I WANT TO SHARE THIS STORY WITH MY FRIENDS. THESE EMAILS ARE FROM A LADY I MET A FEW YEARS AGO THROUGH "GOATS". SHE IS A RETIRED "NEO-NATAL NURSE". SHE CANNOT STAND SITTING AROUND DOING NOTHING. SHE SAID 'SHE JUST HAS TO TAKE CARE OF SOMEONE". SHE LOST HER GOATS IN THE ORDWAY FIRES LAST YEAR. ALONG WITH GOATS SHE HAS TAKEN IN SOME FOSTER CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. ALL WE HEAR IS THE BAD STUFF IN THE NEWS, I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT ENJOY HEARING SOME OF THE GOOD STUFF ABOUT THESE ABUSED CHILDREN.
SHERI
PS: I CANNOT GET THE STORY OF THE SECOND CHILD ON HERE, SO AM MAKING A DIFFERNT BLOG...PART 2, TO TELL ABOUT THE SECOND CHILD SHE TAKE CARE OF.
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For all who know of Geremiah's journey, here is a much overdue update. He's walking all the time. Most of the time he wears a brace on his rt. leg to help prevent the over-extention of his knee. Tries to run but because of balance issues & depth perception, takes a lot of bumps & tumbles but NEVER gives up. He has his new wheelchair & keeps it at school for safety on the playground & to learn to use his affected Rt arm/hand to propel himself in it.
We have started using Constraint Induced therapy to help his Rt arm catch up to the progress of his right leg. He's very cooperative with this & spends a lot more time trying to use his affected hand & arm. (I began this after reading "The Brain That Changes Itself" by Norman Doidge, MD. It is all about the latest knowledge of Neuroplasticity. Geremiah is certainly a poster boy for Neuroplasticity! )
His recent vision exam shows no change in the extreme damage done to his optic nerves & retinae. He still sees with only one part of one eye but his brain has greatly improved its processing of what he sees & he recently tested 20/270 instead of the previous "Legally Blind" 20/400. He loves to "read" his own books. He sees things to "get into" & keeps me constantly on the lookout for his latest exploration. He can see horses, trees & buildings that are at least 100 ft away. Another testament to the effect of Independent Mobility on Neuroplasticity. (Two of the pics are of his 1st venture on his own 100 ft from the house to the swing set & back.)
His speech therapy is progressing well but he is still much more limited in his expressive ability than he is in comprehension. He is age-appropriate in his ability to understand & follow directions & to remember people/places/things, but developmentally functions more at a 2 y.o. level. His 5 yr old brother, Giovanni, stays with us at least 2 weekends/month & is becoming very self-confident in the rugged "ranch life-style!"
DHS is still moving as rapidly as possible toward reunification with his mother, her 8 mo old son, her current live-in male friend & his 6 y.o. son.
Following is the news article of the abuser's plea bargain. I am preparing a Victim Impact Statement for the sentencing hearing & have also requested to speak to the judge on Geremiah's behalf at that hearing. Regardless of Geremiah's incredible progress & will to be typical, his sentence is for life. My anger lies in the reality that all of his disabilities were preventable & unnecessary. No amount of prison time served by his abuser will lessen the impact of that abuse on this child's life!
Thank you for your moral support & prayers on behalf of Geremiah & his brother, Giovanni. It means more than you can know. Lynne
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published: February 26, 2009 03:10 am |
Child-abuse suspect ordered to stand trial
Jeromy Michael Pirraglia charged in 2007 incident in which a 2-year-old
Canon City boy was severely injured.
By TRACY HARMON
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
CANON CITY - A judge on Wednesday found enough evidence to hold a 32-year-old man for trial on a felony child abuse charge.
Jeromy Michael Pirraglia is charged with a single child abuse count relating to an Oct. 17, 2007, incident during which police were called to the 700 block of Piedra on the report of a 2-year-old boy who was not breathing.
The child sustained a serious head injury and was treated at a local hospital before being taken to a Colorado Springs hospital for emergency surgery.
Dr. Paul Grabb, a pediatric neurosurgeon testified Wednesday that he "took off a bone flap and left the bone out to allow the brain to swell rather than push inward and cause pressure that could kill the child." "I certainly remember it was no accidental trauma - it was obvious. A fall down the stairs would not cause an injury serious enough to cause me to do what I did," Grabb testified.
"It was an injury similar to falling out a window, two to three stories, and landing on concrete. Significant force is necessary," Grabb said.
Grabb said a kick is a possible scenario for the injury. In earlier testimony, police Detective Jeff Worley testified the boy's 4-year-old brother said Pirraglia kicked his brother in the head and caused him to fall down the stairs.
The young boy demonstrated the alleged kick with a teddy bear which Worley described as a mule kick, or a backward directed kick, to the back of the boy's head.
Pirraglia was held for trial following the hearing after Fremont County District Judge David Thorson said there was enough evidence to find probable cause that Pirraglia caused the injury to the boy. A pretrial motions hearing was slated for Oct. 23 during which defense attorney Magdalena Rosa will argue a motion calling into question the competency of the young witness, the injured boy's brother.
Grabb did tell the court the injured boy is able to walk with assistance, is very weak on the the right side, his right hand does not work well and he is able to communicate in a rudimentary fashion.
"He is damaged but alive," Grabb said, confirming that the damage will be lifelong.
Pirraglia remains held at the Fremont County jail on a $100,000 bond.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published: February 27, 2009 02:48 am |
Canon City abuse suspect takes felony plea bargain
Two-year-old boy suffered severe injuries in 2007 incident.
By TRACY HARMON
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
CANON CITY - A 32-year-old man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony child abuse charge connected with an October 2007 incident that left a 2-year-old boy permanently damaged.
Jeromy Michael Pirraglia pleaded guilty to child abuse, admitting he knowingly or recklessly caused serious bodily injury to the boy who was the son of Pirraglia's then live-in girlfriend.
The charge relates to a Oct. 17, 2007, incident during which police were called to a home on the report of a 2-year-old boy who was not breathing. The child sustained a serious head injury and survived emergency surgery to remove a portion of his skull.
According to Dr. Paul Grabb, who performed the surgery and testified about the boy's condition during an earlier court proceeding, the victim is able to walk with assistance, is very weak on his right side, his right hand does not work well and he is able to communicate only in a rudimentary fashion. The boy's brother, who was 4 at the time and reportedly witnessed the attack, told police Pirraglia had kicked his brother in the head.
District Judge David Thorson told Pirraglia the possible penalty for the crime is four to 32 years because it is an extraordinary risk crime. The plea agreement calls for a stipulated 16-year sentence.
Pirraglia will return to court April 8 for sentencing. He remains held at the Fremont County jail on a $100,000 bond.
SHERI
PS: I CANNOT GET THE STORY OF THE SECOND CHILD ON HERE, SO AM MAKING A DIFFERNT BLOG...PART 2, TO TELL ABOUT THE SECOND CHILD SHE TAKE CARE OF.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For all who know of Geremiah's journey, here is a much overdue update. He's walking all the time. Most of the time he wears a brace on his rt. leg to help prevent the over-extention of his knee. Tries to run but because of balance issues & depth perception, takes a lot of bumps & tumbles but NEVER gives up. He has his new wheelchair & keeps it at school for safety on the playground & to learn to use his affected Rt arm/hand to propel himself in it.
We have started using Constraint Induced therapy to help his Rt arm catch up to the progress of his right leg. He's very cooperative with this & spends a lot more time trying to use his affected hand & arm. (I began this after reading "The Brain That Changes Itself" by Norman Doidge, MD. It is all about the latest knowledge of Neuroplasticity. Geremiah is certainly a poster boy for Neuroplasticity! )
His recent vision exam shows no change in the extreme damage done to his optic nerves & retinae. He still sees with only one part of one eye but his brain has greatly improved its processing of what he sees & he recently tested 20/270 instead of the previous "Legally Blind" 20/400. He loves to "read" his own books. He sees things to "get into" & keeps me constantly on the lookout for his latest exploration. He can see horses, trees & buildings that are at least 100 ft away. Another testament to the effect of Independent Mobility on Neuroplasticity. (Two of the pics are of his 1st venture on his own 100 ft from the house to the swing set & back.)
His speech therapy is progressing well but he is still much more limited in his expressive ability than he is in comprehension. He is age-appropriate in his ability to understand & follow directions & to remember people/places/things, but developmentally functions more at a 2 y.o. level. His 5 yr old brother, Giovanni, stays with us at least 2 weekends/month & is becoming very self-confident in the rugged "ranch life-style!"
DHS is still moving as rapidly as possible toward reunification with his mother, her 8 mo old son, her current live-in male friend & his 6 y.o. son.
Following is the news article of the abuser's plea bargain. I am preparing a Victim Impact Statement for the sentencing hearing & have also requested to speak to the judge on Geremiah's behalf at that hearing. Regardless of Geremiah's incredible progress & will to be typical, his sentence is for life. My anger lies in the reality that all of his disabilities were preventable & unnecessary. No amount of prison time served by his abuser will lessen the impact of that abuse on this child's life!
Thank you for your moral support & prayers on behalf of Geremiah & his brother, Giovanni. It means more than you can know. Lynne
------------------------------
Published: February 26, 2009 03:10 am |
Child-abuse suspect ordered to stand trial
Jeromy Michael Pirraglia charged in 2007 incident in which a 2-year-old
Canon City boy was severely injured.
By TRACY HARMON
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
CANON CITY - A judge on Wednesday found enough evidence to hold a 32-year-old man for trial on a felony child abuse charge.
Jeromy Michael Pirraglia is charged with a single child abuse count relating to an Oct. 17, 2007, incident during which police were called to the 700 block of Piedra on the report of a 2-year-old boy who was not breathing.
The child sustained a serious head injury and was treated at a local hospital before being taken to a Colorado Springs hospital for emergency surgery.
Dr. Paul Grabb, a pediatric neurosurgeon testified Wednesday that he "took off a bone flap and left the bone out to allow the brain to swell rather than push inward and cause pressure that could kill the child." "I certainly remember it was no accidental trauma - it was obvious. A fall down the stairs would not cause an injury serious enough to cause me to do what I did," Grabb testified.
"It was an injury similar to falling out a window, two to three stories, and landing on concrete. Significant force is necessary," Grabb said.
Grabb said a kick is a possible scenario for the injury. In earlier testimony, police Detective Jeff Worley testified the boy's 4-year-old brother said Pirraglia kicked his brother in the head and caused him to fall down the stairs.
The young boy demonstrated the alleged kick with a teddy bear which Worley described as a mule kick, or a backward directed kick, to the back of the boy's head.
Pirraglia was held for trial following the hearing after Fremont County District Judge David Thorson said there was enough evidence to find probable cause that Pirraglia caused the injury to the boy. A pretrial motions hearing was slated for Oct. 23 during which defense attorney Magdalena Rosa will argue a motion calling into question the competency of the young witness, the injured boy's brother.
Grabb did tell the court the injured boy is able to walk with assistance, is very weak on the the right side, his right hand does not work well and he is able to communicate in a rudimentary fashion.
"He is damaged but alive," Grabb said, confirming that the damage will be lifelong.
Pirraglia remains held at the Fremont County jail on a $100,000 bond.
------------------------------
Published: February 27, 2009 02:48 am |
Canon City abuse suspect takes felony plea bargain
Two-year-old boy suffered severe injuries in 2007 incident.
By TRACY HARMON
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
CANON CITY - A 32-year-old man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony child abuse charge connected with an October 2007 incident that left a 2-year-old boy permanently damaged.
Jeromy Michael Pirraglia pleaded guilty to child abuse, admitting he knowingly or recklessly caused serious bodily injury to the boy who was the son of Pirraglia's then live-in girlfriend.
The charge relates to a Oct. 17, 2007, incident during which police were called to a home on the report of a 2-year-old boy who was not breathing. The child sustained a serious head injury and survived emergency surgery to remove a portion of his skull.
According to Dr. Paul Grabb, who performed the surgery and testified about the boy's condition during an earlier court proceeding, the victim is able to walk with assistance, is very weak on his right side, his right hand does not work well and he is able to communicate only in a rudimentary fashion. The boy's brother, who was 4 at the time and reportedly witnessed the attack, told police Pirraglia had kicked his brother in the head.
District Judge David Thorson told Pirraglia the possible penalty for the crime is four to 32 years because it is an extraordinary risk crime. The plea agreement calls for a stipulated 16-year sentence.
Pirraglia will return to court April 8 for sentencing. He remains held at the Fremont County jail on a $100,000 bond.
16 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
 | 1 Talking to Troy.jpg 47K View Download |
 | 2 Walking away.jpg 45K View Download |
 | 3 Waving with affected Rt hand.jpg 34K View Download |
 | 3.5 Climbing on his own.jpg 47K View Download |
 | 4 Reading 1.jpg 40K View Download |
 | 4.5 Reading 2.jpg 39K View Download |
 | 5 Reading 3.jpg 40K View Download |
 | 6 Power nap.jpg 56K View Download |
 | 7 Independent Mobility!.jpg 46K View Download |
 | 8 He made it that far on his own!.jpg 38K View Download |
 | 9 Miah at the Bonfire.jpg 60K View Download |
 | 9.5 Gio & Miah at the Bonfire.jpg 51K View Download |
 | 10 Partners in crime.jpg 47K View Download |
 | 11 Miah contemplating.jpg 52K View Download |
 | 11.5 the Jokester.jpg 26K View Download |
 | 12 Geremiah 1 yr later!.jpg 37K View Download |
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