Hello, I have asked Austin what I can do to help, and this was not easy for him to ask by all means. His family needs our prayers and any financial assistance we can give. Here is a note Austin sent to me to share with you during this challenging time.

Hello, my name is Austin Brooks. I want to start by saying I am not one to have to ask for help usually. I am stubborn and would instead break my back helping others than others helping me. I have to put my pride aside and ask for a bit of help with my medical bills and the unknown. I have been in and out of the hospital for a near two months now. I'm currently residing at the U of U. They are trying to find a complete diagnosis, but they all have said I am a medical mystery. Back story a few months ago, I came down with what I thought was a cold, but eventually, I lost all sense to be able to swallow, and my body had started to build up co2. I went into Davis Hospital, and they were able to stabilize me while I was in the ICU. They had put a peg tube (feeding tube) in at that time. This was because I had lost 30 pounds in 2 months along with 22% muscle mass. I was later discharged and sent home on home health care with a feeding tube and BiPAP machine to help with the co2 levels. A week had gone by, and I wasn't getting better and ended up back in the hospital due to my c02 being so high that it was hard for me to breathe independently. Since I have been at the U of U they had to put me on a ventilator due to my co2 being dangerously high, and I was in the ICU for a week or so. I am currently still here at the U of U in the neurology department, waiting for answers, and then I will be sent to rehab where I can try to gain my muscle back and some OT and Speech therapy to help me learn to swallow all over again. With this, all happening, I haven't been to work since April 8th, and the burden has hit hard for my little family. My wife has done so much for me and has been here by my side because of the unknown and changes hour by hour. Her income has gone down as well. With all the unknowns and changes, we are facing at this point, and along with finding out, we will be first-time parents to a bundle of joy this November. Thank you for all the love, support, and prayers. I appreciate any help you can give.

Sincerely

The Brooks