The Nielson Family
The Nie Nie Dialogues’ author has returned.
I couldn’t read the words fast enough as I clicked on the blog today. There they were. Stephanie was back at work in front of a computer and sharing a bit with all of us.
Stephanie Nielson, formerly of Mesa, and her husband, Christian, were critically injured Aug. 16 in a plane crash in St. Johns. After word of the crash came out through her sister through Stephanie’s popular blog - the Nie Nie Dialogues – readers and people who would become readers poured out financial support and prayers to the Nielsons and their four young children.
Today, Stephanie posted her first writing since the crash.
“Its true.
I am alive.
I look different.
I walk slow…and type slower.
But its good to be back!!” she writes.
During the past few months, I’ve had the opportunitye to talk with Christian’s family and a few family friends about what the Nielsons have gone through. Christian suffered burns over 30 percent of his body. Stephanie endured burns to more than 80 percent of her body. Doctors at the Arizona Burn Center kept her in a medically induced coma while her body healed and she underwent skin grafts.
Christian’s family was humbled by all the support they received from complete strangers from around the world. Last fall they invited myself and a Tribune photographer into their Mesa home and showed us dozens of cards - well wishes from people they had never heard from before, and they expressed their thanks.
When Christian was well enough, he moved back in with his parents. Last Halloween, he and his son, in town from Utah where he was being cared for by an aunt, got to go trick-or-treating. Oliver went as Luke Skywalker. Daddy was, who else, Darth Vadar - complete in costume.
After Stephanie awoke and was stable enough, the family decided to move closer to Stephanie’s sisters, who were caring for their four children in Utah. Stephanie was transferred to a hospital at the University of Utah right before Thanksgiving and the family set up residence.
“How can I thank you all,” she continues on her blog. “I don’t think I can…letters, e-mails, stories, toys for the kids, clothes artwork, dolls, love, donations and all your prayers!!”
In November, her husband gave his on thanks, in the form of a video.
To read more of her blog, see http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/. To learn more about the fundraising efforts, see www.nierecovery.com.