Our First Grandson

We pray that one day he will walk
and ask you to say a prayer for him too.

Jerry Wayne Battle, III (TJ)

born: 10/10/97 2350 hours, 4 lbs 5 oz

To Melissa Cox Battle and Jerry W. Battle, Jr. ----------- some two months early

Grandpa gets to feed TJ.

 

 

HALLOWEEN 1999

TJ is now five years.

10/29/02 Please read the following letter from his parents.

Let's Get TJ Walking

This is the photo our very special 5-year-old little boy that lives with us in Americus. His name is TJ. Our names are Jerry Jr. and Melissa Battle. T.J came to us 2 months premature and suffers from Cerebral Palsy.

Not so long after TJ was born, doctors said that he would probably never walk or talk. So far he has succeeded in proving them wrong with respect to talking and we think has a better than an even chance to prove them wrong altogether. T.J is a very intelligent boy that is able to learn and speak very well. However, he cannot stand or walk without the aid of special equipment.

TJ's mother has been taking him to physical and occupational therapy in Columbus, Ga. twice a week for all but the first six months of his life. While the therapy that he receives in Columbus is very helpful and he has gained much ability from it, there is a new physical therapy technique that he would greatly benefit from. This special new therapy was recently brought to the US from Poland due to overwhelming request from Cerebral Palsy patients in the United States. Many US patients have spent 10 to 15 thousand dollars traveling to Poland to get this therapy. Reports from the Michigan therapy clinic show that 1 in 5 patients leave their two to three week therapy sessions with the ability to walk unassisted. Many of the patients with TJ's level of affliction leave with the ability to walk on arm crutches. They use many unique types of apparatus that are not used in most conventional US therapies. Euro Peds is the name of the non-profit foundation that performs this special therapy. They are located at the North Oakland Medical Centers in Pontiac Michigan and on the Internet at www.europeds.org.

This type of therapy is currently only available in Michigan so TJ's Medicaid therefore does not cover it. The therapy sessions last for 4 hours per day for a minimum of two weeks. The therapy costs $2,500 per week plus room and board. This means that we need to raise approximately $7,000 to pay for the minimum two-week session. Melissa and I are so anxious to get TJ walking that we have accepted an appointment time that will put us in Michigan for Christmas and New Years. Otherwise we would have to wait a very long time for an opening at a more "sensible" time.

Three yard sales and a Bar-B-Q were held as fundraisers and were very successful. Unfortunately for TJ, his younger Sister Brianna has required hospitalization twice during the month of December forcing cancellation of the trip to Pontiac, MI for now.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed in many ways and who have kept our family their prayers. We ask that you continue to do so.

Thank you and may GOD bless you,

Jerry and Melissa Battle

Americus Times Recorder Newspaper Article on the Family, Thanksgiving Day 2002.

UPDATE 12/28/02

Brianna is much better according to Her Doctor and this afternoon Jerry & Melissa and family left Americus on their way to Pontiac.

1/24/03

THANK YOU!

WITH ASSISTANCE FROM A SPECIAL SUIT, TJ  STOOD UNASSISTED ON THE FIRST DAY

 

 

 
HE IS YOUNG AND SMALL
WITH A GROWN MAN'S DESIRE
HE WORKED FOUR HOURS A DAY
AND NEVER TO TIRE
 
GENEROSITY LIKE YOURS
IS WHAT GOT HIM THERE
IT'S AMAZING HOW WE'VE SEEN
SO MANY PEOPLE CARE
 
THIS GOES TO SHOW THE
POWER OF GOD'S LOVE
GOOD FORTUNE LIKE THIS
ONLY COMES FROM ABOVE
 
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR
THE GIFT THAT YOU SENT
AND WE ALL HOPE YOU
KNOW JUST HOW MUCH IT MEANT
                                                              JJ Battle
WORKING OUT IN THE CAGE TO BUILD THOSE MUSCLES

 
TJ SAYS GOODBYE TO ANGIE, HIS THERAPIST

 
TJ's visit to Europeds was a great success.  He learned how to do many new things.  We have never before seen him so motivated to do his therapy.  He also now asks to be put in his walker when we go out shopping etc..  The trip to Pontiac was only possible because of your prayers and your generosity. We cannot thank you enough.
  

WITH LOVE,

THE BATTLE FAMILY

 

T.J, held by his Grandmother, Martha Arrington shakes hands with President Jimmy Carter.

 

11/23/02 Let's Get T.J Walking
Chipped Bar-B-Queue Plates with bread, chips,
Proceeds go the "T.J Battle Therapy Fund"
Prepared by the Bar-B-Queue Champions at Catering Creations 229-928-4293

As usual the folks at Catering Creations outdid themselves. Thanks to their reputation, to everyone who purchased tickets in advance and also to the almost 200 walk-ups without tickets, the bar-b-queue was a HUGE SUCCESS.

   

Thanks for your time and prayers and may God bless you.

Americus Times Recorder

Wednesday October 15, 2003

Thanks to everyone for all your prayers and support over the years.

Jerry Wayne Battle III (TJ)

10 years old

4th Grade

2008

Americus Times Recorder

Sunday November 16, 2008

A 'winning' Battle

Becky Holland

Click here for the story.

On October 10, 2012 TJ was 15 years old. His Dad put these photos together.

October 10, 2013 TJ is 16 years old.

In May of 2013 TJ, with a little help, left the comfort of his chair and walked across the stage tor receive his graduation certificate from the 8th grade to high school. In the awards ceremony earlier he almost did not have enough hands for the awards.

 


Jerry Wayne Battle, III

Whitewater High School Senior Awards Ceremony

 

Whitewater High School Graduation May 25, 2018

Click on either image to view the video.