Elizabeth Goddard continues to heal
Elizabeth Goddard and her sister Mattison sign "I love you" into the camera.
Elizabeth Goddard continues to heal
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On May 20th, Elizabeth Goddard's life was changed forever. Elizabeth is the 15-year-old daughter of Dennis and Joanie Goddard of Clermont. She was involved in a bike accident that left her in a coma for 33 days, a coma that doctors didn't think she would come out of.
On June 1, the results of an MRI came back and the doctors told Dennis and Joanie that there were spots on the brain that will not regrow; causing a shearing effect on the brain waves that travel from one side oof the brain to the other, so one side of the brain won't be able to communicate to the other. In other words there was likely irreparable brain damage. Although the family wasn't sure what the future held, they had FAITH that Elizabeth would pull through.
With all of the prayers and support from her family and community, Elizabeth began to show signs of improvement. Little by little, she started squeezing hands, opening her eyes on request, and on Father's Day she started using sign language; she signed, "I LOVE YOU!” She had learned sign language when she was younger, meaning she was able to tap into her memory, so the right and left sides of the brain appeared to be communicating!
The following day she "awoke" from the coma and the Goddards began preparing for the next phase in the healing process, rehab at ChildServe in Johnston.
Elizabeth shows signs of improvement every day, and everyone back home closely watches the Caringbridge site to read about her amazing accomplishments, from sitting up and supporting herself, to playing thumb war and Uno, to playing her recorder. She even played "Mary Had a Little Lamb" by memory on the keyboard that her grandpa brought.
The members of her medical team are amazed at the progress she has made since arriving at ChildServe less than two weeks ago. The power of prayer has been crucial to Elizabeth's healing process, according to her family.
Elizabeth is the first one to say how important prayers have been to her recovery and what a difference all the rosaries and prayers have made. Fr. Jim Brokman, Elizabeth's priest at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Clermont, says that Elizabeth's recovery is an example of a miracle in our midst. Thanks to all who have been praying so hard and keep the prayers coming.
St Peter's Catholic Church in Clermont is sponsoring a Bracelet Fundraiser for Elizabeth to help offset some of the medical expenses. Joanie Goddard helped come up with the phrase "Love My Sprinkles" "Sprinkles are for WINNERS!" Bracelets will be on sale at various churches in Clermont, Elgin, West Union, and throughout the summer at various community events as well as during school registration on July 29-30 and Aug. 3-4.
For more information about the bracelets or if you are willing to help sell at these events, please contact Michelle Schaefers at 641-420-5055. To follow Elizabeth's progress, visit www.caringbridge.org and search for Elizabeth Goddard.