Support Children on Bikes
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On April 21st, 2016, a five year old boy was hit by a vehicle while riding his bike. He suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). He spent the first week hospitalized here in Boise, but was transferred to a children’s hospital in Salt Lake City. Doctors estimate at least ten weeks of recovery there before considering releasing him back home to Boise, where extensive recovery will continue. I was able to talk with the father last night to offer help and he told me his son stood up for the first time yesterday and has begun the slow process of relearning how to talk.
I am writing and coordinating this GoFundMe site not because I know the family, but because in September of 2015, my five year old son was also hit by a vehicle while riding his bike only two blocks away from where this recent crash occurred. We have been in their place. My empathy for the long journey they have been thrust into is boundless. We spent eleven weeks in the hospital in Salt Lake City. My son underwent thirteen surgeries in that time. When we did finally arrive back home in Boise, a whole new chapter in my son’s recovery began. Our road to recovery has been a long one with many setbacks and many celebrations. Through the support of our community, employers, and friends we have been able to weather this life change and move forward with what life has given us.
This family has been geographically torn apart by this tragedy. The father is here in Boise, working and taking care of their oldest child. The mother is in Salt Lake City with the boy and an infant. They are a private family therefore I am not including their names, but I know they need help. Their access to support is limited.
My husband and I know from experience that these circumstances can either destroy a family, or make them stronger. The stress of this experience is unbelievable. Our support will go not only towards medical expenses, travel between Boise and Salt Lake City and the cost of living away from home, also time away from work to take care of their son now, not to mention the long road of recovery once they arrive back home.
The nature of traumatic brain injuries is that doctors never know how well a person will recover. It just takes time and patience. Please join us in supporting this family in their time of need.
Courtney Wyatt
I am writing and coordinating this GoFundMe site not because I know the family, but because in September of 2015, my five year old son was also hit by a vehicle while riding his bike only two blocks away from where this recent crash occurred. We have been in their place. My empathy for the long journey they have been thrust into is boundless. We spent eleven weeks in the hospital in Salt Lake City. My son underwent thirteen surgeries in that time. When we did finally arrive back home in Boise, a whole new chapter in my son’s recovery began. Our road to recovery has been a long one with many setbacks and many celebrations. Through the support of our community, employers, and friends we have been able to weather this life change and move forward with what life has given us.
This family has been geographically torn apart by this tragedy. The father is here in Boise, working and taking care of their oldest child. The mother is in Salt Lake City with the boy and an infant. They are a private family therefore I am not including their names, but I know they need help. Their access to support is limited.
My husband and I know from experience that these circumstances can either destroy a family, or make them stronger. The stress of this experience is unbelievable. Our support will go not only towards medical expenses, travel between Boise and Salt Lake City and the cost of living away from home, also time away from work to take care of their son now, not to mention the long road of recovery once they arrive back home.
The nature of traumatic brain injuries is that doctors never know how well a person will recover. It just takes time and patience. Please join us in supporting this family in their time of need.
Courtney Wyatt
Organiser and beneficiary
Courtney Wyatt
Organiser
Boise, ID
Augustine Cookey
Beneficiary
