I received this email from an aquaintance. Will iy"H keep this updated.

Rachmana L'Tzlan!

May HaShem bless them all with a refua shelaima!

Will say tehillim!

David had surgery to remove fragments from his brain. He needs a nes.

Update?

My sister is friends with the girl. So young...May they all have Refuah Shelema.

Name has been changed to REFOEL DOVID BEN BROCHA

are you sure about this? The name I was told from someone close to the family is just Dovid ben Brocha.

Perhaphs the family changed the name because of the situation.

Yes.

Elisha is home from the hospital. Tehilla and Chaim are both doing better.

What about Dovid?

::UPDATE from Rabbi Grunberger on his family:::

"Again, I thank everyone for their tefilos and efforts to create zechusim for Rafael Dovid and Tehilla. The achdus, tefilos, learning, and mitzvos in their merit is absolutely working, bli a"h.

Tehilla had her jaw surgery today and the Doctor feels very positive and optimistic. They didn't need to wire her jaw as originally thought. At this point her leg fracture, jaw fractures, and head injuries are healing. They hope to wean her off the respirator tomorrow and hopefully she'll respond in the best way that can be expected. We daven for a COMPLETE recovery and that she'll have no limitations or consequences from the injuries. The Doctors have no way of saying for sure but are very optimistic based on the xrays and CT scan, B"H. The tefilos will make the difference.

Rafael Dovid has been stable for the last 48 hours. They now hope to start weaning him off the different medications. Today they started giving him little doses of nutrition. He's still in very critical condition but it's like an official turning point for the better, B"H.

The next 3 days will be very telling and as he continues to respond positively with stability, they will wean him off the respirator as well. As the swelling around the brain subsides, they will then try to assess the impact of the injury. Here too, it's all in HaShem's Hands and we daven that he will come through with no deficits, limitations, or handicaps but with a refuah shelaima.

Elisha is BE"H coming home tomorrow morning. He's in good spirits. He has a broken thumb and clavicle along with his impressive gash on his left forehead. Visitors are allowed to speak with him between innings during the playoffs. He'll be coaching Pujols after school hours and wants to retire LaRoussa and take over. (may this be the only affect of his head injury). He's turning 12 in a few days and will continue all his various extra learning projects to make siyumim during the year and for his Bar Mitzvah.

Chaim (Eliyahu Chaim- age 9) is healing. He's confined to a wheel chair for a while and then back to crutches. His fracture should be healed in 6 weeks, be"H. He has memorized 121 mitzvos (Sefer Madah, Ahava and Zemanim) which we reviewed today. The plan is for him to hopefully return to school tomorrow for at least part of the day.

Aviva (15) returned to school today for a few hours. She's doing well.

We deeply appreciate HaShem's kindness in answering the outcry of the many tefilos around the world. The chapters of the "master plan" can play out in any number of ways. We thank HaShem and continue to daven that this chapter and the chapters to follow will be filled with joy, yeshuos, nechamos, and clearly evident of the Yad HaShem in every detail that goes on around us.

With deep appreciation to HaShem and to everyone,

Elazar Grunberger"

The names to daven for are:
Tehilla bas Bracha
Elisha ben Bracha
Eliyahu Chaim ben Bracha
Aviva Rochel bas Bracha
Refael Dovid ben Bracha (FORMERLY Dovid ben Bracha) Rabbi Elazar Yitzchok ben Zlata Faiga

"The Rabbi’s daughter Leah, 21, who lives in Israel, just got engaged. "
http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/content_dis...rticleID=197674

Update: October 24, 2006
Tehilla is out of ICU. She's been transferred to regular ward and is making slow progress. David is still in ICU in critical condition, there's been no change.
The other children are recuperating at home.

Source: http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/content_dis...rticleID=197674

LETTER FROM THEIR FATHER -

All the many tefilos and tehilim that are being said, the teshuva and
personal spiritual growth that is inspired through this ordeal, the
tsedakah and many chesed efforts going on all over, are all making an
impact without a doubt, B"H.

Tehilla is making progress. B"H each day is better than the day
before and she is responding more to commands. There are times when
she seems to be despondent and a little confused. I need to remind
myself that her improvements are very significant in light of the fact
that she has had a traumatic experience that she is still basically
unaware of what happened, she has had 2 surgeries on her leg and jaw,
and she has a head injury and is in pain. She is basically breathing
on her own but still has a trach which is very uncomfortable for her.
She has developed a slight pneumonia. Despite all this, she has been
responding and doing a little more day by day.

Several Doctors and therapists came to see her over the last several
days and she has followed basic instructions. A second Neurologist
came to evaluate her yesterday and she also followed his commands
such as "look here or there" "hold up 2 fingers" and SHE DID!!!
Thumbs up for YES, thumbs down for NO. He was more positive and
optimistic about her long term prognosis. He saw the damaged areas on
her MRI but no one can say for sure what consequences there could be.
The injured areas can heal, the brain can find other ways to
compensate for injured areas without noticing any differences, or one
may possibly experience some limitations (lo aleinu). Based on
Tehilla's progress and the Doctor's evaluation (I'll add: and all the
spiritual efforts which propel and give merit for the physical
successes and achievements), the general feeling is quite encouraging
and positive, B"H. She could have a complete recovery BE"H, it will
take some time. This is a test of patience which we hope will teach
us the value of time and not to take our most valuable gifts for
granted.

Rafael Dovid opened his eyes for the first time yesterday! He was
agitated when the nurses were messing with his lines and medications.
These are all good signs. I've never seen people celebrate over a
bowel movement! Yesterday and the day before, the nurses rejoiced in
changing some pretty awful diapers. He was taken for his first MRI
this evening. The results will be available tomorrow. IM"H it will be
positive.

Later this past evening, Dovid's eyes were 1/2 opened. He must of
been scared not knowing what's going on around him. I spoke with him,
said Shema with him along with some tehillim. I think he was aware
and slowly coming out of the deep sedation. The goal is to wean him
off the respirator over the next few days. He will then be further
evaluated and start with Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and
Speech Therapy.

Our hopes and tefila is that we will see him pull through all the way!
Tefila, Teshuva, Tsedakah, chesed all in his zechus and in the zechus
of Tehilla, absolutely makes the difference. We are davening for a
complete recovery and we need to think positive. The future is only
known to G-d. Our job is to continue to pray fervently, introspect
and figure out how we can become better people through this (teshuva),
to do kindness to others and give tsedakah. These are the real
ingredients for a complete recovery and we hope that HaShem will grant
Tehilla bas Bracha, Rafael Dovid ben Bracha a complete healing and
recovery along with all the other cholei Yisrael.

Thank you,

Elazar Grunberger

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/?p=3584#more-3584

Excerpt:
"Tehilla has made tremendous strides. She talks a lot, she’s writing, reading, recognizing most of her visitors and friends, she’s welcoming, courteous, friendly, and more; all good signs towards a great recovery. In the meanwhile, with all the appreciation of how far she’s come, she is far from her self and her injury still takes its toll in disorientation, confusion, agitation, and other distressful signs. This I’m told is part of the healing and recovery process and the positive signs thus far are very encouraging for the short term and long term possibilities and prognosis, be”H (with G-d’s help). To translate this into practical terms, how the head heals and everything reconnects (please G-d), re energizes, regenerates, and gets back to normal, is all up to HaShem which means our tefillos (prayers) and efforts to create merits are critically important.

"The same goes for Rafael Dovid. He has made improvements. His eyes are opened (for over a week), his pupils are normal (Thank G-d), he seems to be looking, he’s trying to move his hands a bit. Last Wednesday, they started sitting him up in a wheel chair for different time periods. He looks much better in a chair than in bed the entire time. Today, my daughter and the nurses are convinced that he blinked and nodded upon command. I hope it’s true which is a huge step. These accomplishments, especially for his age, are encouraging signs for rehab. Our job is to daven with him, love him, read to him, play music, caress him, and encourage him. I hope it’s giving him strength and comfort under his circumstances."

i know the family and know the family - the names are:
rafael dovid halevi ben bracha
eliyahu chaim halevi ben bracha
tehila bas bracha

i would like to share with you an email i recently recieved - please make sure to take part in this tremendous mitzvah, as did i:

Two weeks ago on Chol Homoed, Tehilla Grunberger and her family came to a family friend's farm. About 20 min. after the last of the Grunberger's had left a dreadful phone call announced that there was a terrible car accident and the boys in the car had yamikiahs on; it was the Grunberger's. The scene was 3 miles from the farm; Helicopters, ambulances, and police were all over the place. All the passengers in the car, Tehilla's father, a sister, and three brothers (5 of 10 kids) were in helicopters and ambulances being rushed away to a few different hospitals, and transferred to even more hospitals as the night went on. We, her friends were so scared of what was next of Tehilla's family. B"H two of them got released that night. Are lives have turned into being at the hospital with Tehilla and saying Tehillam. Tehilla and her brother Rafael Dovid are the two that are still in critical condition. Broken bones have been fixed and they will heal IY"H. But it's the unknown about the brain damage. Situations as serious and critical as this can't be ignored. Hashem wants us to daven to him and let us grow from this situation. We daven that Tehilla has a complete Refea Shilama and we have taken on some extra commitments to raise our level of torah and mitvas but we need more tefillos and mitvah's to be done. We know Tehilla would want you to take on a mitvah in the zecous of her rafea shilama. She is the type of person that wants to grow and inspire others to grow. If u can please think of one mitvah, one small step of growth (nothing to large) that you can take on as a zecous for Tehilla bas Bracha for a Refea Shilama. Please think of one mitvah and email it back to maketehillaproud@yahoo.com and we are going to try to get as many people as we could to take on a mitvah. Get as many people as you could to do it, we would appreciate it so much. Hashem should send Tehilla and her family a Refea Shilma Bikaruv and please keep davening.
Thank You
Tehilla's loving friends

Thank you for sharing - I am truly moved by this latest update.

Wednesday night, December 20, 6th Night of Chanukah

I last wrote on Friday December 8th. Tehilla was then discharged and home. Dovid was scheduled for his bone flap surgery on that following Monday.

B"H there has been continued improvements; they're both on their way towards what we hope, pray, and trust will be a refuah shelaima, a full and complete recovery.

Tehilla is totally functioning in all areas. Her attention span is not back to her old self and her temperament especially with those closest to her is not yet with her old grace and mature control but she's on her way. This is all to be expected and she is improving everyday B"H. Her recovery has been, thank HaShem remarkable and with these items on the "punch list" we need to realize and be patient that brain injury recovery under normal circumstances can take 6 months to 2 or more years. Here, only after 2 months, Tehilla is back in school 1/2 day in the morning and doesn't need nursing, only time for continued healing. Her Principal notices a striking difference between Monday December 11th, her first day back and this past Friday, the end of her 1st week back in school. She is continuing her Physical Therapy for her leg and Speech Therapy to continue working on her "Executive skills" (judgement and decision making) which I think is almost all there. All I can say is, Thank You HaShem and I thank all who have joined with us in prayer for her and for Dovid. Prayers for both should please continue until they're 100%.

Last Thursday evening I took Tehilla to see Dovid for her first time. After a brief visit, since Dovid was at the end of his day and tired, we walked next door to St. Louis University Hospital where Tehilla was airlifted to and stayed for 2 weeks until her discharge to rehab at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Her first week was in ICU and her 2nd week was in the step down unit, she was totally disoriented and agitated. When I walked down the hall to introduce her to her former nurses, many saw me and greeted me with a warm hello and "how's your daugh...." , then their mouths dropped in surprise and ... almost disbelief..... They gathered around her and said, "this is a miracle", "this is prayer answered". They called the other nurses that cared for Tehilla. The same happened when we visited the ICU next door to the step down unit. The nurses called the Doctor (Fellow) who was from the Trauma Service who took care of Tehilla. He was pretty straight forward, unemotional type of person, but when he heard that Tehilla Grunberger was there to visit, he ran up from a lower floor to see her and marveled at her recovery. She didn't remember any of them but they all treated her like an old friend. They were so pleased that we came to visit and they were amazed at how well (B"H) she is doing for what is considered a very short time span. It should be clear to all: Prayer Works and HaShem runs the world!

I have been davening that Tehilla and Dovid's recovery should be a Kiddush HaShem (Sanctification of G-d's name) in that those who know what they have gone through and how severe their injuries were, will become aware and give thought to the fact that HaShem is present, He hears our prayers, and He is the Master Healer. I have told Dovid from the beginning when I wasn't even sure if he could hear me or process what I was saying, that HaShem will give you a refuah shelaima and when you're older and become a Rav or Rosh Yeshiva, your students will come to you for encouragement and advise, you can tell them how when you were 7 years old you were very sick and HaShem gave you a refuah because of all the tefillos and mitzvos that were done in your merit. You can be a great encouragement to others who will need this encouragement to daven and trust in HaShem. You'll be able to speak to them from experience and as a living miracle of HaShem's abilities and kindness.

I was pleased with the responses and reaction of the nurses and hope that they and everyone who will see Tehilla (and Rafael Dovid) will realize and internalize the presence of HaShem constantly in our lives and our responsibility within this relationship. So many, most people, throughout time will say "In G-d We Trust", "we believe in G-d", will recognize G-d in times of personal miracles but then there is the classic short circuit where people don't carry out the thought. What does it mean that I just experienced a miracle which I'm convinced of? Is there something I'm suppose to do in return? etc... etc.... The truth is that is not surprising at all. It's the crux of free choice. After seeing a miracle or experiencing something which intuitively or openly testifies to HaShem's hashgacha (Divine Providence) there inevitably has to be a challenge to maintain the "free choice". Is one going to reevaluate their life, lifestyle, former choices and consider or reconsider the implications of what they just experienced, or not? Will the individual change and commit to a Torah lifestyle which is mandated by the HaShem through the Torah, or compromise? There has to be the choice and we need to choose to have a relationship with G-d and not do it because we're compelled or forced into it. Therefore G-d created in the world this resistance to balance the scale so we can choose it on our own. How sad it is that so many (including ourselves) conveniently get distracted from these crucial issues losing out on the growth opportunity or the opened window of clarity which could change our lives.

Last Monday morning December 11th, Dovid had his bone flap surgery. It went well and was successful. His head now looks normal except for all the stitches around his head from the surgery. He was sent from surgery into the TCU (Transitional Care Unit) and then on Wednesday last week back to the rehab floor. Last Thursday he was back to aggressive rehab. His schedule is 9am -12 rehab, nap time from 12-1pm, and more rehab therapies from 1-3. From 3 till 10pm he has visitors. 2 Girls from Block Yeshiva High School or Bais Yaakov come in shifts from 4-6, 6-8, 8-10 to talk with him and read to him. He usually falls asleep between 8 and 9. At 10 or 11 pm, every night, someone from the community sleeps in his room to be with him. The hospital has never seen this sense of community, care, and love. In the merit of all this care and chesed, in addition to all the tefillos and mitzvos, I hope and pray that this too chalks up merits for Dovid, Tehilla, as well as all the cholei Yisroel who are in need of help and mercy from Above. Truthfully we are all in constant need of merits. The physical world in which we live is based on a spiritual system. All that happens down here, EVERYTHING has a spiritual source. Just like many wish to have a savings account or a nestegg available for times of material need, so too we need a spiritual savings account filled with merits to be there for us, our families and our communities in times of real need. Those merits are spiritual and can influence the physical as we can see so clearly if we wish to look and see. Teshuva, tefilla, tsedakah, chesed all create merits especially when it requires mesiras nefesh, self sacrifice.

We don't have to look far during Chanukah; this is what we're celebrating. Miracles happen when there is commitment, conviction and self sacrifice to uphold the precepts of the Torah especially when its integrity is threatened. We can learn from the Maccabees and the need it no less today just under different circumstances. It may take a miracle to bring back the entire Jewish People but the Maccabees didn't go into it faint hearted. They knew it was the right thing to do and even if it looked like a suicide mission to the naked eye, they knew they would win because they trusted in HaShem.

The following thought has been recurring a lot to me over the last 2 months. I keep saying to myself and others, "I want my kids back", "we need to get them back". This is my priority at this time. 2 of my children are in great need. It's constantly on my mind and I'm making efforts to do something about it. I'm so appreciative when others are helping to get my kids back. I stop and think, 9 out of 10 of HaShem's children are disconnected, what would be HaShem's greatest priory? How much nachas (pleasure) would HaShem have if the Jewish People would return (do Teshuva), "come back" and reconnect with their heritage and Torah? How much pleasure would HaShem have if others would assist and get involved with "outreach" because they care, just as we care to bring back someone who's in danger, and as so many have cared and been involved to help get my kids back.

HaShem makes miracles today no less than the miracles we celebrate on Chanukah. We pray and trust that we'll see these miracles with Rafael Dovid's recovery which will be an inspiration to others and increase everyone's trust and relationship with HaShem. The extent of his recovery, how far he'll come, is totally unknown to us, it's all in HaShem's hands.

Dovid is remembering a lot and speaking a little more each week. He's not always speaking coherently. He answers most basic questions accurately. He recognizes us immediately when we walk into his room with a "Hi Abba" or "Hi Ema" (and repeats it a few times) but he doesn't always get other people right the first time. He's moving his right hand, arm and leg. His right hand thrashes a lot. He is able to control it when told to. He's also able to point to something when asked to and sometimes is even able to touch the exact point; other times he tries hard and gets close. It's definitely getting better each week. The thrashing and constant swinging his right arm is a result of the head injury and as the brain heals, the thrashing will subside and become more controlled and normal.

We got the first results of his vision testing which was quite positive. He has only been seeing through part of each eye. It was obviously very concerning. The original diagnosis when he was in ICU the first few weeks did not project a positive prognosis at all. We're grateful that his actual eyes are ok and the issues of damage to his optic nerve and the visual pathways back to the part of brain which determines his vision, seems not to be disrupted B"H. We're so grateful to HaShem for this and now it's a matter of time for the damaged areas which are affecting his vision to heal and repair, G-d willing.

He has been fed through is "g-tube", directly to his stomach. This week they are working with his swallowing and strengthening the muscles affecting the swallow. There are 25 little muscles that work together! Amazing. He has been drooling less which is a sign that he has been swallowing his saliva. When I ask him to swallow (his saliva), it seems that he swallows. They are proceeding with extreme caution because in the meanwhile, he is fully nourished, and if he's not fully capable to swallow, he could aspirate due to lack of full swallowing ability which would be a major setback.

Today is 10 weeks from October 11th, the Wednesday evening of Chol HaMoed when the collision took place. So many people, friends and others who we don't even know, have shared in this ordeal in many different ways. We're humbled and deeply filled with gratitude. We're thankful we're alive and we're thankful for the miracles we've seen and experienced thus far. Just as every additional night and day of Chanukah was a greater testimony to the miracles of the lights, so too we hope that Tehilla and Dovid's light, their essence and influence, will continue to glow, and reach the full potential that they were born with.

Brocha and I thank you for your prayers and mitzvos on their behalf, and for being an active partner in their miracles and recovery through your efforts. Wishing you a freiliche Chanukah!

Elazar Grunberger

P.S. Leah arrived several days ago from Israel and Reuvain her Chosson arrived the night before last. Their engagement party is tomorrow night and we're planning a February 1st wedding here in St. Louis. May we only share simchas together!!