3 yeas ago.....

I hadn't planned on posting today. But as the clock ticked 3:03 I couldn't help but think of what we (our family) was doing 3 years ago on 10/5/10.

Today we are listening/watching to LDS General Conference from the comforts of our home, Elder Jeffery R Holland was speaking just after 3:03.  His talk couldn't have come at a better time.  If you missed his talk, listen to it.  www.lds.org

When Elder Holland showed the photos of the Stephanie Nielson, after her 2008 plane crash, I thought once again how blessed we are.  How blessed that Alex only spent 2 months in the hospital, that his scars are covered by his shirt, that his face and legs healed without having to have skin grafts.

Its easy to forget the blessings, to get caught up in the daily disabilities.  All 3 of my boys have grown and excelled beyond belief the past 3 years.  They are my inspiration.

Thanks to all those that have helped us over the past 3 years.  It hasn't gone unnoticed or unappreciated.


Alex, Kiel & Parker - 1st Day of School - August 2013

Video on How to Survive Lightning

3 years ago the Boys weren't wearing a Faraday suit but they did have great Administrators to preform CPR on them.

Heres a good video to watch - the last part is a little amusing when they say "the real best thing to do is to avoid lightning all together"......ya think!?!  lol



http://videos.komando.com/watch/4037/viral-videos-how-to-survive-a-lightning-strike?utm_source=k2-videos&utm_content=videos-pager

Alex is still continuing to improve.  He hasn't gotten much use of his hands/fingers back, but he's learned to adapt.  He turned TWENTY this weekend.  Some of our friends took him skydiving last month to celebrate his determination, growth and hard work over the past 2 1/2 years.  We are all proud of you Alex!

Check out his Skydiving Video!!!
Click on this link:   Skydive Zion

CPR

If you haven't had a chance to get your CPR Certification.  Please do so, you never know who you might need to save.

Eve of 2 yr Anniversary

As I dropped my 16 yr old off at SCHS this morning, I glanced at "The Tree" and thought "two years ago today our life was normal".  But what is Normal?  2 years ago today we were doing our thing as a family, today we are closer to each other and have more appreciation and compassion for others.  Its been a long, hard 2 years but we are still Beating the Odds and getting better everyday.  We are all changed forever, its up to us to make that change become a  Good or Bad thing.

Thanks to the St. George News for writing a follow up story on the Boys.  View it at


http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2012/09/26/snow-canyon-lightning-strike-victims-two-years-later/

Summer Update

We started the summer off right with a visit from our friend Professor Blankenbecler and his wife.  We met "The Professor" the week after Alex and Dane were struck by lightning.  He contacted us at UMC, and we became fast friends because of our many similarities, all 3 of them had been struck by lightning, and survived, they all love physic and hiking.

Alex started a new therapy for his hands.  Its called EMG-Neuromuscular Training Program (NTP).  It was designed to help patients with spinal cord injuries and most types of paralysis learn to use their muscles again.   We have seen a little improvement which is encouraging.

Dane is still working at Lins while he gets ready to leave the nest and move to Cedar City for his first year of college.

Alex finished his first year at Dixie State College and did great (all A's & one B+).  He will go back to DSC in August.

This summer Alex and Dane have had a few  "All nighters" playing a game called  DayZ.  They seem to enjoy it, it must be fun to keep them entertained all night long.

We continue to run into people around town that supported the boys, through prayer and donations.  We are always so happy to meet them and are so grateful for all they did for us.  Alex and Dane are walking miracles.

Kaleen aka Alex's mom

Another Milestone for Dane!  Dane will graduate from Snow Canyon High School today.   He will continue to work this summer then go to SUU this fall.   Congratulation Dane!

Miracle Men!

The title idea was giving to me by Rhonda Tommer who has done way more than just give me a good ideas.  She has been there for us through thick and thin - Thanks for being a great friend and neighbor!

Listening to Alex and Dane give their interviews makes me proud to know them.  No they aren't perfect but Yes they are miracles.  They both struggle with all of this, they didn't want to be struck by lighting and they didn't want the attention, but in a flash that all changed.

Thanks for the continued support!


http://connect2utah.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_604.shtml

KUTV 2 News - Update on Alex and Dane Tonight at 10:00pm

KUTV 2 News is airing an update on the boys tonight at 10:00.  We are grateful for the continued support on their Road to Recovery.

The things I think of at 4:18am

Dane and Alex were hanging out last night in Alex's Man Cave - I heard them around 2am, again around 3:30, the talking got so loud  that at 4:18am I hauled my tired self out of bed to remind them that others were trying to sleep.  I have to admit though that as I walked back to my room I smiled.  I smiled and then thought about the 2 of them and the things that have happened over the past 14 months.
Over the holidays, while visiting with family, we reflected back to last year and what was happening with Alex; Thanksgiving he was still in the hospital, we got to "check him out" for 3 hours, he was in a wheel chair and had to use a cuff to eat;   Today I can report that he completed his first semester at Dixie State College, he walks, runs and drives.  He's almost 100% self reliant.  His hands/fingers still aren't to full use but he has figured out a way to do almost everything.  He's making new friends and enjoy life.  Its good to see the old Alex returning.  Its still tough as a mom to watch him struggle with things, every morning when I hand him his pills (yes he still has to take a lot of pills for pain, seizures etc..) it breaks my heart to see his hands and scar from his skin graft.  Yet it makes me so proud to know that I can go off to work and that he will get himself ready and off to school on his own.  He's a fighter and I'm so glad!
Even though I'm tired today, I wouldn't trade it.  I'm so grateful to have Alex and Dane still with us, glad they are still friends and enjoy talking about physics (yes it was a horribly intellectual conversation they were having) at 4am.
Kaleen aka Alex's mom

CPR Certification

If you have someone on your Christmas list that seems to have "everything" ask them if they are CPR Certified.  If Not, then contact your local American Heart Association and sign them up for a CPR class.  It costs less than $50 and who knows they could end up saving your life.

December 5th - 14 months later

I have a reminder set in my phone every 5th of the month at 3:03pm - it says Day of Strike.  I have it there to remind me how blessed I am that my son and Dane lived through their horrible accident on October 5, 2010 at Snow Canyon High School.

Yesterday I was at Lins Grocery store (where Dane works), my phone buzzed, I looked at it and saw my reminder; 3:03pm Day of Strike, then looked up and saw Dane walking towards me.  Still so amazed at both boys and how well they have recovered.  As I pulled out of Lins onto Sunset Blvd just past the Mountain America Credit Union all 5 lanes were blocked off with police cars, a fire truck and ambulance.  School had just let out I thought "I hope a Snow Canyon Student didnt get hit by a car".  Well, I found out today that a 17 yr old Boy was riding his bike home from school and he wrecked and hit his head on a Lava rock.  They Life Flighted him to UMC in Vegas where he later died.  My heart goes out to the family of this boy.  

Story from The Give Back Event

Fun Night

http://www.southernutahnow.com/articles/2011/10/06/snow-canyon-lightening-strike-anniversary/

October 5, 2011 - Alex and Dane Give Back

Despite the rain - the Boys event turned out great.  We moved it from the park to Snow Canyon High School (back to the scene of the crime).  Thanks to all those that came especially our family members and friends that came from out of town.  Family and Friends are Forever!

We raised $350 from the Great Harvest picnic dinners and $255.34 from Drinks, Tips for the Face Painting, Donations and T-Shirt Sales.  The Alex and Dane Give Back will donate $605.34 to CPR Training.  This is the first step in getting our Community Prepared to Respond.

Alex, Lara & Dane 3 Lightning Survivors

Thanks to our Sponsors: Lins Grocery Store, Planet 94.1 and Canyon Media, Great Harvest Bread Co, Findlay Hyundai, Costco, Walmart, Don & Sharon Linneer and all those that donated their time.  Thanks Santa Clara 8th Ward YW for the Face Painting - Once again our community came together on October 5th- Kaleen aka Alex's mom

One of many great articles

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52661395-78/alex-dane-strike-college.html.csp

October 5th at Vernon Worthen Park

My amazingly talented friend designed this flyer for the event - Thanks Laurie

Radio Morning Show on KZNU 1450AM 96.7FM - St. George Utah

September 22, 2011 - Alex and Dane talk about the Alex and Dane Give Back Event

http://www.youtube.com/user/Underoathalex12#p/u/0/8pBasmQLwYc

Alex and Dane on Fox News 1450 AM & 96.7 FM Wednesday 9/21/11

Alex and Dane will be promoting their Alex and Dane Give Back event tomorrow morning on our local radio station.  You can tune in live at
http://www.foxnews1450.com/default.asp

Not sure what time they will be on but they will be arriving in studio at 8:30am MST

Thanks Canyon Media for supporting them and so many other charities in southern Utah!

Save the Date! October 5, 2011 5-7pm

Lets Celebrate the Year Anniversary! Alex and Dane Give Back

Alex and Dane will be giving back to the Community that gave so much to them after they were struck by lightning October 5th at Snow Canyon High School in St. George, UT. If it weren't for The First Responders giving CPR, Alex and Dane wouldn't be living the amazing lives they are today. Come celebrate with them and the community at a Picnic in the Park. Vernon Worthen Park in St. George from 5-7pm. Picnic dinners will be provided by Great Harvest for a $5 donation per plate.  All proceeds will go to CPR Training through The American Heart Associate at Dixie ATC. Everyone should be CPR Certified! These funds will help defer the costs of certification for many people.

Music, Food and Fun! Come Celebrate Life!

 

If you drop don't you want the person next to you to know CPR!!


http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=283456651681473