Dave Balluff is a loving father, fiancé, family man, and all around good guy. Late last year Dave suffered a sudden brain aneurysm. He is improving slowly, but he needs help to get better treatment. Dave knows he needs to get better and works very hard at it everyday. Charlotte his fiancé, has barely left his side and has given it her all to get him back to the way he was before.

Dave went to the local hospital suffering from the worst headache of his life, they sent him home diagnosing cluster headaches and told him to follow up with his doctor. 9 days later he suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage After being Life Flighted to University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI he underwent brain surgery had an external drain placed and the bleed blocked by a coiling procedure. He suffered strokes from subsequent vasospasms, meningitis, encephalopathy and more complications. He was in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit for almost 4 weeks and hospitalized a total of 6 weeks. He has been home for several months now and is continuing to recover.

Dave worked at General Motors in Milford, MI. He was studying at U of M Dearborn and had four courses left until he received his degree. He is a drummer, at the time of his aneurysm he was in two bands. He also was an ice skater, he played hockey at U of M Dearborn men's league for the past couple years and took Alex, his grandson, a hockey player also, open skating on a weekly basis.

He has been so very strong and has recovered miraculously thus far. While in NICU he suffered Meningitis, Vasospasms, and other infections. He also had right sided weakness and was not able to use his right leg or right arm. He is now walking and in Occupational Therapy for his right arm.

Additionally most recent complications of tinnitus and extreme vertigo is being diagnosed. They think its from the bleed but they aren't sure yet. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a potential treatment for his head injury and tinnitus/vertigo that is not covered by insurance and is very expensive.

Most affected is Dave's speech and language, Aphasia and Apraxia. The aneurysm was in the language center of his brain. He will need extensive therapy to be able to completely repair his speech.

UMAP is University of Michigan Aphasia Program. This program is not covered by Dave's health insurance. They have been helping patients with Aphasia for over 60 years! It is very expensive. Total cost is approximately $17,000 depending on what month he enrolls. This would be very beneficial.

He is a father of Angela, and future step father of Jacqueline, Natalie, and Anjenette. He is "Day Day" to Alexander,7 and Olivia 1. His fiancé of 12 years, Charlotte. He has 6 sisters and 1 brother, multiple nieces and nephews! Everyone in Dave's life is supportive and helping him recover through this very difficult time.

Dave was always the guy if you were moving, needed something in your house fixed, your car worked on, HE WAS THERE!

Not only has he been an excellent father to Angela but he treats Jacqui, Natalie, and Anjenette like his own even helps with the raising of Alex for the first 6 years giving support, love, and his time to all of them.

We are asking you help Dave recover by providing funding to help him pay for the University of Michigan Aphasia Program and/or Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

UMAP: http://mari.umich.edu/university-center-language-literacy/university-michigan-aphasia-program-umap

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT): 
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/basics/definition/prc-20019167