I appreciate all of your inquiries in regard to Brenden’s progress and I am posting an update on my blog in an effort to respond to everyone interested.

Bren is improving, but very slowly.  The doctors do acknowledge he is consciously aware – of us, his surroundings and his condition.  He understands language and is able to understand when we talk to him.  He does not know how to talk and will have to re-learn if possible.  Currently, he can’t make much noise – mostly growling.  He doesn’t connect the words with how his mouth must move.  He is being weaned off the trake and this will help.  It is also slow because he gets very alarmed when he feels the air moving through the right passages.  He has to get used to it.  He also can’t move his body much – his arms a little, but we are still optimistic – he wasn’t supposed to be able to do that, according to science.  He also still has a feeding tube until he learns how to swallow food.  Currently, he is going through a depression and won’t cooperate well.  He actually resists cooperation on purpose, like a teenager.  I don’t blame him for being upset about the whole situation, bet he has to cheer up and make the effort – we can’t do it for him.  Sometimes I think it would have been better had he not survived – what a terrible thing for a mom to think.  We are bringing in a counselor to work with him – maybe I need one too J.  The good news is that Bren is purposeful, not vegetative. My biggest challenge now is on the legal end.  I went to court this am to gain personal guardianship of Bren.  I had no idea it would hit me so hard – taking away your grown child’s legal ability to make decisions is actually very hard.  My next step is in Washington DC on April 23rd, where I will be Bren’s voice in fighting to keep his benefits.  Should I prevail, he will have insurance, if not, I move to the next step.  An appeal with the Naval Discharge board is a daunting task.  I will need legal counsel for this step.  The retainer alone is 20K.  Whew.  Still, Bren’s care over the next few years could be in the hundreds of thousands or more, so it is worth the fight.  The most interesting observation I have made during this process is that the Navy has a great ability to hush people up.  I was warned that this would happen and that they make it very difficult so most people will give up.  They met the wrong Mom this time – I do not give up.  I will pursue whatever means I must – Congress, press, etc…  First, I will try to win at the first level.  Pray for me, OK?