USEFUL LINKS

As Stephen Moon prayed a small miracle would continue to grow in his wife's quest to recover from a brain injury, Sprayberry Chick--fil-A owner-operator Scott Reed and members of the Northeast Cobb community got together Jan. 31 to help provide some of their own Divinely-inspired assistance.

The Moon family's ordeal began Nov. 22, 2010, when his wife, Victoria, fell after a physical and sustained a skull fracture. With massive bleeding in the brain, Victoria went into a long-term coma, then came into a semi-conscious state. Doctors here gave Moon little hope for his wife. Rather than resign himself to what doctors had told him, Moon took his wife on Jan. 11 to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, considered the top rehabilitation center in America. He did so knowing his insurance company denied coverage for the rehabilitation in Chicago. 

Joseph and Jacob Summers (at table) enjoy their meals Jan. 31 at the Sprayberry Chick-fil-A, while Kirk Summers poses with Stephen Moon's sons, Max (top) and Sam. Summers is Moon's cousin. In the far background is Sprayberry Chick-fil-A owner-operator Scott Reed (standing).

Once arriving in Chicago, "miracles" began accumulating for the Moons. Victoria has spoken some words, moved her legs and stood up for therapists. Also, Moon's insurance company began covering his wife's stay in Chicago because of the improvements. While all this has been exceptional news for the Moons, who have three children ages 2 through 7, it still has left the family with a precarious and uncertain future and financial position. The Northeast Cobb community has taken the Moon's situation to heart by raising funds to assist the family during its troublesome times. Funds have poured in from family members, friends, community individuals, and Piedmont Church collected $13,000 at the end of one service.

Reed said he was inspired by both Moon's determination to seek more help for his wife and the community response to the family. The restaurant owner decided to donate 20% of the monies he takes in at his restaurant on two separate days. The first of those days was Jan. 31, and community members showed the Moon's predicament and Reed's efforts are not lost on them. Reed said the response was more than he could have imagined. 

"I was blown away," said Reed. "We had never done an all day fundraiser like this before and didn't know quite what to expect. We had receipts turned in that provides the Moons with $2,400 and another $766 was put in a collection jar we had for the family. I had hoped to write a check that had, at least, a thousand in it. The community support was overwhelming. I look forward to doing this again Feb.7."

Reed said on a usual Monday he will take in about $9,000 in receipts. On Jan. 31, $14,000 worth of receipts came in, and $12,000 worth of them found their way into a bucket earmarked for  the Moon family. 

While doctors in Atlanta gave Stephen Moon little hope his wife, Victoria, would ever improve from a brain injury, doctors at the Chicago Institute of Rehalibation have shown otherwise. Here, Victoria Moon (back to camera) stands as a rehabilation specialist assists.

Hundreds of people from Northeast Cobb packed the restaurant throughout the day, including Cobb County District 3 Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, who ran against Moon and Earl Stine to win the commission seat this past summer. Birrell said she was thrilled to see the community response. 

"The community support was unbelievable," said Birrell. "It was hard to find a place to sit at dinner time. This is a great cause for a great family, and Chick-fil-A has demonstrated the ultimate community support." 

Stine also ate dinner at the restaurant that night, and he said the size of the crowd was a tribute to the Moon family.

"I don't know anyone who wouldn't support Victoria and the Moon famiiy," Stine said. "It is critical to help this family. The size of the crowd that night said it all."      

Moon was in Chicago while the first fundraiser was taking place but said he appreciates what took place at Chick-fil-A and those who took part in it.

"It is certainly inspiring," said Moon. "I've been looking for something good to come out of this, and seeing the community come together is great. Sometimes you have to wait years for prayers to be answered, but we are seeing prayers answered each day."

Moon said he sees those answers in how people are assisting and when watching his wife improve.

"One day it's hearing her speak, the next day it's her moving," Moon said. "Small things are happening each day, and those are answered prayers."

There  are still uncertain scenarios playing a role in the situation, which are where the fundraisers come into play. It is not yet clear how far Victoria will go in her rehabilitation, which doesn't mean there are limits to how much she can improve. With three small children involved and Victoria's future rehabilitation schedule still a question mark, Moon knows there are some tough decisions that will have to be made.

"We're taking it day by day," said Moon. "The kids are as well as they could be, but they miss their mom. Victoria will need to be cared for round the clock, and we'll have to decide where she will live when she leaves Chicago, which right now is scheduled for Feb. 11. There needs to be time spent caring for her and time raising our kids."

While decisions lie ahead for Moon, he said he is still overwhelmed by the amount of support his family has received from all involved. 

"I've been encouraged by it," said Moon. "I've seen this type of attention given when a president is sick, but I never, ever remember seeing it done for a regular person. It means a lot"