On Suggestions …
Several of you have posted comments indicating helpful suggestions for Dustin’s long-term care. We would love to hear whatever suggestions you have, but would appreciate if you sent those directly to the following email address (gmbeachy@gmail.com) as not all visitors to this site need to hear these suggestions. We would like to reserve the “Comments” section of this website to expressions of love and support for Leigh Anne and the family.
All suggestions about Dustin’s long-term care received at gmbeachy@gmail.com will be given to the folks who are directly helping Leigh Anne process through these issues.
Thank you for all your expressions of love and support.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:27 am
Leigh Ann,
I just heard about Dustin and I am so sorry. It was a shock to me. I love Dustin and remember many great talks while he was a student on a beach project. Whenever I see yall’s name in the RUF publications, I smile. We are praying that God would continue to give you all strength, wisdom, and a strange sense of peace in the midst of this bitter providence.
November 29th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
Leigh Ann,
My wife and I went through what you’re going through last year with our 26 year old son. NEVER lose hope!!!! Despite what you hear from the doctors, God is still in control.
In Christ,
Bob and Terri Rhine
Fairview Tx
November 30th, 2006 at 7:07 am
Leigh Anne, prayers from Upper Darby, Pa.,former home of Mark and Judy Klein. They were among the best neighbors anyone could ever have! We’ve been in constant touch, esp. since Dustin’s been hurt.
Just jotting this off to say that my Dad survived a serious brain injury, too, including a six-week coma. He was never 100% again, but he came back enuf to be a fully functioning husband, father, and family provider. I’m hoping to send you a magazine article he wrote about his experiences. (He was a professional writer).
Take heart. Dustin’s injuries, while serious, aren’t a lock on his life. Dad survived, lived for 50 years, 4 months. He saw both my brother and me grow up, graduate from college, get married, and give him four grandkids. Two had graduated from college by then, a third was a college freshman, the fourth start middle school.
Two other encouragements:
1. The status of modern diagnostics. Dad was hurt in 1953. Without today’s computerized scans, pre-op diagnosis took longer. What a blessing that Dustin’s doctors had an exact picture of his injuries so quickly and easily!
2. I’ve had your kids, even more than Dustin or you, in prayer. As I understand it, your Jacob witnessed the accident.The single biggest thing you and yours have done is to include them and be honest with them. I, at age 6, wasn’t. Shelter the kid and all that [expletive deleted]. Of course, it eventually blew up in the adults’ faces.
Let me just say that dealing with their questions and needs has to be rough. Few things are harder than finding age-appropriate ways to explain brain damage, coma, etc. Many years later, it wasn’t much easier for my younger brother and me to explain it to our own kids, all of whom asked when still pre-schoolers. We were willing to answer their questions, but had a hard time figuring out exactly how. Fortunately, our mates were more talented in that direction.
Nothing shows more love *and respect* than the effort that you and yours are making to do that. Since you’re doing that, I know you’re also letting them know that they *will* be cared for, that Mom and others are on the job.
Whatever Dustin’s outcome, you’ll have the satisfaction of a relationship with your kids based on honesty and respect. In the years ahead, you can recall this time with pride and love beyond price–and so will your kids.
November 30th, 2006 at 7:46 am
Hey Leigh Anne,
I just wanted you to know that Dave and I continue to pray for Dustin, you, and the children. Please do not hesitate to call us if you need anything (someone to cut the grass, clean the house, anything). God is good even when we don’t understand His plan. We love you and hope to see you soon.
Dave and Rebecca Latham
November 30th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
Dear Leigh Anne,
My husband was an RUF intern, and remembers hearing your husband preach at some of his training sessions. We heard about the accident from his sister, who attends Clemson. I’ve been praying for you and your family since we heard. It’s so amazing to see all the people who are praying and sending encouragement to you. I wanted to encourage you with the words of a hymn by John Newton. I love his hymns, as they’re soaked in biblical theology.
Pensive, doubting, fearful heart,
Hear what CHRIST the Savior says;
Every word should joy impart,
Change thy mourning into praise:
Yes, he speaks, and speaks to thee,
May he help thee to believe!
Then thou presently wilt see,
Thou hast little cause to grieve.
“Fear thou not, nor be ashamed,
All thy sorrows soon shall end
I who heav’n and earth have framed,
Am thy husband and thy friend
I the High and Holy One,
Israel’s GOD by all adored;
As thy Savior will be known,
Thy Redeemer and thy Lord.
For a moment I withdrew,
And thy heart was filled with pain;
But my mercies I’ll renew,
Thou shalt soon rejoice again:
Though I scorn to hide my face,
Very soon my wrath shall cease;
’Tis but for a moment’s space,
Ending in eternal peace.
Though afflicted, tempest–tossed,
Comfortless awhile thou art,
Do not think thou canst be lost,
Thou art graven on my heart
All thy walls I will repair,
Thou shalt be rebuilt anew;
And in thee it shall appear,
What a God of love can do.
May God continue to uphold you and be gracious to you.
November 30th, 2006 at 10:34 pm
Leigh Ann -
I had never heard of you or Dustin until Kelly Marusich shared your story with me a few weeks ago. I now think of you many times a day.
Our son was born very ill just 10 weeks ago. The Lord worked, in the words of his doctor, a miracle in his health. He is home with us now. It is mostly during his nighttime feedings that I pray for you. I pray - beg - that God will work a miracle for Dustin as he did for my son Marcus.
Your letter was beautiful and gave me other words to pray - that you and your children will understand, believe, and be comforted by “Daddy’s words on God’s sovereignty.” I can’t imagine bearing the burden that you bear. I pray that He will meet you with grace beyond what I can imagine also.
In Christ,
Becky
December 1st, 2006 at 10:46 am
Good morning, Leigh Ann and family,
Hello! I’m Jana from Houston, Texas and I’m deaf. I attend SouthWest Pres. Church (PCA), am part of the Deaf Minitry. The church emailed us to pray for you and your family. I do not know you. I wanted you to know I’ve been moved by reading the updates on Dustin and you. I had tears and share my burden with you esp the children. Be assured that I’m praying for you everyday for your strength to make all the decisions and those emotions you are going through! Pls know that this has reached out to me in Houston, Texas. God is in control of this as we all know. Steadfast your faith and God be the Glory.
Hugs Jana
December 1st, 2006 at 11:07 am
Leigh Anne - Just wanted you to know that Paul and I are praying for you as well as our church Toxey Baptist. I will continue to keep in touch through Lisa. God Bless You and know that He is in control.
Tracy
December 1st, 2006 at 12:01 pm
Dear Leigh,
Hey Sweetie! Again, I’m sorry that I didn’t know sooner. I have called my pastor and have the church praying for you and the family! Never know what to say in times like these. God is in control and He loves you, Dustin and the kids very much!!
Leigh–you are an amazing woman and child of Christ! Because of your influence I have everlasting life! Our God will see you through this. Please let me know if you need anything no matter how big or small! Here’s my contact information. I love you and will be in touch! Y’all are in my prayers constantly!
Love,
Laticia Edwards
662-640-5503 or
662-315-9226
307 Country Village Road
Apt. #32
Fulton, MS 38843
laticiaedwards@hotmail.com
December 1st, 2006 at 12:05 pm
Leigh Anne,
It’s been such a long time since I have seen or heard from you, but I read the touching article that Mr. Campbell published in this week’s newspaper. I placed you and your family in my immediate prayers. I know that our Awesome GOD hears all prayers and that he is still in control. Ludonda McMillian White and I will continue to keep your family in our prayers.
December 1st, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Dear Leigh Anne and Family-
Sending you thoughts and prayers from Pennsylvania. I’m including a link to a beautiful website that allows family and friends of patients to stay in touch and it’s free- run on donations. And I will GLADLY donate in Dustin’s name! Please check it out at your convenience and perhaps there is someone who can set things up for you.
With love and hope,
Carol Schaum
Christopher and Kevin’s Mom
http://www.caringbridge.org/
December 1st, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Leigh Anne,
will continue to pray (here in memphis) for the Salter’s!
Love,
Casey and Colton
December 3rd, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Ms. Leigh Anne and family,
I noticed a prayer request for your situation while on Covenant Seminary’s Portal site; I am a student and was checking on some course information.
I was involved in what appears to be a similar situation in 1987, having hit a horse while driving. It was a closed-head injury and a drug induced coma was the only course of action.
As with you, my wife completely accepted that the final outcome was in God’s hands. That said, it was not easy to envision the realities of my death, or a longterm care situation, or in either case raising our two young daughters without their dad.
I did come out of the coma and my wife wrote a book about the experience. The book is about the accident and how things came to pass, but the real story was about turning things over to God in the midst of otherwise unacceptable choices. She titled the book “Choice C, Trusting God With the Impossible”.
My prayer is that you’re given peace and comfort in this difficult situation, that your trust and faith in our sovereign God will not waver through the storm, and that many will come to know the Lord through your witness.
Blessings - Brien Williams
December 5th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
Every time I log on to this website to check on your progress, I am blessed and ministered to in such a powerful way. Thank you, thank you for choosing to use this technology to share facts and hope and the Word. Dustin and Leigh Ann and children - dead souls are being born again through the ministry of your “dark providence”. To God be the glory. Can He keep you? Can He sustain you? Yes and Amen! He will. Oh, how I pray for you - weak insufficient prayers offered to a mighty God and Wonderful Counselor and the Prince of Peace.
Much love,
Ann Miller, Lexington Presbyterian, Lexington, SC