On the evening of August 31, after Beau Martin failed to answer the door at his residence, his family forced their way into his house, only to find him unconscious on the floor of his bedroom.

After being rushed to the hospital it was determined that at age 34 he had suffered a massive stroke. After two major surgeries, one lasting 8 hrs and in the second one a piece of his skull was removed to relieve the swelling. He subsequently was in intensive care for weeks where he had blood clots, sever nerve pain and bad headaches. At the time he had lost his mobility on the right side, most of his ability to think, process and comprehend things and most of his speech. He was ultimately moved to rehab, his general health stabilized and the piece of his skull put back in place. After months of therapy he came home to live with his parents, MaryEllen and Eddie Martin.

Beau returned home on January 9th 2016 to face a completely new life filled with loss and major changes. Before his stroke he had worked at Lottie’s Lounge and Pizzutos Italian Cafe where he had enjoyed a large following of friends. He tried to meet these new challenges with a positive attitude and willingness to move forward, regardless of his limitations. His Physical and Occupational Therapies continued at least twice a week for months until a very perceptive Occupational Therapist could see that Beau was losing motivation and no longer making progress. So she arranged for him to get water therapy with Breaking Barriers and since August of 2016 it has become his greatest help, enjoyment and connection with other people in his life. Its the one thing he can count on and look forward to every week!

The aquatic specialist and the people at the pool have become his friends and a way to fit something postive in his changed world. He always says, to his mom when he gets home, "I am moving forward" with an expression of Joy!

AS a result he has now regained some limited mobility, in spite of the loss of strength in his right side, walking slowly and carefully with a cane, some mental awareness and limited speech. He is now able to resume his daily routines at home with the assistance of his parents.

For the past eight years Beau's weekly time with Breaking Barriers in the pool was paid for from a fund, created at the time of his stroke, with contributions from friends and family. That fund is deplete and no longer available, so Beau is facing the prospect of lossing access to that source of motivation and functional exercise and independence that is so critical to his continued progress.

So that is why Beau is asking for you to "Go Fund Me"

So he can continue to "Move Forward With Joy"

*We are thankful for anything anyone can contribute and it all goes directly to Beau's Aquatic needs, but we do not expect anything. If you want to help and are not able to donate there are other ways to help Beau by volunteering. If that is something that interests you, please reach out for more information by emailing Breaking Barriers or contacting the family.