AWAKE
Jason and Amy the day after his accident.
"Jon and Michael recalled the pure joy to see Jason lock eyes with his bride. She moved quickly to his side, kissing his forehead. The sight of Jason was entirely different from the night before. He was sitting up, breathing on his own."
Jason and Michael Smith in the ICU with Pastor Knute Larson on the phone the morning after the accident.
"Of all the classic, most characteristic choices of Jason Kolb, he started praising God."
Finest Day, a song for Jason and Amy Kolb by Michael Smith, sung by Michael Smith and Mikaela Smith.
Jon Bucciarelli and Jason FaceTiming Mark Van Drunen.
From left to right: Amy's sister Jenn, Jenn's son Josh (who was nearby in Colorado Springs as a cadet in the U.S. Air Force Academy), and Amy's brother Steve in the ICU.
Amy's brother Steve in the ICU with Jason.
Mark Van Drunen arriving at the ICU.
Mark and Jason.
"As only a best friend could, Mark took on 'the ministry of the towel'—he upgraded Jason’s razor, and he shaved Jason’s face."
Amy's sister Jenn with Jason in the ICU. Jenn had photos printed to decorate the ICU and later Craig Hospital too.
"The family and friends began to mobilize. Amy’s sister Jenn came to be her 'right hand man,' even though Jenn was personally recovering from a shoulder surgery and her own right hand was in a sling. Still, she was by Amy’s side every day in the ICU."
Jason and Amy in the ICU.
Jason and his oldest son Daniel in the ICU.
"Daniel, Jason and Amy’s oldest son, came from The Ohio State University. He visited the ICU, and he watched as Jason spoke God’s truths to person after person: hospital staff, doctors, nurses, strangers, and friends. Not every young man gets to witness his father’s faith in action in the midst of trauma, but Daniel saw it firsthand: 'Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks' (Luke 6:45)."
Jason and Daniel in the ICU after Jason's collarbone surgery.
The Physical Therapy team first starting to sit Jason up in the ICU.
Jason and Amy at St. Anthony's Hospital.
Jason's brother Eric with Jason's sons and nephews lifting him into the boat at Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina, summer 2023. Jason's first time back in the boat!
"Most of the time, with all the modern technology and engineering, I’m quite independent. But every once in a while, I can’t do it on my own. It’s humbling—even humiliating—to be carried like this, and it reminds me of my need for help."
Jason being lifted into the boat, summer 2023, Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina.
"I don’t like being an inconvenience or a burden. I don’t like watching others struggle under the weight of me. I understand now what it may have been like for the men to get their friend up on that roof, and I understand the humiliation of the man on the mat. But maybe this is the best way to approach Jesus."
Jason's sons and nephews carrying him into the pool, summer 2024, Captiva Island, Florida.
Jason's sons and nephews carrying him into the ocean for the first time! Summer 2024, Captiva Island, Florida.
Jason's sons and nephews carrying him into the ocean for the first time! Summer 2024, Captiva Island, Florida.
Jason and his family, summer 2024, Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina.
"Someday, I will walk. But I don’t think that will happen on this side of heaven. In this life, God has given a different kind of healing, for Jesus has said to me, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.' And that is enough for me."
