[HANASHIR:7218] Re: your healing prayers are needed

[janeen kobrinsky <janeen...>]

your healing prayers are neededhi ellen ... for myself ... and for all of us 
... do you know her hebrew name?
b'shalom
janeen
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ellen Allard 
  To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
  Cc: Philip Einsohn ; Barbara Einsohn ; Judi Ratner ; Judy Ratner 
  Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 10:29 AM
  Subject: [HANASHIR:7216] your healing prayers are needed


  Dear All,

  Peter and I have some very dear friends who live in Dallas, TX. One of the
  couples, Judi and Randi Ratner, have two children, one of whom was involved
  in a very serious, life-threatening accident. Before I continue, let me tell
  you that Judi is a very active and talented songleader and songwriter not 
only in her
  synagogue, Temple Emanu-el (Dallas), but also at the Greene Family Camp, also
  in Texas.

  Judi and Randi's daughter, Jessie (15 years old), was jogging with her track
  team after school when she and a classmate were hit by a car. Jessie's
  classmate needed surgery and was back at school after a few days. Until 
yesterday,
  Jessie, on the other hand, had been unconscious for over a week with a very 
serious
  brain trauma injury. She was moved from intensive care to a regular, private
  room after the first week. Although the doctors cannot predict her recovery, 
  they are hopeful, in that she is young and healthy.

  Our other friends in Dallas told us how wonderfully supportive the Dallas
  Jewish community has been. There was a healing service held and people have
  been sending many wishes for Jessie's rapid recovery.

  I am emailing to ask you to please send your healing wishes to Jessie and
  and also to ask you to pray for her recovery during the healing portion of
  your Shabbat services this weekend (and any other time as well). I know it
  would mean a great deal to Judi and Randi to know that we have included
  their daughter in our prayers.

  I also have included an update with very good news in it, fyi. I know it's a 
lot to read
  and especially to include in this email. But as I continue to wonder about 
the power of prayer,
  I am encouraged and uplifted to think that perhaps our collective prayers can 
really have
  an effect for the best.

  Thank you.

  As always,

  Ellen Allard
  Worcester, MA



  Update October 30, 2000 8:45 PM Dallas Time




  NEWS FLASH: JESSIE HAS A VERY BIG GOOD THING DAY!

  Judi was with Jessie this morning while Jessie's eyes were open. Judi leaned 
  in a little closer to Jessie and asked her if she would like to give mommy a 
  hug? With her eyes open, Jessie, who looked like she was almost trying to sit 
  up, wrapped her arms around Judi and gave her the best hug Judi has had in a 
  long time! There was not a dry eye in the room.

  Because she has finally learned patience, Judi decided to administer her own 
  swallowing test to Jessie. Judi took her finger and dipped it into apple 
  juice. She then touched her finger to Jessie's mouth so Jessie could taste 
  the juice. Jessie sucked on Judi's finger. So Judi then took one of those 
  large plastic syringes that they use to pull liquid through a tube and filled 
  it with about 1/2 inch of apple juice. She offered it to Jessie by placing 
  the end in her mouth. Jessie without prompting and without Judi pushing on 
  the plunger sucked the syringe dry. Judi then asked Jessie that if she wanted 
  more juice to squeeze Judi's hand. Jessie squeezed Judi's hand. Judi then 
  asked Jessie if she wanted Judi to come closer. Jessie opened her hand, palm 
  up and balled up her fingers making the motion to come closer. 

  Randy & Judi spent most of the afternoon getting an education about 
  rehabilitation over at Baylor. The more they learned the tougher the decision 
  looked to be. After meeting with the doctor who they have chosen to take care 
  of Jessie, Randy & Judi decided to move Jessie to the Baylor Institute for 
  Rehabilitation. Judi said it is a very impressive adult rehab facility. If 
  they can find a room for her Jessie might be moved as early as Wednesday.

  In the mean time back at the ranch (Jessie's hospital room) miracles upon 
  miracles were taking place. Jessie struggled to let them know she wanted to 
  sit up. So up went the bed into a more upright position. Jessie no longer has 
  to drink from a syringe (don't you just love the way that word sounds-that 
  Jessie can drink at all is a miracle and an answer to a lot of prayers). She 
  is given a cup to hold with a straw in it to sip on. With help Jessie guides 
  the straw to her mouth and sucks the cup of water or juice empty. Graham 
  crackers are cut into one-inch squares. First they were placing the crackers 
  into her hand and Jessie would raise them up to her mouth. Now if you have a 
  cracker and she is hungry Jessie will take the cracker from you. Then JESSIE 
  PUTS THEM INTO HER OWN MOUTH AND CHEWS THEM UP!!!!! 

  Jessie even tried to get out of bed and stand up. She sits up, waives, blows 
  kisses and gives hugs. After about 10-15 minutes Jessie is worn out and falls 


  asleep for about 30-45 minutes. Jessie no longer has an IV or any other 
  medical input tubing or device. The only thing Jessie gets to contend with is 
  a catheter. Inspirational progress! Judi & Randy take turns lying on the bed 
with Jessie (sometimes it's to keep her in bed, sometimes Judi & Randy are so 
tired they really just want an excuse to lie down).
   



  THIS WAS A BIG - HUGE GOOD THING DAY!

  -- 
  Specializing in Music for Young Children
  Ellen (at) PeterandEllen(dot)com
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