POV

Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful.
Thank you. Thank You. Thank You.

by Michelle Engelman Berns
July 8, 2009, 12:48 AM

I was very moved by Jason's story on so many levels. The strength and character of his close family and overflow of love that came through in this film makes one think about his/her own value system. It inspires me to appreciate all that I have and not to sweat the small stuff. Jason you and your family are amazing and I wish you well for many years to come. I'm off to itunes to buy your album.

Best
Matt Dessner
NYC

by Matt Dessner
July 8, 2009, 8:28 AM

When I saw this story, and the state that Jason was left in, I believed that there was no way that he could recover from such a traumatic state. But thanks to the convictions of Jason's wife and family along with the health care professionals he has made a recovery that I never expected. I'm so happy for you Jason, that you were able to recover. Good for you. It's so amazing to me that this family recognized that the day to day stimulus and therapy could be so powerful. You all are truly an inspiration. Also thank you for bringing us this story. I'll think of you often and hope that you all are dong well. You truly have impacted my perception of what is possible. Thank You! I'm also buying your releases you're awesome!

by Michael Krenkel
July 8, 2009, 9:05 AM

This story touched my heart, I could so relate to some of the difficulties that he faced, I had a brain tumor removed in '06. I had to learn to walk, talk and eat again. I know for a fact that without the support of family like Jason had I would not be where I am today. I know "With God All Things Are Possible"!!!!! I was so glad I had the opportunity to watch this last night. It shows that nothing is impossible. I was told I would never walk without assistance, but I am walking without any assistance now!!!! Keep up the good work you are doing and never loose hope you are doing amazing things. God Bless

by Karen Osborne
July 8, 2009, 12:04 PM

What a beautiful and inspiring story. Thank you to Jason and his wife and family for opening their lives to us. It took tremendous courage and will certainly benefit many others. And congratulations to Eric Metzgar on a terrific work.

by Laura Rossi-Ortiz
July 8, 2009, 1:05 PM

I watched part of the airing last night when I got home from work at midnight. I was so moved by what I saw that I could not fall asleep. I kept hearing your music and had the feeling of such inspiration that I had to get up and dig out my own guitar and jam. Woke up the house! LOL.

I had been in a rut, musically, and had not written in several years. I pounded out a whole song in one moment of sheer joy that you gave to me.

Thank you for your strength, endurance and spirit.
If you ever find your way blocked, just remember the inspiration that can be found all around you. Thank you, thank you. Thank you!

by JoEllen Silver
July 8, 2009, 1:14 PM

Thank you so much for making this movie. This is what I needed to see. My son suffers from a TBI ( His store )http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/36914279.html
It's been 1 year,and now Medicaid will no longer pay for the TBI level of care therapy do to lack of progress.We now have to move Ryan , and
were going to bring him home. This move has inspired me
so much, and I will make sure his brothers see it.

thank you
Ken

by Ken Hock
July 8, 2009, 1:49 PM

As the mother of a son with 2 TBIs, I so appreciated watching this story. It reaffirms what I always believed, never live your life or limit yourself by what others may say or predict. Our son's accident was 16 years ago this coming August. The experts said he would remain in a persistent vegetative state forever. We stimulated, stimulated, stimulated and watched him improve beyond the experts' expectations. He now tutors children 1:1 with math and reading and we marvel daily what he can do.

I admire how the Criglers organized their family to achieve what some thought was the unachievable. There is power in a family.

by Ann Stephens
July 8, 2009, 2:21 PM

This film shows how truly incredible the human spirit is. I was so moved by Jason and his family and their courage to get through this. So beautiful. This is a testament of what love can do. Thank you for telling Jason's story and making this film.

by Linda Fornero
July 9, 2009, 12:31 AM

I am so familiar with the pessimism of neurologists. The guy in the pink shirt made me want to spit, especially when he came on right after Jason's father said that his son's personality was evident. Whether it's personality or soul, family members do connect to it when their loved one is brain injured. I went through what Monica did when I was her age, at least the first hours of her experience. When she said something like, "I can't live without Jason!" It pierced me to the core. My husband died however, after 26 days. My son had just turned one. He's 22 now and about to begin his Fulbright studies; he's been raised in a close extended family, but he has missed his father every day. Baby Ellie is a very lucky young lady. What that family did was a miracle.

by PAT MESTHOS
July 9, 2009, 11:08 PM

I can so relate to what the Crigler's have gone through and continue to go through. My husband also had a brain hemorrhage in 1997 at the age of 44. I don't think I will ever forget when the doctors told me he probably wouldn't make it through the night. I reacted the same as Monica did saying that I couldn't live without my husband. Fortunately, we had some very good doctors and therapist and after 3 months in the hospital and rehab he came home. Four months later he did what they thought he never would when he walked our oldest daughter down the aisle without the aide of his quad cane!

Unfortunately, Nov. 2, 1999 he suffered another bleed and I had him removed fro life support on Nov. 6th. It was very tough, but I know that God gave him back to me for that 2 years and 10 months to better prepare me for what was to come. I am now remarried and have 3 granddaughters. God is good!!

I so wish I had filmed and documented our life and how it had changed like the Crigler's did. Most people have no clue how devastating and hard life is when your loved one has had a stroke. I am still a member of an internet stroke support group (mainly caregivers) and I will definitely let them know about this film so they too can be uplifted as I have been to see how far Jason has come.

S.A.F.E. - Stroke Awareness for Everyone!!!!

by Donna Wing
July 10, 2009, 12:15 AM

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I needed this story at this point in my life, and most of us do. The power of faith is amazing to me, and I am so completely inspired by your story Jason. I can say from experience that doctors are never able to account for a persons drive, or the support that can possibly bring them through. I am thankful that you beat the odds, and are sharing your music with us all once again.

by Kathleen Griffith
July 13, 2009, 1:01 AM

This documentary is very close to my heart. My significant other was involved in a motor vehicle accident in 2006. The doctors were very negative about his recovery, if he would wake up from the coma at all. I too was not going to let this person go anywhere, even when others gave up. Stimulation, even in a coma is key I believe. Not only did he wake up, but he surpassed all expectations the medical community and some loved ones though he would.

I truly witnessed a miracle of watching a man who was reduced to an infant after the accident come back to a functiong man. All brain trauma is different, but people must know not to give up hope when all seems doomed. The human spirit is a remarkable thing, and when nurtured and stimulated with positive thoughts can push through and become the best new person they can.

Thank you for such an educational film, it is a must for all to see. Don't ever give up, the person involved in a accident is in their body somewhere, they just need the time to get out, with love, patience, and stimulation, miracles can happen.

Thanks Jason and family,
Susan Connolly

by Susan Connolly
July 13, 2009, 2:04 PM

I felt like deja vu...watching Jason and his family! My brother (39) experienced a rupture of a giant anerysum Dec 22, 2008, resulting in an extensive SAH. He was helicoptered to Philly where they immediately evacuated the blood from his brain performing an emergency craniotomy installing multiple clips in his brain. Similar to Jason case the doctors gave the worst case scenario to his wife who was 8 months pregnant. My brother and his family are more fortunate than Jason in that my brother has 6 local siblings and a loving, caring dedicated father just down the road (who assisted our mother in recovery from a rare spinal stroke), in addition to my brother's loving, caring, dedicated wife, her "awesome" parents and 5 siblings! Last but not least, a legion of loving, caring, dedicated friends who have contributed prayers, babysitting, meals, visits, spiritual, emotional and financial support. With this extensive network of support and my brother's unwavering determination to "go home" ASAP after his 5 weeks at Bryn Mawr Rehab (angels on earth) 9 weeks after his anerysum ruptured!

While I found Jill Taylor's book, "My stroke of insight" extremely encouraging in uncertain circumstances...a picture is worth a thousand words! The impact of Jason's film blows any book out of the water! Thank you, thank you, a million times thank you for sharing your story!

Six and a half months ago my brother could not breathe on his own...last weekend he mowed the lawn with supervision (walking). Yesterday he made a grill cheese sandwich for lunch and baked tilapia, rice & green beans for dinner unsupervised. His participation in the care of his 5 month and 2 year old sons increases on a daily basis! We were told complete recovery could/would take up to 2 years...we have faith he will be "better" than new for all the reasons Jason's family cited.

My dad had advanced cancer 21 years ago and is cancer free. My mom was completely paralyzed from a spinal stoke and walked without assistance 3 months later. My brother is the third miracle in our family. I will add the Crigler's to my prayers as I continue to pray for my brother, his family, our combined families and friends who with love and dedication continue to support each other, grateful for the gift of "everyday" life! As we continue to do what Mother Teresa advised "Do small things with great love"! GOD Bless the Crigler family and best wishes for a "Happily Ever After"!

by Maryellen Sparks
July 15, 2009, 12:48 AM

Helpful Hint: Due to the extensive size of our mutual families my brother's wife used the Caring Bridge website to post updates on his recovery. This FREE valuable resource is useful for anyone with an acute or chronic illness!

by Maryelle Sparks
July 15, 2009, 12:55 AM

At this late hour I forgot to express how "COOL" your music is...especially that instrumental on the end of the track! You have another NEW fan...keep doing what you are doing!

by Maryellen Sparks
July 15, 2009, 1:01 AM

One of my closest friends was recently in a traumatic car accident which left her with a closed head brain injury. She is entering Spaulding rehab in Boston. This film provided me with so much comfort, understanding, inspiration, and most of all hope...that with love, patience, stimulation and faith we will get our friend back. I think you have to take what the doctors say with a grain of salt, and not consider a prognosis to be etched in stone. Anything is possible, and you gave me reason to believe. Thank you so much for this moving film. You are all such an extraordinary and loving family. I love Jason's music, too, and am ordering a CD today! Monica, you showed what true love really is. I'll never forget this. Thank you for sharing with the world.

by Judy Oshansky
July 15, 2009, 5:09 PM

One of my closest friends was recently in a traumatic car accident which left her with a closed head brain injury. She is entering Spaulding rehab in Boston. This film provided me with so much comfort, understanding, inspiration, and most of all hope...that with love, patience, stimulation and faith we will get our friend back. I think you have to take what the doctors say with a grain of salt, and not consider a prognosis to be etched in stone. Anything is possible, and you gave me reason to believe. Thank you so much for this moving film. You are all such an extraordinary and loving family. I love Jason's music, too, and am ordering a CD today! Monica, you showed what true love really is. I'll never forget this. Thank you for sharing with the world.

by Judy Oshansky
July 15, 2009, 5:09 PM

the greatest film i've ever seen. it warmed my heart. i wish i had the same family experience. you're blessed Jason which i'm sure you know. your wife and sister are an inspiration. your music is great - "cool".

by yahkob therlow
July 15, 2009, 7:23 PM

I was so moved by your story. My husband had a relatively minor AVM bleed about 20 years ago. We are still dealing with some of the after effects, but feel so blessed that it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Thank you for sharing your story. It is so important to have hope and I am sure your testimony will give that hope to many families. Enjoy your "happily ever after!"

by Donnie Ryan
July 15, 2009, 9:56 PM

I want to thank you for creating this documentary about your and your family's experience through your brain injury. I am a physical therapist at Shands at the University of Florida and work with patients post neurosurgery. I come across patients who have had brain injury everyday and this documentary is just so inspiring for me and my career. The family support is so key in anyones recovery and I try to educate that point as much as I can with all my patients. Thank you again for sharing this story; you and your family are incredible. You definately have much more to give in this world.

by Lindsay Perry
July 16, 2009, 7:43 AM

Exciting to see the positive responses to this show. Yet I need to remind people that the family involvement here was a rare event when you speak to most of us who have had brain injuries or internal events. It is still true that an enormous percentage of spouses leave someone with a TBI to fend on their own. It is a difficult reality for us to have the 'system', the community, many families make the assumption that there will be a caring family around with adequate time and money; that damages will be healed, that if we were just serious and willing all will be well. Worse yet is the declarations of miracle acts.
These doctors should not be called pessimists when they are stating the facts about recovery. I needed to know that my hemmorhage was less like a broken leg and more like an amputation of a leg. Do you say to an amputee that it will all be better soon and they will be back on their feet with prayer and persistence?
Your film was brilliant, and I cried through the entire thing knowing this has not been true for me. The "healing" I have accomplished is an acceptance of neglect, fear, distrust, and a second class status, a descent into poverty. Never heals.

.Please remember this when the thousands of vets of the oil wars come home undiagnosed, untreated, and fed lies about the nature of their disabilities.

by jane
July 17, 2009, 12:47 AM

I normally don't watch POV but this mentioned "music" and it sucked me in. I recorded it and just watched it. It is a testament to all I believe in - you are here for a reason Jason, your "family" loves and believes in you so much, doctors can be wrong LOL, positive thinking. I hope that your work will reach a lot more people - I know your love story and your music has touched me.

by Gerri Curless
July 18, 2009, 7:50 PM

Jason: you're more fortunate than you know. Tonight I saw your documentary. To have a family (especially your sister) stand by you thru all of that... I too, am/was an artist. Not a musician, but an art artist - silversmithing, painting illustrations, logo design. But after twelve years, and three brain tumors (at an average of one surgery every four years) later, I can not fight any longer. After my last surgery, I couldn't speak - I could only cry. That was 1-21-08, then on to Riverside Rehabilitation. (Today is 7-18-09). What if we hadn't of made it? Have you ever wondered about that..? Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life: noman cometh unto the Father, but by me" John 14:6

by Jodi Anne Sorensen
July 19, 2009, 1:17 AM

wow, after watching your story, i believe something happend to me... i think i tapped into my heart, i still have tears in my eyes. thank you thank you thank you ...

by Jerry Torres
July 23, 2009, 12:17 AM

Interact with Jason on his Facebook Fanpage.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jason-Crigler/100480009526

by Brad
July 23, 2009, 10:55 AM

Thank you for sharing your life, your tragedy, and your triumphs! This documentary is a must see for all-very moving and inspirational. Jason, I hope you realize how wonderful your wife and family are. It takes special people to see one through when they have a journey ahead. God bless all of you!

by Sandi
August 2, 2009, 12:09 PM

Jason and Monica.... I just finished watching your moving documentary. It brought back the awful memories of my own recent experience with my husband who suffered a TBI from a motorcycle accident in June 2008. Similar to your story we were also blessed with a miraculous recovery due impart to the support of our family, friends, and wonderful doctors. Life is different (as I know you both know) but we have survived and our lives are intact. My husband's doctor from Spaulding Hospital, Dr. Chae, has been fantastic and encourages us regularly to never give up doing all that we can to continue to stimulate his recovery.

Stories like yours help me to stay strong and faithful. It is our hope that my husband will soon return to his work (he is a teacher). Monica, you are a pillar of strength and your love is immense. You are truly an exceptional and very special person. I am so happy that God granted you the blessing and gift of returning your husband to you and to Ellie her father. And I am also grateful that I too have been given a similar blessing.

On a side note, I think there is also much to be said for the healing power of music. My husband is also a musician (he plays guitar) and that has been an intricate part of his recovery. I brought his guitar into Spaulding Hospital while he was still a patient and the hospital staff told us about your story. You were my inspiration then and are even more of an inspiration to me now. Thank you for sharing your story... I know how hard it can be to continue to relive that experience over and over. God bless you and your family!

by Cheryl Hanington from Blackstone, MA
August 18, 2009, 10:27 PM

Although 2 months have passed since this documentary aired, I still remember how inspirational it was. It prompted me to renew my membership to "Thirteen". Lynn, I had heard Jason was ill but had no idea. You are all to be commended for not giving up.

by Mary Miko from Madison, CT
September 12, 2009, 4:09 PM

Very Inspiration And Very Moving Film

I just saw your film on PBS here in Indy. I hope you could have entered your movie in the Heartland Film Festival. I could see it winning for best documentary and maybe even a slight shot at best in show. This film is very much in the tradition of a great Heartland movie.
I noticed you finished the film only in Jun2009. I thought you may have not been able to make the cut off for entrees for October festival. You could get the Heartland seal of approval to promote your DVD without being in the festival.
Norm

by Norm from Indianapolis, Indiana
September 18, 2009, 3:39 AM