So as not to worry those who may not have heard what happened, let me begin by saying Craig is on the mend and is expected to make a full recovery.

One month ago, on September 8th, Craig had a serious accident.  He was working the American idol concert at the Sovereign Center here in Reading, and during load out after the show he fell backwards off the stage.  He fell onto the concrete floor from the 6' high stage onto his back and head.  He had a grand mal seizure and sustained numerous injuries including a mild traumatic brain injury and various fractures to his skull, shoulder blade and back - all on his right side. 

Thanks to the speedy response of his Union President, Sovereign Center staff and ultimately paramedics that were still onsite with an ambulance due the concert, he was attended to very quickly and rushed to Reading Hospital. 

He spent three days in ICU, two days on the trauma ward and was then in the rehab section for about a week.  Last week he had surgery at Jefferson Hospital to repair the orbital roof fracture and entrapped eye muscle which was causing him double vision.  This rare and delicate surgery was done without feared neuro complications and his vision is improving.  However, it may be months to know the complete outcome of his eyesight.  Dr. Penne of Wills Eye and Dr. Evans, a neurosurgeon from Jefferson, are our heroes. 

Craig is getting stronger every day and is walking with a cane for now.  Other than some short term memory issues, he is doing fine cognitively and is definitely his old self personality-wise, telling us exactly what he wants and how he wants it.  Now that the eye surgery is behind him, he will begin outpatient PT, OT and speech therapies beginning next week.

Troy and Nicole have been amazing in getting all our work done this past month while Craig and I have been otherwise occupied and we cannot thank them enough.  We'd also like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers, cards and arrangements, guidance and support.  We are blessed to have all of you in our lives.

In conclusion, this was one "Stories from the Trenches" we wish did not occur.  We are, however, so very well aware of just how lucky Craig was - and is, realizing how much worse things could have been.


Until next time... Wishing You All The Best!