Meditation and Celebration

Fletcher is staying focused as he continues his mission at " Project Walk". Pictured here we celebrate as he sits without ANY assistance! Praises and more praises!

All He Does is WIN, No Matter What!!

My boy never fails to amaze me. Fletcher had an assistant with him for all of his freshman year at the Univ of Memphis to assist in pushing around campus because his arms would get tired pushing and maneuvering through the crowds going from class to class but next time he rolls around campus he may have do it by himself. If you know Fletcher he’s always up for a challenge, so in typical form, as I have since his days of mighty mite football for the North Memphis Chiefs, I challenged him.

The challenge: Fletcher wouldn’t be able to push the 2.97mi(4.77k) trail at Shelby Farms without help.
The bet: I would pay him $100 if he completed it. (the boy is motivated by money)

Well I’m happy to say “I LOST”….He completed the course yesterday with no help. He was determined to make it by himself and he did. He wanted no help on the hills, up or down and I must say we are very proud of him. It took 45 mins to complete but a milestone in his road to independence. This is the same trail he ran with a 20lb weight vest in 14 mins before his accident.

On Tues, July 5th he also completed a follow-up interview with the Jackson Sun newspaper for the story “Moving Forward”. They talked with Fletcher for about 1.5hrs and also reported to us that Fletcher’s story won them a few awards.

Fletcher’s story won reporter Matt Vines 1st Place for the report and photographer Aaron Hardin 3rd place for photo-journalism at the 2011 TN Associated Press Managing Editors Awards(TAPME) held in Knoxville in May.

• Feature Reporting - 1st Place - The Jackson Sun, Matt Vines, "Moving Forward"
• Photojournalism - 3rd Place - The Jackson Sun, Aaron Hardin, "Moving Forward"

Jackson Sun Galleries

He's Back!

Yes, some time has passed since our last post regarding our notorious Fletcher D. Cleaves, but that doesn't mean our guy isn't still at it - Quite the contrary! As a matter of fact in May, Fletcher left Memphis to attend a "Project Walk" rehabilitation program and is doing just that- WALKING! See for yourself ...

Fletcher Returns to the Eagles

Last weekend our Fletcher took a trip back to Lambuth / Jackson. He was honored during Lambuth's half time scrimmage game and presented with his own Lambuth jersey as pictured. It was his first time back on the school's football field since the accident. Fletcher was truly elated by the event and said how good it felt to be back home with his fellow Eagles! Read the entire article from the Jackson Sun.

We hope you each are well! It has been a bit since our last post, but here are a few things our Mr. Magnificent has been up to...

Fletcher is continually working hard in rehab at Baptist Hospital in Germantown in both occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT). He goes 3 days a week and works on things such as transferring to and from his chair, strengthen his lower back and shoulders, as well as writing his alphabets. Needless to say he exhausted when he is done.

Recently, Fletcher had an opportunity to return to Jackson and Lambuth's campus on Wed, March 31st, for the first time since his accident almost 7 monyhs ago. Fletcher was being honored at the Senior Art Exhibit of Jamie Carter "BELIEVE". The exhibit was great and Fletcher enjoyed every moment of it. Thank you Jamie for all you have done!!!

He also got a chance to return to the field that same afternoon to visit with his teammates and coach Dickerson during spring practice. It was great to see his smile just being around football again. His classmates/teammates were just as excited to see him as he was to see them. Fletcher was extremely excited to see Dayne back on the field catching passes again. GOD has truly bless him and Fletcher. Fletcher is returning to Lambert on April 17th for the annual blue/white game and plan to be on the sidelines...out of harms way of course.

Thanks everyone!! Keep checking back on the blog and keep praying....miracles do happen!!!!

Fletcher Update - March 17

Happy Week of March 14! Fletcher is doing well this week. He's continually pushing himself and has a bit more sensation in his hand !!! God continues to Bless Ya'll! Slowly but surely we will receive complete manifestation!!

Keep Praying~

Fletcher Update - March 8

Fletcher sends his love All!! Our guy had a great weekend. His friend Darain from Huntsville made a dedicated trip to hang out with him and of course they had a great time playing catch up. Fletcher also had visits from out of town family members and some locals who stopped by after the arrangements of his Aunt Merdie who recently passed. (See the gang pictured above;Darain has red arrow on his shirt).

Thanks for continually following the blog everyone! We do realize the blog entries have lessened with the family's return from Shepherd. Although things are pretty routine since back home, we we will make bi-weekly entries and of course give you special updates when deemed on Fletcher's progress.