If I didn't know Pete's sister personally, it would be hard even for me to swallow - but it's TRUE, every word of it! I was there when she was choking back tears and half-frantic after hearing of Pete's "accident"; and I was there when she reported the almost unbelievable aftermath. To God be the glory! Here's the story:

Pete, age 29, was crossing a bridge in a busy city in Ontario, Canada on foot on the evening of December 13, 2001 when he was attacked by an unknown assailant and thrown head-first off the bridge to the cement some 30 feet below. Video surveillance cameras on the bridge confirm this was an unprovoked attack, not a suicide attempt on Pete's part or a heated dispute gone bad. Pete didn't even speak to the man who whirled on him and clubbed him on the head for no apparent reason.

Pete was so badly injured on landing that he had to be identified by a large mole on one arm. Both hands were snapped clean off at the wrists. His face was unrecognizable. Skull fracture, nose mashed, eyes swollen due to internal hemorrhaging in his brain, lungs needing to be drained daily because of ongoing bleeding in his chest cavity, etc., etc., etc. For two days Pete was clinically brain-dead.

Despite all this, his spine was not broken. (At first it was believed it had been, because his injuries were so severe doctors couldn't do a CAT scan for fear of disturbing the various tubes projecting from his mangled body.) And by December 17th, when I first heard the story, the miracle had already progressed this far:

1. Pete can recognize people (his mom's the only person he's been allowed to hear speak yet because they don't want to elevate his blood pressure by stimulating his brain, at least until they get the bleeding under better control). He can hear, process requests to blink or whatever, and so on. In other words, his brain is functioning despite all of these horrific injuries. What a mighty God we serve!


2. He can move his leg(s?) when asked to try; and he was also able to move his arm(s?) a little bit when his mom was there.

Is that incredible or what? But it's only the beginning! Here's the praise report dated January 9, 2002:

PETE TELEPHONED CAROLYN (his sister) THIS MORNING!! I'm not sure how the call was managed logistically, but one way or another it was made.
Here's a little more information:

• His back/neck was NOT broken in the fall, praise the Lord. :-)
  
  
• After five reconstructive surgeries on his face, he can see, smile, talk, remember; no brain damage! HALLELUJAH!
  
  
• Both arms were snapped off at the wrists, as I understand Carolyn's report. His hands have been fitted with mechanical devices. Not sure exactly what's involved in this; my stomach gets queasy when medical details are discussed. (I completely turned off my psychological hearing aid when she was speaking of the damage to his head and face a few weeks ago.)
  
  
• He has been able to walk with assistance!
  
  
• He has been transferred from Intensive Care to the Trauma unit.
  

Are you swimming in awe even now, just reading about this? There's more!!! A few weeks later Pete signed himself out of hospital... went home to complete his recovery... and (the metal pins having been removed from his fingers) - despite blindness presumably arising from his injuries - started practicing his beloved drums again. (He's a drummer with a small band evidently.) And guess what? He's booked his first post-accident gig for March 31st!

Father, words cannot express the immensity of our worship of Your wondrous power as evidenced by this. We know You have a purpose for Pete's life, and we praise You from the bottom of our hearts for the incredible testimony You have given Him to share to Your glory, that others may be encouraged despite the darkness of their personal situations. We thank You, Lord. Amen.