© Copyright 1995 by David Remmert. Copyright Details
Josh was in hospital for psychiatric care. The exact cause of this event is unknown. His parents feel the episode was caused by drugs given to him by his "friends". However, Josh passed drugs tests with no sign of drugs. Josh was violent, paranoid, had hallucination.
Josh birthday. Josh just turned 16.
Josh Hamlet was chased by several boys on the way home from school. In an attempt to get away from the boys, Josh ran into a very busy highway and was hit by a pickup truck. The collision did severe damage to his hip and brain. The damage was caused by the brain bouncing and twisting within his head. Josh was flown by helicopter to the Maryland Shock Trauma center. He remained in a coma for about two weeks. Josh's parents were told that he probably would not live.
Josh's hip was not operated on because the top priority was to keep Josh alive. The doctors gave Josh drugs to keep him in a comma so that he would not hurt himself by trashing about.
After about 2 weeks the drugs which were keeping Josh in a coma were stopped. Within the day, Josh opened his eyes. He could raise one finger or two fingers upon request; however, he could do this only on the left hand. Josh could also squeeze a hand upon request. Again, only on the left side. Josh had a respirator in his mouth during the coma.
Josh opened his eyes for the first time. However, he did not seem to focus on anything.
A trachea was installed. Josh has had trouble breathing since the accident. During the time while Josh was in the coma, Josh was on a respirator.
Josh smiled for the first time since the accident. The smile was only on the left side.
Josh had surgery to repair his hip. The surgery required 9 to 10 hours.
After 36 days, Josh left Maryland Shock Trauma. He was transferred to Kernan Hospital for rehabilitation. Josh spends most of each day in a wheel chair. His rehabilitation helped to regain the use of the right side of his body.
Josh began talking in complete sentences.
Josh began to eat fine chopped food. Up to this time Josh was fed through a food tube.
The trachea was removed. Josh began to talk much more.
Josh started eating mechanically soft foods.
Josh began cursing the nurses.
Josh was visited by two girls of his own age and several other people. Two pizzas were ordered and delivered. Josh ate one half of a large pizza. Josh laughed, joked and talked along with everyone else.
For several weeks Josh has been making phone calls home. He does not sleep very well - - only about 3 hours a day, so, Josh calls at all hours. Furthermore, he either forgets that he calls or can't keep track of time. He may call several times an hour asking the same questions and saying the same thing on each call.
Josh's parents are worried because they see some of the same behaviors that caused his hospitalization in November. He still continues to curse the nurses. The nurses must think he's a real pain in the ass.
Father Eugene Nickol, a priest who has known the family for several years, visited Josh. Father Eugene reported to Josh's parents that Josh seemed to have no inhibitions or self control. He expressed concern for Josh's future.
Josh's father and I visited Deaton Hospital to see if it would be appropriate for Josh. Josh is currently is in Kernan - - an acute care facility. An acute care facility is designed for intensive care and release. Josh needs more long term care. Is Deaton the right place? Josh seems to have three problems - - his hip prevents him from walking, his head injury affects short term memory and reasoning, and he has antisocial behavior problems.
While at Deaton, we met with the finance office. This page is about Josh, so the details of the insurance and finance will not be covered; however, it is clear that Josh's accident and care have major effects on the lives of many other people - - especially Josh's parents.
Josh was transferred from Kernan to Deaton. Louise Remmert and Josh's mother met Josh at Deaton to make the transfer as easy as possible for Josh.
Josh play Trivial Pursuit with several Louise Remmert, his mother, nurses and other patients. He did very well. He is just starting to put pressure on his legs and hip. He can walk with a walker and move himself from a bed to a wheel chair. His behavior and attitude seem be good. Josh is eating large amounts of food - - he has gained so much weight that he's starting to get a little belly.
Josh was moved from Level 1 to Level 2 in care treatment. Level 1 requires 24 hour one on one observation. That means Josh had a nurse with him at all times so that he could not harm himself, anyone else or have an unmet need. In Level 2 care, Josh must stay on the wing of the Deaton devoted to TBI care. The doors are all locked and cameras survey the area at all times.
Josh's parents were disappointed that he was not allowed to come home for a visit.
Josh began to take a few steps. He must use a walker for the short distance between a chair and a wheel chair. Josh is on Level 3a treatment level. This means that he can leave the hospital grounds with Nursing staff. Unfortunately, there is not enough staff to make this very meaningful.
Lauren Remmert, Nicki Bounelis and the rest of the Holy Trinity Youth Group visited Josh in the hospital. They all brought presents and had a good time.
Josh came home for a 12 hour visit. He can stay no longer than 12 hours or he will be considered well enough to leave permanently. He seemed to have a great time.
After 15 months in 3 hospitals, Josh came home. He still suffers from memory loss, slurred speech and a limp when he walks.
Josh's parents gave a welcome home and thank you party at a local church hall. All the people who had supported Josh and his parents during his recovery were invited. About 100 people attended.
This is Josh's "special day". Josh was adopted. January 9 is the date that Josh came to home to live with the Hamlets. Josh's parents took him out to dinner at a local restaurant. Josh ordered steak and lobster. That guy can put away the food.
Josh has been going to school part time and receiving home teaching provided by the county. He takes Painting and Drawing, Keyboarding (typing) and German at school. His home teacher provides instruction in Algebra I, Music and English. Josh would like to go to school full time next semester and have concurrent home teaching. The home teacher would help to keep Josh organized and provide missing information at home.
You may wonder about the taking German. Josh was taking German before the accident. After the accident Josh had difficulty with English but could still remember all his German. The languages must have been stored in different areas of his brain.
Josh walks several miles a day. His walk is a little awkward due to his crushed hips and brain injury. His balance is just a little off. He can't stand on one foot. However, the perseverance does seem to be improving both his walking ability and balance. Josh is also going to Bally's Fitness Club to work on some of the exercise machines.
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