AD SPACE

One tough cowboy


Mavis Gonshorowski
Seven-year-old Gavin’s CaringBridge website, dated August 3, says, “Gavin is bright-eyed and bushy tailed this morning after a good night’s sleep. He is tossing the ball around and what an arm he has. He is getting stronger every day.”
A patient at the Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota, with a severe brain injury sustained on July 22, 2008, Gavin Skime is proving to be one tough cowboy.
The son of Darwin Skime and Teri Shafer, he is the grandson of Dean and Diane Shafer of Strathcona.
In a telephone conversation with Grandma Diane on Sunday evening, she said, “Gavin starts organized therapy tomorrow (Monday). Every day he’s coming out with a few more new words. He talked with Grandpa Dean on the phone on Saturday!
“He’s been out for wheelchair rides around the hospital; he’s able to sit fairly upright.”
At the present time, it is expected that Gavin will be undergoing surgery in about three weeks to repair his skull that was fractured.
“When Gavin underwent his first surgery, larger portions of fractured bone were taken out and frozen. Plans are to put the pieces of fractured bone back in; it’ll be somewhat like working a jigsaw puzzle,” Diane stated. “It’s much better to have the actual skull pieces rather than a prosthesis.
“It’s too early to tell about the final outcome. Every child is unpredictable; you just don’t know what their recovery will be. Right now, we’re just waiting to see.”
If anyone would like to keep in touch with Gavin’s progress and/or register with the guest book, go to the website caringbridge.org and type in gavinskime.
Gavin’s website says, “Your guest book entries have been a God send to Teri and Darwin each evening when they get a chance to sit down and read how many people are praying for their little boy.”
Grandma Diane commented, “We are so thankful to all those who have been so wonderful for the support Gavin, Teri and Darwin have received through their prayers and well-wishes. It means so much.”
We wish only the very best to you, Gavin!! Hang tough in the saddle; hold on tight, Cowboy. We’re rootin’ for you every step of the way!

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