Welcome friends and family of Alex and Dane!




This Blog has been created by friends and family of Alex and Dane as they make their way down the road to recovery, after being struck by lightning 10/5/2010. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as this road will likely be a long one. Feel free to check back often for status updates on both Alex and Dane, and be sure and leave your well-wishes when you visit. The boys will be shown this blog when they are awake.

We sincerely Thank You for your concern and friendship. Alex and Dane will always remember the support of friends and family like you.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Monday 2-28-11

Lights! Cameras! Action!
The day after the Strike a Producer from Good Morning America flew to Vegas and visited us at UMC.  He expressed his concern and hope for the boys full recovery.  Over the past 4 months we have developed a relationship with him and today he, Alex and Dane will meet for the first time.  I'm excited for them all to meet.  GMA's crew will follow the boys around for the day gathering some b-roll to then air when the boys appear on GMA and The Early Show.  They have each worked so hard and overcome so much.  It will be nice to capture some of their progress on film.   Kaleen aka Alex's mom

Monday, February 21, 2011

Monday 2-21-11

Alex has been working hard on school work the past two weeks.  He still isn't back to school but is doing Packets to finish his last few credits.  Last week I went to a planning meeting for Grad Night at the High School, its just around the corner (May 24th).  As I sat there listening to all the fabulous creative ideas the Chairs of Grad Night had come up with, I thought, even though I'm so tired and would love to be sleeping right now after a long day at work.  I'm so happy to have Alex alive and able to plan for this big night.
Alex doesn't have to go to as many doctors appointments anymore, which is nice, but now he doesn't have as much to keep him busy and entertained, today made for a long day.  He misses his lunch dates and visits with his Grandparents.
Alex has always been close to my parents, even though they live in Phoenix.  Since the strike, they have spent over nine weeks helping him/us, my dad was know at UMC and Dixie Hospital as "Grandpa".   Two weeks ago they had to go home for my mom to have some medical tests.  The test came back bad..... My moms cancer that started in her breasts eleven years ago, spread to her bones two years ago, and has now spread again.  It will be awhile before they are able to come back and help out and hang out with Alex.  Kaleen aka Alex's mom

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Friday 2-11-11

November 19, 2010
February 11, 2011


Big Day - We returned Alex's wheelchair.  Wahooo!  Alex has come so far, he went from not being able to sit in a wheelchair without being strapped in to walking with a harness to now returning his wheelchair.  He doesn't need it anymore.  One small step for Alex One giant leap for his recovery.  Adios Wheelchair!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Awesome sight

As of the weekend - Alex is back on the computer.  Thanks to Dragon and more mobility in his hands he's able to get around in cyber space pretty well.  I'm hoping that the next post comes from Alex himself.
Funny side note - Alex has never been fond of Blogging so when he regained consciousness I had to not only break the news to him that he had been struck by lightning but he had also become the topic of a Blog.  lol
 
All the students at ALL the High Schools have been so thoughtful, thank you. Alex got cards from HS's all over UT.  I met someone last week who was at a Hurricane HS football game, the weekend after the strike, during half time the HS had a Miracle Minute for Alex and Dane - to hear his story about the generosity, love and support during that game, even from the team from Morgan UT (which is way up north) just is shocking, it gave me goose bumps to hear about it.  All rivalry was gone, pure support was present.  Thanks to all those that donated.

Since Alex can't open drawers, his Therapists in Acute Rehab suggested we get some shelves to store Alex's clothes in.  We needed something so specific, that I wasn't able to find it at a store.  I needed them to be very sturdy, so if Alex needed to lean on it he could; wide enough so they wouldn't fall over on him, if he did lean on it; lots of cubbys to keep his clothes in; wide enough and tall enough that Alex can actually use them on his own, strengthening his independence.  We contacted the Wood shop class at SCHS and look what was made for Alex.
Thanks RUSTY SULLIVAN & Mr. Vick for the amazing shelves
It turned out Beautiful - THANK YOU!!   Kaleen aka Alex's mom

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

17 Weeks Since Strike

A lot has changed in the past 17 weeks. Both boys have made such huge strides and are continuing to make progress.  Now that Alex is out and about in the town he has been able to talk to and hear stories from people that witnessed the Strike October 5th.  To hear their story reminds us everyday that them being alive is truly a miracle.  Prayers were being answered then and are continuing to be answered now.
Alex's schedule has slowed down a bit but he is still very busy with appointments this week he has 10.  He's still not back to school but still on target to graduate in May with his Senior class.  Hopefully if he can continue to get his balance and get some movement in his hands, he can go back to school the last semester - he needs to be able to have some Senior Fun!

Alex on Wednesday, Oct.6

Alex on Wednesday, Oct.6

Dane Thursday Oct 7th

Dane Thursday Oct 7th
Before Life Support was removed

Alex's Room

Alex's Room
Thanks for all the love