Derek Ruth Moves Forward

If you want to know what determination and drive can do, you don't have to go very far.

Derek Ruth is living proof that with those qualities, miracles can happen.

The 13-year-old is battling back from a traumatic brain injury that happened almost one year ago. His parents say he was playing football, a sport he loved, when he was hit.

Derek's mom, Jen Ruth, shares what went through her mind.  “This really can't be happening.  I don't think you ever think you're going to go through it.”

And his life changed forever.

Holly Schifsky, Derek's occupational therapist, says, “he could not hold his head up, he could not move his arms or his legs except for that left hand.  We had a 12-year-old kid that functioned like a two-month-old infant.”

Derek had to start all over, from learning to walk, to write, and even to talk.

Jen says, “the hopes and dreams we had pre-injury are different then they might be now.”

That means taking things one day at a time.

Holly says, “everyday we'd start to see glimmers of hope.”

Hope that continues to guide Derek down this long road to recovery, a road that would have been impossible without his strength.

She says Derek is very dedicated and driven.  “That's whats helped us get him as far as he's gotten.”

And a personality that shines through.

“He is so happy to be with us and he knows what a miracle all of this has been.”

A miracle that never stops.

Jen says, “it's changed him physically, mentally, emotionally, but I think he's going to be stronger in a lot of ways.”

Derek hopes to become an ambassador for traumatic brain injury to show that you can recover after such a devastating accident.

In fact, his doctor talked to him about removing some of his scars from his accident.  Derek tod him, no, that he wanted to keep them so others could relate to him.

Derek will be honored for the progress he's made at the 2009 Madonna Chair's GOAL Awards.  That's on Tuesday, October 13 at the Cornhusker from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

For more information, visit www.madonna.org

Anyone wanting to help support Derek and his family, contributions can be made to the Derek Ruth Benefit Fund.

Send donations to:

EVW Football League for Benefit of Derek Ruth

3331 N. 204th st, PO Box 469

Elkhorn, NE 68022