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Austin Birkholz Benefit

Austin is the 14 year old son of Roy and Loretta Birkholz. Austin was born with Ehlers-Danlas Syndrome type IV, this is a connective tissue disorder that caused his colon to rupture at 8 years old and emergency surgery saved his life. Because his stitches would not hold, a second surgery failed and Austin ended up with a permanent ileostomy. On 5/22/2016 , Austin needed another emergency surgery for a torn left axillary artery that was bleeding into his bicep, the pain was excruciating. Over the next 2 weeks, Austin had 5 more surgeries, efforts to save his left arm failed and his arm was amputated. The stress of the surgeries caused an artery to burst in Austin's liver resulting in massive hemorrhaging. Several blood transfusions and removing part of his liver saved his life. After the last surgery, Austin needed a chest tube placement and an abdominal drain to relieve abdominal pressure. The drains were removed and he was blessed to go home on Father's Day, only to have to return to the hospital for a feeding tube, because he wasn't able to consume enough calories to meet the needs for his healing body. Austin will need several future medical appointments to fit him for a prosthetic arm, this process is complicated by Ehlers-Danlas. This young man has been through more than most people will have to face in a lifetime, your support is appreciated.

Organizer

Julia McDaniel Pearson
Organizer
Ogema, WI

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