Live the Lion was created in an attempt to keep everyone up to date on Lance O'Cull and his road to recovery.

Lance was involved in a car accident near Morehead, Kentucky about 30 miles from where we grew up Thanksgiving weekend of 2010. He was airlifted from the scene of the accident to UK Medical Center in Lexington. The doctors told us that they could fix everything below the neck, but his brain was in God's hands. On December 22, after multiple surgeries, Lance was transferred to The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia for an intense rehabilitation program.

It was there that Lance began to gradually emerge from a coma. Lance was discharged to home, in Vanceburg on February 17th, to continue his therapy with family.

On March 10th, Lance's 25th birthday, he stood on his feet for the first time in 103 days, with lots of help. On May 11th, Lance was accepted into Cardinal Hill's brain injury unit. There he impressed and amazed our family and friends, as well as his therapists through the progress he made everyday.

Between September 2011 and April of 2012, Lance was back and forth between Cardinal Hill's inpatient program and Shepherd Center's inpatient and outpatient program. He has had a couple minor surgeries to enhance his healing and a baclofen pump inserted to help with the tone in his body.

For the past year, Lance is back in Lewis County splitting his time with both parents. He continues to travel to Ashland 3 times a week and Lexington once a week. He is learning to walk again and we couldn't be more thrilled.

It hasn't been easy, Lance has had some setbacks and tears still fall. But he is up and running this marathon. And we are all running right along beside him.

Most of the blog entries have been made by myself, Chelcee, the big sister, Brock, our baby brother, and Dr. Johnny, our dad. Our goal is for Lance to finish this blog as soon as he is able.

God has been with Lance and our entire family, giving us strength. We give Him the Glory. He is the God of Miracles.



~Chelcee




Sunday, January 29, 2012

Shepherd? Sure!

On February 17th, Lance traveled from the Shepherd Center in Atlanta to dad's house in Vanceburg. That was almost a year ago. His doctors, nurses and therapists didn't say goodbye when he left, they said we will see you later. They all had high hopes and expectations, as did we, that Lance would continue to make huge strides in physical and cognitive development. And would someday be able to go back to the Shepherd Center for an intense therapy program. 


Throughout this past year Lance has been to Cardinal Hill, in-patient and outpatient, receiving therapy. As well as, Kings Daughters Outpatient Center. They have all been excellent in helping Lance work to regain strength in every aspect. Lance's normal week involves him being on the road for more than 13 hours just to travel to and from therapy sessions, so it was time to look into a program where he wouldn't have to travel but could still get the hard work-out that we know he needs, and wants. 


So, insurance and bed availability pending... Lance is on his way back to the Shepherd Center!
We are so excited to see the nurses and therapists that helped Lance and us make it through those first very critical weeks of rehabilitation. We don't have the specifics yet, still many things to work out, but chances are he will be heading south within the next 2 weeks. As soon as we know the details, we will let everyone know. 
Hopefully, Atlanta offers some warmer weather, or at least some more consistent weather :)


-Chelcee
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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Happy 2012!


It's been a little over a year since we started blogging. For a long time, we didn't upload pictures. We shared stories, some probably made you laugh, some made you cry. 
However, a picture is worth a thousand words and as most of you know, my busy schedule has doubled this month, so here ya go:



My dad and Lance have been boxing each other. This helps Lance work on his arm extension as well as his aim, as he moves his fist towards my dad's face. or mine. Perhaps not the best form of therapy. 
Sarah, Brock's girlfriend, got Lance a pair of boxing gloves for Christmas. 
great fun :)






For as long as I can remember, Lance has been involved in the music for the Christmas church service. This year he wasn't playing, but he sang in the choir. 
:)



Lance goes to Ashland and Lexington every week. He is in the wheelchair and strapped in seven different ways inside the van. Back in the fall, my dad took him for a ride in the convertible. His second ride was in my car on Christmas day from mom's house to dad's house. 
:)



He is determined. He is so very strong. Here he's standing, balancing himself by holding on to the parallel bar and stretching, just like Ami and Susan tell him to. 
Leslie was really sad she missed work this day! 

Happy 2012 Everyone! 
Miracles Happen! 
every. single. day

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