What has Team JC been up to this year?

What an exciting and busy time it has been for team JC since last summer. We have made great strides, JC has worked tirelessly to reach his goals that were set for him after we finished Project walk last august! We have slowly acquired the equipment necessary for him to continue a program that is similar to what they have at Project Walk. JC continues to work 7 days a week with an intense exercise program that is not for the faint hearted. We made his dream of going back home to India a reality, he raced along side us at the Testaverde Race this year pushing himself in his power assisted chair, and 4 years later we were able to give back to the people that saved his life at the trauma center at Westchester Medical Center. 

The goals that we wanted to reach before going back to project walk are all being achieved one at a time. JC is able to roll with bending one leg over the other now, and is now working on independent log rolling. He is able go from (prone) laying on his belly to quadruped (on his knees and forearms) this takes a lot of coordination from his core and legs, and truly such an amazing thing to see.

JC is still going strong with the e-stim  bike, firing up his core and getting signals all the way down his legs.  At Athlete Evolution the program continues to be intense and progressive! He is able to do the spin life bike for 45 minutes now without assistance, he is standing with moderate assistance, and continues to improve each and every day. Please enjoy our stories about these experiences and our slide shows that depict JC's amazing progress!!

India

In January 2012, Team JC decided to pursue ayurvedic treatment in India. JC and the family were planning to go in December of 2008, but because of the accident were not able to go. At that time, we never imagined that he would be able to go ever again. However, by his pure determination, faith, and the love and support of all of you, JC returned home this past January, after nearly 7 years, to see his mother, brothers and family.

It was not going to be an easy trip, he would have to travel for 22 hours, be transferred multiple times in a plane and car, which is not something he had done here often. He would need to tolerate being in a manual wheelchair everyday, as there was no way to bring his power wheelchair. He would also have to endure transfers up and down multiple stairs and unlevel surfaces. Additionally, a new team of caretakers would have to be trained! We would have to figure out how to complete all our routines there, without many of the resources so readily available to us here. JC would also have to continue with all the exercises and manage the crowds of people that were eagerly awaiting his arrival!

The plan was for JC to spend 2 weeks at home and 4 weeks at the Rajah Beach Ayurvedic Center. For 2 weeks, JC spent time at his home in Muvattupuzha, Kerala, traveled around the area and went to visit family in Champakulam. He also traveled to his wife’s home in Palai, which was not an easy journey or one that very few expected him to make, but he was determined, despite how many people told him not to. In his words, “I want to go see Amachie, go see Sebastian Achen, go to see P.S. John, and then go see Mini Auntie’s mom at Caritas Hospital. Then from there we will go to Palai.” I said, “Sure boss, if you want to, then I will find a way.” So with boys from Team JC - India Edition (Gibin, Jobin, and Thomachen) we planned a schedule. It was not going to be the easiest journey, but they said “koripam illa. . .sheri aki tharam.” In other words, “no worries…we will make it all work.” So the next day we set out to put JC’s plan to work and our champion of champions did amazing! After 13 hours, 12 car transfers, 6 stops, 300 kilometers later, and an added stop at Bharananganam to St. Alphonsa’s Church, we accomplished all that he had wanted… and then some!

During our time in India, we also consulted Dr. P.S. John, a pioneer in stem cell treatment for Spinal Cord Injury. He has been administering stem cells with incredible results. He is a quiet, reserved man, and brilliant doctor, who was impressed by JC’s progress thus far. He gave us our options for the long process of stem cells transplantation and ordered urodynamic tests to be done. He also prescribed medicine, to aid in nerve regeneration. However this medicine could not be combined with ayurvedic treatment. At this time, we were at a crossroad and decided that we should try the ayruvedic treatment first and then start taking the medicine. Unfortunately, as the two weeks at home were ending, JC got sick. He had a UTI (urinary tract infection) that required hospitalization. Although this was a setback, it did not deter him. After several courses of antibiotics and a stressful few weeks, JC recovered and they continued on to pursue the ayurvedic treatment. For one week JC underwent therapy at the ayurvedic center and showed some improvements in muscle strength, length and flexibility.

After all this, we had learned, and JC had proven to us that: where there is a will, there is a way. With love, faith, and determination, anything is possible. To be honest, this journey to India, at times seemed daunting and almost impossible, similar to how a person with a complete spinal cord injury feels to walking again. However, JC has proven every such medical theory wrong and we are SURE he will continue to do so.    

JC returned home to the US with a firm resolve to continue to improve, with new ayurvedic massage techniques to add to our routine. Soon after his return, JC started his program once again. Ayurvedic massage was added 2X week to his current therapy program which includes:

Standing frame + glider: 7 days a week for 1-2 hrs

E-stim bike: 2-3 days a week for 1hr

Athlete evolution program: 2 days a week for 3 hrs

Total gym and pilates reformer: 1X week

By God’s grace, an incredible team, and an amazing captain, our trip to India went relatively smoothly. There were a few challenges along the way, but the memories created and lessons learned in that trip will stay with us forever. Every car transfer, daily shower, bathroom routine, and long journey went smoothly. The trip was filled with amazing moments of love, family, well wishers, and people who were in similar situations that came to see JC - inspired by his strength, determination and positive outlook. He continues to pursue our miracle with determination, love, and an unwavering faith. Let’s keep going….

Testaverde Race

On the morning of April 22, 2012, Team JC rallied together for the third time to participate in the annual Testaverde Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury 5K Run/Walk. Once again, family members and friends of all ages, came to show their support for our captain and for the Testaverde family. This family, as we have mentioned in past blogs, have been an unwavering support system for JC and our family. Always ready to offer their advice, encouragement, and equipment to help JC in his road to recovery, the 5K race has been our way of showing our gratitude and appreciation for all this family has done for us and other families also affected by SCI.

This year however, was different than the past two years. This year, our superhero, would “run” alongside 400+ race participants, propelling himself in his wheelchair, from start to finish. Through the cold, bundled in layers to stay warm, and even racing through the rain, JC never gave up and was determined to push, as much as he could, to make it to the finish line. With the use of his new power-assisted wheelchair, JC was able to push himself while also receiving moderate assistance from the power wheels. Throughout the race he was followed by, his wife, aid, and members of Team JC, who helped push him along the way when he fatigued. After 52 minutes and 42 seconds, JC completed 3.1 miles!!! 

Trauma Race at Westchester Medical Center!

Donned in running shoes and black T-shirts adorned with letters spelling out “Team JC!” we embarked on an adventure that would prove to be every bit as grueling and messy as it was fun and rewarding. On September 23, 2012 Team JC took part in the Westchester Medical Center “Trauma Run.”  This 5K obstacle course was organized to help raise funds for the Joel A. Halpern Regional Trauma Center, which is the facility JC was taken to after he suffered a spinal cord injury.

Without the dedication and hard work of the medical personnel at this facility, JC would not have made it through those first few weeks after his injury.  In the end, the trauma team did much more than just help JC survive a spinal cord injury; they gave him the ability to DEFY it.  With each day’s progress in JC’s recovery, we are ever grateful for the gift the trauma team has given us. We are also poignantly aware of the need for continued funding to allow the trauma center to bestow this gift of defiance onto other patients.

Inspired to give back to an organization that gave us so much, Team JC rallied together to run in this demanding 5K adventure race that took our team dashing through woods, crawling through tunnels, sloshing around in mud pits, catapulting over obstacles, teetering on top of rope nets, dangling between tire swings, and sprinting up & down fire towers.  With JC cheering us on along the sidelines, we ran a collective distance of over 50K and raised over $2,000, which was the event’s 3^rd largest contribution!

As with so many of the events we are involved in throughout the year, we could not have made such an impact without the love, encouragement, and prayers of our extended family – the supporters of Team JC. Thank you! 

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!"