Update April 19, 2010
Hello friends of Jonathan and family. I just wanted to say that as spring is here and we enjoy all of its beauty and splendor, please take a moment to think of the miracle of Jonathan and his continued recovery. Jonathan is doing very well and recently joined our family in our annual Easter egg hunt. Although he’s been suffering from some tendonitis, he kept up pretty well with all the kids and found his good share of the loot. Over spring break, the Colson’s went to Kings Dominion several times and Jonathan rode all of the coasters, including the new Intimidator, without fear. To help with his coordination, his physical therapist recommended that Jonathan take some martial arts classes. He joined a local studio and wasted no time in earning his white belt. Jonathan’s 12th birthday is approaching at the end of May, and what a year this kid has had! I posted a picture of him hunting eggs! Enjoy! Until next time, take care! Beth Girone
Jonathan Update – January 23, 2010
Hello friends! It’s been a long time since my last update and I apologize for that. Tonight was Judy’s birthday and she commented to me that last year she turned the same age that her mother was when she had her. She told me that when she talked to her mother that day she had told her, “Well, I can say one thing, at least I am not having a baby this year!”. Tonight she looked at me after telling me this and said, “You know, looking back over the past year, I think a baby would’ve been a lot easier!” We both chuckled and it felt good to see her smile. This has been one heck of a year for the Colson family. We are a little over 7 months since the accident, and after having Jonathan over all day today, I still can’t believe how far this kid has come. The only thing I had to be cautious of today, was him going too fast down the stairs to the basement while I tried my best to “spot” him on his way down. Over the holidays he told me, “It doesn’t bother me to talk about the accident because I am proud of how far I’ve come. Now I just want to focus on the future and being able to do the things I could before.” It was a great testimony to the work he’s put in and hopefully we will be able to post a video of him going through an obstacle course in a therapy session recently. He’s doing great and Judy and Mark told me tonight he’s going to start going to P.E. classes at school soon; something he’s not been able to do since this happened. Jonathan’s MRI results were also good news and he was given the “ok” to ride roller coasters which made him excited for Kings Dominion this spring. The doctors feel his brain is “healing” as it should and they were pleased with his progress. He also was able to enjoy himself on the sled Mark pulled behind their four-wheeler during the big snow we had back in December. Thanksgiving was made even more special when Father Riley asked Jonathan to serve at the holiday service. Judy said that when he called to ask Jonathan, he proudly pumped his fist in the air and let out an enthusiastic “YES!”. The family is happy for things to be moving back into a regular routine and adding back things Jonathan hasn’t been able to take part of makes this road to recovery one marked with happy milestones. Jonathan continues to do well in school and is keeping pace with his classmates both in the books and in the halls. His teacher recently told Judy that he’s getting harder to keep up with during class changes as he dashes in and out of kids down the halls on his way to his next class. Judy and Mark shared tonight again how thankful they are to live and work in a community that has helped them on so many levels during this difficult time. I am happy to have a small role in something so amazing and am thankful things continue to move forward in a positive light for Jonathan. Thanks again for all your support and continued thoughts and prayers for this miracle kid. Take care until next time. Beth
Thanksgiving Update 11/23/09
As the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaches, I wanted to take a few minutes to share an update on Jonathan. I talked to Judy and we both agree that we have so much to be thankful for this year. Jonathan is doing amazingly well. He’s handling a full day of school with pure determination and has the grades (A’s and B’s) to prove it! Judy says that the only change is that he requires more study time, but she’s happy to
help him with that. He continues speech therapy 2 times a week at school as well as physical therapy 2 times a week. When the schedule permits, he goes to American Family Fitness for some swim time, or walks on the treadmill or rides an exercise bike at home. Judy said that they are looking forward to a follow-up MRI on December 7th followed by an appointment with the neurosurgeon on December 11th.
Hopefully these two visits will bring good news and a clearer picture of what they can expect in the near future as he continues to get stronger and increase his range of motion. I feel in my heart that we will see this boy back on the baseball field someday soon! The family is planning on having a quiet Thanksgiving at home. The science teacher has asked them to babysit the class frog over the holiday, so they will have some company!
On behalf of the Colson family, there are many things to be thankful for this holiday, but having Jonathan here with us and having friends like you who care are definitely on the top of their list. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving everyone!
Best wishes,
Beth Girone
Jonathan Colson Update
Hello Friends of Jonathan!
I know it’s been almost a month since I last updated you on how Jonathan is doing and I apologize for that. He did begin going to school for all but the last period of the day (which is usually when they have P.E. or another “elective” class). I think this is his fourth week (although he missed a week due to the flu bug going around) since his return to the classroom. He’s been doing great! Judy had to make arrangements with her job to work nights so that she can go to school and escort him each day. This is a safety precaution so that he can get to and from classrooms, lunch, etc. in the crowded halls without getting bumped and possibly fall down. Mark returned to work for the first time since the accident on the same day Jonathan started going to school. I am sure this was quite an adjustment for the whole family. Other than the flu virus hitting the family hard and the kids all missing a week of school (or more), they seem to be settling into this somewhat “normal” routine.
Since my last update, the Colson’s church, St. Matthew Catholic Church, held a benefit which raised over $10,000!! It is so amazing what our community is capable of! This past Sunday there was a cut-a-thon sponsored by the MADISON Salon and Color studio in Jonathan’s honor.
There are no upcoming dates for events to post, but if you have anything you’d like to share, please email me at Elizabeth.Girone@dss.virginia.gov A big thanks to Ben Nagle for updating the photos of Jonathan. If you have pictures from events you’ve attended, please email them to bennagle@gmail.com so we can share them with everyone! Thanks so much for your support as we help Jonathan
continue his road to recovery! Beth
The Jonathan Colson Fund hits $20,000!
Hello everyone! I am so excited to announce that as of this afternoon, the Jonathan Colson Fund now has a balance of $20, 500! We are getting closer to our goal of $30,000 every day and it is because of you that this help is possible for the Colson’s. So many of you have taken time to make a donation, support an event and just offer your time to help this fund grow to this amount so far. I personally want to say thank you and hope you know how much the Colson’s appreciate it. I am so proud to live in a community that has come together for this great cause and to help Jonathan as he continues on his road to recovery. He is still being educated on a home bound basis, but it is hoped that he will be going to school for half days very soon. He is getting stronger with his walking and talking everyday. It is a joy to see his progress and still a miracle to me to see how far he’s come.
Tomorrow, October 3rd there is a children’s event at St. Matthew Church in Spotsylvania. There will be lots of fun games and events for the kids from noon – 3 p.m. Tickets are still available at the church, so no need to fret. It’s going to be a great day, so come out and play with us! For more information, please email Beth Yorio at Eyorio@aol.com
Thank you so much,
Beth Girone
Jonathan Colson’s Homecoming Celebration is Just Days Away!
Forwarded on behalf of Beth Girone:
I just wanted to once again invite everyone to join us this Sunday,
Sept. 20th at Salem Fields Community Church, 11120 Gordon Road,
Fredericksburg, VA 22407 from 4-7 p.m. Come out and celebrate with
the Colson’s as they give thanks to the community and celebrate
Jonathan’s recovery! Food, music and fun! Free (but donations for
the Jonathan Colson Fund are welcome!)
We now have maroon “help jonathan” wristbands and will be selling them
at the event for $1! Hope to see you there!!!
So far, we have raised just over $15,000 dollars for the Colson
Family! Our goal is $30,000 to cover the estimated cost of 3 years of
out patient therapy that Jonathan will continue to need. Thanks for
your continued support. Please visit www.helpjonathan.com for a
complete listing of events and to view photos and more. Thanks! Beth
Girone
Lake Anna Motorcycle Club Poker Run to benefit Jonathan Colson!
The Lake Anna Motorcycle Club is sponsoring a Poker Run on Sunday, September 20, 2009, to benefit Jonathan and the Colson Family! The run will begin at Hubba’s Place (Rt. 208), with breakfast at 8am, ride to begin at 9:30am, and will end at BT’s Restaurant (Rt. 1) in Massaponax for lunch. Several card stops will take place in between. Cost is $10 per hand or $10 donation at the door. Drawings and awards will be given out. You can contact Jon at 540.895.9654 for more information. Thanks to the Lake Anna riders and anyone who wants to participate!
Anyone who plans to participate, please remember that this is the same day of the homecoming celebration, so please join us at Salem Fields Community Church from 4-7pm. (I hope maybe the motorcycle ministry at SFCC would be able to find some participants as well for the ride!)
Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast – September 26th!
September 26th – Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast
7:00am-10:00am – Central Park Applebee’s
Enjoy a short stack of flapjacks for a great cause – Jonathan Colson!
Tickets are $5.00 per plate. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, coffee,
tea, milk, soda, or juice, and will be served by “Friends of
Jonathan”. Come out, have a great breakfast, and support the Colson
Family! Visit helpjonathan.com and click on ‘events’ to download a
flyer. You can also contact Steve Hardegree for more information at
703.946.2474.
Colson Family Community Thanks and Homecoming Celebration!
Please join us for a Colson Family Community Thanks and Homecoming Celebration on Sunday, September 20th from 4-7 p.m. (just after the Steelers/Redskins game, so fans of either, no need to worry) at Salem Fields Community Church, located at 11120 Gordon Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22407, phone (540) 786-6212 . This gathering is open to any and all whose life was touched by this miracle. Food will be provided. Donations are welcome of course and will go to the Jonathan Colson Fund! For more information, please visit helpjonathan.com Please pass this invite on to anyone you know who wouldn’t want to miss this wonderful event. Thanks for your continued support! You can also contact Linda Reynolds (lrecho@comcast.net) for more information or to help with the event.