REHABILITATION

Jason and Amy during wheelchair class at Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

"On Fridays, the therapists opened the gym for wheelchair games—and they weren’t just for the patients. They had a bunch of empty wheelchairs off to the side, and any family members who had come to visit were welcome to hop in a chair and compete. They played soccer with their hands, and they played basketball from seated positions. Most of the people enjoyed competing against their spouses or partners, but not Jason and Amy. When they chose teams, Jason and Amy chose to be on the same team. They claimed a motto that would be their anthem: Teammates For Life."

The Kolb family loved to join in on games during Jason's rehab at Craig Hospital.

"There were unexpected blessings in each leg of the journey, and one of the early gifts was Jason’s proximity to Craig Hospital, a world-class rehabilitation facility for patients with spinal cord injuries. Most of his time at Craig hospital was fun and challenging."

Jason and Amy during Jason's rehab at Craig Hospital.

"These are the moments when the true strength of the marriage is revealed, when the promise of 'in sickness and in health' takes on new significance, calling for renewed dedication to compassion, patience, and mutual support. Within these challenges, there lay for Jason and Amy an opportunity to deepen their bond, to reaffirm those vows in ways that are both meaningful and transformational."

The Kolb family at Craig Hospital during Jason's rehab.

Jason in rehab at Craig Hospital. (The nurse on the right was originally from Hudson, Ohio.)

Jason enjoying time outside at Craig Hospital.

Jason and Amy with three of their kids, their nephew Josh, and Amy's sister Jenn at Craig Hospital.

Jason and Amy with Dr. Scelza at Craig Hospital. Dr. Scelza, also a paraplegic, is from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio! (His brother was Amy's favorite Geometry teacher at Stow High School—small world!)

Jason in rehab at Craig with his PT, who became the Kolbs' friend. Here, she's teaching Jason how to transfer into the family car.

"Together, Jason and Amy learned how to travel, a process that now involved dozens of new skills. They would learn how to transfer Jason in and out of his wheelchair, how to navigate cars and seatbelts, and even how to navigate airplane seating. They took small outings to restaurants and a farmer’s market."

The Kolbs with the very helpful Occupational Therapist who became a friend.

The Physical Therapist teaching Jason how to recover from potential falls.

The Physical Therapist teaching Jason and his family how to recover from potential falls.

Jason during rehab at Craig Hospital.

"He would be there for two full months, learning new ways to complete everyday skills for his new way of life. He needed to learn how to lift himself from the bed to his wheelchair, how to navigate the ongoing task of skin care on a body he could not feel, and how to maneuver his wheelchair up and down steps."