I would like to introduce you to a remarkable young man. His name is Josh Hass. Josh is 14 years old and is a student at Alba-Golden High School. He lives in Alba, Texas with his parents, Brandon and Paula. He also has an older sister, Samantha.
He is a typical teenager. He loves the outdoors and being with friends. Weight lifting and football are at the forefront of his athletic endeavors. Josh has a passion for mudding…whether with his bike, go-cart or anything else with wheels. He enjoys fishing, hunting and riding horses with his best buddy, Carter Lennon.
His parents made sure he was raised in church and he is very active in the youth group at his church. This Bible training and his Love of God would soon prove to be invaluable in what was to come in his young life.
This young man’s life changed on August 10, 2011. Josh and some of his friends were riding in an all-terrain vehicle when the vehicle rolled over. Josh was thrown from the vehicle and it is believed that he was struck by one of the roll bars. He was immediately flown to a Tyler hospital with severe head injuries.
Tears and prayers began as the friends and family gathered at the hospital. I would estimate 50 to 75 people were gathered in the front of the hospital. All seemingly in shock over this accident.
The first news from the family was not good. Josh was in grave condition as the doctors did what they could to save his life. His 14th birthday came and went while he was in ICU.
Josh spent several weeks in the hospital. He is a fighter and with prayers, the Grace of God and the staff of the hospital, Josh began to respond to treatment. His physical health began to improve but the news was not all good. The accident had injured Josh’s optic nerves causing him to lose his sight.
Josh and his family have been on an emotional roller coaster ride since the diagnosis. They visited many specialist. At times they would receive encouraging news only to be devastated when Josh’s condition did not improve. He went through a time of depression that would be expected for anyone who had gone from an active lifestyle to being unable to do the things he loved.
It didn’t take long for Josh to get past this stage and amaze his family and friends with his “can do” attitude. Since the accident he has begun learning to play the banjo and guitar. He continues to be active in his youth group. He is very active in FFA. He is on the dairy judging team and raises and shows his goat in competition around the area. Recently, he went on a two day judging trip. I think his mom was more worried than Josh. He convinced her he would be fine without her going with him. His friends, Carter Lennon and Danny Osborn, roomed with him. They had a great time and all went well.
Josh and his family will be heading to a doctor in Cleveland, Ohio. This doctor practices Maridain Acupuncture. New research suggests that acupuncture can possibly heal and restore some nerve damage. This doctor combines treatment with prayer services. Paula has talked to a lady whose son’s sight improved after this treatment. Another patient went from a quadriplegic to using a walker after receiving treatment and prayer.
Several fundraisers are planned to help this family defray some of the travel expenses for this family. The Josh Hass 5K will begin at Golden Grocery March 31st at 7:30. The cost is $20 per person. You may register on race day or before. Registration forms are available at Golden Grocery. Breakfast burritos will be available for purchase after the run. All proceeds will go toward travel cost for Josh’s doctor appointment in Ohio. There will also be a garage sale/bake sale at the Golden pavillion on April 6 & 7th.
Make plans to attend and help this family in their quest to seek treatment for Josh. Please continue to PRAY.
I’ll close with a quote from Josh’s mom…”I see God’s Grace through Josh every day!
Have a good day, be good to each other and May GOD Bless..
Byron
please keep praying for ths family .i love ya.ll . Love aunt amy. Im here if ya.ll need.
A touching story. I will pray for Josh and his family.
Josh is my grandson,I would like to tell everyone that he is the sweetest,loveing and most of of all,GOD loveing young man that I know.He has been very inspriring to me and his family.I read this story of Josh to 3 of his cousins last nite.One cousin the same age as Josh,the other 2 are 12.They were speechless.One broke the silence by saying how stronge that Josh REALLY is cause he said he didnt think he could handle it like Josh.My grandsons are all very close cousins and this story about Josh Hass has really touched our hearts.Thank you so much for all the prayers and support.
Ms. Kennedy, you have a very special grandson. May GOD continue to Bless Josh and the rest of your family.
Josh is in all my prayers
Josh is the most remarkable and awesome young man! It is my honor and privilege to know him and to know the God who works in Josh’s life. I pray for complete healing for Josh to once again see light, but even if this is not what happens, Josh knows the true source of LIGHT and will follow Him.
Go Josh!!
Very well said, Wendy. Thank you for the response.
This was a fabulous glimpse into the strength of this special young man. I will continue to pray for the family, and the success of the Cleveland trip.
Thank you, I know the family appreciates the prayers. God is so good.
Praying for this young man that the Lords will be done.
Thank you, Kathy.
My Granddaughter, Heidi, suffered a severe brain stem injury from a dirt bike accident in July 2010. Her recovery has been remarkable and through the prayers of thousands she is with us today, a very active and healthy young lady. Her favorite saying ( her whole family even has it tatooed on themselves) is P.U.S.H. It stands for Pray Until Something Happens. It worked for her and continues to work for all of us. I pray it does for Josh.
Ellie I’m sorry that it has taken me this long to respond. Thanks for reading and I will surely be praying for your Heidi. You might be interested in an archived article about Megan Wiggins. Megan has made a miraculous recovery from an brain injury sustained in an automobile accident. May GOD Bless Heidi and your family.
Oh my goodness….you just dont know how much this story touches my heart for this young man…You see I am a mom of a young son that this happened to also, except my son was in a car accident. He too sustained alot of head trauma and his optic nerves were also damaged to the point of totally blind…My son, Taylor was 20 years old when this happened….(April 29, 2006) We of course had lots of doctor visits to attend and we even made a trip to Memphis to “see” if that doctor could help him…But he told us we would have to wait on stem cell research and yes of course I was very bummed out about it. This story gives me a “renewed” hope and faith that with God all things are possible….Taylor has been to the Louisiana School for the blind in Ruston, LA and just amazes me with the things he CAN do and his willpower to just keep pushing….
I will be in prayer for Josh…..Keep your heads up and keep pushing forward
“OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT” is our motto…..whether it be earthly or heavenly our sons will see again….all thanks to our ONE AND ONLY HEAVENLY FATHER…AMEN
Thank you for responding. I pray for your son and thank God that He uses the things that happen to us, in order for us to help others. May GOD continue to Bless your son and your family.
I can remember the school bus I road as a kid. Josh was just a little toot, but he was such a sweet boy. I think about him alot, and continue to keep him in my prayers. God Bless all of you.