 |
|
(As of January 19, 2008)
Hello everyone: This is an update on how Kodi is doing since she left Children's Hospital in November 2006. Kodi was sent to Brookside Extended Living Center as you all know. The first few months she was there Kodi did not really show any significant signs of improvement. I continued to go see her everysingle day and work with her trying to get her to remember who each person in the family was by showing her pictures. I also began giving her therapy by moving her arms and legs. Around June of 07, Kodi suddenly began recognizing things. When several family members would go into her room I would ask her to find certain ones and she would gaze in their direction. This was a tremendous breakthrough for her. She began smiling and actually laughing out loud at things. Even though she is in this condition, it is mandatory that she attend school. She was enrolled in Mason Intermediate School. Her teacher Ms. Ashley Ferguson saw that Kodi was (in there) mentally and she set up more therapy for her at school. Mason Intermediate School has done a wonderful job with her. She can pick numbers, colors, animals, and mentally do just about anything a normal 12 yr. old can do. She goes to the Children's Drake Center two times a week. On Tuesday she has PT with Shannon. She has taught Kodi how to roll from side to side, roll on her belly and then turn on her back again. On Wednesdays she has PT with Shannon again for 1 hour then OT with Michelle. Michelle is working with her on weight bearing and she has actually had Kodi in a stander two times with me there. This past week she stood for a total of 20 minutes, with assistance of a stander. I will tell all of you these ladies that work with Kodi are absolutely wonderful . Our Attorney is in the process of obtaining a court date so I can bring Kodi home permanently. We are hoping to have her home by the end of January 08 or at least first of February. I have moved to a new house in Florence that will supply Kodi with her own bedroom and is handicap accessible. There are two main items I am in need of. One is a Hoyer-Lift that will help get her from bed to her chair and also help lift her into the bath-tub. The other is a Beleuga bath seat. This is a seat that sits in the tub so she does not fall from side to side or slip down. The other items I need are an exercise mat, to continue her therapy at home and a positioning wedge. These items are not cheap. I am willing to get used ones if at all possible. The total cost for these items will run around $3,000.00. We will be having a benefit to help raise money for these items at a later date. I will keep you informed. Kodi will be going back into Children's Hospital possibly around the end of February, maybe sooner for approximately 3 months for complete rehabilitation. They will be working with her in every aspect. Michelle, her OT, is also setting her up with a speech therapist. She still has not spoken since the accident but I believe with all my heart that this child will walk and talk again. She still has her feeding tube inserted and she is eating from a spoon for me. I am amazed at her will to get better. Please continue to pray for her as she still has such a long road ahead of her. Please keep my entire family in your prayers. We all miss Jackie every single day. She was the sunshine of our lives. She will be forever loved. Thank you for visiting Kodi's website and if you are able to help financially you may contact Nikki Hyden (my daughter) by phone at 859-344-1288 (home) or mail 815 Dudley Road Edgewood, Ky 41018. She is in charge of any funds we receive and remember each donation is tax deductible. God Bless you all in 2008. Sincerely, Myrna Sherman |
|
Update on Kodi
(As of February 25, 2008) On
February 19, 2008, I took Kodi to Children’s Hospital for serial
casting on her left arm. After this appointment we had an appointment
with the Orthopedic Surgeon DR. Do (pronounced Doe). She examined
Kodi’s little feet and ankles and said she is very hopeful about the
procedure she will be doing on Kodi on March 3, 2008. She will be
releasing the heel cords to straighten out her feet. Once she heals
from this surgery we will begin weight-bearing therapy and try to get
her standing and maybe not to far down the road walking. I can
tell you all this I am so grateful to what GOD has done in little
Kodi’s life. She has been struggling ever since the accident in July
2006. She is a fighter though. Before the accident she was the
most loving child I ever knew. She was also very smart and still is.
You have to be careful what is said in front of her because she is
aware of everything. After the appointment with the Ortho Dr. I
had to appear in Warren County for a hearing. This went very well. I
went before Magistrate Erik Peters and just told him Kodi wanted to
come home and be with her mom’s family. I was very grateful for the
support of Kodi’s father John and her sister Ashley. It was emotional
talking to him about her progress because I have been there with her
every day. I see where GOD has brought her from and where she is today
and this is just such a blessing to me. Magistrate Peters heard what I
had to say and he immediately released Kodi to come home for good.
PRAISE GOD IN HEAVEN KODI IS NOW HOME FOR GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am currently in the process of trying to locate the items for Kodi that I need at home to bathe and lift her. I am in dire need of a Hoyer lift and a bath seat that can be placed in the tub when I bathe her. These items are in no way cheap and there are many varieties to choose from, so therefore I must pick the ones that will be suitable for a long period of time as she is still growing. I am grateful for my friend Gary as he has put together a way for Kodi to use a small keyboard and communicate with us. This is a work in progress and Kodi seems to enjoy the time she spends on the computer. It will be easier for her to use now that her cast is off her arm, she will have more control of her hand. The planning of the benefit is still in progress so I will keep everyone updated. We are looking to have it sometime in March. Please continue praying for her, as I firmly believe that your prayers are what have brought her this far. I will keep everyone updated on her progress. Thank you all for signing her guest book. Sincerely, Myrna Sherman & family |
 |
|
Update on Kodi
(As of February 9, 2009) Hello Everyone,I would like to update everyone on Kodi's progress. Kodi has been going to school 5 days a week at Ockerman Elementary. She is very happy there and really enjoys her teachers. Her OT at school is Heather Ford. Heather has really been working with Kodi. She made it possible for the school to get a pacer (walker) for Kodi which I am allowed to bring home on weekends and Holidays. This is the identical walker her PT Michelle Menner at Cincinnati Drake uses for therapy. Kodi does very well and tries really hard. Heather told me the one she got for Kodi belongs to Kodi and can come home with her for the summer and It will follow her to her next school. This is great because I can really give her a workout this summer. Also I went to the school for a meeting with Heather as she has been trialing a power wheelchair for Kodi. Kodi does very well driving through the cones and going through doorways. We have not quite decided on which one we will try to get for her. This is still a work in progress. I now have help bathing Kodi. Michelle Menner her PT at Drake made it possible for me to receive a Belegua Bath Seat. This fits in the tub with suction cups and raises to the top of the tub. Her care taker with Care Tenders helps me get her to the bathroom undress her and lift her to the seat. We then lower her into the tub to be bathed. One of the girls that works with Kodi has a Stander her son can no longer use. I would like to try and purchase this. The cost is $400.00. This price is very reasonable as the same item new is around $2,000.00. It is in good clean shape and would benefit her to have it. Any one who would like to help I certainly would appreciate it. On February 2, 2009 Kodi began her HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatments) at the Cole Center for Healing in Sharonville, Ohio. She will be given 40 treatments at a cost of $4,600.00. The first week has gone fairly well. I stayed with Kodi the first 2 nights in a motel in Sharonville. The remainder of the week her Aunt Tina has been with her giving me a break. Thank You Tina. You don't know how much I appreciate you. To date Kodi has had thirteen treatments. The first set of treatments are to saturate her brain with oxygen. This will make her very tired and she will sleep alot which she has done. The second round of treatments will either make her grumpy or happy her mood will change daily. The therapist Kurt and Scott have been wonderful with her. They promised her a double date when she is finished with all her treatments. They have told me after the forth or fifth round of treatments is when I should see significant changes. Let's all come together and pray that this will increase Kodi's quality of life. They may do some acupuncture and other things later on down the road. We will have to wait and see how she progresses. I believe with all my heart that this therapy will be a huge benefit to her healing. I have been taking Kodi to Church at Community Family Church in Independence, Ky. She is eager to go back after her treatment is completed. She loves her Church and all the nice people that shake her hand on Sunday Morning. I would like for everyone to continue praying for Kodi and visiting her website. Those of you that have sent cards I would like to thank each one of you. Those of you who have signed her guest book thank you also. I have not personally replied to each person who left her a message on her guest book but I have read every one of the entries to Kodi. It really makes her happy to know she has so many people who care about her. Thank you all for all the prayers it means so very much. To JESUS, My sister Tina, The Prayer Warriors, the Therapist at School, Drake, and The Cole Center, the Doctors my friend Gary (Web Designer) and all who signed the guest book you will forever be in my heart. Thank you and God Bless each one of you, Love In Jesus Myrna |
 |
|
Update on Kodi
(As of April 30, 2009) Hello Everyone!,I have absolutely the best news. Kodi’s aunt Tina has been helping me tremendously with Kodi since the beginning of the year. She allowed me some much needed free time as she took Kodi to her therapy sessions 3 times a week for 3 hours a day. She brought her home and helped get her fed, bathed, done medications and helped get her into bed. Tina asks me if she could take Kodi to Florida over Spring break. I agreed that this would be a good thing for Kodi as she went back to the same neighborhood she lived in at the time of the accident. Also, her very best friend Paige Frankenberg and her parents who are Kodi’s Florida Family lived right around the corner from them. It was such a touching moment when they pulled up in front of Paige’s house. Kodi remembered exactly where they lived. She even spent several nights in the house she lived in with her mommy. Our dear friends Denver & Lisa McDonald in Cincinnati purchased that house and opened it up for our family to stay in while they were there. Tina contacted the young man who was the first on the scene of the crash. His name is Chris Tolisano. He just happens to work with many people like Kodi with TBI. It was a very emotional moment when he first saw Kodi, Tina, Mom & Peggy. He told them he had been trying for two years to find out what happened to Kodi but because of the privacy laws no one would give him any information. This man has truly blessed all of us, especially Kodi. He and his colleagues have all agreed to donate their spare time to rehabilitate Kodi. There is even Dr. Tobin who a speech therapist who is donating her time as well. We all need to thank GOD for each and every one of these wonderful people. God always seems to work things out perfectly. Just when we found out Kodi’s therapy at Drake had ended for 8 months or so, Tina ask if she could take her to her hometown and GOD began his work. I truly believe the wonderful people at the Strength & Balance Center will be able to help Kodi. Tina tells me Chris & Shane and all the others behind the scenes love Kodi dearly. Tina and Kodi will be in St. Petersburg for approximately 6 months. Ronnie & I will be vacationing there. I will be attending the walk-a-thon they are arranging for Kodi. This is a work in progress and I will keep you updated. Chris has contacts at Hooters and they will be the sponsors for this up coming event. I miss Kodi terribly but I know in my heart that this is the best thing for her right now. Some unforeseen circumstances have prevented me from being there at this time but I will be going soon. Please remember to keep Kodi in your prayers and all the wonderful people at the Strength & Balance Center. Also, I want to offer my thanks to the Frankenberg Family for allowing Tina and Kodi into their home. Dale, Kate and Paige are just like family to us and we love them very much. I will be working with Dale Jones, Tina’s husband and his friends (I have not met them yet), as they want to do a motorcycle run to benefit Kodi. Dale, I want to thank you for allowing Tina the time away from you to work with Kodi. You don’t know how much it means to me. God bless you. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything. Remember to visit the website often to view the new videos we will be posting. Tell all your friends and family too. We are coming up on the 3-year anniversary (July 17, 2006) of this horrible accident. It is especially hard on our family. We miss Jackie’s beautiful smile and wonderful spirit. She will forever remain in our hearts. Love in Christ to all The Sherman family Meta, Peggy, Myrna, Tina and Rick |
|
Update on Kodi
(As of September 24, 2009) Hello Everyone!,I just want to update everyone on Kodi’s progress. This past spring my sister Tina, Peggy and my mom took Kodi back to her hometown in Florida to visit all her friends. While there Tina contacted the young man who stayed with Kodi until paramedics arrived at the accident scene. Turns out Chris works with people who have a TBI, stroke, etc. He gave Kodi free therapy for about three months and Mark Fowler offered her free hyper baric oxygen therapy while there. So after they came home I withdrew Kodi from school and her and Aunt Tina headed back to Florida. My wonderful friend Mary opened up her home to Tina and Kodi while there. Tina did a superb job working with Kodi and running her all over town for her therapy sessions. I was totally amazed when she came back home on June 21st as to Kodi’s progress. She still has a long way to go but looking back three years ago GOD certainly has his hand upon her. She is still in need of 40 more hyper baric oxygen treatment that costs $100.00 dollars each visit. This totals about $4,000.00 that I do not have. I myself am on disability and the funds just aren’t there. I would not be able to continue to care for Kodi if it weren’t for Tina. She is a GOD SEND and has a lot of patience when it comes to this type of work. However, while in Florida Tina took a fall and broke her elbow so they had to return home. I am now working on getting Kodi back into therapy somewhere here in the Northern Ky area. She just started school at R A Jones. She loves all her teachers and was ready to go back. She is in the 6th grade this year. Time has gone by so quickly and we have now past the three yr. Anniversary of the accident. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and other times it seems like years. The pain just never goes away. If any of you are able to help Ko with her treatments it would be greatly appreciated. If not then you can continue to pray for her, as prayer is free. Please continue to visit her website and sign her guest-book to let her know you care. Thanks for all the continuing prayers and those of you who were or are able to give donations GOD bless you all. I will continue to keep you updated. I have been busy as my only child Nikki is getting married on Friday September 25. Congratulations To Nikki and Adam and God bless you both. Sincerely, Myrna |
|
Email from Kimberly Lonnemann
(January 15, 2010) January 15, 2010Note to the Editor or News Anchor: I am writing this letter to inform you of an event that will be taking place on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. A young 13 yr. old girl, named Kodi Sherman, who has suffered Severe Brain Injury related to her having been in a car accident in 2006 at the age of nine and she lost her mother in this accident too. Kodi resides in the Florence area and has won the hearts of so many. This young teenager has come a long way since 2006 with the help of Hyperbaric Treatments. As a result of these treatments she is able to walk short distances, sit by herself on sturdy firm surface. She is cognitive of conversations with others too. Now she has decided that it is her wish to help others and is willing to have her beautiful long brown hair cut in order for some other young child suffering from cancer and chemo treatment to benefit from a wig made from her hair. Kodi is so excited that she can help another child and her excitement is so contagious. Her aunts have decided that they will make this a very special day for Kodi and are giving her an entire “Makeover.” A friend is giving her a new outfit to wear for this event on Tuesday and at 1:00 p.m. they are taking Kodi to Salon De Sales on Woodburn Avenue for make-up makeover, and then her beautiful long brown hair will be cut by stylist Jamie Ross to donate her long hair to “Locks of Love.” This selfless act of love from one teenager to another child is so beautiful.  Please consider airing this report of this event. This would mean so much to her family & friends. To view more about Kodi, you can view her web page at http://www.welovekodi.com Sincerely, Kimberly Lonnemann Friend of Kodi Sherman  |
 |
 |
|
Update on Kodi
(As of January 24, 2010) Hello Everyone!,First and foremost I would like to thank every one of you who have viewed Kodi’s website and signed her guest-book. Please be assured that it means so much to her when the entries from the guest-book are read to her. Kodi made a big decision this past week after her and aunt Tina watched a special about little children with cancer. When she saw this little girl about her own age remove her ball cap she began to cry. She reached for her own ponytail and pointed to the TV. Tina asks, “Kodi are you wanting to donate your hair to a little child like that one”? Kodi shook her head yes. Tina mentioned this to her sister-in-law Mary Ann Jones and Mary Ann talked to her friends at Salon De Sales and on January 22, 2010 it was Kodi’s big day to PAY IT FORWARD. So off we went to the Salon and Kodi gave her long beautiful brown ponytail to LOCKS OF LOVE. Once she got her new hairdo she then received a make-up makeover from Mary Ann’s daughter Gina. Gina thank you so much for your time giving Kodi her make-up makeover she looked so pretty. Kodi attended her first middle school dance on Friday night (the Snowball Dance) at R.A. Jones Middle School. She was accompanied by her big sister Ashley who gave her a beautiful dress and heels to wear. She also did Kodi’s make-up again for her. Ashley said Kodi had so much fun and was the head of the conga line. There will be video and pictures on the website soon. I would like to offer special thanks to Mary Ann and her employer Union Savings Bank for making a donation to Kodi so she can receive more Hyper-baric Oxygen Treatments. This act of kindness and love in these tough economic times is appreciated more than you will ever know. Please know that you have had a hand in Kodi’s healing. GOD is so good and he works in such ways that I just can’t comprehend. With the publicity from the media who were there channels 5, 12, and 19 people that watched the clips were very moved. I would like to thank the media for being there and their coverage of Kodi’s story. Also special thanks to ICN6 for airing the story and putting Kodi’s website up for people to see. One of the next fund- raisers we are working on is a Motorcycle Run for Kodi, which will be in the spring. I will let you know the specific time and date for the event. We still have some details to work out. We are hoping to find a rider with a sidecar so Kodi can go on the ride herself. This would just thrill her. Prior to her accident her uncle Ricky would always take her for rides on his Harley-Davidson. Kodi will be getting her new body-brace on Friday the 29th to help with the scoliosis she has developed in her back. It will also help with support when we have her up to walk. This child was not expected to recover from her injuries but with the help of all her doctors at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center and her Therapist she has done the unexpected. Please continue to pray and support us as we continue in our efforts to give her the best quality of life she can have. My sincere thanks go out to all of you in front and behind the scenes. In Christian Love the Sherman family, Myrna Sherman, Tina Jones, Peggy Witterstaetter, Meta Sherman, Ashley Braden, Rick Sherman, Ron Pferrman and webmaster Gary Gideon May GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU |
 |
 |
|
Update on Kodi
(As of October 3, 2010) Hello Everyone!,Before the end of the school year, R. A. JONES MIDDLE SCHOOL was able to purchase a special bike for Kodi. Aunt Tina would go to school and feed Kodi lunch each day and take her to the gym to ride her new bike. She did such a wonderful job. A very special thanks to Aunt Tina for all her help. She is a Godsend. I would like to offer special thanks to Mary Ann and her employer Union Savings Bank for making a donation to Kodi so she can receive more Hyper-baric Oxygen Treatments. This act of kindness and love in these tough economic times is appreciated more than you will ever know. Please know that you have had a hand in Kodi’s healing. GOD is so good and he works in such ways that I just can’t comprehend. With the publicity from the media who were there, channels 5, 12, and 19, people that watched the clips were very moved. I would like to thank the media for being there and their coverage of Kodi’s story. Also special thanks to ICN6 for airing the story and putting Kodi’s website up for people to see. Kodi had a wonderful summer break from school. She got to do a lot of walking around in the pool, and was able to spend some time with her daddy which she thoroughly enjoyed. I took her to Children's Hospital for a visit with the orthopedic Dr. He suggested to do a surgical procedure to switch the tendon from under her wrist on her left hand and bring it on top of her hand. This is supposed to trick the brain to thinking the hand is working the way it is supposed to. She has been to therapy two times already and is doing remarkable well. She is able to hold her own spoon with better hand control and less tremors in her arm. She will begin what is called E-Stem therapy that will be done at home on October 6th. I will keep you updated on how this goes. Kodi will be getting her new body-brace on Friday the 29th to help with the scoliosis she has developed in her back. It will also help with support when we have her up to walk. This child was not expected to recover from her injuries but with the help of all her doctors at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center and her Therapist she has done the unexpected. Please continue to pray and support us as we continue in our efforts to give her the best quality of life she can have. God is so very gracious to us. A small ad I placed on craigslist has brought the most wonderful people into our lives. Bob, Kim, Chelsea, and Lacy. I needed a set of steps to get Kodi in and out of the pool and Kim saw the ad. She called and ask some questions about what kind I was in need of. We talked and she said let me see what I can do. In less that 2 or 3 weeks She had called me to tell me she had a big surprise for Kodi. So when Kodi got off the bus, Dave and Damon Lipps had already arrived with a brand new set of pool steps for her. It was one of the most touching moments in my life to know that I had only met the Zink family through my ad and that they would do this for Kodi. Kim Zink contacted Bob Dapper in the Indianapolis office, who then contacted Lipps Pool and Spa and they surprised her with her new steps. Thank you Lord for making all this possible and the love these people have shown for Kodi. In Christian Love the Sherman family, Myrna Sherman, Tina Jones, Peggy Witterstaetter, Meta Sherman, Ashley Braden, Rick Sherman, Ron Pferrman, and webmaster Gary Gideon Ashley bought Kodi some new school clothes at Justice and brought them over to surprise her. Kim, Lacy, Chelsea, and myself all took her on a shopping spree at Justice. Tabitha was kind enough to let us shop one hour before the actual store opening because the store is narrow in the walkways and it would have been difficult if there were very many people there and us trying to move her wheelchair around. Ashley, Kim, Lacy, & Chelsea, Kodi and I thank you so much for all you have done. You guys are great. Kodi will most likely have the same surgery on her right hand as long as she continues to make progress with her left. She is also going to see a DR. at Children's for the scoliosis she has in her back. I will update as soon as I know for sure what the treatment will consist of. I would also like to say a special thanks to Ron, my Husband, for all he has done for Kodi. You see, Ron never got to meet Jackie or Kodi before tragedy struck. We were scheduled to visit Jackie & Kodi in Florida on July 21, 2006. We had already planned our vacation, but on July 17, 2006 Jackie and Kodi had their accident. Ron has been my soft place to fall through all this. He has cared for Kodi as though she were his own and that takes a very special person. He has so much patience with her and can get her to do things I can't get her to do. She loves him and he loves her very much. I couldn't have done this without him. We Love you Ron. Aunt Peggy along with Ashley have been helping with Kodi's bathing which is a tremendous help. Also, Ashley spent many days with us over the summer, and before the pool steps arrived, she helped me get Kodi in and out of the pool. Another person I want to thank is Gary Gideon. He is the Webmaster that made all this possible. He has spent countless hours working on the site, taking pictures and videos and putting them on facebook and her website. He too, spent a lot of time working with Kodi in the pool and just hanging out with Ron, Kodi, and myself just having fun. He is now working on helping teach Kodi sign language. He got some DVD's and brought them to her. Kim's neighbor, Delaney, also met Kodi one night at the Zink residence and it was amazing the connection she had with Kodi. I hope she and Kodi become best friends as I believe she will be able to help Kodi learn. At the present time Kodi is still not able to walk nor talk, but with all these wonderful positive people that surround us, I know in my heart one day she will. Please keep Kodi, Ron, & I in your prayers. We love and appreciate everything each one of you do for us, and we are so grateful you are a part of our lives. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. Ron, Myrna & Kodi |
|
|
we will send you this cute refrigerator magnet
(Actual size = 2 5/8" x 3 1/4")
to Show Your Love & Support
Help Support Kodi by sending others to Kodi's web site
|
Bumper Stickers & T-Shirts to Show Your Love
Help Support Kodi by sending others to Kodi's web site
and purchase a bumper sticker or other merchandise.
(Proceeds will help with the cost of Kodi's Treatments & Care)
|
|
make custom gifts at Zazzle |