We were happy to attend Celebrate Survivors, the annual event that honors the survivors, but more importantly provides a mechanism to express gratitude to the First Responders, the Life Flight crew, EMS, and the Trauma team at Lakeland Regional Health. When we ended up at the hospital we had no idea where things were headed, and we had so many fears and questions. Its coming up on 8 years since that harrowing day, and what a journey it has been. There are so many lives touched, and its an emotional time, a sharing time and an inspiring time. As I listened to story after story I was overcome with emotion. The team--(from EMS, Life Flight, First Responders, Firemen, Trauma doctors, nurses, patient care advocates, social workers, dieticians, surgeons, hospitalists, diagnosticians......the list goes on and on) coordinated care for Mikey, not to mention countless others throughout the days, nights, months and years. It must be almost as wonderful for them to see the fruit of their labor on such a grand scale as it is for "us" to get a good dose of gratitude and appreciation for what they do EVERYDAY. We will be there each year. Its a pretty cool club to be in that noone wants to join. Peace ! MOMMA

7 years out from the day that changed us all.

Life has fallen into an easy rhythm as I (Momma)reflect back on that night on 11/11/09. Mikey continues to have short term memory issues, and takes medicine to prevent having seizures. We cherish every single moment and I for one am overcome with a sense of gratitude that cannot be put into words. After losing my job of 24 years last summer and then breaking my heel into a billion pieces I needed HIM to take care of me. He stepped into that role without me even asking, fetching things or fixing me lemonade, meals, walking the dog, and lifting my spirits, which were CRUSHED to say the least. Finally I am driving and walking with a boot, and I have a job that i love!! Mikey provided the emotional support that was needed, and he intuitively knew just what to say. Some days I am sad for him, because most friends from high school have moved on. He misses them, but he is growing up and realizes that life goes on, for everyone. He does not have his driver's license back yet--he passed an EXTENDED driver's test but still has yet to pass the written test, which has been difficult for him (I think he over-thinks the question and suspects that every question is a trick question). Recently we have been toying with the idea of him getting back into the work force, even if partially. He put in an application at Outback Steakhouse and is hoping to at least get hired part time as a dishwasher. That way his SSI can continue, but may just be adjusted accordingly. Emily has been in touch, and they have hung out some which really really is great for his spirit. He also talks regularly with Todd and Kurtis. With Brian living in St Pete and Morgan now at UF in her Sophomore year, he gets lonely here. He has however become very close to our Yellow Lab, Gator. When Mary Lyons said to me "sometimes the best presents come in shitty little packages" I thought it was a weird thing to say to a parent with an adult child with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), in a coma, and on a ventilator--But now I get it!!!! 3<3<3

MIKEY TURNS 25

25 years ago I piled into the old Chevy, found a sitter for Brian Rosegger and headed to the hospital to have Michael Rosegger. Little did I know what a firecracker he would come to be. As a baby he was constantly SCREAMING bloody murder, and I would rush into the nursery expecting to find his leg caught in the slats of his crib only to find him smiling at me impishly as if to say "ok that worked, thats how I get MOMMA to come". As a toddler he learned to navigate not by crawling, but by rolling. I remember Paula Mims (before she had kids) marveling at his ability to maneuver this way. He was a Houdini of sorts always escaping and climbing to the highest point in the house. One day I heard a strange tinkling sound coming from the dining room as I went for a quick shower, barricading the doors and putting on Winnie the Pooh. It was Mikey, of course STANDING on the dining room table playing with the glass chandelier. He was a major critter catcher. He would catch lizards and hang them on his earlobes, keep them and admire them in his critter box and then let them go. He grew up a wild child--always pushing the limits, very good at fishing (catching, actually) largemouth bass with his Dad. In fact we sent in a picture once to the local paper. He could barely hold the bass up for the picture it was so big. Then comes along his sister, Morgan Rosegger who is one of his biggest fans. His school career was peppered with disciplinary incidents. Mikey, always the entertainer was always entertaining, but not the teachers and the deans. I think he was suspended from Wendell Watson Elementary, Lake Gibson Middle,AND Lake Gibson High, but he did graduate, and with decent grades. He planned on joining the Army with his buddy Justin Short. Then the car accident on 11/10/09 and we were faced with the possibility of him not surviving or possibly being in a persistent vegetative state. Mikey had a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The doctors painted a grim picture and said "Lets wait and see". Well I know today that his tenacious spirit among other things have helped him come from coma to where he is today. Over two months of hospitalization ( Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Winter Haven Hospital), lots of therapy and we have our MIRACLE MIKEY. Epilepsy we can deal with. His medication has kept his seizures in check. Same old Mikey, still with that impish twinkle in his eye, always with mischief on his mind :) I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MIKEY! Happy 1/4 century. Here's to another 25. Cant forget Tim Haas, Ashley Brungard,Kurtis Deems Alex Knaack, Kyle Denney, Kyle Adam Klos, Killean Colton and Emily Pollock along with countless family/friends too many to mention. <3

Time for an update

Taken yesterday as Morgan left for her Senior Prom. She got into University of Florida. Look out Gainesville. Mikey is happy as ever and a great big brother. We are sooooooooooooooooo fortunate to have him with us!

Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Just a little late to wish all a very Merry Christmas!! I will attach our card and a few happy pictures of us in NC with family at "Groovy Dunes". What fun that was for everyone.

5 years

November is gratitude month. Since gratitude is an action, I will endeavor to live each day like there is no tomorrow. Mikey is a daily reminder of how precious life is, and how quickly that can change. Hug your kids, don't hold grudges, and remember today is a GIFT, that is why its called the present. Here is a picture of Mikey and me cutting up at a Halloween party.

Happy Mother's Day, and Happy Birthday Mikey #24. Picture is from Mayfaire (art show on shores of Lake Morton).