Much is NEW this year, and yet, what's most TRUE remains the same...

January 11, 2025

Happy New Year from the Folmsbees! 

Our prayer for you (& us) all is that Love will be central, Joy will be what we are known for, & that Peace (in the midst of every circumstance) will be abundantly beyond what ‘makes sense’!

Thank you all for patiently awaiting an update from us. The second half of last year was quite a challenge. We learned in mid-August that we had to move our residence by September 30. Our new place became available on October 6, and the better part of the week in between I spent in the hospital due to a “common cold” that ignited a fierce respiratory episode on the morning of our move.  Stress & anxiety made sure to have that fire was poised and prepped for the blaze in my lungs. 

Rachel was so well cared for during the transition and my unplanned hospital stay. My brother & sister in law shared excellent hospitality with us in their home which is suited with the necessary facilities. 

On Oct 6, very close friends of ours spearheaded our move into our new home, as I was still recovering. The remainder of the fall was spent resting and settling in. 

Our new location is less than a mile from our doctor’s office & therapy center. We are walking distance from the pharmacy, grocery store, fitness center (more on Rachel’s physical improvement below), and a shopping center. 

Our children all have shorter commutes to our home now as well, which means we are blessed with more spontaneous “drop-ins”. 

Lastly, as a part this general review, I have been steadily receiving compensation (minimum wage) for 40 hours/week which is just enough to cover our housing costs. The generosity of you and others has been what has provided for the rest of our monthly expenses. 

Initially, the State of Florida determined Rachel was eligible for 36 hours of “personal care” and 4 hours for “house services” (cleaning, food prep, etc). 

I believe I shared this good news and answer to yours/our prayer in our last update in the spring. 

Rachel realistically requires personal care for nearly all of the 168 hours in a week, so I wasn’t satisfied with their decision. Our Case Worker communicated that there was an appeal process, so we prepared the appeal and in early August we were informed that the state agreed. The State approved an additional 30 hours of personal care. 

In October, our Sister in law Patty, was authorized to be an additional caregiver for Rachel. Such a blessing!

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Now for some really amazing highlights of Rachel’s progress. 

1. Although we still have not had success seeing a specialist to determine if she is a good candidate for “facial re-animation” surgery, (which has been effective in other patients with similar partial facial paralysis), we are overjoyed to share with you that Rachel has overcome these setbacks and taught herself to successfully chew and swallow soft foods. She presently eats 3 meals a day by mouth. She ate mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving! She’s so inspiring! I’m in tears even now as I write this! She’s working on drinking liquids throu a straw and WHEN she is proficient enough to take in sufficient hydration orally, her g-tube can be removed!

2. In early November, just before our granddaughter’s first birthday, we committed to using the treadmill in the fitness center for 30 straight days. On day one, I supported her weight as she held on the machine and she took steps  (focusing mostly on proper form) for 89 seconds before needing to sit. One year previous, she would max out at about 9 steps. At the start of our 30 day commitment she walked for nearly 90 seconds continuously. After 30 days in a row, she was able to support 100% of her own weight (I simply stand behind her on the fixed rails of the treadmill in case she loses balance), and she has walked continuously for distances in excess of 900 yards!!! For times as long as 15 mins or more. Her personal best being 19mins 45secs!

3. Rachel’s eyesight remains her primary challenge. She has adapted enough to the blurriness and double vision to be able to achieve a little more independence, and even well enough to do some large print word puzzles, etc. we are scheduled to see (what appears to be one of the very few Neuro-Ophthalmologists in Florida). On Feb, 12 we will drive to Gainesville for her new patient visit. 

4. Rachel takes very little medication relative to what she was taking in the weeks/months just after discharge from Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital in Jacksonville. 

5. We continue to expand our sign language abilities, and we spend as much time outside as we can except when it’s Florida cold, (below 60 )!  

In closing, Rachel has asked me to share any future updates both here on caring bridge, and also on other social media outlets. Her heart is to INSPIRE HOPE & MOTIVATE OTHERS TO BELIEVE THEY CAN DO “GREAT THINGS”!!!

Our entire family thanks you for continued prayer and financial support. 

As Rachel improves it becomes more realistic to receive volunteer help (companions to be with her) in the “gap” hours between caregiver shifts. As this develops I will pursue avenues to begin working again (certainly not in the same capacity as prior to Rachel’s diagnosis).

As the title of the update says, much is new, and many challenges continue be overwhelming at times, however our foundation for life is still firm and secure & our purpose remains the same…

“The command we have received [from Jesus] is plain and simple: Loving God includes loving people. [We’ve] got to do both!” 1 John 4:21 paraphrased

This is still our aim in life…to love others til they become part of the family.

If you would like our new mailing address please contact us by email at InspiringHopeandFaith@gmail.com.

Blessings,

Jeremy