Sunshine Soldier

In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined that we would be where we are today. On this day, 3 years ago, I was sitting by my precious baby boy’s bed. I was holding his hand. I was praying for him. Thousands of others were too. No one knew what the next day would bring, or even the next moment for that matter. We feared the worst, but we hoped for a miracle.

Well, the Lord had plans for our sweet Silas. His plans did not include death at 14 years old. His plans did not include 2 years at Shepherds Institute. His plans did not include being out of his mind or mean. His plan was for Silas to overcome and to thrive. His plan was for him to shine his light for Jesus so brightly. His plan was for Silas to love big and encourage everyone around him. His plan was for him to grow tall and even more importantly, for him to grow so deeply in his faith. And nothing can thwart God’s plan.

Silas just finished his Junior year at Rivers Edge Christian Academy. He is so excited to be heading into his Senior year and is even more excited about college. He currently works as a caregiver to a little boy with Down Syndrome. Silas has a huge heart for our friends with special needs. He always has, but the accident gave him a new level of compassion for these precious people.

He loves music and spends hours learning songs on his piano and guitar. He is hard on himself, but he really has quite the ear for music.

Silas still struggles with vertical double vision since the accident. He wears prism glasses that allow him to be very functional. He can do most things, including drive, but most sports are quite challenging since the glasses don’t bring the 2 images to perfect alignment. It’s pretty challenging to play basketball when you see two of them. But he never, ever complains and just does his best.

Silas has continued to go to Ophthalmology in Cincinnati every 3 months. Dr. Diroff has monitored his progress. She has come to know and love him and is completely fascinated by him. She was sad with him when his eye progress stopped around year one post-accident. And she was beyond thrilled right along with him when his eyes began to progress again at 2 years and 9 months post-accident. That’s right. Suddenly, in February of this year his eye exam showed progress. After there had been NONE for over a year and a half. We were all overjoyed! Then, last Friday Silas went back again. And guess what…. progress!!!!

The Lord has His hand on our precious Silas. His ways are not our ways. They are so much better.