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Jonathan gets a hug from Christian Woolf. Jonathan, who is still recovering, is eager to return to school.

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Lightning-strike victim comes home

Community celebrates Spotsylvania Little League player's recovery from lightning strike

Date published: 9/21/2009

BY EMILY BATTLE

Jonathan Colson, the 11-year-old who was gravely injured by a lightning strike at a Spotsylvania Little League field in June, has come home.

Yesterday, Jonathan and his family gathered with a crowd of more than 100 people at Salem Fields Community Church to celebrate the progress Jonathan has made since June 3.

That evening, just after Jonathan's Little League game had been called off because of the weather, a lightning strike took the life of his friend and teammate Chelal Gross-Matos.

The bolt left Jonathan lifeless on the ground.

He was taken to Mary Washington Hospital's trauma center, then to VCU Medical Center in Richmond, where he spent nearly a month, then to Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center in Charlottesville.

All along the way, Jonathan's parents, Judy and Mark Colson, were told that their son's progress was a miracle.

Since June, Jonathan has had to re-learn how to speak, eat, walk and use his hands.

His parents and others who know him say his attitude has been a big help in his recovery.

"For somebody to wake up and not be able to walk and not be able to talk, and not get frustrated about it is such a blessing," Judy Colson said.

Mark Colson said that at one point when Jonathan was at Kluge, he asked, "How long will I be like this?"

Mark told him he could expect two to three years of hard work to regain all of his abilities.

"He said, 'I can't be like this for two to three years, I got stuff I gotta do,'" Mark Colson said yesterday. "He sees things not as he can't do them, but as he wants to be able to do them again."

Jonathan came home Aug. 21. Yesterday he was walking around the auditorium at Salem Fields Community Church, shaking hands, greeting friends and urging everyone to cheer for his beloved Redskins, but he still faces a lot of hard work as he continues to recover.

That includes physical therapy sessions two or three times a week and swimming sessions at American Family Fitness with his father, who learned at Kluge how to lead Jonathan through special exercises.


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Date published: 9/21/2009


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PANCAKE FUNDRAISER for JONATHAN COLSON, 9/26 (posted by expedition7 , Sep. 22, 2009 9:12 am)   
Help JONATHAN COLSON, 11-year old Spotsy Little Leaguer who was struck by lightning on June 3. PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER; Sat, Sept 26th; 7-10am; Applebee's in Central Park; Tickets $5.00 per plate; Menu includes pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice, milk, tea or soda and will be served by "Friends of Jonathan!" Come out, have a great breakfast & support the Colson Family! Read Jonathan's story at: helpjonathan.com Thank you in advance for your support!

not to hijack this thread onto another topic (posted by derarzt , Sep. 21, 2009 12:19 pm)   
but please all consider what the fact that a pancake breakfast needs to be held to help pay this child's medical expenses implies re: the current health insurance reform debate.

So glad to hear (posted by Nya_nyas , Sep. 21, 2009 8:48 am)   
I'm so glad to hear he is doing better and has such an upbeat attitude about it! Just a reminder: I heard there is a pancake breakfast at Applebee's in Central Park this coming Sunday morning to help raise money for his medical costs.

Happy Ending (posted by LGMOM , Sep. 21, 2009 8:12 am)   
To such a tragic, sad ordeal. I am sooo happy that this child has another chance at life.

wonderful stroy (posted by jameyboat , Sep. 21, 2009 8:03 am)   
about a wonderful young man... Jonathan and his family will remain on my prayer list

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