24 May
Tom Segars’ Wild Ride Continues
Posted on 2009 under New Jersey, Tom and Lynda Segars, Traumatic Brain Injury Therapies | 6 CommentsHere is an update for any of you that have been following our son, Tom Segars, progress as he continues to recover from a traumatic brain injury that he suffered almost four years ago. For those of you who are not familiar with Tom’s injury, you can either read more about it here or you can watch the HBO documentary COMA. COMA follows four people who suffered a traumatic brain injury that landed them in comas. On television, people who awake from comas resume a normal life like nothing has happened. We only wish that it happened that way.
Tom continues to move forward but the pace is so slow for us. We want Tom to be better right now. We know that his recovery is in God’s hands and Tom’s hands. We have to do what we need to do to get him to his end goal.
Recently, Tom and Lynda found about a farm in Monroe, New Jersey that specializes in providing fun and therapeutic things for physically challenged people and children with developmental disabilities. The farm is Congress Hill Farm and the non profit organization that provides the fun is Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center. They have nine therapeutic horses, four therapists, three therapeutic riding instructors and one therapeutic driving instructor, an equine specialist and many volunteers. Their original goal was to provide their service for children but have recently started working with adults.
Tom and Lynda first visited the center a few weeks ago for an evaluation. The goal is for Tom to climb into the driver’s seat of a horse and buggy with a therapist at his side. Tom and the therapist both have reins and Tom would direct the horse with the reins. If needed, the therapist can take over. The first visit was to see how Tom handled getting up and onto the buggy. It went very well and it was decided that Tom could do this. On his first trip on the buggy, Lynda had to work, so Tom’s mom, Veronica took him.
Tom was introduced to his horse, Gypsy, and his driving instructor, Paula and a second therapist, Harriet, who would sit behind Tom in the buggy. You could see the enthusiasm in Tom’s face immediately. All three donned helmets and boarded the buggy. The initial excursion was around a track. After a little while, they allowed Gypsy to trot and as the buggy went faster, Tom’s smile got bigger and bigger. He was one happy person.
From this view you can see Tom and Paula and Gypsy. Tom is on the right.
Here you can see Harriet sitting behind Tom on the buggy.
Tom and Veronica had hardly left Congress Hill Farm when Tom asked when he could go back again. So every Tuesday around noon think of Tom steering Gypsy around the track at the Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center. If Tom does well, there is the possibility of guiding Gypsy along a wooded trail that they have at the farm. It is wonderful to see Tom doing fun things in his life.
9:27 pm on June 24th, 2009
Hello,
My name is Beverly and I am currently enrolled in school to be Certified Nurse Assistant. We watched the HBO movie Coma today in class. As difficult as it was to watch at times, our class learned a lot from it. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Just when we needed a break from the emotional rollercoaster that most of us were on Tom would say something that would get us laughing. I am sure that you know what choice words he used. I am very glad to see the progress that he has made and am happy to hear that Tom and Lynda got married. Please tell her that when she was asked how she does it day in and day out, that those around me commented on what a special person she is.
Once again, thank you for sharing your story with us.
Sincerely,
Beverly Carpenter
9:07 am on July 17th, 2009
Hi there i am currently going to school for PSW and just watched to movie COMA yesterday. It is a very educational movie and the realistic circumstances that anyone can face at any day. I would just like to say that Tom is a very strong person and it made me tear up to see that him and his fiance are still together, have a place and stuck with him throughout his worst. As parents, I can not imagine what you had to gp through, but all of you are very strong and lucky to have one another!
5:13 pm on August 20th, 2009
My husband and I just watched the documentary COMA last night. Tom’s story (and Lynda’s, and your whole family) really touched us.
I was SO happy when I googled for an update and found such a great one!
I will be praying for continued recovery for Tom! Love and best wishes sent from us.
Andrea
(Toronto Canada)
3:08 pm on September 1st, 2009
Hi Herb, not sure if you remember me. My husband Mike was Tom’s roommate at JFK. We think about your family all the time and have prayed for Tom since we left. Mike doesn’t remember much about JFK but he does remember the man who always came to talk to him (you). Our family is always thinking about you and your family.
Donna
12:06 pm on September 8th, 2009
I just finished watching the documentary Coma on HBO. Tom and your family touched me in such a way that I immediately picked up my computer and googled Tom’s name for an update. I am filled with joy to hear the progress he has made. I also wanted to comment on the wonderful family you obviously have. strength together is what touched me the most. God bless you all.
12:53 pm on September 8th, 2009
Hello , family I was so touched by your family’s story on hbo. I was actually folding laundry and decided to watch some tv to make the task go quicker.
Your a wonderful family going thru a very trying situation. I only wish the best for Tom and Lynda and of course the wonder parents who have always been there a bed side and therapy. GOd does have a plan for Tom and his future recovery he has made an amazing transformation.
God Bless, Mary