Friends help Jordan Griffin and Family following Spinal Injury

Pictured here: Sam, Justin, Jake, Teddy, Ray Bottom: Anthony, Jordan and Mike...the guys hangin out!

Since his accident snow-boarding at the Orcas Island golf course in December, 16-year-old Jordan Griffin has already overcome many obstacles on the road to rehabilitation. Jordan has moved from Harborview Hospital to Children’s Hospital where he’s now breathing on his own and is free of tubes and catheters.

This week, he was scheduled for both a wheelchair “fitting” and surgery on his wrist, which was broken at the time of the accident, but went undetected until his mom, Rachel Meenach, urged x-rays.

Rachel and Jordan have been keeping family, friends, and the public posted to their progress (and setbacks) as she writes on the Caring Bridge site. To read the blog, or sign the guestbook, go to www.caringbridge.org, and in the “visitor” window type in Jordan Griffin.

This week, Rachel wrote:

[Jordan’s] friends…waves of them….come down and hang out. They really stole the show! But Jordan needed that boy (and girl) time, so I was happy for him. They went and bought him a remote control car that he has been driving all over the place…we justify him having it as an Occupational Therapy tool….works on his hand and finger coordination! =)….right?

Jordan has a wheelchair “fitting” tomorrow. (Jan. 27) His choice is to have a bright orange titanium frame with black seat and back rest…should look pretty cool!

Also, he has his wrist surgery on Tuesday, which will set our discharge date from Childrens [Hospital] back to March 4th or so….but he understands and is a trooper!

I feel so blessed to be able to bring my son home to such a wonderful place….so many people have touched our lives, some who are close friends, and others who we have never met!

And… I would love to see our journey as a family bring goodness elsewhere….there has to be something good come from this situation!
Right now, I don’t know where our path will go…but I hope it will always be positive….always forward!

Then today, following the surgery, Rachel wrote:

Jordan’s surgery went perfect! Textbook as always! He left his room around 10:30 a.m. and he was back in his room by 4! He was is a great mood too…all those pain meds! haha

The tough part is the recovery…he is on morphine to help with the pain and another med for his spasms…I think they are worse than the actual pain….everytime he moves any part of his body, the spasms go all through his body and into his arm…really horrible for him…very uncontrollable! =(

Anyways, its going to be a long night…Josh is here to help me…we are going to do shifts…
Update more in the morning =)….God Bless!
Rachel, Jordan and Josh =)

Jordan and Rachel’s family can be assisted by contributions at Islanders Bank, 475 Fern Street Eastsound, WA 98245.

Drop off locations are at:
Crescent Service
Country Corner
Island Market