Spring 1972 - Fall 1972

One morning, it was unusually difficult for John to carry on a one-sided conversation with Joey. He told Joey that he wouldn't be seeing him for awhile. Joey layed there, with no response, motionless. At spring practice, Coach Paterno moved John to offense. His sophmore year as defensive back had been only temporary - something the rest of the family assumed. But John was not confident at all. When spring practice ended it was clear that he had won the job. Still unable to talk, but awake, Joey lay on his bed and oaked up impressions. For most of the daytime he was awake - and alert. John was back at school most of that spring semestger, but the rest of the family spent many long hours working with Joey. They were getting very impatient with the rate of Joey's recovery. b In a few months, the old baby became Joey again. In those months he had grown into a functioning boy of nine. Joey doesn't remember the letter "y". He got a new doctor who didn't read Joey's paperwork very well. Anne took out her records to correct the doctor and he was very amazed by them. John was going to the Sugar Bowl so they had to have two Christmas'. Joey was upset because he couldn't go along with his parents to New Orleans to watch John. John ended up getting sick and couldn't playand he knew in a day or two he would be better again, but for Joey, it was different.