2024 'Kel Strong' Mabatah Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony

and then um doors for it or can't carry and then um doors for it or can't carry it through with the necessary equipment, it through with the necessary equipment, it through with the necessary equipment, research and education, which is just research and education, which is just research and education, which is just part of how we share our story and talk, part of how we share our story and talk, part of how we share our story and talk, but this ties so well into the things but this ties so well into the things but this ties so well into the things that are important. that are important. that are important. >> And this year, you know, we we're >> And this year, you know, we we're >> And this year, you know, we we're blessed to offer three scholarships this blessed to offer three scholarships this blessed to offer three scholarships this year. Um year. Um year. Um unfortunately, one was able to make it. unfortunately, one was able to make it. unfortunately, one was able to make it. um the one had cries and we that we um the one had cries and we that we um the one had cries and we that we haven't we haven't been able to reach a haven't we haven't been able to reach a haven't we haven't been able to reach a third one. My mom was my biggest third one. My mom was my biggest third one. My mom was my biggest supporter. I wouldn't be one day if it supporter. I wouldn't be one day if it supporter. I wouldn't be one day if it was for my mom. So um so just thank you was for my mom. So um so just thank you was for my mom. So um so just thank you and keep doing what you're doing and and keep doing what you're doing and and keep doing what you're doing and then uh you have my support anytime you then uh you have my support anytime you then uh you have my support anytime you need me um you can reach out to me. Um, need me um you can reach out to me. Um, need me um you can reach out to me. Um, and I don't learn how to walk since the and I don't learn how to walk since the and I don't learn how to walk since the injury. Like I was completely paralyzed injury. Like I was completely paralyzed injury. Like I was completely paralyzed on my whole whole right side. I couldn't on my whole whole right side. I couldn't on my whole whole right side. I couldn't talk. I couldn't I couldn't do anything. talk. I couldn't I couldn't do anything. talk. I couldn't I couldn't do anything. Um, so that year where I had to learn Um, so that year where I had to learn Um, so that year where I had to learn how to walk, talk, and use my arm again.

how to walk, talk, and use my arm again. how to walk, talk, and use my arm again. And And And >> for three new recipients is just really >> for three new recipients is just really >> for three new recipients is just really tremendous. and we and we get to hold the check with and we and we get to hold the check with some of the photos too. So stay stay some of the photos too. So stay stay some of the photos too. So stay stay tuned for more of that. You know, he is tuned for more of that. You know, he is tuned for more of that. You know, he is here for you all and it is a a larger here for you all and it is a a larger here for you all and it is a a larger community. We're we want to always >> Come on, Riley. >> Come on, Riley. All right.

right. All right. [Applause] [Applause] Dantel Gerard Jones Jr. Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] Heat.

Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] heat. heat. [Applause] Heat Heat up up up here.

[Applause] [Applause] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] Heat. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. [Applause] That's a panther, y'all. That's a That's a panther, y'all. That's a panther.

panther. panther. [Applause] I think it's a tremendous opportunity I think it's a tremendous opportunity when someone who's been through our when someone who's been through our when someone who's been through our entire care continuum like Kell has been entire care continuum like Kell has been entire care continuum like Kell has been is able to be in the other side of that is able to be in the other side of that is able to be in the other side of that inpatient rehab, outpatient therapy, inpatient rehab, outpatient therapy, inpatient rehab, outpatient therapy, strength and limited wellness program strength and limited wellness program strength and limited wellness program care and then wants to give back to care and then wants to give back to care and then wants to give back to people that don't have access to the people that don't have access to the people that don't have access to the same time in therapy or the same same time in therapy or the same same time in therapy or the same equipment access. He he embraced that equipment access. He he embraced that equipment access. He he embraced that need and then found a way to raise funds need and then found a way to raise funds need and then found a way to raise funds through the Kelstrom Foundation and through the Kelstrom Foundation and through the Kelstrom Foundation and bring that back to to those people that bring that back to to those people that bring that back to to those people that we serve. It's we serve. It's we serve. It's I can't imagine a better way to sort of I can't imagine a better way to sort of I can't imagine a better way to sort of bring everything full circle. bring everything full circle. bring everything full circle. The funds that Kell shares with these The funds that Kell shares with these The funds that Kell shares with these patients and families in need are patients and families in need are patients and families in need are helping to support physical therapy, helping to support physical therapy, helping to support physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language occupational therapy, speech language occupational therapy, speech language pathology. It could be neurossychology pathology. It could be neurossychology pathology. It could be neurossychology visits, different types of therapeutic visits, different types of therapeutic visits, different types of therapeutic visits that just help them gain their visits that just help them gain their visits that just help them gain their skills, get back to life as skills, get back to life as skills, get back to life as independently as possible and be independently as possible and be independently as possible and be included in their communities as included in their communities as included in their communities as independently as possible. So really independently as possible. So really independently as possible. So really amazing therapy visit support and if amazing therapy visit support and if amazing therapy visit support and if that's not a need, then having the that's not a need, then having the that's not a need, then having the funding to support equipment needs that funding to support equipment needs that funding to support equipment needs that we we know, you know, can be underfunded we we know, you know, can be underfunded we we know, you know, can be underfunded with different resources that exist.

with different resources that exist. with different resources that exist. across our communities, we know that across our communities, we know that across our communities, we know that many people don't have the means to be many people don't have the means to be many people don't have the means to be able to have access to care or get all able to have access to care or get all able to have access to care or get all of the equipment that they might need. of the equipment that they might need. of the equipment that they might need. And and this exists, you know, not just And and this exists, you know, not just And and this exists, you know, not just in rehabilitation, but throughout in rehabilitation, but throughout in rehabilitation, but throughout healthcare and donated funds, people healthcare and donated funds, people healthcare and donated funds, people that want to give. It's it's that extra that want to give. It's it's that extra that want to give. It's it's that extra resource that wouldn't exist potentially resource that wouldn't exist potentially resource that wouldn't exist potentially in any other way. So, it's it's in any other way. So, it's it's in any other way. So, it's it's critical, I think, to to that care and critical, I think, to to that care and critical, I think, to to that care and it's critical to building new things it's critical to building new things it's critical to building new things that maybe didn't exist in the past that that maybe didn't exist in the past that that maybe didn't exist in the past that don't have a specific funding source. don't have a specific funding source. don't have a specific funding source. I think Kell is such a tremendous I think Kell is such a tremendous I think Kell is such a tremendous person. His humanity and his spirit of person. His humanity and his spirit of person. His humanity and his spirit of giving and seeing opportunities for giving and seeing opportunities for giving and seeing opportunities for people with disabilities to just serve people with disabilities to just serve people with disabilities to just serve as role models, to to have jobs, to be as role models, to to have jobs, to be as role models, to to have jobs, to be seen in their communities. And that's so seen in their communities. And that's so seen in their communities. And that's so important to our role at Tier for important to our role at Tier for important to our role at Tier for championing inclusion. And I and I see championing inclusion. And I and I see championing inclusion. And I and I see that he embodies that through and that he embodies that through and that he embodies that through and through. He's just such a great human through. He's just such a great human through. He's just such a great human being.

>> Well, my story is, you know, about >> Well, my story is, you know, about December, December 3rd, 2014. Um, I was December, December 3rd, 2014. Um, I was December, December 3rd, 2014. Um, I was bully attacked while I was working for bully attacked while I was working for bully attacked while I was working for my dad's family business in Nigeria. you my dad's family business in Nigeria. you my dad's family business in Nigeria. you know, I was um I was left for dead. You know, I was um I was left for dead. You know, I was um I was left for dead. You know, they uh they fractured my skull know, they uh they fractured my skull know, they uh they fractured my skull into into pieces. They stabbed me. Um into into pieces. They stabbed me. Um into into pieces. They stabbed me. Um they knocked some of my teeth out and um they knocked some of my teeth out and um they knocked some of my teeth out and um nobody nobody thought I was going to nobody nobody thought I was going to nobody nobody thought I was going to make it in my family in Nigeria. Nobody make it in my family in Nigeria. Nobody make it in my family in Nigeria. Nobody nobody thought I was going to make it uh nobody thought I was going to make it uh nobody thought I was going to make it uh any any moment. No, they ready to call any any moment. No, they ready to call any any moment. No, they ready to call my parents back home in Houston and tell my parents back home in Houston and tell my parents back home in Houston and tell them your son didn't make it. Um but them your son didn't make it. Um but them your son didn't make it. Um but luckily no I had I had my I didn't know luckily no I had I had my I didn't know luckily no I had I had my I didn't know this is possible but they did my first this is possible but they did my first this is possible but they did my first brain surgery in Nigeria um this that brain surgery in Nigeria um this that brain surgery in Nigeria um this that saved my life that got me stable enough saved my life that got me stable enough saved my life that got me stable enough to where my dad was once I was stable to where my dad was once I was stable to where my dad was once I was stable enough my dad came from Houston and flew enough my dad came from Houston and flew enough my dad came from Houston and flew me flew came to Houston came to Nigeria me flew came to Houston came to Nigeria me flew came to Houston came to Nigeria and and um flew me back to Houston where and and um flew me back to Houston where and and um flew me back to Houston where I had uh three more three more brain I had uh three more three more brain I had uh three more three more brain surgeries when when I got back when I surgeries when when I got back when I surgeries when when I got back when I got back to when I got back to Houston got back to when I got back to Houston got back to when I got back to Houston Then um yeah and then I in January of Then um yeah and then I in January of Then um yeah and then I in January of 2015 that's when I started my my my 2015 that's when I started my my my 2015 that's when I started my my my recovery at at tier from her Herman um recovery at at tier from her Herman um recovery at at tier from her Herman um because because of my injury like I was because because of my injury like I was because because of my injury like I was completely paralyzed on my whole right completely paralyzed on my whole right completely paralyzed on my whole right side. I couldn't talk. Um, and I side. I couldn't talk. Um, and I side. I couldn't talk. Um, and I couldn't talk and I Yeah, I was. Um, couldn't talk and I Yeah, I was. Um, couldn't talk and I Yeah, I was. Um, yeah. So, it's the past, as you can see, yeah. So, it's the past, as you can see, yeah. So, it's the past, as you can see, my recovery is still a work in progress.

my recovery is still a work in progress. my recovery is still a work in progress. But over the past 10 years, you know, But over the past 10 years, you know, But over the past 10 years, you know, I've I've learned how to walk. I can I've I've learned how to walk. I can I've I've learned how to walk. I can walk again. I can talk again. And, um, walk again. I can talk again. And, um, walk again. I can talk again. And, um, I'm able to do things that, you know, I I'm able to do things that, you know, I I'm able to do things that, you know, I I didn't think that would be possible. I didn't think that would be possible. I didn't think that would be possible. So, uh, um, that's my story in a So, uh, um, that's my story in a So, uh, um, that's my story in a nutshell. nutshell. nutshell. So, um, yeah, that was big. You know, So, um, yeah, that was big. You know, So, um, yeah, that was big. You know, how I how I got into that is like is my how I how I got into that is like is my how I how I got into that is like is my team is my therapy team my tier cuz I team is my therapy team my tier cuz I team is my therapy team my tier cuz I knew how competitive cuz cuz before my knew how competitive cuz cuz before my knew how competitive cuz cuz before my injury I was I was a top tennis player. injury I was I was a top tennis player. injury I was I was a top tennis player. Um, but because of my injury, I couldn't Um, but because of my injury, I couldn't Um, but because of my injury, I couldn't be competitive. I couldn't play tennis be competitive. I couldn't play tennis be competitive. I couldn't play tennis anymore. Um, so but knowing that I was anymore. Um, so but knowing that I was anymore. Um, so but knowing that I was taking good care of my body, I was still taking good care of my body, I was still taking good care of my body, I was still exercising because of therapy and my my exercising because of therapy and my my exercising because of therapy and my my my team at therapy my te my team at tier my team at therapy my te my team at tier my team at therapy my te my team at tier knew that and knew how competitive it knew that and knew how competitive it knew that and knew how competitive it was. So then one day, you know, I think was. So then one day, you know, I think was. So then one day, you know, I think it was in 2019, they said, "Hey, why it was in 2019, they said, "Hey, why it was in 2019, they said, "Hey, why don't you why don't you consider don't you why don't you consider don't you why don't you consider bodybuilding?" But I was like, "No, look bodybuilding?" But I was like, "No, look bodybuilding?" But I was like, "No, look at me. I'm disabled. I I can't do that." at me. I'm disabled. I I can't do that." at me. I'm disabled. I I can't do that." And then they uh when they said you know And then they uh when they said you know And then they uh when they said you know they have they have they have categories they have they have they have categories they have they have they have categories for people with disabilities um known as for people with disabilities um known as for people with disabilities um known as known known as adaptive category. So known known as adaptive category. So known known as adaptive category. So once I looked into it I said okay yeah once I looked into it I said okay yeah once I looked into it I said okay yeah okay let's do it cuz I didn't do I okay let's do it cuz I didn't do I okay let's do it cuz I didn't do I didn't think I could be competitive didn't think I could be competitive didn't think I could be competitive anything.

anything. anything. >> Um so uh we started training even harder >> Um so uh we started training even harder >> Um so uh we started training even harder in 2020. Um I ended my my first in 2020. Um I ended my my first in 2020. Um I ended my my first competition but I was only I was the competition but I was only I was the competition but I was only I was the only bodybuilder. I was only I was the only bodybuilder. I was only I was the only bodybuilder. I was only I was the only adaptive category. I was only only adaptive category. I was only only adaptive category. I was only adapted bodybuilder in my so I was going adapted bodybuilder in my so I was going adapted bodybuilder in my so I was going against myself but be knowing the against myself but be knowing the against myself but be knowing the competitive I didn't want to go against competitive I didn't want to go against competitive I didn't want to go against myself so I as I asked hey can I join myself so I as I asked hey can I join myself so I as I asked hey can I join the other people the regular people like the other people the regular people like the other people the regular people like yeah so so I did and I got second to to yeah so so I did and I got second to to yeah so so I did and I got second to to to my to to to my surprise so once I saw to my to to to my surprise so once I saw to my to to to my surprise so once I saw that I was okay I'm locked in so I train that I was okay I'm locked in so I train that I was okay I'm locked in so I train even harder in 2021 that's when I won my even harder in 2021 that's when I won my even harder in 2021 that's when I won my that's when I won a show making me a that's when I won a show making me a that's when I won a show making me a professional body despite despite my professional body despite despite my professional body despite despite my despite my disabilities and bra injury So the foundation it really is really to So the foundation it really is really to is really so two of my friends from high is really so two of my friends from high is really so two of my friends from high school that involved in the foundation school that involved in the foundation school that involved in the foundation that weren't able to be here today they that weren't able to be here today they that weren't able to be here today they don't want to put the idea in my head don't want to put the idea in my head don't want to put the idea in my head that hey I should do something with my that hey I should do something with my that hey I should do something with my story I should do something bigger but story I should do something bigger but story I should do something bigger but at the time I was a little hesitant cuz at the time I was a little hesitant cuz at the time I was a little hesitant cuz I was I wanted to focus on my recovery I was I wanted to focus on my recovery I was I wanted to focus on my recovery but they said no we can start we can but they said no we can start we can but they said no we can start we can start small and we can grow as time goes start small and we can grow as time goes start small and we can grow as time goes on and I thought about okay when they on and I thought about okay when they on and I thought about okay when they said that okay let's do it. Um, but this said that okay let's do it. Um, but this said that okay let's do it. Um, but this this is this is true passion of mine this is this is true passion of mine this is this is true passion of mine because even I've been at I've been at because even I've been at I've been at because even I've been at I've been at Tier for like close to close to 10 Tier for like close to close to 10 Tier for like close to close to 10 years. So I've so people have come up to years. So I've so people have come up to years. So I've so people have come up to me and um patients here and they tell me me and um patients here and they tell me me and um patients here and they tell me oh I don't have insurance or my oh I don't have insurance or my oh I don't have insurance or my insurance is only giving me like five or

insurance is only giving me like five or insurance is only giving me like five or six visits for the whole year which is six visits for the whole year which is six visits for the whole year which is nothing. And I don't feel like I don't nothing. And I don't feel like I don't nothing. And I don't feel like I don't feel like insurance know what's all feel like insurance know what's all feel like insurance know what's all involved when we're coming from brain involved when we're coming from brain involved when we're coming from brain injury. um because they think they think injury. um because they think they think injury. um because they think they think it's just in and out which is not. It's it's just in and out which is not. It's it's just in and out which is not. It's very expensive and I don't feel like I very expensive and I don't feel like I very expensive and I don't feel like I don't feel like I feel I don't feel like don't feel like I feel I don't feel like don't feel like I feel I don't feel like outside of health insurance which is not outside of health insurance which is not outside of health insurance which is not always good always good always good there not enough resources where someone there not enough resources where someone there not enough resources where someone can go to get help with brain injury can go to get help with brain injury can go to get help with brain injury rehabilitation. So I wanted to fill that rehabilitation. So I wanted to fill that rehabilitation. So I wanted to fill that void. So that's that's what my void. So that's that's what my void. So that's that's what my foundation does. You know we fill that foundation does. You know we fill that foundation does. You know we fill that void and we provide pro provide void and we provide pro provide void and we provide pro provide financial assistance for for treatment financial assistance for for treatment financial assistance for for treatment um for people that that need it. Oh man, it's my why, you know. It's why Oh man, it's my why, you know. It's why it's why I do what I do, you know. It's it's why I do what I do, you know. It's it's why I do what I do, you know. It's why I fund raise, right? Like I do. It's why I fund raise, right? Like I do. It's why I fund raise, right? Like I do. It's why it's why I get up every day to do why it's why I get up every day to do why it's why I get up every day to do the things I do for moments moments like the things I do for moments moments like the things I do for moments moments like this. Um cuz I know I know how important this. Um cuz I know I know how important this. Um cuz I know I know how important it is to have that that support. Um it is to have that that support. Um it is to have that that support. Um especially that financial support for especially that financial support for especially that financial support for achievement. Um I know how important it achievement. Um I know how important it achievement. Um I know how important it is and I know not everybody has access is and I know not everybody has access is and I know not everybody has access to it. So if if I'm I'm lucky to be in a to it. So if if I'm I'm lucky to be in a to it. So if if I'm I'm lucky to be in a position where I can be able to help position where I can be able to help position where I can be able to help people like like Dante. So I just want people like like Dante. So I just want people like like Dante. So I just want to pay it forward because I feel like I to pay it forward because I feel like I to pay it forward because I feel like I feel like that's a big reason why God feel like that's a big reason why God feel like that's a big reason why God saved my life.

saved my life. saved my life. My he's he's not done with me, you know? My he's he's not done with me, you know? My he's he's not done with me, you know? I I still have to fulfill my his purpose I I still have to fulfill my his purpose I I still have to fulfill my his purpose and I feel like I'm fulfilling his and I feel like I'm fulfilling his and I feel like I'm fulfilling his purpose, you know, helping people like purpose, you know, helping people like purpose, you know, helping people like Dante Dante with with this with this Dante Dante with with this with this Dante Dante with with this with this with this with this scholarship. with this with this scholarship. with this with this scholarship. uh they can go to our website. Our uh they can go to our website. Our uh they can go to our website. Our website is ww.keelstrongfoundation.com. website is ww.keelstrongfoundation.com. website is ww.keelstrongfoundation.com. So you can you can find out all the you So you can you can find out all the you So you can you can find out all the you can read about recipients that we've can read about recipients that we've can read about recipients that we've helped in the past. You can read up more helped in the past. You can read up more helped in the past. You can read up more about our our mission, our cause and you about our our mission, our cause and you about our our mission, our cause and you can donate. So again that's can donate. So again that's can donate. So again that's kelshfoundation.com. >> Dantel is um my baby. Um on August 15th >> Dantel is um my baby. Um on August 15th um he was involved in a car accident. Um um he was involved in a car accident. Um um he was involved in a car accident. Um prior to that he was just a typical prior to that he was just a typical prior to that he was just a typical teenager. He played basketball teenager. He played basketball teenager. He played basketball outside of course um video games. Um he outside of course um video games. Um he outside of course um video games. Um he had just obtained his first job at um had just obtained his first job at um had just obtained his first job at um where was it? where was it? where was it? Wingstop.

Wingstop. Wingstop. And unbeknownst to me, he loved it. He And unbeknownst to me, he loved it. He And unbeknownst to me, he loved it. He would come home every day smelling like would come home every day smelling like would come home every day smelling like fried chicken. And I hated chicken after fried chicken. And I hated chicken after fried chicken. And I hated chicken after that. But it's okay. Um, but he was just that. But it's okay. Um, but he was just that. But it's okay. Um, but he was just a typical teenager. Going into his a typical teenager. Going into his a typical teenager. Going into his junior year of high school, he was junior year of high school, he was junior year of high school, he was involved in a car accident and he involved in a car accident and he involved in a car accident and he sustained a traumatic brain injury. sustained a traumatic brain injury. sustained a traumatic brain injury. I was devastated. Um, initially when I I was devastated. Um, initially when I I was devastated. Um, initially when I got the call, um, I was like, "No, he's got the call, um, I was like, "No, he's got the call, um, I was like, "No, he's where he's supposed to be. He's playing where he's supposed to be. He's playing where he's supposed to be. He's playing basketball." Cuz I immediately checked basketball." Cuz I immediately checked basketball." Cuz I immediately checked his location and he was exactly where he his location and he was exactly where he his location and he was exactly where he was supposed to be. Um, when I called was supposed to be. Um, when I called was supposed to be. Um, when I called his phone and a lady answered, I lost his phone and a lady answered, I lost his phone and a lady answered, I lost it. Um, I work from home. Um, so I was it. Um, I work from home. Um, so I was it. Um, I work from home. Um, so I was lucky enough to be home when it lucky enough to be home when it lucky enough to be home when it happened. Um, I grabbed my purse and I happened. Um, I grabbed my purse and I happened. Um, I grabbed my purse and I was running out the door. Um, had to was running out the door. Um, had to was running out the door. Um, had to make a U-turn and put some clothes on make a U-turn and put some clothes on make a U-turn and put some clothes on cuz hey, I work from home and my son, my cuz hey, I work from home and my son, my cuz hey, I work from home and my son, my oldest son just so happened to be at oldest son just so happened to be at oldest son just so happened to be at home and he said, "Mom, you have to calm home and he said, "Mom, you have to calm home and he said, "Mom, you have to calm down. um tell me what's going on so we down. um tell me what's going on so we down. um tell me what's going on so we can go. Um the hospital from my house is can go. Um the hospital from my house is can go. Um the hospital from my house is about 10 minutes. Well, the police sent about 10 minutes. Well, the police sent about 10 minutes. Well, the police sent me to the wrong hospital. So when I got me to the wrong hospital. So when I got me to the wrong hospital. So when I got there, um nobody knew what was going on.

there, um nobody knew what was going on. there, um nobody knew what was going on. So I rerouted all my family to um the So I rerouted all my family to um the So I rerouted all my family to um the hospital where he was. And when I got hospital where he was. And when I got hospital where he was. And when I got there, my sister was standing in line there, my sister was standing in line there, my sister was standing in line waiting. I said, 'What are you waiting waiting. I said, 'What are you waiting waiting. I said, 'What are you waiting on? She said, 'They told me I have to on? She said, 'They told me I have to on? She said, 'They told me I have to wait. I said, 'N no, we're not waiting. wait. I said, 'N no, we're not waiting. wait. I said, 'N no, we're not waiting. y'all are going to stop and you're going y'all are going to stop and you're going y'all are going to stop and you're going to tell me where my child is. He's 15 to tell me where my child is. He's 15 to tell me where my child is. He's 15 and he was brought here as an and he was brought here as an and he was brought here as an unidentified male. What's going on? Um unidentified male. What's going on? Um unidentified male. What's going on? Um so when the nurses came out, they um so when the nurses came out, they um so when the nurses came out, they um took me to the room and they explained took me to the room and they explained took me to the room and they explained that he was in surgery because um he had that he was in surgery because um he had that he was in surgery because um he had a he had a really pretty bad accident a he had a really pretty bad accident a he had a really pretty bad accident and a pretty bad brain injury. and a pretty bad brain injury. and a pretty bad brain injury. He has made tremendous progress. Um he He has made tremendous progress. Um he He has made tremendous progress. Um he can eat by mouth just a little bit, but can eat by mouth just a little bit, but can eat by mouth just a little bit, but it's pureed foods. Um, we have a it's pureed foods. Um, we have a it's pureed foods. Um, we have a communication system with his arm. Um, communication system with his arm. Um, communication system with his arm. Um, he'll go down for yes, bring it in for he'll go down for yes, bring it in for he'll go down for yes, bring it in for no, and sometimes you'll get a thumbs no, and sometimes you'll get a thumbs no, and sometimes you'll get a thumbs up. Um, he does also have, um, a DAB up. Um, he does also have, um, a DAB up. Um, he does also have, um, a DAB box, which is a a video I gaze system box, which is a a video I gaze system box, which is a a video I gaze system where he can communicate with that as where he can communicate with that as where he can communicate with that as well. well. well. It's going to open so many doors. He's It's going to open so many doors. He's It's going to open so many doors. He's going to be able to extend his therapy going to be able to extend his therapy going to be able to extend his therapy at tier. Um, when you have insurance, at tier. Um, when you have insurance, at tier. Um, when you have insurance, what happens is they they limit you. Um, what happens is they they limit you. Um, what happens is they they limit you. Um, this is limitless. So, it's going to this is limitless. So, it's going to this is limitless. So, it's going to help us big time.

help us big time. help us big time. Oh, he's amazing. He's phenomenal. For Oh, he's amazing. He's phenomenal. For Oh, he's amazing. He's phenomenal. For him to also go through a journey like him to also go through a journey like him to also go through a journey like this and be able to get back this and be able to get back this and be able to get back is dear to my heart. My hopes is for him is dear to my heart. My hopes is for him is dear to my heart. My hopes is for him to be back like he was, but better. Um, to be back like he was, but better. Um, to be back like he was, but better. Um, I tell his friends that you guys are on I tell his friends that you guys are on I tell his friends that you guys are on the same journey. His is just a little the same journey. His is just a little the same journey. His is just a little different course. You have to give him different course. You have to give him different course. You have to give him just a little bit more time, but he's just a little bit more time, but he's just a little bit more time, but he's going to get there. He's going to walk going to get there. He's going to walk going to get there. He's going to walk again. He's going to talk again and he's again. He's going to talk again and he's again. He's going to talk again and he's going to graduate college. He's going to going to graduate college. He's going to going to graduate college. He's going to get that chemical engineer degree that get that chemical engineer degree that get that chemical engineer degree that he was destined to get and I'm going to he was destined to get and I'm going to he was destined to get and I'm going to stand beside him and stick beside him no stand beside him and stick beside him no stand beside him and stick beside him no matter what. matter what. matter what. Everything that we've endured spoke Everything that we've endured spoke Everything that we've endured spoke volume that day. For him to be able to volume that day. For him to be able to volume that day. For him to be able to get up and walk to receive his diploma, get up and walk to receive his diploma, get up and walk to receive his diploma, that was one of the goals that we went that was one of the goals that we went that was one of the goals that we went back to tier phase three with and we back to tier phase three with and we back to tier phase three with and we succeeded. succeeded. succeeded. During that time frame, um, he broke his During that time frame, um, he broke his During that time frame, um, he broke his toes from weightbearing. Um, we were in toes from weightbearing. Um, we were in toes from weightbearing. Um, we were in a walking boot for months, but we were a walking boot for months, but we were a walking boot for months, but we were able to walk across that stage and he able to walk across that stage and he able to walk across that stage and he received his diploma.