For Joey, next stop Oakland

The Pirates' hats are packed up, the New England Patriots blanket neatly folded and tucked in with the autographed basketballs, baseball bats, pictures, greeting cards, posters and the good wishes of the entire Carson Valley.

Ten-year-old Joey Jacobsen is headed for Oakland, Calif., to begin the next phase of his recovery from a serious head injury two months ago.

The Minden Elementary fifth-grader was to leave today by ambulance from Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno for a rehabilitation facility for children.

"I've heard really good stuff about the hospital," Joey said in an interview Monday at the hospital. "I'm glad I'm going there."

Joey was hospitalized Nov. 22 after a woodcutting accident in Markleeville. He was taken by CareFlight to Reno where he has been undergoing treatment for his injuries.

He is moving to the rehabilitation center in Oakland which specializes in children.

Joey is eager to get into shape for baseball, basketball, fishing, hunting and all the other activities he loves.

"All it is there is physical therapy to help me get stronger," Joey said. "My muscles right now are weak."

The accident did nothing to dim the sparkle in his eyes, his winning smile or his sense of humor.

"I'm very good," he said. "It seems like I am very healthy and everybody loves me."

On Monday, Joey feasted on his favorite meal: Gramma Betty Jacobsen's noodles.

"They're really good," he said. "She makes them just with butter " no marinara sauce!"

Joey also is anticipating a big bowl of Dreyer's chocolate ice cream, another one of his grandmother's favorites.

Since he was hospitalized, family and friends have kept up a steady stream of visits to Renown.

While Oakland is about 200 miles from Minden, all indications are the visits will continue.

On Monday, Joey's friends Cappy Gilbert and brothers Ben and Sam Cochran were taking advantage of a school holiday to visit the hospital.

Cappy has been a constant presence at the hospital, laughing with Joey and keeping him up-to-date with what's going on at home. He is planning many visits to Oakland, optimistic his friend will will speed through his rehabilitation.

"If anybody wants to visit, they better call ahead because I don't think Joey is going to be there that long," Cappy said. "I'm proud of him, that's for sure. He has a hard head and his faith has kept him strong."

Friends and strangers have flooded Joey's Caring Bridge Web site, contributing to the more than 85,000 hits since the accident.

Some 4,000 people have taken the time to write personal messages of encouragement.

Joey intends to make himself at home in Oakland.

"I'm going to have another kid in my room," he said. "I hope he doesn't mind all this stuff."

One of Joey's most prized possessions is his new helmet.

Tim Jacobsen said the helmet is to protect his head injury. Originally white with a Spider-man emblem, his dad said it just didn't suit his son.

They had it painted black and Joey was awarded an orange "striker" by Douglas High football coaches Mike Rippee and Ernie Monfiletto.

The 'striker' goes to special people who excel on football field and off," Jacobsen said. "The coaches said if anyone deserves a 'striker,' it's Joey."

Joey is working hard to get back home.

"Yesterday (Sunday), I stood for a minute-and-a-half," he said.

On. Jan. 13, went outside for the first time since the accident and said the fresh air felt good.

"I slept for like 12 hours last night," he said. "I think it was because of all that."

He misses his friends from school and sports and is grateful for their support.

"Just keep up the good attitude and don't stop believing," he said.

As Robbi Jacobsen wrote Monday in Joey's online journal:

"Thank you for your continued messages, prayers, and belief. We are so anxious to get to the next step knowing the following step is HOME! God bless you all, we BELIEVE!"

Joey's mother, father Tim, and brother Timmy adopted "we believe" as the family motto after the accident.

Even after he leaves Renown, that spirit will stay behind in the "We believe" signs that are posted on the doors to the two rooms he called home for two months and in the hearts of the doctors, nurses and staff who cared for him.

Joey is eager to return to Renown to see the friends he made.

"When I come back, I'm going to be able to walk in on my own," Joey said.