Burn victims' update: how you can help

I talked with Mike Wolcott last night about Jodi Greve and her family, who sustained burns last Saturday from an explosion inside a potential rental house. Mike co-owns Inland Forest Management, where Jodi has been working. He said things are looking up, although Jodi still suffers from intense pain and has difficulty sleeping.

Her husband Cody was released from the hospital Wednesday, and he's residing in an apartment across from Harborview Burn Center. Mike says it's customary for the medical staff to teach family members how to treat the burns. Patients return to the hospital occasionally for observation. Cody's mother has taken th treatment responsibility, while he's doing his best to keep Jodi's spirits high during this tough time in her healing.

Their son Mason, who's six years old, reportedly looked in the mirror yesterday and said, "I have my Mason face back." Those who watched and listened were very touched, and Mike says observers are using the word "miracle" in conversations about their recovery, especially since "unrecognizable" was being used in earlier conversations when they were first admitted to the burn center.

During our telephone visit, Mike agreed with me that upbeat cards or letters could certainly go far in helping Jodi's outlook as she withstands the pain and treatment in the hospital. So, if you're so inclined, I doubt any of them would care if they know you or not---your words could work some much-appreciated magic. The address is as follows:

Jodi Greve-Likkel, patient
Harborview Medical Center
325 9th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104

Mike also said some friends have suggested submitting the family's name for a car giveaway by Spokane's Wendle Motors, being held in conjunction with the Sandpoint Extreme Home Makeover Airing on ABC network Sunday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. PST. I cut and pasted the following information at their website, which is found at (http://www.quisenberry.net/extremecar/)

Wendle Motors is embracing the season of giving by donating a new Suzuki Aerio to a local family or individual in need through their Extreme Vehicle Giveaway.

Wendle is accepting nominations for potential recipients beginning Saturday, January 7 and running through midnight Tuesday, January 17. Nominations must be received in writing and include why the nominee deserves the new Suzuki Aerio.

The public will get to meet and hear the story of the local winner during the January 22 episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on KXLY that features a local home makeover in Sandpoint, Idaho. Wendle Motors is excited to have the opportunity to benefit a local family or individual in need.

If you have the time and would like to nominate Jodi's family for this opportunity, go to the website and send off a nomination. I'm sure there are many deserving families for consideration around the Inland Northwest, but I think this family could use a bit of good news after the tragedies they've incurred in the past couple of months.

So, thanks for your interest, and thanks for whatever you can do to give this family a much-needed and appreciated boost. They've got a long road ahead in patching their lives back together, and they're definitely folks who work hard. If you'd still like to donate to the bank fund, check out the address on my Jan. 9 posting.