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Pray for Joseph Shramko, gaining independence after brain injury (updated 3/19/25)
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Joseph Shramko, a teen in our parish (son of John & Teresa, grandson of Bert & Sue) and an NDHS student, suffered a serious fall on April 8, 2021. He was rendered unconscious and experienced severe swelling of the brain for a couple of weeks. He has come out of critical condition and has begun a lengthy healing process from several brain injuries. The Shramkos are praying for miraculous intervention for Joseph's full functional recovery, and they are asking for our prayers. They have set up a Caring Bridge site to share updates. Please use the Caring Bridge site to share your prayers and encouragement with them.
Fr. Carter, Dcn. Gaspar, and the family are asking that we invoke the intercession of Servant of God, Patrick Ryan, for Joseph's healing.
Please pray..."Heavenly Father, through the intercession of the Servant of God, Patrick Ryan, may I be granted the favor I seek... the full healing of Joseph Shramko... I ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, Amen."
Joseph's father also asks that we consider forgiving someone we need to forgive, as an offering for Joseph's healing.
You can access Joseph's Caring Bridge site here (follow the prompts to sign in or create an account as needed):
Caring Bridge Site for Joseph:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/josephshramko
Updates
Update March 19, 2025 - Joseph has been going to college at Chattanooga State the past two years. This month he made the big step of independence. In the words of his mother: "Joseph moved out to his own place. This by far is the biggest step for all of us and was also an uncertain one. So many mixed emotions (sad but happy). This is the first big step for independence for him. We never thought this would be possible. It's not been a week yet but he already loves it. I pray this is one of many more achievements for him."
Update March 11, 2022 - Joseph continues rehab and has progressed from a wheelchair to a walker. He returned to high school in January and is doing well taking two regular classes (chemistry and economics) with no special accommodations. He is enjoying making new friends at his new school, Hixson High. Watch the full update here.
Update Sept. 27, 2021 - Prayers are answered! Six months since his accident, Joseph completed his outpatient rehab at Shepherd Center in Atlanta on Sept. 24, and returned home to Chattanooga for continued rehab. Based on his recent testing, they recommend he start school in January with two classes. He still has some deficits (visual, processing, speech, left arm). The Shramkos are trying to figure out what Joseph's rehab in Chattanooga will look like, and are a bit anxious about the challenges. However, they have gained much awareness of God's presence in their lives and how much he loves Joseph and them. They are happy to finally be reunited at home. Thank you for many prayers, care packages, cards, uplifting messages. Prayers are still needed and appreciated for this next phase. (See below for his new mailing address.)
Watch the full update given by the Shramko Family:
Update Aug 10, 2021 - Joseph has graduated from the live-in rehabilitation program at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. The family has moved him into an apartment, and he will continue day therapy at Shepherd in an outpatient program. They were able to attend Mass together for the first time since Easter Sunday!
Update July 27, 2021 - Thanks for all the prayers for Joseph's left arm. Here is a first video of Joseph himself demonstrating his progress!
Update July 21, 2021 - Joseph's father reports that Joseph is demonstrating a much greater sense of awareness, even for humor. He is getting more active in his own therapy and in his ability to make decisions. He is able to communicate by speaking rather than having to resort to writing as before. Joseph has an amazing attitude and willingness to struggle and work hard. His eye movement has improved, so he has a much better field of vision, and he is normally making direct eye contact instead of staring right through you. Joseph is re-training to walk, with the assistance of a robotic suit and harness for gait training. His left arm is improved. Extending the left hand is still difficult but he has a strong grip. He continues to have a healthy appetite and has put the weight he lost back on. He looks healthy! They are working on a transition to Shepherd’s Outpatient Day program, where Joseph would live with his parents and go in for therapy at a day facility. Please continue praying and THANK YOU!
Update June 24, 2021 - Joseph's father reports that Joseph is working hard with full days of therapy. He is doing some walking, showering on his own, writing and speaking a bit, and even smiling. Control of his facial muscles is particularly challenging, such as needed for eating, and speaking, and expressing himself. All the therapeutic activities and repetition are designed to rebuild neural pathways, which takes repetition and time. His mailing address at Shepherd has been added below. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Update June 9, 2021 - Joseph has begun daily rehab at the Shepherd Center with an hour of physical therapy, an hour of occupational therapy, and an hour of speech therapy, and there will be additional therapies (recreational, art, music). He is able to feed himself and say a few words and has retained his sense of humor.
Update June 8, 2021 - Joseph has continued to improve over the past few weeks. A few examples include making the sign of the cross, writing simple words, attempting to play a simple keyboard melody, and eating pizza and standing with help. Joseph was released from Tufts in Bost and airlifted to Shepherd Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, one of the top ten rehabilitation facilities for brain injuries. The family is rejoicing at this blessing and that Joseph is much closer to home. (Note that Shepherd also happens to be where our fellow parishioner Jim Stewart is recovering well from his head injury following a bicycling accident.) There is a new GoFundMe Campaign to help support the cost of Joseph's air flight ($20k) and rehabilitation for several months. Thank you for considering donating and sharing the GoFundMe link.
Update May 17, 2021 - Your prayers are being answered! See the video below for a demonstration of Joseph's recent responsiveness. John and Teresa ask us to keep praying!
Update May 11, 2021 - Great news- Joseph has improved to the point of needing less intensive care and has now been moved out of pediatric ICU to the step-down unit. He is now able to sit in a recliner for part of the day. Joseph's parents ask your prayers as they discern the best rehabilitation facility for him.
Update April 30, 2021 - Joseph has had a tracheostomy which will allow him to begin rehabilitation.
Update April 28, 2021 - Joseph squeezed his father's hand!
Update April 27, 2021 - The severe swelling of the brain has subsided, and Joseph has been able to come off of the heaviest sedative medication. He had an MRI, and it did not indicate any new brain damage following the swelling episodes! As Joseph slowly awakens from the medically-induced coma, doctors are working to assess his reflexes and responses. Joseph had a breakthrough and was able to blink his eyes two times on command - slowly but surely! Three areas of brain damage from the initial injury have already been identified, and Joseph is expected to need months or years of rehabilitation. Complications right now include pneumonia and fever. The family appreciates all your continued PRAYERS, ENCOURAGEMENT, and JOKES to keep them going! Their contact addresses are listed below.
Update April 12, 2021 - Joseph is at Tufts Medical Clinic in Boston, recovering from a head injury and swelling of the brain. He is expected to be in ICU for 4-6 weeks and to remain hospitalized for 6 months or so, with long-term rehabilitation needed. The doctors are working to keep the swelling down and have not yet been able to assess the extent of his brain injuries. His parents, John and Teresa Shramko, are staying with him in Boston during this time, while his grandparents, Bert and Sue Shramko, are taking care of the younger children. The family will need support in many ways. The Shramkos are very appreciative of the outpouring of love and prayers from friends. Please continue to use the Caring Bridge site to support them and to learn of updates.
Joseph's mailing addressIf you would like to mail Joseph a card or anything that could be hung on his wall, or to send his family a message or photo, his parents have provided the following addresses:
For Mail:
Andrew Joseph Shramko
1919 Bay Pointe Dr.
Hixson, TN 37343Please send pictures or jokes or private messages to:
[email protected] (Teresa)
[email protected] (John)
OR
Send messages through the CaringBridge site.
The Shramko Family attending Easter Sunday Mass on April 4, 2021