Oologah Meningitis Survivor's Condition Improving; Fundraisers Held

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

UNDATED -- Dozens of people are raising money for a 6-year-old boy from Oologah who lost his limbs to meningitis. 

Jeremiah Mitchell's grandmother, Gidget Mitchell, flew back from a Cincinnati hospital to pick up supplies and to say thank you.

Gidget says Jeremiah is now out of bed, learning how to use his nubs to get around. His hearing is great, vision is great and an MRI showed no brain damage.

His family says his life is a miracle.

On Saturday, the Oologah Masonic Lodge and other organizations organized a kid-friendly fundraiser and spaghetti dinner. $4,000 was raised during this fundraiser. The Grand Lodge of Oklahoma will match the donations. The money will go towards Jeremiah's long-term care when he returns home.

"Proud to be an Oklahoman, yes it does. Proud to be, proud to be here from Oologah-Talala, Rogers County," Gidget said.

"It seems like it's the small towns that we join in as a big family and help each other," said Judy Hall, charity organizer.

In Tulsa, others organized a charity shootout at the U.S. Shooting Academy. Participants paid a dollar per target. Organizers raised $1,056.

"We live in Oklahoma and its Oklahomans' nature to be giving," said Stan Peters, charity organizer.

For the last week, Jeremiah has been a little boy again. His nurse, Eric, wheels him around and supervises as Jeremiah rolls around on gym mats.

"He can just roll over and roll over and roll over with his little nubs, he just pushes himself around. Then you get him in the wheelchair, and he don't want to get out. He wants to stay in that, and let's just go, go, go," said Gidget.

Gidget says last week, it was time to explain to Jeremiah why he no longer has limbs, and why he can't talk after losing part of his tongue and cheek.

"His arms and legs were very sick, just like he had been sick. And we couldn't make his arms and legs better, so they had to go away," said Gidget. "He cried a lot. We all cried a lot, for days. But, we're through that now."

4/15/2010  Related Story: Family Reports Progress For Oologah Meningitis Survivor

Jeremiah once again has the energy and curiosity of a normal 6-year-old. And seeing an outpouring of support means the world to the Mitchell family.

There is actually no real rush to do the plastic surgery. Doctors in Cincinnati say they want Jeremiah to play, and develop, and build up his self-confidence for the next few weeks. The reconstructive facial surgery will happen towards the end of May.

4/17/2010  Related Story: Benefit Held In Collinsville For Jeremiah Mitchell