Stronger Together

Dear Friends,

Thank you again for the overwhelming support and generosity you have shown our family these past two months. It is not an overstatement to say that we could not have made it through this difficult period without you.

Michael had three surgeries over 6 weeks, and just this week completed the long process of selecting a prosthetist who will work closely with him and the Medical Director of the Amputee Program at Spaulding Rehab Hospital for the foreseeable future. It has been a grueling two months, but because of your visits, notes, calls, texts, rides, flowers, meals and generosity, Michael’s spirits remain high. Charlotte and Colin are excited to be able to spend more time with Michael in the summer months, and hopefully they will be able to bring Haley (the dog) home soon too! They have been so brave, watching Michael endure tremendous physical and emotional challenges over the past two months. The summer will allow them some time to be carefree kids again.

We will continue to update you over the summer, but wanted to say thank you again. We will never forget what you have done.

xo

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Hello Friends,

We wanted to update you on how things are going and say thank you again for your kindness and support. Michael was discharged from Spaulding a few days ago and is now home adjusting to the next phase of his journey. The date of the next surgery is unknown, but his healing is on track, with daily visits from a nurse to help with the wound care and a physical therapist to assist with strengthening his upper body and core. He is on his way to being well prepared for a prosthetic down the road.

We've lined up several services to assist with his daily life, everything from yard and laundry help, to dog walking and house keeping. He lives on the second floor, so we're working quickly to install the correct railings and safety measures so he can get up and down the stairs without further injury. The kids have decorated his condo, decorated his crutches, and kept him grounded in the present day. They are less and less afraid, but they are processing it very differently. Charlotte prefers to talk about it and answer questions. Colin will ask a question here and there, but then retreats to mull over the response. They are both just so brave.


Alli has been managing all of these details, and at this point thanks to your donations, she does not have to second guess whether or not she can afford the supports she is putting in place. It is a heavy responsibility, but truthfully, your generosity has made it that much easier.


And Michael... he is just SO positive. He is humbled by the outpouring of support and doing his best to find the balance between pushing himself and healing. His life was all activity, all the time, just 3 short weeks ago. This is a huge adjustment mentally and physically, and emotionally. Your emails, calls and texts are keeping his spirits high, and your friendship reminds us all of what really matters.


Thank you again for your generosity, compassion and kindness. We will update you again soon and appreciate you reaching out to Michael to help keep his spirits high!



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Last Tuesday, April 11th, while celebrating my birthday on the beach during an unseasonably warm day, I received a phone call from my sister Alli that I thought was only reserved for the movies or for other people. Certainly not for my family. My brother in-law, Michael, had been in a terrible accident and was being airlifted to Tufts Medical Center. I spent the next hour forcing a smile on my face for the kids, wandering the beach thinking about Michael, watching every helicopter that flew over head wondering if he was in it (3 flew by, 1 was bright orange) and constantly checking my phone. I knew Michael was conscious and talking, but had sustained a serious leg injury, potentially life threatening, and was rushed into surgery. I then received the text that has changed all of our lives,
"they amputated his left leg."

I can't tell you what I said to the uber driver through my tears on the way to the hospital.

I can't tell you what it's like to walk into the ICU and see someone you love, without a leg.

I can't tell you what it's like to watch your sister tell her 13 year old son and 8 year old daughter that their father had a life altering accident.

I can't tell you all of these things, and so much more, because the hurt is so profound, that there just are no words.

But I can tell you what this family will have to endure.

For the foreseeable future Alli will need to balance home life with Colin and Charlotte, all while maintaining her full time teaching career and side business  and helping Michael with his physical and emotional recovery. Every appointment, question from the kids, school drop off and pick up, dog walking, laundry folding, grocery shopping, lawn mowing, light bulb changing. cooking, cleaning,  will fall to Alli.  These are challenging times yet they have also been beautiful times. The tremendous outpouring of love and support have carried this family through the darkest moments of the past 5 days. So many people, some complete strangers, have asked how they can help. The best way to help is to donate here. They will have to deal with unexpected medical costs, income fluctuation, trip fees for hospital and rehab visits, and daily household expenses. Taking these stressors off Alli's plate will help her focus on what is most important, which is being together as a family and helping Michael through this process.

I've heard your life can change in an instant, and honestly, I never really thought it would happen to my family.

But it did. In an instant.