David and I have had the chance to run into so many of you our dear friends in the Knoxville community who express their concern and interest in how Joseph is doing now.  Many of you have even told us how you had your whole church praying for Joe!  We are also amazed at how many of you are still checking in on this site to keep up with his progress.  I wish you could see the difference!  It brings a tear of joy to our eyes to see him writing a paper or singing with our praise and worship singers at church.  I was expressing these thoughts to Joseph, and he said,  “Mom, tell everyone to come to our play this weekend.  I would love to see them there.”  Joseph is participating in our church summer drama entitled “Esther”.  The performances will be this Saturday evening June 21 at 7:00 PM, and Sunday, June 22 at 2:00 PM.  If you have the opportunity to come,  Joseph would love to see you there!

It can never be overstated how much your prayers, love, and support continue to mean to our family.  I know that our Lord has great rewards for those who are His hands and feet in this world.

I would also like to thank God for giving our family a wonderful spiritual leader in Joseph’s earthly father, David, who I am blessed to call my husband.  He would not want me to brag on him, but he definitely deserves it.  He worked tirelessly in the days, weeks, and months following Joseph’s accident.  On only a few hours of sleep a night, he was in constant contact with doctors and medical staff, working with the insurance company, and was by our son’s side, caring for him, day and night.  He is a rock and doesn’t seem to mind when we lean on him pretty hard.  He’s got big shoulders!

Joseph is doing great back home in Knoxville.  He finished a “fast track” course during the month of May, and has started the summer semester at the University of Tennessee.

Thank God for all of you great fathers out there who are showing your families God’s love and strength through your godly example.  Happy Father’s Day!

Mona Trantanella

Joseph was officially released from Learning Services on February 20.  Since early February, he had been spending a majority of his time away from the center, and was having very favorable results.  He is still working very hard at his physical rehabilitation with a personal trainer, Larry, at Gold’s Gym, here in Raleigh.  Larry called me a couple of weeks ago all excited to inform us that Joe had been able to work out with the maximum weight on a calf machine.  He knew that only a little over a year ago, Joe had a compound fracture of his lower leg and a stroke that had affected the whole left side of his body.  Larry, David and I were so amazed.  Lord, you are truly the great physician and healer.

Joe is enrolled at North Carolina State University this semester so that he could continue his treatment at Learning Services and education at the same time.  When he completes his course work next Thursday, April 24, we will immediately be moving home to Knoxville!  WE’RE GOING HOME! 

Helaine, Joseph’s case manager, came by our home today to give us some good advice for the future.  While she was with us, we showed her a video clip of Joe while he was at Patrica Neal Rehab Center.  Joseph was in a wheel chair, could not walk or lift his left arm, and his speech was slow and slurred.  Helaine cried and said that he has had a most remarkable recovery!  I told her that every day I look at Joseph and thank God.  So many miracles.  Oh for a thousand tongues to sing praises to our King!

Three weeks ago, Joe went through a four hour driving evaluation and passed without having to go through a training program.  Anytime someone has had severe head trauma, this is required by law.  His trainer said that most of the time there a quite a few hours of retraining involved before a person is released to drive.  Joseph was excited to get through it the first time around.  He has been waiting for this day for a long time.  He is beyond ready to have his independence back!

Our love to all of you, for your continued support and prayers.

David, Mona, and Jennifer

Afterwards, David and I (mom), took Joe to a favorite local steakhouse for dinner. When we walked to our table, Joseph was shocked to see Jennifer, Elaine, and Ashley jump up to greet him. We all cried and rejoiced over the Lord’s mighty work in our lives over the past year. Joe is currently completing senior level courses at NCSU for the spring semester. We are so proud of Joseph’s effort.

He has made remarkable progress, and we are grateful to all the staff at Learning Services for their hard work and support. We are continually thankful for the love, care, and prayers of all our friends and family this past year. God has truly ministered to our family through all of you. The Lord is truly our strength, our fortress, our healer, and He has carried us every step of the way.

Our love to you all! David, Mona, & Jennifer

We have so much to celebrate this Christmas season.  Because our Savior was born, lived, and died for our redemption and healing, we are able to enjoy another holiday season with Joe.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support and prayers.

David, Mona, Joseph and Jennifer

We would like to thank our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ by remembering the words of an old Andre Crouch song:

How can I way thanks for the things you have done for me.  Things so undeserved, yet you gave to prove your love for me.  The voices of a million angels, could not express my gratitude.  All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

David, Mona, & Jennifer

We would like to thank our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ by remembering the words of an old Andre Crouch song:

How can I way thanks for the things you have done for me.  Things so undeserved, yet you gave to prove your love for me.  The voices of a million angels, could not express my gratitude.  All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

David, Mona, & Jennifer

God bless you all,

David, Mona, & Jennifer 

Dr. Harvey Jacobs gave Joe some wonderful words of encouragement today.  Over the weekend, he ran into two different women who had suffered head traumas.  Each one shared with Dr. Jacobs that they had completed their doctorate program in their respective fields since their accidents.  Dr. Jacobs also stated that he has taught doctorate level courses, and told Joseph that he had read Joe’s paper that was recently written for the class he is currently taking at North Carolina State University.  He thought Joe’s work was better than some of the papers he has had turned into him in doctorate level courses!

We thank God that He has blessed Joseph, and allowed him to keep his intelligence.  What a blessed miracle!

David, Mona, & Jennifer

Two weeks ago, Joe enrolled at North Carolina State University to continue his education in Psychology.  He will be taking one class, so that he can keep up with all of his therapies at Learning Services.  He will be able to transfer college credits earned here back to the University of Tennessee. 

It has been a difficult road, but we are proud of all the effort Joe is making.  God has been, and continues to be so faithful!

With our deepest love to you all,

David, Mona, & Jennifer