Theolonius Wolfang Dutton and Family Recovery Fund
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To our friends, family, and members of our community near and far: We are asking for your help to support Theolonius (TW) Wolfgang Dutton and his family as he recovers from a traumatic brain injury. After spending more than 6 weeks in the hospital, TW is making incredible strides and has returned home. This fund will help to limit the financial burden associated with the injury including medical costs not covered by insurance, lost wages from work, and other recovery related costs.
The Accident: Late in the afternoon on Saturday, May 25, 2019, TW left his house in the West End of Portland, Maine. He was riding his Onewheel, a motorized skateboard on which he was a highly experienced rider. As always, he wore a helmet. It had been a day filled with sunshine and light – one of the first that provided a taste of summer after a long, wet, and cold spring in northern New England. Earlier that day, TW had taken Zahra, his nine and half year old daughter and the light of his life, to a hoola-hoop making workshop at the Sellam Circus School. TW left the house relaxed, happy, and without an agenda. At around 5pm, paramedics were called to the intersection of Eastern Prom/Walnut St to respond semi-conscious and injured adult male. There were no witnesses to the accident. TW was brought by ambulance to the Emergency Department at Maine Medical Center where the medical team identified the following injuries: skull fracture, subdural hematoma, and subarachnoid hematoma. The trauma was focused in the frontal and temporal areas of the brain. No other major musculo-skeletal injuries were identified.
The Recovery Period: TW would spend more three weeks in critical care and a week more in an intermediate neurology unit at Maine Medical. Surgery was not needed to treat his injuries, however he received high doses of sedating medications and other pharmacological treatments to keep him calm and allow his brain to begin healing. After more than five weeks at Maine Med in Portland, TW was transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation hospital in Boston. Here he spent another week working with traumatic brain injury specialists to advance his physical, occupational, and cognitive skills. He was discharged from Spaulding Hospital on July 5, 2019 after more than 6 weeks in the two hospitals. Given the seriousness of the injuries, the pace of his recovery has been rapid. Now, TW is back home in Portland and eager to get back to life, work, and family. He is working hard every day. He will continue to take steps forward and is on track to make a full recovery.
Community: At every step in this journey, family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and acquaintances have extended their love and support to TW, Irit, and Zahra. TW has worked for more than a decade as an ER and critical care nurse in Portland. He is accomplished and respected in his field - at Maine Med, he was twice awarded the distinction of Nurse of the Year. He has had his struggles too, but even when faced with personal challenge, TW has worked to be an advocate for others suffering from substance abuse and trauma. TW’s close and enduring friendships across his field mean that the Drs., nurses, and other team members who directed his care were personally invested and dedicated to his recovery. In every interaction, these caregivers and friends extended all their support, compassion, and love. The community has also wrapped their arms around TW’s family. Irit and Zahra received meals and visits and hugs and more. The family has been buoyed by these efforts, making it possible to step through each day knowing that, with time, things would be ok.
Next Steps: TW will still need time for his brain and body to recover from these serious injuries. He has been referred for an out-patient neuro rehab program in Portland. He is eager to get back to work, but it will take time. In the meantime, Irit is herself finishing an accelerated nursing program this summer. She will be able to start working in the field in the Fall. This GoFundMe will help reduce the financial burden associated with medical costs and in this transition period.
The Accident: Late in the afternoon on Saturday, May 25, 2019, TW left his house in the West End of Portland, Maine. He was riding his Onewheel, a motorized skateboard on which he was a highly experienced rider. As always, he wore a helmet. It had been a day filled with sunshine and light – one of the first that provided a taste of summer after a long, wet, and cold spring in northern New England. Earlier that day, TW had taken Zahra, his nine and half year old daughter and the light of his life, to a hoola-hoop making workshop at the Sellam Circus School. TW left the house relaxed, happy, and without an agenda. At around 5pm, paramedics were called to the intersection of Eastern Prom/Walnut St to respond semi-conscious and injured adult male. There were no witnesses to the accident. TW was brought by ambulance to the Emergency Department at Maine Medical Center where the medical team identified the following injuries: skull fracture, subdural hematoma, and subarachnoid hematoma. The trauma was focused in the frontal and temporal areas of the brain. No other major musculo-skeletal injuries were identified.
The Recovery Period: TW would spend more three weeks in critical care and a week more in an intermediate neurology unit at Maine Medical. Surgery was not needed to treat his injuries, however he received high doses of sedating medications and other pharmacological treatments to keep him calm and allow his brain to begin healing. After more than five weeks at Maine Med in Portland, TW was transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation hospital in Boston. Here he spent another week working with traumatic brain injury specialists to advance his physical, occupational, and cognitive skills. He was discharged from Spaulding Hospital on July 5, 2019 after more than 6 weeks in the two hospitals. Given the seriousness of the injuries, the pace of his recovery has been rapid. Now, TW is back home in Portland and eager to get back to life, work, and family. He is working hard every day. He will continue to take steps forward and is on track to make a full recovery.
Community: At every step in this journey, family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and acquaintances have extended their love and support to TW, Irit, and Zahra. TW has worked for more than a decade as an ER and critical care nurse in Portland. He is accomplished and respected in his field - at Maine Med, he was twice awarded the distinction of Nurse of the Year. He has had his struggles too, but even when faced with personal challenge, TW has worked to be an advocate for others suffering from substance abuse and trauma. TW’s close and enduring friendships across his field mean that the Drs., nurses, and other team members who directed his care were personally invested and dedicated to his recovery. In every interaction, these caregivers and friends extended all their support, compassion, and love. The community has also wrapped their arms around TW’s family. Irit and Zahra received meals and visits and hugs and more. The family has been buoyed by these efforts, making it possible to step through each day knowing that, with time, things would be ok.
Next Steps: TW will still need time for his brain and body to recover from these serious injuries. He has been referred for an out-patient neuro rehab program in Portland. He is eager to get back to work, but it will take time. In the meantime, Irit is herself finishing an accelerated nursing program this summer. She will be able to start working in the field in the Fall. This GoFundMe will help reduce the financial burden associated with medical costs and in this transition period.
Organizer and beneficiary
Dara Sicherman Salett
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Irit Altman
Beneficiary