Corey is now able to live at the house with his family in Pomona, CA and then goes over to the hospital for Therapy and Speech. His sight comes and goes, but seems to improve as far as seeing images and colors. The Briest Family is looking at moving back to Yankton by late summer and early fall, 2007.

Corey has gone through extensive surgeries and physical therapy. In reading the journal that his wife Jen has been maintaining on www.caringbridge.com; it is amazing the strength that Corey has. Corey received a very serious head injury from the explosion. Shrapnel entered the left side of his brain and went all the way through to the right. Corey had surgery in Iraq and they removed most of the right part of the skull to make room for swelling. The explosion injured his lungs and he was on a ventilator. Corey was then transported to Germany and then to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda , MD. On Dec 8th. At that time Jen and Corey’s Mom were told that he was unrecoverable, well Corey being the strong person that he is, has proven them wrong. On Dec 9th they did an EEG that showed that he had organized brain activity which was good news.

Below we have highlighted just a few of the days in Corey’s recovery:

  • On December 19th, 2005 Corey opened his eyes for the first time!
  • Christmas Day 2005 he pointed his right index finger and moved his left arm
  • Jan 15th, 2006 he was moved to DVA Medical Center in Minneapolis , Mn.
  • January 20th, 2006 he washed his face by himself. Amazing!
  • April 1st, 2006 Corey took his first steps since the accident
  • May 24th, 2006 he was flown back to Bethesda for surgery to rebuild his skull
  • May 30th, 2006 Corey had surgery and did very well
  • June 9th, 2006 Corey was moved to Casa Colina in Pomana, Ca. to continue intensive physical therapy
  • He spoke his first word on July 1st, 2006 
  • Dressed himself on July 19th, 2006 
  • Repeated words said to him on July 29th, 2006
  • By August 6th, 2006 Corey stood by himself and walked with help
  • August 28th, 2006 his feeding tubes were removed
  • August 29th, 2006 he was moved to the Transitional Living Center of the Casa Colina facility, to prepare him to go live with his family
  • October 21st, 2006 Corey was able to spend the night with his family and sleep next to his wife Jen
  • October 23rd, 2006 he was able take a walk with his family and hold hands.
  • April 14th, 2007 Corey was singing Champion of the World Song.  

We would encourage all to read the journal from start to finish, send Corey a message, it does not have to be much just say hi; it makes us think about the day to day things we do that come so natural and easy and Corey has had to relearn these with great success; walking, talking, all motor skills, hygiene, getting dressed, hand holding, etc.

You can read more about Corey and his recovery by going to www.caringbridge.com. If you have any questions, please contact pakland@shur-co.com.

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