Cody Lehe update

As promised, Cody's Aunt Denise sends along an update following her Easter visit to her nephew and his family. Thanks to those of you who've been praying for him.

I spent the Easter weekend in Indiana visiting with him and my family...the progress is just incredible. He has an average of one hour of in-home speech therapy each day. He is counting, saying the days of the week, has been able to follow verbal and written commands and can answer questions after listening to short stories read to him. He still has the tracheotomy so his voice is just a whisper, but it is so encouraging to know that he has some long term memory. He also has physical therapy a few hours per week. His feisty personality and competitive nature is back and he challenges anyone who is up for it to a 'thumb wrestle'. He gave his dad a hard time when he tried to cheat to beat him and so far, he is the champ!!!

Our family stood at his bedside on Easter and annointed him with Holy Water and oils from Lourdes. We asked if we could pray with him...he nodded 'yes' and then said the Our Father and Hail Mary right along with us. It was quite a moment!!!! I don't believe there was a dry eye in the room.

Cody has a long way to go. He is still not able to use his legs and has very limited arm movement (except for his thumb wrestling hand!!). When he gains the ability to respond to 'two step commands' (e.g., 'pick up your hand and touch your nose') and a couple of other criteria, then they will return him to a Rehab Facility where he will receive 6 - 7 hours of therapy a day. They are very anxious for this, as he should show much quicker response with the constant therapy.

The family is very encouraged by this progress and is hopeful that this is just the beginning of his full recovery. They credit all of the prayers, masses and novenas of many, many people who have remainded faithful to their pleas for prayer. Their home is such a place of peace, love and amazing faith. They have all embraced this time in their lives and are counting their blessings and praising God for every moment they have with Cody and for every small hurdle that he crosses. Please continue to keep them all in prayer and I hope to report more good news in the near future.

God Bless you all!!!

Amen.