in a normal hospital room where the environment and visitor policy are more relaxed. Also, in light of Noah's progress today his Doctors are planning to lighten his sedation and get him to be less dependent on the respirator. At this point he needs rest and can't communicate with his family and friends the way he would like to. 
Once again, we thank everyone for the immense love and support. It means so much at this most difficult time.