For Malia Isaac, the word "Mom"

had never sounded sweeter.

That was the first word uttered

exercise at the Parris Island Marine recruit school in South Carolina

June 30. Josh, 19, graduated from McIntosh High School this year before

entering Marine recruit school but the incident has left him in a coma,

unable to respond to directions.

But he said "Mom"

three times Monday, and it was a sign of hope for Malia.

"Honestly, it was the

happiest moment I've had ... in I can't tell you when," Malia said

Monday evening. "I just bawled, I was crying so hard."

Doctors have been telling Malia

that her son will likely need round-the-clock nursing care for the rest

of his life. The bad news is also the good news: patients react differently

to brain injuries, and while there's no way to tell how much better Josh

will get, doctors will not discount a solid recovery.

"They've told me miracles

happen all the time and not to give up hope," Malia Issac said after

another day of helping her son in rehab at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Hospital.

The military originally wanted

Josh treated at a hospital out of state, but Malia was assisted by U.S.

Senators Zell Miller and Saxby Chambliss and Congressman Mac Collins in

getting him to Atlanta for treatment after he spent six weeks in intensive

care following the incident. She hopes they can help get him in a long-term

care facility in nearby Fairburn or Union City.

Meanwhile, answers about exactly

what happened to Josh are elusive. The Marine Corps investigation is not

complete, but Malia has learned a few facts secondhand.

Officials confirmed that there

was a report that Josh was struggling in the water and was denied a request

to get out of the water, Malia said. Also, doctors who treated Josh indicated

he was underwater for several minutes, not a few seconds as she was originally

told.

Malia is frustrated at the

lack of information. She has been unable even to get a copy of the EMT's

report and the hospital records from when Josh was treated; she was told

the records will be made available once the investigation is complete.

"They haven't kept me

totally in the dark," Malia said, adding they won't provide details.

"... I hate to be cynical and suspicious but I think there's something

they're not telling me."

Josh was in really good physical

shape, which adds to the confusion about how he might nearly drown during

the drill, Malia said.

Josh is technically still a

Marine recruit, awaiting a medical disposition on his status, a Marines

spokesperson said. His recruit unit has already graduated, and Josh received

special recognition during the ceremony, Malia said.

Josh planned to get his criminal

justice degree in college in pursuit of a career with the Federal Bureau

of Investigation. He was enrolled for the spring semester at the University

of South Carolina and had been a volunteer firefighter for Peachtree City,

where he had also served in the Boy Scout Explorer programs offered by

the fire and police departments.

All that changed when Josh

was injured. Now, he's got a long road to recovery ahead. He has to relearn

how to walk, talk and even eat.

Meanwhile, Malia has been surfing

through a mountain of paperwork to help her son get the best medical care

which now is being paid for by the military. Kind words from friends and

others who knew Josh have helped, especially those from members of the

Peachtree City Fire Department, Malia added.

She hopes one day to have solid

answers about why Josh drowned.

"I want someone to be

accountable, to say 'Hey, we screwed up ... and we'll take care of Josh

for the rest of his life.'" Malia said.

A contribution account has

been set up at the Bank of America in Josh's name to help the family with

expenses related to his recovery. Donations can be made at any Bank of

America branch to the Josh Isaac contribution fund.

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