Hello Family and Friends,

We have some good news to report! We were able to move Derek closer to home! He will now be a resident of Thornwald Home in Carlisle. No more 4 hour round trip drives for us!

His condition remains the same. He is semi-conscious and occasionally responds to questions with a nod of his head. The right side of his body is still regaining motor control, a slow process while his brain continues to heal. If you would like to mail him a card or letter his new address is:

Derek Shatto
C/O Thornwald Home
442 Walnut Bottom Rd.
Carlisle, PA 17013-3799

In other news, in case you didn’t hear, his book, Simple Obedience, was released last week. If you would like to order a copy go to www.DerekShatto.com.

We would like to thank everyone for your continued prayers and support. It truly means so much to our family. Derek still has a long way to go, so please keep those prayers and well wishes coming for his total healing.

Good morning,I just got word yesterday that Derek's book is done and at the warehouse to be shipped out today and tomorrow..If you ordered a copy you should be receiving yours soon.If you need to order ,go to www.DerekShatto.com. Derek is doing good,some days better than others. Michelle and I still making our daily trips. We are still working very very hard to get Derek closer to home..Thank you all for your prayers and support, Bob and Michelle

Good evening Family and Friends,

Before I left Derek for the day, I decided to sing some songs to him. This wasn’t the first time I’ve done this but it was the first time he reacted to one of the songs while I was singing it. I have a set of songs that I know by heart ranging from Broadway and movie musicals, childhood, bible school, and school choir songs, and songs from my favorite bands. Today I decided to end my mini concert with “Studying Politics” by Emery, a band Derek introduced me to. As I began to sing, Derek turned his head and stared at me, and as I continued to sing he began to nod his head in time to the music. It was an awesome moment!

I tell you this to give you a glimpse of Derek’s progress. He has always loved music and music is good for his soul and recovery. We’ve been playing music from his favorite bands almost since the first weeks of his hospitalization. It has only been in the last few weeks that we have started to notice that he responds to certain songs. Usually, it’s a tilt of his head like he’s trying to hear it better or concentrate on the lyrics. Derek is making slow progress and these new little things give us hope for his recovery.

Bob and I would like to thank everyone that sent a card or letter to Derek. It was wonderful reading them to him. We would also like to thank the little artists that made drawings to decorate and brighten his room.

One more note: latest word is that his book, Simple Obedience, will be released by the end of the month. Coming soon!

We also thank you for your continuing prayers for Derek’s healing.

Peace and Prayers,

Bob and MichelleDescription text goes here

These posts get harder as each month passes. Today marks 6 months since my brother was involved in that horrible car accident. Today is also National Son's Day and I know my parents would say that Derek Shatto is without a doubt the greatest, most caring and loving son anyone could ask for. This morning as the boys were getting on the bus it started pouring rain and I instantly thought of my brother because of his love for umbrellas. I prayed again as I do every day for his healing and recovery. It is crazy to think half a year has passed already and we are praying for his full recovery. Time heals all wounds. Derek is still about the same but the brain needs to heal. Today I remember his smile and his joy he expressed to all he met. He has brought so much joy to so many people and these pictures below are some of my favorites that show his love for life. Please keep praying! ❤🙏

Hello Family and Friends,

It has been 5 months since Derek’s life was abruptly altered. The broken bones have healed, the scars are fading, and we are still waiting for his brain to reconnect, fire up, and bring Derek back to full consciousness. We celebrate the small accomplishments like moving his right leg or turning his head to the right, things he wasn’t able to do several months ago. We cheer him on with applause when he follows a command, even if it’s only that one time. We do what we can to keep him engaged, to help his brain learn to make new connections. We read, play music, and watch movies and skateboard videos. We also exercise his limbs and massage his muscles.

We would like to have a card shower for Derek to help brighten his room. Please send a card or letter of encouragement and well wishes to:

Derek Shatto

C/O Silver Lake Healthcare Center
905 Tower Rd.
Bristol,PA 19007

Thank you for your constant prayers and support. ❤️

Peace and Prayers,

Bob and Michelle

3 months. Today has been 3 months since my brother's accident. It honestly feels like I am living a nightmare I can't wake up from. I am not losing faith that Derek will fully recover. To say I'm not hurting daily is an understatement. I pray every day and I cry every day. I have thought about what to say all day. There are so many thoughts and emotions constantly running through my head. I'm angry, frustrated and helpless. But I'm also hopeful and confident that Derek will with God's grace make a full recovery. I know Derek just needs time, time for the brain to heal. Yesterday was a great day, I was able to visit with Derek by myself yesterday morning. It was just the two of us and I know from the look in his eyes he knew it was me ❤ When he nurse said Derek your sister is here and I walked over his eyes got big. I was able to hold is hand, I talked to him about the boys and fishing 🎣, showed him the video of Bryce's hit from his game the day before ⚾️ and played him my favorite song 🎵 He took a nice nap and I prayed over him, I prayed for his complete healing. Let me tell you, my parents are the strongest people in the world, they visit with him daily and I tried so hard to keep my composure around him but I couldn't. I cried more yesterday morning than I have since the day of the accident. Being able to see him was such a blessing. I told him how much we all love him and he has hundreds of people all over the world praying for him. And I continue to ask all of my family and friends to continue to pray for Derek. Derek is strong, Derek will recover and Derek will continue to bless people all over the world. Sorry for such a long post but I wanted to share my heart ❤ 🙏

Hello Family and Friends,

Our journey is ongoing with many hills and valleys. Bob, Amber, and I would like to thank every one of you for your constant prayers and support as we navigate through this. Derek is doing well, continuing to slowly heal. His physical, occupational, and speech therapies are going well too. He occasionally will respond to commands, but not consistently. That consistency will come with time, and lots of patience on our part.

TBI’s have no timeline, no step-by-step guidebook to follow. We have reference materials, websites, and success stories we can read so we can learn what may happen while he heals and slowly regains consciousness. But there are no guarantees, nothing written in stone, no definitive answer. BUT, we have hope, faith, patience, and a world of prayer warriors supporting Derek as he works his way towards total healing.

Peace and Prayers,

Bob and MichelleItem description

Hello Family and Friends,

Derek had the wires and screws removed from his jaw. The oral surgeon said everything looks good. Derek also had the staples removed from his head and the incision has healed well. He had some fluid build up that caused some swelling on the left side of his head that had to be drained off. The neurosurgeon said this is normal but they will continue to monitor it. We would like to thank the speech therapist and physical and occupational therapists that have been working with Derek these past several weeks.

We continue to have faith and patience while Derek continues his journey through the healing process. Thanks for all of your continued prayers and support. ❤️❤️

Peace and Prayers,

Bob and Michelle

Hello Family and Friends,

Derek is continuing to heal and his vitals remain stable. The PT/OT is going well also. Tomorrow Derek is scheduled for surgery to replace the skull flap that was removed during neurosurgery when he first arrived at the hospital. Please keep him in your prayers for a successful surgery. Thank you very much and we will try to update on his condition tomorrow evening.

Peace and Prayers,

Bob and Michelle

Hello Family and Friends,

We have some good news to report on Derek. He has been moved from the Trauma ICU to the Step Down Unit. His vitals look good, no more fevers. His left arm is still very active and his eyelids have slightly opened on occasion. He is still unresponsive but we are hopeful that he will soon show some response. Also, the staples from his brain surgery have been removed.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. It means so much to our family. 🙏❤️

Peace and Prayers,

Bob and Michelle

Hello Family and Friends,

Here is our latest update on Derek. He is still unresponsive, yet holding steady. The surgery to repair his jaw is scheduled for Monday the 5th. The doctor told us today they will not be doing a MRI. Derek’s healing is just beginning and it will be a day by day, step by step journey. Please continue your prayers for healing. We will continue to update on any changes as they happen.

We would also like to take this opportunity to let you know that we see and read every like and comment.

Thanks again for your continued prayers and support.

Peace and Prayers,

Bob and Michelle