Josh Speidel makes major progress, says word 'Mom'

When Josh Speidel said "mom" on Thursday for the first time since he suffered a severe brain injury on Feb. 1, Lisa Speidel had stepped out of the hospital room.

Dave, her husband and Josh's father, insisted he said it. Lisa had to hear it for herself.

She took Josh's fingers, placed them on her throat and said the word, "mom." Josh then put his fingers on his own throat.

Mom. He said it.

"I just broke down crying," Lisa said. "He said it a couple more times and the nurses came in and were celebrating with us."

Lisa posted on her Facebook account Thursday night: "Do you know what is the sweetest sound EVER….hearing my son say, 'Mom' for the first time in 10 ½ weeks!!!!! YES HE DID!!!! PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!"

That was just one of several breakthrough moments this week for Speidel, a 6-8 standout senior basketball player from Columbus North. He said his sisters' names, said "grandma" and looked at pictures of his basketball team and identified his teammates.

When Lisa asked him who was No. 32, Josh said: "Me."

Speidel is wrapping up his third week at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana.

"It is a huge breakthrough," Lisa said. "We are running. Like we've said all along, we know the competitor that he is."

Speidel also began eating "real" food this week without complication, Lisa said. He's making progress physically as well, walking with assistance on the parallel bars and gaining core strength. He's also learning how to accomplish daily living skills like taking a shower and dressing himself.

"He's definitely getting stronger," Lisa said.

Lisa shared a story of the therapist joking with Josh about how she heard IndyStar Miss Basketball Ali Patberg, also a Columbus North senior, would pick him last for pick-up games. She asked him if that was true.

Josh's answer: "No."