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One Year After Initial Discharge, Jack Jablonski Doing Much Better

In a post on his official CaringBridge site, Leslie Jablonski looks back on the past year of ups and downs for her family.

One year after Jack Jablonski—a Benilde-St. Margaret's student who was tragically injured during a hockey game—was first released from Sister Kenny Institute, his mother, Leslie, sat down to reflect upon what the past 12 months have meant for the family.

In a recent post on Jack's CaringBridge page, Leslie looks back at the difficult road they've successfully navigated since her son was first discharged. She reports Jabs is "doing so well" and the entire family is "in a much better place."

"The last year isn't one we'd necessarily want to revisit, but there are many, many moments we'll hold near and dear to our hearts," Leslie wrote. "We've been blessed to have so many incredible people in our lives. Without them, without you, we wouldn't be where we are today. So lucky. So thankful."

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Here is the full CaringBridge post:

Today marks another milestone in Jack's journey.

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One year ago - April 18, 2012 - Jack was discharged from Sister Kenny Institute, marking the end of three-and-a-half months in the hospital.

It was a day we dreamed of, yet a day filled with anxiety. We were thrilled with Jack's progress since his injury, but we also knew how fragile he was. How were we going to care for Jack on our own? We had been trained by the nurses, but the thought of doing their job was extremely scary.

There was a reason I opted for a career in public relations and not nursing. I wasn't cut out for this, nor was I confident in what I was about to take on.

Call it baptism by fire. From the moment we exited Sister Kenny, I knew we had a job to do and that it would get done. We had no choice. I had feelings of deja vu from when we left the hospital with our first newborn (Jack) in my arms. Sheer panic. Please let my motherly instincts kick in. They did.

Fast forward to 16-plus years later...we left the same hospital (Sister Kenny is part of Abbott Northwestern) with the same child. It was a tearful goodbye as we had become so attached to Jack's caretakers, therapists, doctors and nurses. We couldn't imagine life without them and the safety net they provided for us. But, it was time.

We managed pretty well, despite several visits to the ER and two week-long hospital stays for Jack within the first two months of being on our own. At least we knew the warning signs of when things were wrong. Each visit back to the hospital was disheartening and frustrating for Jack. For all of us.

Finally, by mid-June things seemed to settle down and we steered clear of the ER. Jack started getting stronger with each new day. We became more and more confident in our duties as caregivers. Jack grew comfortable with his PCA's and his new therapy routine at Courage Center. Sigh of relief.

And here we are, one year later, in a much better place. Jack is doing so well and we seem to have settled into our "new normal" as best we can. Yes, there are occasional bumps in the road, but we take them in stride. Our confidence in understanding Jack's needs and how to tend to them has done a 360. Hallelujah.

The last year isn't one we'd necessarily want to revisit, but there are many, many moments we'll hold near and dear to our hearts. We've been blessed to have so many incredible people in our lives. Without them, without you, we wouldn't be where we are today. So lucky. So thankful.

May our good fortune continue and may we have amazing things to report on April 18, 2014.

BEL13VE in Miracles.

We do.

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