Update on Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

Update on Ben Wolverton

BEN WOLVERTON JOINS REBEL ALLIANCE

Today it has been exactly one month since Ben fell off of his longboard. After slacking off in a hospital bed all month, battling pneumonia, nursing broken bones, and having parts of his skull removed, he woke up today and decided to become A Rebel Alliance Space Marine.

In training for this, Ben put on his new helmet, and a smile. He also got out of bed today and took several steps (with help), as he prepares to slog through swamps on Dagobah, and battle night sisters on Dathomir.

In an effort to relearn some of his killer fight moves, Ben also watched part of Kung Fu Panda with his brother Spencer, though he nodded off frequently

Since I'm still sick with a sinus infection, and therefore can't enter the ICU or the Ronald McDonald house, I spoke with Ben over phone. He was able to answer a few questions with about 90% accuracy. He remembered the name of his oldest brother's fiancee, Kaitlyn, but couldn't remember where his brother Spencer is going on a mission. Ben says "the Phillipines," the rest of the world says Indiana. They do both sound pretty exotic.

Still, I have to say that it sounds really good to hear Ben's voice, and the advances that he has made in just four days seems nothing short of miraculous.

Ben still is not swallowing well yet. He did manage to swallow some "thickened water," today, and will go to thickened milk tomorrow. In a few days, he should be ready for solid food.

The best news of the day is that Ben is preparing to transfer to the rehabilitation facility at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake, about 400 miles from his current hospital. We're very excited.