A Long-Overdue Update
The Gascon Family
Friends,
It has been a little more than a year now since Juan Carlos had his accident. Things continue to go well as the family has adjusted to a different kind of lifestyle.
Juan and Connie have a nurse who comes in several times a week to help Juan Carlos do the things he needs to do each day. This also allows Connie to run errands and do work outside the home from time to time. Juan is still making slow progress – he can use his left arm and hand very well, and has some use of his right arm.
The boys continue in school. They have taken on a lot of responsibility in the last year, and they’ve matured a lot because of it. Jonathan went with the Kenbridge Baptist team on a mission trip to Mexico last summer, and JC will go with the team this summer (July 4-11).
Among their greatest concerns in the last few months has been their finances, as you might expect. While their expenses for medical care and equipment have been mostly covered by medicare and insurances, their family income has been limited by the restrictions on social security and disability payments.
This is where the Gascon Fund has come in. So many of you have contributed, and money still comes in from time to time. All told, the Fund has gathered more than $40,000 to help the Gascons, and nearly half of that amount is still left and reserved for their needs. The fund has been used to help with the purchase of a wheelchair, van, and other necessary equipment. It is also used to meet their monthly expenses when the need arises.
Another important step in the last few months has been the renovation of their bathroom! The bathroom in the parsonage at Jonesboro was adequate for a family without special needs. But with Juan Carlos’ condition it was nearly impossible to use. The space was cramped and completely inaccessible by wheelchair. To bathe Juan Carlos, the Gascons would either have to use cloths and sponges, or carry him to houses of friends who had accessible bathrooms.
Thanks to the work of many individuals and the Department of Rehabilitative Services, their bathroom has been renovated and outfitted for Juan’s use. J.C. sent an update recently, along with pictures of the old and new bathrooms. I’ll quote his message:
The Old Bathroom
Dear Friends,
Greetings, from the Gascon Family. As y’all may see below a picture of our new roll in shower bathroom, which was completed March 11th. There is also a picture of the bathroom before the renovation. In all it cost $15,000 which Dept. of Rehabilitation paid for. Two men from Hanover came and worked on it [for about] a month. In the meantime we’ve been going to different places to shower – the hispanic church (Anastasis), and the homes of our wonderful neighbors ( The Williams’ & The Woods). We really are thankful to have such close and nice neighbors.
The New Bathroom!
March 11th was the 365th day since the accident, and all those days we have felt God’s Blessings and all your prayers.
Thanks for all your prayers, love and support. May God Bless Y’all MUCHO!!!
Our Love,
The Gascon Family:):)
<–eL UniC0 JC
The family has constantly expressed to me how much they appreciate all your prayers and support. They remain in good spirits, and constantly praise God for the work he’s doing in their lives and in their church.
I haven’t been good about updating this site, as you’ve noticed! If you have a question at any time about what’s going on with the Gascons, please feel free to email me (jon AT kenbridgebaptist DOT org) and I’ll see what I can find out.
