Mike Drysdale & Erika Sturn's Fund

Michael Drysdale is a man who is desperately needed in our world because he is a source of light, hope, courage, wisdom, and laughter. Not only is he an integral member of the community through his dedicated work for struggling kids and families in Bozeman, MT, but he is also a treasured friend, family member, and an extremely important significant other. On August 23rd Mike suffered a traumatic brain injury when an abnormal cluster of blood vessels, known as an arterial venous malformation (AVM), ruptured and resulted in extensive bleeding. To save his life, the amazing medical team in Bozeman arranged for him to be taken via Life Flight to University Hospital in Salt Lake City. The level of care he has received in the neuro critical care unit has been exceptional and they saved his life. Mike fought his way out of a coma and had started making so many improvements. He had a complication of another hematoma and that second bleed was a major setback for him. Since this second event, Mike has struggled to regain the progress he had made before. For over a week he was unable to follow any commands and was only responding involuntarily to pain stimulus.

Mike's significant other, Erika, has been traveling back and forth from their home in Bozeman, MT to Salt Lake City, UT and is trying to preserve the beautiful life they have created together. She is in her last two months of graduate school in land resources and environmental science and is supporting them with a research stipend. It is imperative that she finish her degree on schedule so that she is able to get a better job to support them through the journey of recovery. Much of the work can be done remotely and it is crucial for her to be with Mike whenever possible. Following her arrival after the second bleed occurred, Mike has started to improve once again. He is able to do purposeful movements now, can understand, and he can even return kisses! Each moment is a celebration and Mike is making the journey back to himself. His strength and courage is tremendous.

This page is to help Mike get back to the life he chose for himself and to help Erika in her quest to make sure that happens. Mike's family is taking him to Florida for recovery and he needs his girl to be there with him. Traveling to and from Florida is nearly impossible for her due to the expense but it's really important for his recovery that she be able to be there part of the time. We need to get Michael back to his home, back to his life, and back to his dreams. His wishes are the most important and he needs his fiercest advocate near him since he is still unable to speak and/or communicate. Anything helps but, most of all, kindness is the greatest gift.

With grateful hearts, we wish you and your loved ones many happy moments together. May you cherish each moment and celebrate each day together.