Pray for Jim Stewart, recovering from serious bike accident (updated 7/31/21)

Parishioner Jim Stewart suffered a serious bike accident shortly before Easter 2021. He suffered a a head injury, a broken hip (had total hip replacement surgery), 4 broken ribs, facial fractures, and a shoulder injury. He has been in a lot of pain.

The family has created a Caring Bridge site to assist us in following his recovery and communicating support and encouragement to him.

Please pray for Jim Stewart!

Caring Bridge Site for Jim Stewart

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimstewart9

Follow the prompts to create and/or sign up for a Caring Bridge account, as needed, and "Follow" his site to receive updates.

July 31, 2021 update: Jim completed his rehab at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, and was scoring in the 80% range on cognitive tests. He has returned to Chattanooga to continue rehab at a local facility for one week. After that, he is finally returning to his own home! He will continue his therapies at home. Jim's family expects that being in his familiar home environment with the opportunity to see all his family and friends will help his mental recovery.

June 17 update: Here is a picture of Jim supporting the amazing Atlanta Hawks run in the playoffs so far :). Mentally he is doing about the same. He still remembers some things but also is talking about random things as well. Physically he is hitting PT hard. We should have a better idea in the next week or so on how long he will be at Shepherd and what the next steps are.

May 26 Update: The family had a meeting with the doctor yesterday and he mentioned that Jim has a long road ahead of him but called him a 'motivated and impressive guy'. They are impressed with his work ethic and determination, which is not surprising to anyone that knows him. He continues to work hard at PT and Speech Therapy.

May 18 Update - They had Jim up and taking a few steps today which is the first time he has been really up and moving. The last few days they have had him standing, but today he took his first actual steps with assistance.

May 11 Update: Jim was moved on April 8 from Erlanger Hospital to Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA, for rehabilitation. For a few weeks, he went into ICU several times because of breathing difficulties and other complications. He is now receiving speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Although he is experiencing confusion, as the doctors expect him to, he has been in good spirits. He talks and recognizes family members and wants to go home. He was recently able to begin sitting up for part of the day, and over Mother's Day weekend he got to go outside for a bit.

About Jim Stewart

Jim Stewart is a lector and sacristan at the Basilica. He is married to Kathy Stewart and his son Justin Stewart serves as a sacristan. The three of them normally attend the 5:30 Vigil Mass.