For over 5 years Jordan has worked with an amazing doctor that assisted her with her back injuries relating to figure skating. Dr. Lacey Picard specialized in DNFT (Directional Non Force Technique). She and Jordan quickly developed a friendship through our countless visits over the 5 years. Jordan shared her victories and fears with Lacey. Lacey was always compassionate and interested in Jordan's goals.
On Labor Day of 2011, Lacey was riding her horse in Park City when a distracted 16 year old hit her and her horse, Tahoe. Tahoe died on the scene and Lacey flew over 40 feet and broke her arm, femur, portions of her back along with head trauma. She was in a coma for weeks and our beautiful, vibrant Lacey was on a new path of survival. I wanted to take Jordan to visit but feared how Jordan would accept Lacey's new condition. Months have passed and parts of Lacey were healing but time would tell concerning her brain injuries.
She has since moved to a rehabilitation home. Progress is slow and she is often back at the University for numerous surgeries. The past weekend, Jordan and I were at the University filling a prescription. We knew Lacey was recovering from another surgery and was in the hospital. It was the right time for Jordan to visit Lacey and I figured she would be heavily medicated but I was wrong.
Jordan and I experienced a valuable lesson on how the spirit is stronger than the body...
Lacey hasn't spoken since Labor Day, she eats through a feeding tube, she can't move her left side, her legs have contracted and numerous other set backs. Surgeries are endless and everyone waits for her to reconnect to reality. Progress includes her connection to music with a music therapist and has been fitted for a special wheelchair. Some of seen her smile and laugh but most of her time is spent resting and physical therapy. We walked in her room and she was alert. Jordan introduced herself and shared how they knew each other. Soon Jordan and Lacey interacted and started to play a little game. Lacey had a rag in her right hand, Jordan would ask Lacey to wipe her nose and she would slowly reach for her nose. This continued with eyes, ears, lips, eyebrow, cheeks etc. And then we noticed Lacey reached for Jordan's arm and rubbed it repeatedly with the rag. She reconnected with her role in Jordan's life...she nurtured. I don't know if she realized it was "Jordan King - her patient" but she recognized she took care of others and she reached out to take care of Jordan. Jordan had her beautiful long hair down and it gently brushed against Lacey's face. Lacey grabbed her hair and touched it over and over. She then reached for her hair as if she remembered she had similar long beautiful hair. Others in the room shared with us that Lacey has never done that before. Jordan will be visiting more often. It was a beautiful day for us to recognize the human spirit is stronger then the body.
The 16 year old driver...she is facing her own challenges and heartache that has caused grieve so many of us can not comprehend. All this because she was trying to change music on her IPOD.
