Miller Family Fund
Donation protected
10/21/19 Update from Heather:
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to each and every person who has donated money to support us during this time. Not a day goes by that Lewie and I do not talk about the sheer kindness, generosity and genuine love and concern that you - friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances, and strangers have shown us. It is still overwhelming and we are forever grateful. We can never repay you (we can't even get to thanking each individual person as we'd like) but we can try to pay it forward.
Here is a long overdue update for you all:
Lewie spent two weeks at the California Rehabilitation Institute where he received intensive Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy. He then came home on June 15th where he continued home health Physical Therapy and some Speech Therapy. He had another surgery in July to remove infected hardware from his right foot. Finally in August, Lewie was cleared to bend his knees, stand, and finally walk!
So far, that's 5 surgeries and 4 hospitals since his accident. The blessing in all of this is that Lewie has been enjoying his time at home watching our 6 month old son grow, laugh and discover new things as he recovers. He currently attends intensive outpatient physical therapy 3 days a week and works on his exercises daily at home. He's now able to walk short distances using a walker! His many wounds have healed and his bones are slowly healing too. Although he has a long road ahead, he's cognizant of how far he's come in the past 5 months. His final count, including his wrist surgery two years ago, is 4 plates, 3 rods and about 52 screws in his body. We're blessed that he's here today and so lucky these are the only injuries he has. #lewdogstrong
Thank you again for your support! It has been tremendously helpful to our family during this time.
One final note - please don't be a distracted driver! Calls, texts, emails, and most certainly social media can wait! Drive safe!
Warmly, Heather
6/1/19 Update: Both of Lewie's surgeries on 5/29 went really well - but it's been Lewie's strength and determination that has turned the tide. Incredibly, he started physical therapy the day following his surgery, was taken off all of his monitors/fluids, had his staples removed and has weaned off of the heavier pain meds. Because of Lewie's motivation they were able to move him to his rehab facility yesterday...48 hours after his latest surgery. For those that know Lewie this is not surprising but we are all so happy and hopeful as he starts his rehab schedule. It will not be easy but we are all here to support the Miller family - please continue to do so, as they need every bit of our love, prayers, thoughts, and contributions.
5/29/19 Update: Lewie and Vinnie were VERY happy to have some time together today before Lewie went in for another surgery. This will be a long one - the doctors believe around 7 hours - so please send up your thoughts and prayers for this wonderful family! Both Heather and Lewie are being incredibly strong and we want them to feel all the love and support possible. Please continue to share this page and thank you to everyone for contributing thoughts, prayers and donations for the Miller Fund!
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to each and every person who has donated money to support us during this time. Not a day goes by that Lewie and I do not talk about the sheer kindness, generosity and genuine love and concern that you - friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances, and strangers have shown us. It is still overwhelming and we are forever grateful. We can never repay you (we can't even get to thanking each individual person as we'd like) but we can try to pay it forward.
Here is a long overdue update for you all:
Lewie spent two weeks at the California Rehabilitation Institute where he received intensive Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy. He then came home on June 15th where he continued home health Physical Therapy and some Speech Therapy. He had another surgery in July to remove infected hardware from his right foot. Finally in August, Lewie was cleared to bend his knees, stand, and finally walk!
So far, that's 5 surgeries and 4 hospitals since his accident. The blessing in all of this is that Lewie has been enjoying his time at home watching our 6 month old son grow, laugh and discover new things as he recovers. He currently attends intensive outpatient physical therapy 3 days a week and works on his exercises daily at home. He's now able to walk short distances using a walker! His many wounds have healed and his bones are slowly healing too. Although he has a long road ahead, he's cognizant of how far he's come in the past 5 months. His final count, including his wrist surgery two years ago, is 4 plates, 3 rods and about 52 screws in his body. We're blessed that he's here today and so lucky these are the only injuries he has. #lewdogstrong
Thank you again for your support! It has been tremendously helpful to our family during this time.
One final note - please don't be a distracted driver! Calls, texts, emails, and most certainly social media can wait! Drive safe!
Warmly, Heather
6/1/19 Update: Both of Lewie's surgeries on 5/29 went really well - but it's been Lewie's strength and determination that has turned the tide. Incredibly, he started physical therapy the day following his surgery, was taken off all of his monitors/fluids, had his staples removed and has weaned off of the heavier pain meds. Because of Lewie's motivation they were able to move him to his rehab facility yesterday...48 hours after his latest surgery. For those that know Lewie this is not surprising but we are all so happy and hopeful as he starts his rehab schedule. It will not be easy but we are all here to support the Miller family - please continue to do so, as they need every bit of our love, prayers, thoughts, and contributions.
5/29/19 Update: Lewie and Vinnie were VERY happy to have some time together today before Lewie went in for another surgery. This will be a long one - the doctors believe around 7 hours - so please send up your thoughts and prayers for this wonderful family! Both Heather and Lewie are being incredibly strong and we want them to feel all the love and support possible. Please continue to share this page and thank you to everyone for contributing thoughts, prayers and donations for the Miller Fund!
5/26/19 Update: After his second surgery on Friday, Lewie improved enough to be moved out of the ICU and into an ocean view room at UCLA. The care is wonderful and Heather feels that they are in good hands with the doctors, who have done everything they can to help the family and keep Lewie on the road to recovery. He'll have another surgery this week, so please continue to send thoughts prayers for the Miller Family and share this page!
5/21/19 Update: Lewie successfully underwent a 4+ hour surgery on his right leg and came through it like a champ. The doctor was very pleased with how it went which is always good news. 2nd piece of good news: he has been transferred to UCLA, where he will have surgery on his left leg, heel and ankle. Please continue to share this page as well as your thoughts and prayers for the Miller Family!
In the early evening of May 17th Lewie Miller was headed home from work on Topanga Canyon to his wife and one-month old son when a car headed in the opposite direction drifted into his lane and hit him head on.
He suffered two broken femurs, 10 total fractures in his legs and feet, a broken right heel bone and ankle, two broken ribs, broken neck bones.
He was immediately rushed to Northridge Medical Center but the doctors have struggled to stabilize him as he fights internal bleeding and neurological trauma. He has had multiple blood, platelet and plasma transfusions. His wife Heather has been by his side and advocating for him tirelessly, which has resulted in a transfer to UCLA once he is stabilized so he may receive the advanced care he needs. While she is at the hospital, their newborn son Vinnie is home with family.
Once Lewie is stabilized he will undergo a surgery to insert metal rods in his legs. It will take months of physical rehabilitation before he is able to walk again, resulting in not only loss of work but a rehaul of their home and environment to make it wheel chair accessible. There is also a threat for future medical procedures that could present themselves in the near future or years down the road.
Heather was taking time off from her speech therapy clinic to be at home with Vinnie, and will continue to be needed at home to take care of her family. We want to do everything we can to support them and help them deal with medical bills. We are grateful for any help as this will be a very long and difficult road.
5/21/19 Update: Lewie successfully underwent a 4+ hour surgery on his right leg and came through it like a champ. The doctor was very pleased with how it went which is always good news. 2nd piece of good news: he has been transferred to UCLA, where he will have surgery on his left leg, heel and ankle. Please continue to share this page as well as your thoughts and prayers for the Miller Family!
In the early evening of May 17th Lewie Miller was headed home from work on Topanga Canyon to his wife and one-month old son when a car headed in the opposite direction drifted into his lane and hit him head on.
He suffered two broken femurs, 10 total fractures in his legs and feet, a broken right heel bone and ankle, two broken ribs, broken neck bones.
He was immediately rushed to Northridge Medical Center but the doctors have struggled to stabilize him as he fights internal bleeding and neurological trauma. He has had multiple blood, platelet and plasma transfusions. His wife Heather has been by his side and advocating for him tirelessly, which has resulted in a transfer to UCLA once he is stabilized so he may receive the advanced care he needs. While she is at the hospital, their newborn son Vinnie is home with family.
Once Lewie is stabilized he will undergo a surgery to insert metal rods in his legs. It will take months of physical rehabilitation before he is able to walk again, resulting in not only loss of work but a rehaul of their home and environment to make it wheel chair accessible. There is also a threat for future medical procedures that could present themselves in the near future or years down the road.
Heather was taking time off from her speech therapy clinic to be at home with Vinnie, and will continue to be needed at home to take care of her family. We want to do everything we can to support them and help them deal with medical bills. We are grateful for any help as this will be a very long and difficult road.
Fundraising team (3)
Genelle Lingua
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Heather Marenda-Miller
Beneficiary
Jeremy Johnson
Team member
Lisa Preach
Team member
