SPICER -- Jacob Kieft, the Spicer teen severely injured in a golf cart accident in June, was released Friday from hospital after nearly two months of care.
Kieft and his family made the move back to Spicer one day shy of the two-month anniversary of the June 26 accident.
Kieft was ejected from the golf cart during the accident and was severely injured after hitting his head. He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, where he received medical treatment and physical therapy.
Andrea Elaine Bloedel, 15, of New London was driving the golf cart with three passengers when it rolled on the 8000 block of 71st Street Northeast near South Elkhorn Drive south of Spicer.
While hospitalized, Kieft underwent numerous surgeries, some to reduce swelling on the brain and others to replace portions of removed skull, according to their online journal entries. Kieft battled bone infections and was still able to recover fairly quickly from the severity of the accident. Over the past two months, Kieft's parents traded nights at the hospital, coming home every other day. They also maintained updates on their son's condition through the Caring Bridge Web site, a site that offers free personalized Web pages for people who want to keep in touch with family and friends during "significant life events."
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As of Sunday night the site, which hosts a journal of Kieft's updates and a message board from guests, had been visited more than 46,000 times. More than 1,200 messages from friends, family and supporters were also logged.
A post on the CaringBridge Web site Friday stated that Kieft made it home and was eating enchiladas, watching the Twins and even practicing his trombone in preparation for this year's jazz band.
According to the post, Kieft will begin outpatient therapy at Rice Rehab beginning this week. Physical therapy will take place three times a week, with occupational and speech therapy sessions every day.
Kieft's mother Carla said Jake would begin therapy Tuesday. When asked about having Jake home, she let out sigh of relief. "It's good to be a family again," she said.
