Requests and Prayer Gathering

We are asking everyone to honor the wishes of the family by not calling, emailing, texting or visiting at this time. If you wish to write a note of concern to the family, you may drop it off at the church office and a clergy member will take it to them.

The Youth of Oak Grove UMC's Revolution Community would like for you to come and pray with them for Thomas.

"Thomas is our friend and is in need of our prayers for life and healing. His parents, Jim & Virginia, and his brother, Daniel, are family to us and they need our prayers of peace and comfort. Please join us on Wednesday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the church Sanctuary for a Service of Prayer. This service will be a time of guided prayer for 20 - 30 minutes and then the sanctuary will remain open for a time of silent or small group prayer."

Moving to Grady

Thomas has been cleared to travel by ambulance from NC to Grady Memorial Trauma Center. They are leaving now. His mom, Virginia will be riding in the ambulance with him. They are expected to arrive at Grady around 8:30pm.

Thomas' condition is stable.

More... 1:26pm EST

It is serious damage to Thomas' nerve endings that has him comatose for an undetermined period of time.  While he is not in any immediate danger of internal bleeding, he has suffered a very devastating accident with an unknown outcome.  The doctors have told Virginia and Jim that he could remain in a coma indefinitely.  He is young and strong, which will help, and, of course, prayer will help most of all.  We want to storm the gates of heaven for this family who means so much to us all.    It is hoped Thomas will be moved to Grady Hospital in Atlanta later today. Unfortunately, latest word from Jim (11am) was that transfer has not been approved by their insurance carrier - Blue Cross/Blue Shield. They are in a holding pattern with medical transport and drivers ready. 

On behalf of Jim and Virginia

As you may be aware, Thomas S. (Jim and Virginia’s youngest son) had an accident while snowboarding with the Scouts on Sunday morning. He is currently at Mission Hospital near the Biltmore in Ashville, North Carolina. The family is in the process of preparing to have him transported to Grady today. Since the accident he has not been conscious though he responds to stimulation. The physicians have implanted a monitoring device to track brain activity. Jim says that at this point the prognosis is good, but that there may be a long recovery period. Where ever you are at the moment, please share prayer for Thomas, his brother Daniel, Jim and Virginia. In the hours and days ahead, please continue to bathe Thomas, the family, and care providers in prayer that Thomas recovers fully and quickly from this head trauma. While your thoughts and prayer are encouraged, the family desires no phone calls during this period.

Monday Morning - Jan 31, 2011

Jim reports Thomas' condition is consistent but stable. They are anticipating transfer today to Grady Hospital where the Emory physicians are expecting him.

Update From Thomas' Family

Troop 77, and friends...

In case you have not heard, one of our Scouts, Thomas S., was badly hurt this weekend in a snowboarding accident. Though wearing a helmet, Thomas suffered serious head trauma due to a moving fall and has been unconscious since. Please keep Thomas in your thoughts and prayers. During this difficult time, Jim and Virginia ask that we please refrain form calling them, as they are passing along information to Me (Gary), and others which we will get out as soon as possible. I will be handling Troop email for the foreseeable future.

The latest word from Virginia's Facebook page (being updated by a friend as possible) is:

"Virginia has no way to update via FB or email. Here is the latest from Virgina:

Thanks for all the prayers! We are very pleased with Mission hospital and staff in Asheville. Thomas remains sedated and on a ventilator.

Of course I have been praying for the diagnosis of a concussion, but after meeting with the doctor just now it appears to be much more serious.

Thomas' condition is 'diffuse axonal shearing in both hemispheres and is likened to those who've been in a severe car crash.

Of course exact prognosis is currently unknown - it's just too early - but we've been told to prepare for a long term recovery. The hospital is preparing to transfer Thomas to Emory's spinal cord injury unit in Atlanta on Monday or as soon as possible.

Pray for Thomas, please."

We will post information here as it becomes available about Thomas on http://prayforthomas.blogspot.com

Last names are intentionally being removed on the blog. Please look here for the latest or Virginia's FB page if you are connected to her there. She is unable to process friend requests at this time, so please do not request them for info - look to the blog instead as I will post what the family asks me to share.

Yours in Scouting,
Troop 77