One Year Video!!

Dear Family and Supporters,

It has been over one year since my accident. My progress has given me so much hope. Hope for the future and strength for today. I know that this is due to your generosity, support, and prayers. Thank you for funding my therapy at Project Walk. Thank you for introducing me to trainers who have never stopped believing in my potential. To illustrate my progress I have prepared a special video comparing where I was one year ago and where I am today. The video is a bit lengthy but there is a surprise at the end!

I hope it proves my commitment to your belief in me. I know that my success will also mean a success for all of us. The emotional and financial support you have invested in me will never be forgotten. You are why I fight to walk and why I know I will. Thank you for being my donors, my friends and my angels.

To watch the video Click Here

Love and God Bless,

Jen Bou Lahoud

Happy New Year!!

Hey Everyone!

I wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year. Hopefully 2010 will bring great joy to everyone. This year will have its challenges, but we will always get through them.

I have been improving greatly over these past couple of months. Project Walk has now been working on leg-based exercises and I continue to start and stop the spin bike on my own. Also, the stability in my hips have become stronger.

I have made a one year video with clips from the beginning to now. It will be posted soon. If anyone has song suggestions, contact me :)

Again, I cannot thank you enough for being by my side this past year. Words cannot describe how much my angels mean to me. Without you, I wouldn’t be improving as well as I am today. Thank you!

Happy New Year!

Love always and God Bless,

Jen

Psychology Project

Hey everyone!

In Psychology class I had to choose a song that described me and I picked “It’s a Fight” by Three 6 Mafia. I had to write an essay about it and I thought to share it with you guys.

Music is an art that is expressed through words and it is a significant part of life. When listening to someone else’s playlist, one can recognize their personality and moods. Everyone can relate to at least one song. For me, it is “It’s a Fight” by Three 6 Mafia. In a blink of an eye, I became a paraplegic from T10/11 and my life was turned upside down. This is an injury and can be healed like a broken arm or leg. All it needs is time. Every week I do a total of 15 hours of aggressive therapy and yet I feel it is not enough. My life is a fight to walk again. No one’s life is perfect but we all strive for the best life possible. Some people do have easier than others, but one chapter in everyone’s life comes crashing down- this is my chapter now. I am determined and willing to do ANYTHING to walk again. I am not confined to my chair and NEVER will be. Every morning, I wake up knowing that this day will be another fight. After school, I go to therapy and work as much as my body will let me. Before each session, I listen to this song to motivate me and to remind me that I am not the only one that has a fight. I get pumped up and go to therapy and work hard. Sitting in a chair is not who I am. I am an active person. I need to be up and running and I will do whatever it takes to walk again.

Three 6 Mafia’s song, “It’s a Fight,” has a motivational rhythm and the words inspire me to keep going. “I'm the man, there's no defeating.” I push myself to the limit everyday and no one can tell me that I cannot do this. This song reminds me that I am not alone; everyone has to fight in their lifetime. Some days I am down and feel like I cannot do it anymore but I put this song on and it makes me want to go work even harder. Quitting is not a word in my dictionary. Every day is a fight and I do not plan to stop until I accomplish my goal.

“Life is an interesting journey and you never know where it will take you. Sometimes on your way, you may think this is the worst time of my life, but at the end of the road, through all the adversity, if you can get where you want to be, remember, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger , and all the adversity was worth it.” Every day may be a new song to describe the day but for the past year, this song has kept me going. I will not let some doctor tell me that I am paralyzed and there is nothing I can do. I can do something. I can fight. And I am. This is my life. This is my fight. And so far, I am winning. I just need to keep going.

God bless and Love always,

Jen

November Video

Hey everyone!

I am not going to make a November video for the blog. Sorry! I just don't have enough footage. But instead I am going to make a one year video comparing how I have improved over the past year. It has been one hell of ride but I know I am going to make it through. And it is all because of your support and prayers. Thank you!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Words cannot describe how thankful I am for having such an amazing support group! Without you guys, I don't know what I would've done.

Hope everyone has an enjoyable and yummy Thanksgiving!
I know I did.

Love always and God Bless,
Jen

http://www.helpjenwalkagain.com

October Video

Hey everyone!

Thank you so much for your continued support in my fight to walk
again! Words can't describe my gratitude. Thank you for your prayers, support, and love!

In October, I have improved significantly. I am able to ride a spin
bike all by myself! It takes me some time to get started, but I can
initiate and continue cycling on my own! Also, while I am crawling,
trainers have added weights for more resistance. Click here to watch.

I have been so thankful that God has been with me throughout this difficult time. I
am also thankful that I have friends and family like you to support my
therapy at Project Walk financially and emotionally. I feel my faith
has grown stronger through this situation and I feel this happened so
that I may realize time is in God's hand and we have to learn to be
patient.

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!
And Good luck to everyone taking the SAT on Saturday!!


God Bless and love always,

Jen

Steps to Recovery

This past weekend I went to a Project Walk’s event, Steps to Recovery. At this event, former and current clients demonstrate their walking capabilities. It was very inspirational to see all the clients, who were given less than a 3% chance of ever walking again, actually walking! People were walking with no assistance outside on the parking lot and it was inspirational seeing how there are success stories when people are actually committed to having a full recovery. Additionally, clients who were walking for the first time with the assistance of trainers were showcased inside the Project Walk facility. I hope, no I know, that at the next Project Walk Step to Recovery event, I will be running around.

To see highlights of the event, click here

As for my latest improvements, I have been able to ride a spin bike with no assistance! It feels great! In my opinion, I think this came back so naturally because I used to ride my bike on a daily basis with my brother, Anthony. With every improvement, I am reassured that my goal will come soon! I will post a video of this soon :)

School is... Well it's school can't really say much. Haha! I am still adjusting to the new school but I have not let that come in the way of getting high scores and good grades.

Currently, I am juggling school, therapy, college apps, SAT testing and family and friends. Sometimes it feels so rushed I can't breathe. I am sick of this. I have to admit, some days I fake a smile to get through the day. But thankfully I have a great support system to keep me up. Without you guys I have no idea what I would do. Thank you!

On a brighter note, my cousin, George, is coming this weekend from France and I can't wait!

I hope all of you have a fun yet safe Halloween!

Love and God bless,
Jen