Team JC: Meet Our Captain......

Project Walk Summer 2011 Compilation

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/19582872_wWc9SS#1533930609_QKCHg9M-A-LB

Project Walk 2011

Dream Team

With all the love and support of Team JC, we headed back to Carlsbad, Ca in search of our miracle. For six weeks, JC endured 3-4 hours a day of intensive therapy, 3 days a week, with acupuncture 3 times a week. As soon as we walked in, everyone commented on how much stronger JC was. They were amazed at how far he came in the time that he was away, and decided that they needed to ramp up his program!

The next few weeks were nothing short of intense and amazing. JC worked so hard to obtain every small goal, and they demanded nothing less than perfection from him. We were told that he was no longer allowed to be in the large manual tilt and space wheel chair, but that he had to be in a self propelling wheelchair by the end of the week. So we rented one from Advanced Medical Supply, whose customer service was beyond excellent. By the end of the week, we saw more and more movement through his legs, and improved trunk control. By the end of the trip, he was able to self propel in this wheelchair!

JC worked tirelessly for every small gain. They started him on a program that would focus on his core, to help get it strong enough for him to maintain a straight sitting posture. As his core became stronger, they realized that it would send signals down his legs. They innovatively used the RTI bike to fire up his core in standing, sitting, and hands and knees.

As the six weeks went on, JC made tremendous strides. He was able to tolerate standing, with close to a completely straight posture, on the total gym, as he practiced knee bends and extensions. He became strong enough to go on the treadmill and demonstrated some initiation of steps, which the therapists help him complete. They showed us how to have him do assisted squats, standing, and adapt regular exercises to strengthen every muscle in his body. At the end of the six weeks he was able to stand in the gait trainer walker with the assistance of electric stimulation to his legs. This was truly an unbelievable sight and the perfect way to end our trip! We realized the possibilities that still lay before us, and the work we still had to do. However, we know that with hard work, determination, and faith anything is possible.

Dear TEAM!
The Videos and some highlights from Night of the Arts have been posted to the blog. Please take time to relive (and enjoy) the performances of the evening. Every performer, every dancer, and every singer that night is a fellow member of Team JC. In fact, most of the performers are JC's own kids, nieces, nephews, and close family friends. That night was a testament of the power of family and the strength of friends. Alas, this truth remains: together, and through the help of Christ no miracle is out of reach.
Thank you all for being part of our lives and for being a supporter of that night. Your donations got JC back to Project Walk for SIX weeks of intense therapy.

Stay tuned for videos and posts about our experience there -- it's a true Testament of God's healing grace.

Faith in Action. Hope in Motion ---let's keep going.

Night of the Arts - THANK YOU......

It has been a week since our Night of the Arts show... and still the depth of gratitude we feel leaves us at a loss for words. To give another person the gift of hope, to urge someone to work beyond the pain to achieve, to guide someone on their quest for a miracle they so desperately seek with every fiber of their being is an act of God. In your faces, in your initiative, in your support, we see the very God in whom we entrusted all our hopes and desires.

Every single dollar you have given us goes to fund the costs of Project Walk.

We said this on Saturday, and the message is so important, that we repeat it here today:

You are a part of this team. You are a part of our lives. And years from now, when we reflect on those moments, on that night, and on the spectrum of feelings we felt, the most significant one will be the feeling of gratitude. You made that night an unforgettable one. You made that night a success. And You have paved the way for Team JC to seek out its miracle...seek out OUR Miracle. For the memory of one and the restoration of another. You helped us achieve both that night.

The success of that night belongs to You.

Team JC.... we've come this far.... let's keep going.


Thank you so much.

TeamJC - Meet Our Capitan

Night Of The Arts

5K run for Spinal victory - April 10th 2011

"Life is a Journey....not a Destination. There are no mistakes, just chances you've taken, lay down your regrets, because all We have is now."
~India Aire, with a little help from Emerson




At this year’s annual Testaverde 5K Race for Spinal Victory, with over 80 participants, Team JC succeeded in raising nearly $7000 for the Testaverde Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury. We could not have done it without YOUR support and generous donations! Here is a video compilation which beautifully illustrates the joyous, humorous, faith filled, and love saturated moments of race day -- in these images lie the values of Team JC. Believe us when we say YOUR hands, YOUR words,YOUR participation, and YOUR encouragement played such a huge part in every smile, every embrace, and in every foot that crossed the finish line. Faith in Action. Hope in Motion.

With the 5K behind us, our focus is now exclusively on raising money to get JC back to Project Walk. We've come so far. Let's keep going.

New Hopes. New Dreams. New Ways.
Keep following our blog for updates on future events.


*Special thanks to Vibin Chowallur for capturing these moments and putting them together so beautifully in this video!

Live webcast(9am EST) - 5K run for spinal victory

Streaming will start at 9am

THE TESTAVERDE FOUNDATION 5K RUN: What it means to TEAM JC:

This time a year ago Team JC was gearing up for an event that is very near and dear to all of our hearts: the Testaverde Foundation's 5k RUN.

It was during the preparation for this event that the motto for Team JC was formulated: Faith in Action and Hope In Motion. Ever mindful of the fact that all of what we achieve is driven by our faith. Our faith in God, our faith in miracles, our faith in just rewards, our faith in JC, and our faith in our team - faith in action. The team of us running together, regardless of our age, infirmity, or skill level, is a physical manifestation of our hope - hope in motion.

On the morning of April 18, 2010, 70 of our family and friends ran and walked for one amazing man and for a cause worth fighting for: The Testaverde Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury. Faith in Action, Hope in motion, Team JC. On this day a movement was born. While it is hard to pinpoint the exact seminal beginnings of Team JC with precision, on this day, ALL of the members of Team JC came together in a way we never have before. The old, the young, the moms, the dads, the children, the children of children, friends, and families of friends, united for a single event and with a single purpose: to rally around JC and rally around a great family: the Testaverdes.

Throughout this journey the Testaverde family has often been the compass with which we've navigated through the difficult terrain before us. Always ready to provide resources, equipment, advice, and ideas - our family looks forward to any opportunity where we can show our support, love and appreciation for all that the Testaverdes do for us and families likes us.

This year we hope to do the same. Our team has grown in number, but our purpose remains the same. We hope you can come and be a part of this great event.

The Location: Wantagh High School, Long Island New York

Date: April 10, 2011

Time: 9:00 am!

This year's Team will be lead, as always by our Captain John Kuttiyara, with a squad that is over 80 strong!

The Team includes:

1. Jason Kuttiyara

2. Grace Kuttiyara

3. Jeena Kuttiyara

4. Nidia Valle

5. Barbara Humphrey

6. Jenny Kuttiyara

7. Jimmy Kuttiyara

8. James Kuttiyara

9. Cisily Kuttiyara

10.Vibin Chowallur

11.Jack Chowallur

12.Priya Kuttiyara

13.Michael Joseph

14.Lily Joseph

15. Rosy Joseph

16. Mary Joseph

17. Baby Joseph

18. Shawn Vettom

19. Laila Vettom

20. Tommy Vettom

21. Pushpita Mukherjee

22. Aleykutty Mukherjee

23. Martin Johnson

24. Lekha Martin

25. Mareena Martin

26. Maria Martin

27. Roopak Tom

28. Anil Chacko

29. Cenia Thomas

30. Isa Chacko

31. George Chacko

32. Mary Chacko

33. KP Chacko

34. Aleyamma Puthiyamadam

35. Joseph Puthiyamadam

36. Sino Puthiyamadam

37. Teresa Puthiyamadam

38. Christina Puthiyamadam

39. Mary Puthiyamadam

40. Allie Puthiyamadam

41. Rosie Puthiyamadam

42. Thomas Puthiyamadam

43. Linsy Puthiyamadam

44. Luke Puthiyamadam

45. Julia Puthiyamadam

46. Selena Kochupaul

47 Paul Kochupaul

48. Lijo Kochupaul

49. James Mundadan

50. Catherine Vembenil

51. Louis Vembenil

52. Joseph Bells

53. Benny Bells

54. Siby George

55. Molly George

56. Martin George

57. Kevin George

58. Richard Miller III

59. Thomas Joseph

60. Christian George

61. Nevin George

62. Justin George

63. Annamma George

64. George Varkey

65. Johny Augustine

66. Elsy Augustine

67. Tiffany Kakkanatt

68. Regina Kakkanatt

69. Theresa Cherian

70. Anish Kakkanatt

71. Silvy Mathew

72. Linsey Mathew

73. Joshy Joseph

74. MaryRose Joseph

75. Rachel Joseph

76. Erica Joseph

77. Malini Prashad

78. Balwan Prashad

79. Haresh Prashad

80. Vanessa Prashad

81. Phillip M. Gayle

82. Joby Philip

83. Bobby Thomas

84. Wendy Thomas

85. Sophia Thomas

TEAM JC--Let's Get After It.

Thanks.....

Thanks for reading this post. Chances are if you've clicked on this link and taken the time to read this, you are already in our hearts, and an integral part of our lives -- but also, know that none of what we've achieved so far would have happened without You, and nothing we hope to achieve can happen without You. Whether you were somone who visited JC when he was in the Hospital or Rehab Center, someone who prayed with him, someone who prayed for him, someone who raised money, ran in the 5K, attended a fundraiser, stopped by the house, offered words of advice, shared stories of encouragement, or just listened to his story (or plans on doing the same) -- his successes are also Yours.

How to follow us via email

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE TEAM JC UPDATES VIA EMAIL:
1. Look to the LEFT side of any of our blog pages (under TeamJC TV) and enter your email address in the space provided.

2. Click SUBMIT and you will now begin receiving all new blog posts via email!

Thanks!!

Thanks for reading this post. Chances are if you've clicked on this link and taken the time to read this, you are already in our hearts, and an integral part of our lives -- but also, know that none of what we've achieved so far would have happened without You, and nothing we hope to achieve can happen without You. Whether you were somone who visited JC when he was in the Hospital or Rehab Center, someone who prayed with him, someone who prayed for him, someone who raised money, ran in the 5K, attended a fundraiser, stopped by the house, offered words of advice, shared stories of encouragement, or just listened to his story (or plans on doing the same) -- his successes are also Yours.

**Click here or go to the events tab to check out pictures from the shoot for a cause event held at spotlie cafe.

The Fundraiser

So there have been a lot of questions about the fundraising that we are doing. We are currently fundraising for the Testaverde Fund for Spinal Cord Injury's 5K Race as well as for our trip back to Project Walk! So when you donate you can decide what you want to donate to. Both are worthy causes!

-Team JC

What are we blogging here!

Hello Everyone,
This blog is being created to inform all of you on whats going on with JC! His successes, triumphs, and progress towards his goal of walking again one day! This also has been created so that people who are going through similar situations can read our story and know that nothing is impossible. We were so blessed to read many other stories that helped us through the rough days and we hope that this does the same! 

Great News!!

Hey everyone! Here's an update to sustain your energy and perhaps even augment it: JC had his physical with his primary care physician (PCP) today. Since the injury JC's left lower lobe of his lungs had alot of atelectasis (basically, a collapse of part or all of the lung tissue). This is really hard to clear or do anything about. When we first heard this news last year, we were so disheartened by the fact that the ateclectasis was still present. Rosie, the driving force behind JC's road to recovery, said the condition was ok because he still has 3 good functioning lobes! Well, today's X-Ray showed that the left lower lobe is completely clear and inflating all the way now! This is not something any one was expecting at all! But by God's grace and all of JC's hard work we have been blessed by another miracle! His PCP said "You have a goal keep working towards it. Keep doing what you are doing and there is no reason why you shouldn't achieve your goal!"

Our Story

The day was September 1,2008. A family still elated from a wedding that took place just two days before, still singing the songs from the night before -- an impromptu gathering after the wedding to welcome a bride home and invite a new son into the family, a gathering to give thanks, and enjoy the peace and serenity of each other. In the early hours of that day, four people, two fathers and their two daughters, embarked on a journey to drop off their children to college. After helping the girls get settled, the two began their return journey. Eager to get home. A birthday celebration for their niece awaited them. A family awaited them. In some ways, they are still waiting.

In the afternoon hours --the haze of happiness that engulfed an entire family dissipated -- with an accident. An accident, a series of unknowns, a family in desperate search for answers, for help... for hope. Two men, two men who are fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons, left. Only one came back. The other, our guardian angel in every aspect of the word, a man of faith, a man of honor, a pious man, a loving man, a man in whom everyone sought respite, was called to heaven. With that loss, darkness consumed this family. In that darkness was a glowing ember that was JC. In the days following the accident, JC was the light that the entire family gathered around, he was the flame that we kept fanning to become stronger and stronger, in him lay the happiness that we lost. He became our Superhero.

Here is our story:

John Kuttiyara (a.k.a. Johnson, John chachen, JC, our Superhero) suffered a spinal cord injury at C5-C6, which initially left him with no sensory or motor function from the neck down… he could not move his hands, waist or legs, he could not feel someone’s touch, he could not speak, he could not even breathe on his own. As so often the body belies the spirit, JC’s paralyzed body spoke nothing of his exuberant spirit bouncing around the room ready to sprint forward onto the difficult path to recovery that lay ahead. With this phenomenal drive, JC embarked on an incredible journey filled with love, laughter, tears, prayer, miracles, and inspiring individuals. And always beside him on this windy, sometimes bumpy, road was a dedicated team of friends and family… and our guardian angel, forever bestowing blessings and reminders of faith along our way.

I. THE FIRST DAY:

JC was brought to Westchester Medical Center (WMC) via medivac helicopter. He was in respiratory failure when he arrived and was quickly intubated. The trauma team found that he had vertebral fractures at C4 – C7, a burst fracture at C6, and intracranial bleeding. JC had emergency spinal stabilization surgery, and a gastrostomy tube to allow nutritional intake was also placed. After the surgery, the neurosurgeons informed us that they visualized an incomplete injury to the spinal cord. With some preservation of the spinal cord we could, thus, expect some level of recovery. JC remained at WMC in the trauma ICU and received excellent care from the doctors, ancillary staff, especially our nurse, Andrew. Andrew taught us to not only hope but work for better. We have been doing that ever since.