Read Gilberto's account of the accident

Gilberto wrote about the events of February 8th in English and in Spanish

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

May 14, 2014 Laura's Update

After rehabilitation at home, Laura was able to return to the temple she loves.
 Laura always has a good attitude and is trying to smile.
 After three months wearing a neck brace, doctors said i don't need it anymore. The healing process is going amazing. I am SO grateful to my Heavenly Father for his miracles and mercy, and to all of you for your prayers and support to my family. I can honestly testify that God lives, loves us and always watches over us.
Doesn't she look fantastic!  Miracles are real and she has lived one!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

March 13th update

Reporte sobre la salud de Laura Laparra
Jueves 13 de marzo 2014
No he publicado nada últimamente porque no he tenido suficiente información para compartir con ustedes. Como dijimos, el proceso de recuperación será lento. Sanar de un trauma cerebral severo, como lo está haciendo Laura, es una maratón, no una carrera corta, como bien nos recordó un amigo.
Laura está bien, definiendo bien como sanando, agradecidos de que lo está haciendo con muy pocas complicaciones. Tiene una parálisis en un lado de la cara pero puede hablar y hay una posibilidad de que la parálisis desaparezca a medida que sane el tejido y los nervios en el cerebro. Aún tiene un tubo para alimentarse en su estómago, pero ya puede comer por sí misma. Probablemente lo remuevan en 2 semanas.
Laura puede caminar con una caminadora, aunque como podrán imaginarse esta muy débil y frágil. Laura está siendo monitoreada por especialistas y tendrá que realizar extensas terapias. Su mente está funcionando perfectamente y su sentido del humor no ha cambiado.
Hoy tuvo la oportunidad de visitar la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos en el Hospital Maricopa Medical Center en Phoenix, y agradecer personalmente a las personas que salvaron su vida. Fue maravilloso y muy emotivo. Ellos no podían creer lo mucho que ha progresado.
Los padres de Laura aún están aquí. Ellos vinieron desde Costa Rica. Ellos están a su lado cuidándola. Son unos angeles, los amamos. No habían visto a Laura desde hacía 4 años, por lo que a pesar de las dificultades, este es un tiempo muy especial para ellos. Un maravilloso empleado de US Airways hizo los arreglos para traerlos inmediatamente después del accidente. Estamos muy agradecidos con este caballero.
Por favor sigan orando por Laura. Ella tiene un largo camino por delante y necesita sus oraciones continuamente. Laura les envía a todos su amor y agradecimiento.





I haven't posted for a while because I just haven't had enough information for you. As we said, this will be a very slow recovery. Healing from severe brain trauma, like Laura's, is a marathon, not a sprint -- as a friend reminded us.

Laura is doing well - "well" is defined as Laura is healing, with thankfully very few complications. Her trach hole is finally healing and closing – that's been a worry. She has paralysis on one side of her face, but she can talk, and there's a chance the paralysis may go away as the brain tissue and nerve endings heal. She still has a feeding tube in her stomach, although she is able to eat. It looks like that may be removed in a couple of weeks.

Laura can walk with a walker, although she is very weak and still very fragile, as you can imagine. But she is seeing specialists and will be doing extensive therapy. Her mind is extremely alert, and her sense of humor is very much intact!

Today, she had the opportunity to visit ICU at the Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, and say thanks to the people who saved her life. It was emotional and wonderful. They couldn't believe her progress!

Laura's parents are still here from Costa Rica. They are at her side and are taking great care of her. Laura's parents are angels; we all love them so much. They had not seen Laura for four years, so this is a very special time for them, although a difficult one. A wonderful employee of US Airways was able to arrange "buddy passes" for Laura's parents, so they could come immediately after the accident. Much gratitude to that gentleman.

Please keep praying for Laura. She has a long road ahead, and she needs your continued prayers. She sends immense thanks and love to all.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Silent Auction Begins!

I am so very excited to announce this GILBERT TEMPLE PRINTS SILENT AUCTION!!! We've had two amazing photographers donate various prints of the new LDS Gilbert Temple in order to raise funds for Laura! If you would like to bid on one or all of these beautiful prints, please GO TO THE FOLLOWING BLOG and ENTER with your name and Bid Amount on the appropriate picture post! All bidding will start at $50/each. The auction details and rules will be on the blog. It runs until March 18th!!!! Please visit this site today to ENTER to win! Please try and not bid or comment on this post. Only comments made on the blog will be considered official entries. Thank you and GOOD LUCK!!! Don't forget to LIKE and SHARE this post with others! 

http://lauralaparra.blogspot.com/




Temple3 BlueSky

Photographer: Jamie Johnson

Temple 2 Sunset Pink

the artist name will not be on the print.

Temple 1 Daytime Glow

the artist name will not be on the print.