Joe would like for everyone to know how very grateful he is to each and every one of you. He is making amazing progress…
Every day - In Every Way -
He’s getting better, better & better!

Joe was released to my care on Friday morning. He was soooo excited to be back out in the world. We brought him home and we both…at long last…cried tears of gratitude and joy.

He is happiest and I am most anxious when he’s on the move. His endurance has increased from being able to walk with my assistance - to the neighbors house…to walking all the way UP to the end of our street and into a new friend’s garage for some conversation. Him not responding when I call his name…even if he’s just in the next room…makes me nauseous.

I’ve been struggling to put my feelings into words…but their range has been too much for me to articulate. I hope that the words of this poem I wrote for Joe…and for you all…will explain the absence of my comments on this amazing site.

Please accept our heartfelt love and gratitude for everything your love has provided for our family.

Thank you all! Ya’ll are amazing.

Chris Self
3/18/07
_____________

He Cries

When the sunlight warms
His broken face
When he walks alone
though slow his pace
Without the history of his case
You might think my man is sad

A second chance to be the man
Decide He will! - not - if he can
Become the Husband to his Wife
She’s waited on for all her life

Profound exchanges by a fire
cold winters heated by desire
moderation learned at last
no drunken stories of his past

The love for me he says is real
With all My Heart and Soul I feel
I’m counting on the Power of Love
to heal when life comes push to shove

So grateful for the love and prayers
that touched him while on heavens stairs
So grateful for this chance to see
How Much our Friends
Love Him - and Me
Chris Self - 2007

Let me start off by saying, the JoeSelfHelp Benefit KICKED ASS and took some names. It totally rocked. Thank you to EVERYONE who was ANY part of it. The bands were great, the auction and raffle were a huge success and the food was fenominal. I willl be selling Go For JOe shirts on line soon, more to come on that. Second of all, if you are anywhere close to Austin, PLEASE go visit my dad. He is really wanting his friends and family to see him, he misses everyone so much. BIG NEWS… JOE IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL He is at Texas Neuro Rehab at 1106 Ditmar, Austin, Texas 78745. He is currently in room 203. He also has his phone with him now if you would like to give him a call. His voice might sound a little different(six front teeth missing) and he may become emotional but believe me he wants to hear your voice as much as you do his. All of your love and encouragement will really warm his heart and give him the strength he needs for his recovery. SO many stories and words of wisdom have been shared with me throughout this past month and I want to say thank you again to everyone for that. Take time in your day today as you read this to close your eyes and feel the peace of being alive, know that it is ok to cry when you feel the need and that you are not alone in this world. Who you are is all you have to be. You all rock. Please still pray for my dad every day.
Just close your eyes for a moment and breathe, YOU ARE ALIVE Joe’s daughter,
Courtney Self

Hello everyone. Sorry it has been a while. Working 40 hours a week and helping to plan a benefit in 3 weeks consumes a lot of time. The benefit is tomorrow as you all know. It is going to rock. Thank you so much to everyone who is making it happen. I am so glad update everyone to let yall know what an amazing day dad had. Intense, open hearted emotions flow freely as every person calls or visits. His sincere thankfulness for a second chance to be an even better man than he was before is expressed in his every breath and tear. We took 8 small walks today, did breathing exercised, ate pretty good (mostly drank his Boost drinks), laughed, cried, and shared real connected life together. I am so thankful he is here, really really here. To everyone who reads this please tell everyone you love that you love them, be the father or mother, sister, brother, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, friend or just human being you always wanted to be or always wanted someone else to be. Life is so, so precious and it can be taken away from you at any given moment. Live in love, not in fear. Be the beautiful, important, unperfect, awesome person that we all are. I love you all for loveing my dad. Please keep praying for him.
Joe’s daughter, Courtney Self