Help get gug home!
Donation protected
In April of 2012, when he was 24 years old, Gary, known to friends by his nickname, Gug or guggy was driving home from Boston and lost control of his truck near the Zakim bridge. He was ejected out of the passenger side window, slamming head first into a pole at high speed. He was found seconds from death by first responders, trapped between his truck and the jersey barrier.
He was brought to the emergency room at Mass General, where the team of doctors were able to keep him alive. They informed his family that he suffered massive trauma to his brain, and that he most likely would not make it.
Against all odds, he did survive, and the following months were grueling for his loved ones. Suddenly plunged into the world of brain injury, they spent every single day in the hospital, holding Gug’s hand through one surgery into the next—the most invasive being a cranioplasty, in which half of his skull was removed to allow space for his badly injured brain to swell.
He was in a coma for six weeks, and the only response his family got was an elevated heart rate when they told him to please wake up and come back to them. As the long weeks passed, he very slowly started making progress. First opening his eyes, and then responding to commands with hand gestures. He was transferred to a physical rehabilitation facility, where he began to do well. He was able to give a high five, a one-armed hug, and smile on command. He could not keep up with the pace that was expected of him, so he was transferred to a nursing facility north of Boston. He continued to make slow progress—exercising on a hand bike, brushing his teeth, giving a thumbs-up. He would never be the same son, brother, or friend that they knew, but they loved and supported him every minute.
Unfortunately, he came down with a late post-operative infection in his cranioplasty site, and after suffering a massive seizure, he was rushed into surgery to remove the infected skull flap almost one year after his initial accident. He did not recover well, and much to his family’s horror, was back to square one. He lost all movement, all progress, and was unresponsive for weeks. It was devastating to lose him again.
Later that year, he was able to regain his some of his communication and (thankfully) his sense of humor. His family and friends communicate with him through blinking. One blink is “no”, two blinks is “yes”. The language center of his brain was one of the only areas left mostly intact, and he understands almost everything he hears. He loves to laugh at funny stories, especially about his childhood or the things he’s done in the past with his friends.
Almost two years after Gug’s accident, he seemed healthy enough to leave the hospital for a day. He attended his sister’s wedding in May of 2014, and had a wonderful time on the dance floor, surrounded by friends and family.
He has since been to the mall (his choice…), the Topsfield Fair, and to a friend’s movie opening at a theater in Boston, where he was happier than anyone has seen him in years.
Every Sunday, his family takes him home for a few hours in a borrowed wheelchair van. His father built a temporary ramp to get him into the house, and once inside they lift him up out of his chair (it takes four people!) and lay him on his favorite couch so he can watch TV and listen to the familiar sounds of home.
At the hospital, he has a special air mattress to keep his skin healthy. He is 100% dependent on others to turn him, change him, feed him through a tube, give him water and medication, and clean him. He has a special lift to get him out of bed and into his custom wheelchair.
His family is desperate to get him home, where they are confident it will make life better for everyone. They have started remodeling to accommodate Gug’s needs. The renovations will include a motorized lift to get him inside the house, a bathroom large enough to fit a “shower trolley”, and a built-in Hoyer lift system installed in the ceiling to get him in and out of bed.
They also need to buy him his own van, so he can get to his numerous doctor appointments, visit friends, and see the world again.
You can help his family
by donating any amount, large or small, toward the overwhelming cost of remodeling and purchasing a van. Any amount helps! They did not go on this journey alone, and many times were lifted in spirit by the many friends that surrounded them through difficult times. They have inspired others with their dedication, strength, and love, so let’s give back. Please help this wonderful family be whole again. Gug belongs at home with his family. Any amount helps, please share his story!
Gug and his sister holly at her wedding:
Gug and his family:
Gug with his sister Holly, and life long friend Amanda
He was brought to the emergency room at Mass General, where the team of doctors were able to keep him alive. They informed his family that he suffered massive trauma to his brain, and that he most likely would not make it.
Against all odds, he did survive, and the following months were grueling for his loved ones. Suddenly plunged into the world of brain injury, they spent every single day in the hospital, holding Gug’s hand through one surgery into the next—the most invasive being a cranioplasty, in which half of his skull was removed to allow space for his badly injured brain to swell.
He was in a coma for six weeks, and the only response his family got was an elevated heart rate when they told him to please wake up and come back to them. As the long weeks passed, he very slowly started making progress. First opening his eyes, and then responding to commands with hand gestures. He was transferred to a physical rehabilitation facility, where he began to do well. He was able to give a high five, a one-armed hug, and smile on command. He could not keep up with the pace that was expected of him, so he was transferred to a nursing facility north of Boston. He continued to make slow progress—exercising on a hand bike, brushing his teeth, giving a thumbs-up. He would never be the same son, brother, or friend that they knew, but they loved and supported him every minute.
Unfortunately, he came down with a late post-operative infection in his cranioplasty site, and after suffering a massive seizure, he was rushed into surgery to remove the infected skull flap almost one year after his initial accident. He did not recover well, and much to his family’s horror, was back to square one. He lost all movement, all progress, and was unresponsive for weeks. It was devastating to lose him again.
Later that year, he was able to regain his some of his communication and (thankfully) his sense of humor. His family and friends communicate with him through blinking. One blink is “no”, two blinks is “yes”. The language center of his brain was one of the only areas left mostly intact, and he understands almost everything he hears. He loves to laugh at funny stories, especially about his childhood or the things he’s done in the past with his friends.
Almost two years after Gug’s accident, he seemed healthy enough to leave the hospital for a day. He attended his sister’s wedding in May of 2014, and had a wonderful time on the dance floor, surrounded by friends and family.
He has since been to the mall (his choice…), the Topsfield Fair, and to a friend’s movie opening at a theater in Boston, where he was happier than anyone has seen him in years.
Every Sunday, his family takes him home for a few hours in a borrowed wheelchair van. His father built a temporary ramp to get him into the house, and once inside they lift him up out of his chair (it takes four people!) and lay him on his favorite couch so he can watch TV and listen to the familiar sounds of home.
At the hospital, he has a special air mattress to keep his skin healthy. He is 100% dependent on others to turn him, change him, feed him through a tube, give him water and medication, and clean him. He has a special lift to get him out of bed and into his custom wheelchair.
His family is desperate to get him home, where they are confident it will make life better for everyone. They have started remodeling to accommodate Gug’s needs. The renovations will include a motorized lift to get him inside the house, a bathroom large enough to fit a “shower trolley”, and a built-in Hoyer lift system installed in the ceiling to get him in and out of bed.
They also need to buy him his own van, so he can get to his numerous doctor appointments, visit friends, and see the world again.
You can help his family
by donating any amount, large or small, toward the overwhelming cost of remodeling and purchasing a van. Any amount helps! They did not go on this journey alone, and many times were lifted in spirit by the many friends that surrounded them through difficult times. They have inspired others with their dedication, strength, and love, so let’s give back. Please help this wonderful family be whole again. Gug belongs at home with his family. Any amount helps, please share his story!
Gug and his sister holly at her wedding:
Gug and his family:
Gug with his sister Holly, and life long friend Amanda
Organizer
Brian Eldridge
Organizer
Saugus, MA
