Happy Holidays

So with the week winding down and holidays beginning, I will be heading home to Mom's house until Christmas eve. Then out to Regina Beach with the old man. No plans for New Years yet, but I do hope to get out snowmobiling. I hope everyone has a safe and a wonderful holiday season! I look forward to seeing all who have a chance to get by the house, or if not give me a shout on my phone. Bye for now. Also, please check out the interview on CBC TV that Jen and I did last night. It is at http://www.cbc.ca/sask/ (then click on news at six. It's at about the 15 minute mark).

CBC Radio Morning Edition

Hey everyone! Joel and Jen were on the Morning Edition this morning. If you missed it, you can still check it out at http://www.cbc.ca/morningedition/topstory.html. It was a great interview! There are some more events in the works in terms of a fundraiser, so please keep checking for more details. Also, there is a great place that Jen is thinking about going to after rehabl called Project Walk, and now Joel is looking into it. If you want to read more details check out the website at http://www.projectwalk.org/.

Cheers

Weekend!!!

It was a good weekend with lots of relaxing, Christmas Shopping and an Ugly Sweater Party! This week is going to be intense again, trying to fit in all the physio before Christmas! Please feel free to swing by Wascana or go for a holiday drink. Also, Joel appreciates all the phone calls/notes/ visits very much and wants everyone to know that! He is continuing to make progress with all-over strength and is working hard to improve every day. Keep checking back as the blog will be updated over the holidays!

Cheers!

Jenny-G Support

Hey everyone,

Just a quick post and info about Jen's fundraiser that is going to be going on at Moxie's in Regina. Please have a look! (For those that don't know, Jen is also at Wascana with Joel, and was injured a week before him.) This pic is a few moths old and it is important to note the two of them have come a long way since then!

On July 14, 2007 Jennifer Gabrysh's life changed forever. The then 25 year old student, yoga instructor, and server at Regina's Moxie’s Classic Grill broke her neck in a swimming accident at Regina Beach. Jen, now a quadriplegic, is an inspiration to all those who hear her story.

Moxie’s staff and management are holding a restaurant-related fundraiser to support Jen’s “Wing’s of Hope” Foundation. Between January 10 – February 10, 2008 a portion of all proceeds collected from Moxie’s menu items the Wor Won Ton Noodle Bowl, Bites of Brownie, and Pints of Molson Canadian will directly contribute to Jen’s foundation and goal of further rehabilitation.

Our fundraising goal is raise $8000-$10,000 to financially assist Jennifer in attending Project Walk, an intensive rehabilitation institute in San Diego, California.

Jessica Fink is heading up this promotion that will conclude with a silent auction and party in Moxie’s lounge. To sponsor this fundraiser or for more information please contact Jessica at finkjessica@hotmail.com.

Update

Sorry for the delay in posts. Joel is doing great and is counting down the days until he can see his family at Christmas! Other than that he has been continuing to work hard at physio and is getting lots of rest. The cold weather doesn't help much when trying to get out, but Joel has been continuing to spend some QT with friends and family and of course with Jen! Thanks again for the continued positive thoughts and energy! And again, Joel will be doing his own post soon.

Leader Post Article Dec 3, 2007

Bancescue able to take his first steps
Pamela Cowan Leader-Post
Monday, December 03, 2007

CREDIT: Roy Antal
Leader-Post / Joel Bancescue (centre) stands up as Wascana Rehabilitation Centre attendant Pat Jones (left) and physical therapist Sheila Dickie help him take a few steps during his therapy.
Joel Bancescue always believed he'd walk again.

His faith was rewarded on Thanksgiving Day.

"I was at the park with my mom and my right leg kind of kicked and moved on its own and that was the kick start to my recovery," Bancescue said. "Thanksgiving truly was what it is."

The Regina man broke his neck at Regina Beach when he went for an early morning swim at a private beach on July 22. He couldn't move his body or feel any sensation when he was rushed to the Regina General Hospital. Later he learned that he had a fractured C4 and C5 vertebra and contused spine. After five days in ICU he had surgery that placed four screws with rods attached to them on either side of his neck.

He moved to the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre on Aug. 8 and as a result of intensive therapy and intestinal fortitude, the 26-year-old took a big step in his recovery with some small steps on Nov. 7.

"Now they have me using a walker with a couple of people making sure that my legs stay straight and move properly and there's a couple of people around for safety," Bancescue said.

While his left leg doesn't function as well as his right, he's proud of his progress, especially when willing his body to function is mentally and physically draining.

"I never realized how much brain power you need to move," he said.

"When I was first in the hospital after my injury, I really didn't have any arm movement, so to reach up to my face was really a mental process. I had to think about what muscles I needed to lift and what arm movement needed to occur to do that. Now, after a lot of repetition, it's become ingrained again."

Usually upbeat, the Regina man has had down days since the accident. He credits his strong support network of family, friends and staff for lifting his spirits. His girlfriend Jacqui Swedburg said Bancescue's attitude inspires those around him.

"Every single person that he's met has commented on how his positive attitude inspires them," she said.

When Bancescue took his first steps in the physio department, patients and staff wildly clapped and cheered.

"It was really inspiring -- everyone recognized what we'd just accomplished," Bancescue said. "Nobody knows what kind of progress you're going to make or where you're going to get."

He's thankful for several fundraisers that have raised more than $50,000 for him and allowed him to buy an old wheelchair accessible van. The balance is earmarked for specialized equipment and medical costs down the road.

On weekends Bancescue regularly stays at his mom's house and throughout the week he goes out with friends.

"We go out to movies, to concerts and we were out for Grey Cup," he said. "There's a lot of logistics to consider when you go out, but you learn to work around them."

He plans to spend part of the Christmas holidays at Regina Beach.

"The first time I went back after the accident was for my Grandma's 85th birthday," he said. "I haven't been back to where the accident happened, but the beach is a place that I love so I'll always go back."

As long as he continues to make progress, he plans to stay at the rehab centre.

"When I plateau, I guess that means I'll get discharged, but I'm hoping to use as much of the therapy here as I can," Bancescue said. "I've met a whole new community of people -- it's great.

"Obviously I wouldn't have wanted the accident to happen, but it's really strengthened relationships with my family and friends. You see a whole different side of people."

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007