Ab Workout

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! The following are three videos from last weeks ab workout on the total gym and on the table. I really liked the boxing ones ;).




The weights on my hands pulled me forward so I had to use my abs and back muscles to stop the motion and keep myself from falling over. It was really difficult because the momentum was hard to stop. Also, standing on the the total gym puts weight through my legs.

This exercise is to work on my hip rotation. Its getting a lot better, but its still kind of shaky.

Steps to Recovery

This week Project Walk had their annual Steps to Recovery fundraiser! About 10 people who were told they were never going to walk again walked across the parking lot in front of a crowd of people who where cheering them on! One guy even played a little one-on-one with Mr. Ted (one of the founders of PW)! :) It was so amazing! These people were told to give up and move on with their lives but they believed, had faith and persevered, and they achieved what was supposed to be impossible. I am so excited to be a part of this program! 

Romans 4:17-18 (NLT)

- ....This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and creates new things out of nothing. Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping...

Romans 4:20-21 (NLT)

- Abraham never wavered in believing God's promises. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 

Here are a few pictures from last week. In the ones of me standing I was holding my hips and posture with my therapist only blocking out my knees because I cannot lock them on my own yet. You can see the difference in my posture if you compare these pictures with some of the earlier pictures of me standing with aid. On the spin bike my posture is also getting better and I am able to sit up tall and pedal. Backwards is still better than forwards because I still have trouble initiating it on my own when I want to pedal forward, and I still have trouble stopping. 

Pedaling backward

Pedaling forward

Its been a while...

Hey everyone! Sorry I have not updated you guys in a while. Things are going good out here! I don't have any new pictures to put up however i am hoping to have some new video by the end of this week. Momma and Daddy were here this past week. They stayed from the 10th -20th. I was really excited that they were able to see all the progress I have made. I'm sure if you see them they can fill you in on a lot of it! Momma said that its better to see it in person than on the video or pictures! They were able to see me on the spin bike, the robomedica, and many other things like standing with the help of my trainers and the total gym. I have gotten some tone back in my legs and in my core but there is still more to go and more work to be done. Thank you all once again for your support! I can't express enough how much I appreciate everyone who has and is praying for me and encouraging me. 

Spin Bike

I finally have some video of me on the spin bike from last week! As you can see, I am able to pedal forwards some, however it is very difficult. We also started to stop and reverse directions. I am not to great at stopping :) Haha. I have been feeling alot of pain these past couple of weeks, which is a good thing. School is going well. Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement. I appreciate and love you all. 

More Pictures

The past couple of weeks have been super busy! I started school this week and I love it. The campus is much smaller than LSU but I like it that way.

My core is getting stronger as you can see form the pictures where I am balancing with one hand and my finger tips. We are also still working on locking and unlocking my knees. I have made more progress on the spin bike and I can pedal a little bit forwards! (However, I don't have any video of it) I am praying that this continues to get stronger and stronger. Thanks to everyone for all the prayers! I am going to try to post some video as soon as i figure out how to rotate it so its not sideways :)








The purpose of this exercise was to work out my core and my hips. It really worked. I felt the burn ;)

Robomedica

Here are some videos of me on the Robomedica. I really love this one because I was able initiate the pull through with my hip flexors! The load bearing also helps and my legs are very sore after. 

This Week

This week was another great week. My trainer and I are still focusing on my hips and my core. We also are working on locking and unlocking my knees, and my quads have started to have contractions! On wednesday I used a machine called the Robomedica. It was really great. I don't have any pictures of it this week but I hope to have some next week when we do it again. Basically I am in a harness on a treadmill with the therapist moving my legs in a normal walking motion. It works a lot on load bearing and it also helps you to get muscles activated. On both my right and my left the trainers said that they could feel me initiating the pull through with my hip flexors! It was so exciting. Here are a couple of exercises I did on friday.

~Pictures and Video~

These are some of the exercises I did this week. On the Spin Bike I am able to pedal on my own because my hip flexors are getting stronger.

I pedal better backwards than I do forwards! :)

Work and Progress

It has been a busy week. On Tuesday I flew home to get fitted for my van. It was a short visit and I came back to California on Wednesday. The shippers are supposed to pick it up on Tuesday so hopefully in about two weeks i'll finally be able to drive. We are continuing to work on my hips and they are definately getting stronger. We worked on my balance some more this week. My trainer made me close my eyes which makes it a lot more difficult to balance, but I was able to hold myself even with my eyes closed. Here are a few pictures of me standing on the Power Plate and balancing.

Progress!

This week was a really great week with lots of hip work. We have had some progress, Praise the Lord! I was able to stand and hold my hips myself. My balance was good and I did not fall! I am so ready to just jump up and run! I've gotten to the point where I really hate pushing this stupid chair around lol. Today I went work out in the gym at our apartment complex. I can use all the upper body equipment which is really great. I have to keep these "guns" in shape ;)  I can also swim now because the pool lift is finally in. I feel like I am gaining more independence every day. Hopefully my van will be ready next week so I can start driving.  Please keep praying that all signals will begin to go where they need to go and that the muscles will move in Jesus Name! 

Standing with Chad just locking out my knees!

Balancing with one hand.

Standing/squats.

This is how we do it in the U.S!

This week flew by! However, it was a great week. Stabilization of my hips and activation of my lower abdominal was the main focus of the week. Before I can stand I have to be able to hold myself  with my hips in the correct position for correct posture. The weeks workout consisted of lots of crunches and ab work followed by hero squats, weight bearing and workouts on the Total Gym. 

On another note, I'm starting to get my first tan ever!!! :) It's always sunny here in California. I'm starting learn my way around, however, there was a GPS purchased to aid in the process ;)

I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Lots of love to all!

Hero Squats

This Week

My first week at Project Walk was great! I absolutely love it here. I learned about muscles that do work and muscles that don't work yet but need to start working. Also, the circulation in my legs has improved greatly! Prayer points for this week: that my lower abdominal, gleuts, and back muscles would start working. These are some of the main muscles needed to stand and have good posture. Also, keep praying that the slight contractions in my upper abdominal, hip flexors, and adductors would get stronger and stronger in Jesus Name! Here are a few pictures from the week. Lots of love to all!

First Day!

Today was my first day at Project Walk and it was amazing. Already my body is starting to work. My obliques, middle abdominal, hip flexors, and adductors muscles were having slight contractions! Praise God! I know that the healing will begin to speed up as I continue pressing on. Thanks for all the prayers and keep em' coming. I'm going to post pictures of the first week later on. Lots of Love to all!

California

California weather is beautiful!! Jamie and I arrived safely on Tuesday. We are finished unpacking and everything looks great! I will start therapy on Monday. I am really, really excited! Our apartment is very accessible as is the rest of the city. I really believe this is a great place for healing! Now that all the unpacking is done we are going to relax and play today; to explore more about our new home! :) Please keep me in prayer next week as I begin therapy. I will be training from 11:00-1:00 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. More postings to come! Lots of Love to all.

Thanks!

Well, all the fundraising is over and it's getting closer to the time for me to move! The banquet was so awesome! Everyone had a blast! Thank you to the Friends of Jessica Duhon committee, Jennifer Salter, Carol Lewis, Kristi Normand, Adam Harthcock, Jessica Greenfield, and Jamie Duhon, for making the dinner a success. Thanks also to Jonathan Bowles, James Stockstill, and Llyod Henderson for their help! Special thanks to my family, my mom, dad, brothers, grandpa, grandmothers, and all others for your support! We raised way more than I expected which just proves that the Lord is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us! (Ephesians 3:20)

Jamie and I will be heading out to California on June 3rd and I am scheduled to start at Project Walk on June 9th. Im really loking foward to what the Lord is going to do while I am there! I will continue to keep everyone updated. Lots of love to all!

Banquet!!!

On May 16, 2008 my committee is planning a benefit banquet at Boudreaux's here in Baton Rouge! It's going to be great! There will be a live and silent auction, giveaways and great food. Cocktail attire so everyone will be dressed to impress! :) It's going to be a great time of fellowship and fun! I would love for everyone, who is able, to come. Tickets are 100.00 per a person and $800.00 for a table of 10. If you want more info. or tickets just let me know (or see fundraising blog) and I will get it for you- email: helpjesswalk@gmail.com. Hope to see you there! ;)

Skeet Shoot

The skeet shoot fundraiser this past weekend was amazing! Thank you to everyone who helped out and participated!

Hello Everyone

Hey guys! This is so sweet…my own website! :) Well, I just wanted to let everyone know what the purpose of this site is. I am going to be attending an intense spinal cord injury recovery facility in Carlsbad, Ca in June of 2008! The name of the facility is Project Walk. On this site you will be able to find out more about Project Walk, info on the various fundraisers that I am having, how you can make a donation, and I will also be posting updates on my progress while at Project Walk. I am very excited to see what the Lord has in store for me while in California! If you would like more info about project walk visit here, projectwalk.org. If you would like any additional information about fundraisers, donations or Project Walk, just let me know and I will do my best to get it for you! Well hope everyone has a blessed day! Can’t wait to write the blog that says, “I AM WALKING! PRAISE THE LORD!” Lots of love to all!

Fundraising Events

Sporting Clay Tournament

Ed’s Sporting Clays

21325 Chestnut Road

Kaplan, La 70548

Saturday April 5^th, 2008

Registration starts @ 8:00 am

Tournament begins @ 9:00 am

Food and refreshments served

$400 for team of 4

$100 per shooter

Banquet Dinner to Benefit the

NTAF Southeast Spinal Cord Injury Fund

Friday May 16, 2008

7 pm- 11pm

Boudreaux’s

2647 Government Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

$100/ticket; $800/table of 10

Limited Seating

Live and Silent Auctions, Giveaways

Cocktail Attire

**Tickets must be purchased in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door.