He's come a long way

The video below was taken October 14, 2010 and aired at Tuachan during the Alex and Dane Benefit Concert.  Since Alex wasn't able to be at Tuachan, UMC filmed this video of him to play in between some of the amazing acts. The money that was raised that night has helped pay for Alex's many medical bills.  Going through his bills is a full time job, my mom had been helping me with that but now that shes back home in Phoenix fighting her own health battle (bone cancer) I've taken that job on. I took this picture last month of Alex bills.

This video makes me sad yet so proud every time I watch it.  I'm sad to see the burns on Alex, the feeding tube and lack of life in him when this was filmed.  I'm proud to see how far hes come since then.  He could have given up, he could still be in a wheel chair, but he's not.  To watch this video from October, then watch the TV interviews just 5 months later..... I'm a proud mom! Alex is a tough boy! He's come a long way!

Good Morning America & The Early Show Links

For those of you that missed the interviews - below are links to both shows.
Thanks ABC & CBS for the amazing experience


GMA VIDEOS:

Teens Survive Lightning Strike

Two boys survive lightning strikes outside school that stopped their hearts.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/teens-survive-lightning-strike-13147072

GMA STORY:

Teens Survive Lightning Strike, Lived to Tell

17-Year-Old Utah Teen Recalls Waking Up After Accident: 'I Kinda Thought I Was in Hell'

http://abcnews.go.com/US/teens-survive-lightning-strike-recount-waking-hospital-recovery/story?id=13144714

Teens describe lightning strike recovery 

Early Show STORY:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7359825n&tag=related;photovideo

Great Story by KLAS in Vegas

Thanks for the Story KLAS!!!!  I agree with you, the Doctors and Nurses at UMC made correct decisions and saved the boys lives.

I remember being in the ER and Dr.  Sterett saying "I need to know now if CPR was started with in 1-2 minutes or 2-3 minutes".  He said that would determine the care that would be given to the boys.  He later told us that since CPR was started with in the 1-2 minute time frame he treated them as though they would live and fully recover.  One more minute and their outcome could have been a lot different.

Thanks again to ALL that stepped up to save Alex and Dane.
Kaleen aka Alex's mom

http://www.8newsnow.com/story/14265932/utah-teens-struck-by-lightning-speak-out

Three Days in the Big Apple

Well, Kaleen was right, we definitely did not have enough time on the morning programs to thank all of the people involved in the boys rescue and recovery, we would need at least an hour long show for that. We also didn't get to see all that we wanted to see or do all that we wanted to do, but we packed quite a lot into our short visit to New York City!
Some of our adventures included a Broadway show (Mary Poppins), Time Square shopping and restaurants, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and a subway ride to China Town, just to name a few.
We had a great time traveling with the Lambson/Talley family too; although things were hectic at times (with 11 of us traveling, hotel and flight issues...), I was so glad we were there together!
Being in New York for the interviews also made me think of Lara Eustermann and the interview she did on the Today show a few years ago. I'll never forget that morning, I was getting ready for work when her miraculous story came on the TV. I was so amazed that she had survived a lightning strike and I remember thinking how brave her mother was and how hard it must have been with Lara's two young children witnessing the strike. I was sobbing! Little did I know that in the not so distant future, we would be facing a similar situation with Dane and Alex.
I've included the link to Lara's interview for anyone that would like to watch it. She has been Alex and Dane's biggest fan and we can't thank her enough for her words of encouragement and her inspiration!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/22078060#22078060

Love to you and your family Lara!

Leslie (Dane's mom)

I thought I should add to the awesome pictures that Kaleen posted yesterday :)

What an Experience!

WOW!!!  What an incredible experience we had the past 4 days while in New York City.
The past 5 months led us to this experience and because of The Strike we have met so many amazing people, people we never would have had the opportunity to meet.  So much good has come from this, I just feel bad that Alex is in so much pain and suffers with disabilities.  Being on ABC & CBS was great, there was so much I had wanted to say and so many people I had wanted to thank on national TV, but with only a few minutes per show, that wasn't possible.  I wanted to Thank my family & friends for all their help, love and never ending support.  Thank all the students and Responders for their heroic efforts, all the Doctors, Nurses & Staff at IHC ER, UMC Trauma & Burn Center, IHC Acute Rehab.  The ambulance drivers, EMT's, Life Flight Pilots & Nurses.  All of Alex's local Doctors and Pharmacist along with their staff.  Dr. Chalmers for allowing Alex to be treated by Calmare at Spero. This treatment has allowed him to receive pain relief from his nerve pain which allows him to progress in his life.  The Teachers and Admin at Washington County School District.  His Coaches, Cross County & Debate teams.  The Companies that have donated products and those that have donated money. ALL of you have made Alex's progress possible and we thought of you all while on our trip to New York.  We had a great time traveling with Danes family,  here are some photos that show our journey there.

ABC sent a vehicle to take us to Vegas airport

Getting ready to board plane

We're in the Big Apple

Having Fun

Our favorite store

Kiel L, Parker L, Alex & Dane

Eating

Site seeing

Receiving Calmare treatment on Staten Island compliments of CTT http://www.calmarett.com/  

Taking a ferry

Pre Show breakfast at 5:30am 

Green Room at CBS

CBS

CBS Producer with Boys

Off to ABC

Kiel enjoying the Green Room

Getting mic'd

Flying back

Shows postponed one day Shows to air Wednesday

Due to the horrific disasters in Japan. We have been bumped from airing tomorrow morning to Wednesday the 16th. We will be on shows Wednesday instead of tomorrow. Same schedule except on Wednesday.

We are loving the city.

March 15th - Live from New York

A few days after the Strike, Producers from all three Morning Shows from each Network flew out to Vegas to meet us, asking to do a story on the boys.  We told them that when the Boys were awake we would ask them what Show/Network  they wanted to be on and let them decide.  When the boys were awake and recovering they made an informed decision and decided to be on Good Morning America and The Early Show.  We are VERY honored to be welcomed by these two shows.  The Segment Producers have been amazing to us!!  They have contacted us almost every week, with true concern for the boys and for us as  families.

Watch Live on ABC and CBS Tuesday March 15th - Good Morning America & The Early Show.  Boys will appear on both shows that morning.  We don't know exactly what time they will be on, sometime between 7-9am, usually the 1st hour is current events and the second hour is human interest stories.  

Thanks for all the support we have received and continue to receive.  It's still a long road ahead of us.  But its a road worth traveling.  Kaleen aka Alex's mom

Good Luck Dane!!

SCHS will travel to Salt Lake City to compete in State Debate this weekend.  Alex will be a judge, he cant compete in State since he's missed this years tournaments.  Dane did great at Region and we all hope he takes it at State!  Good luck to all the Warriors competing!!  Debate Take State!
.

SCHS

Smile

Crew from cbs's The Early Show will be in town for the next 2 days shooting A Day in the life of Alex and Dane.  They want to capture some footage of the boys in action prior to appearing on the show next week.

Weekend

Dave cares for Alex while I'm at work but this Friday and Saturday Dave got a "kitchen pass" and was able to  help his son in law build a brick wall and then Saturday play some sand volleyball with his friends. Which gave me the opportunity to help Alex.  I was shocked at how much more Alex was able to do since I last helped him shower and prepare for the day.
Fast facts... Alex's fingers don't work, think of all the things you do each day with your fingers.  Alex can't do those things. But he is adapting and doing SOOOO much more than he was just 2 weeks ago.  Since he  is still pretty unstable, he sits on a transfer bench to shower.  This weekend, he put the bench in the tub himself and he pulled the curtain (using both hands palms together) around himself, getting it all situated so the water wouldn't end up on the bathroom floor.  Only thing he needed help with was washing his hair.  Its awesome!!! Progress is still happening!!  Its been 5 months since the Strike, the days seem long but the progress is evident and still continuing, I can't wait to see all that he can do 5 months from now. Kaleen aka Alex's mom

A Pictures Worth A Thousand Words

Karena cutting Alex's hair

                                                  

Karena & Alex 

Producer and Crew from GMA film - A Day in the Life of Alex & Dane - 

Boys will fly to NY to appear on The Early Show and Good Morning America in March

Dr. Chalmers at Spero Pain Relief Therapy

Alex at PT

Setting up Kinect

Alex & Amanda with Dane & Jess playing Xbox

At the Strike Zone

Talking to a witness 

Alex and Dane heard for the first time what one student witnessed October 5, 2010.  Stacey says "I heard the loudest noise I've ever heard, it was like a bomb going off, I was blinded by a flash of light.  I looked over and saw Alex and Dane on the ground, smoke coming out of Alex's body".

Once again, thanks to ALL those that saved Alex and Dane.  Thanks to ALL those that continue to help them and us on their road to recovery.  Kaleen aka Alex's mom