Prayers for Garrett

This is a picture of my cousin, Garrett, when he was a wee little boy. He's grown now, pretty much a man having just celebrated his 20th b-day. Garrett has always been completely sweet, charming, and the heart of his family. To say he's a strength to his family would be an understatement. I have never known a group of siblings (he has two older sisters and an older brother) who were closer and more united. Their mom, Jodie, is someone I really admire, love, and enjoy spending time with. They are as good a people as you'll ever meet, and I am really blessed to be related to them. Gotta thank the Lord for hookin' me up (once again) with a great family tree.

These pics are of Garrett (top: with his mom and bro, Devin; bottom: with my brothers) at Brandon and Anneke's wedding this summer. Since the Tanner bunch lives in Arizona I always look forward when they visit or we end up at the same place (for reunions, weddings, etc.) Last night Garrett was involved in an accident at work. He's a coach at a local gymnastics gym and, while practicing a double flip, landed badly on his head/neck. Below is the bulletin and update his brother and sister posted on myspace.com:

From Devin:

PLEASE pray for my brother!!!! I recieved a call from my Mom late last night my little brother Garrett is a gymnastics coach at Desert Devils Gym in Mesa. Last night he was at work and was demonstrating a double back flip, he under rotated and crashed down on his head causing severe damage to his spinal cord and his 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th vertabrae in his neck. He was air-vact to Scottsdale hospital where an MRI revealed that damage, he never lost conciousness however he has no feeling from his chest down doctors fear that he may remain peralized from the waist down:( :( He went in for emergency surgery on his spine about 45 min ago under the care of one of the best spinal surgeons in the world their hope is that this surgery will allow him to one day walk again. My family and I ask that you PLEASE pray for him to fully recover and the surgeons to perform at their highest level, his spirits were high going into surgery I also ask that you hold any phone calls or text messages to his phone for this is a very emotional time for him. SORRY don't mean to scare anyone with this message but just wanted the facts stated before rumors start going around so you all know what we're dealing with. I'm in Hawaii but will be coming home as soon as possible, I feel so helpless all I can contribute is to ask all of you for your prayers and positive thoughts for my little brother and my family who I LOVE more than life itself!!!!!!!!!!!!! God bless, thank you....

From Jessika:
The surgery went well- the doctor said that there were not any pieces of bone floating around the spinal cord which they were afraid might be a problem. They replaced the back vertebrae with screws to allow his spinal cord more room to swell and release pressure- we are hopeful that that will bring some feeling and movement back to his legs. His spinal cord is severly bruised and that seems to be the biggest concern. He is in ICU and will be for the next few days. My mom is with him and we are on strict orders from his doctor to get some rest and take shifts because of his critical state if we get worn down and sick we will not be able to see him and doctors orders will send us home. We are in good spirits and already have seen small miracles come to pass. Thank you so much for all the thoughts, prayers and well wishes and we ask that they continue. We will work to keep everyone updated as much as we can but it truly is going to be a waiting game and only time will tell.

I am so grateful for modern technology that has kept our family in the loop and has allowed Garrett the best medicinal advances. I know the majority of you are family and already know about this and have already, like me, uttered prayers for Garrett's strength and recovery. But for those of you who are just reading this and are thinking, "gosh, how sad," please add Garrett to your prayers. I KNOW the power of prayer is healing and a blessing in our lives and I know it will help for his speedy recuperation and that he and his family will be blessed with peace and strength. Thanks for the love, prayers, and good thoughts.