Dan's Struggle: Healing After a Coma

March, is brain injury awareness month! Drove me to share my story. Thank you in advance for your time and support!

Hi, my name is Dan. I was in an e-bike accident in November 2023. It left me half-blind, with speech issues, balance issues, strength issues, a broken rib, a fractured orbital socket, and numerous other issues and deficits. I was in a coma for 28 days! No one knows what happened, no witnesses. I was luckily I was found by an off duty officer at 715ish fist day of daylight savings! It’s been a long road, to say the least. It happened in Florida, where I was mistreated at rehab following my release from the hospital after several days awake. I left the rehab after 15 days, because I was mistreated and left locked in a tent for days and days. locked in with no one to check on me. . My brother stepped in and got me out of there as soon as it was allowed. . From what I’ve learned, not told, by anyone. I Should have been there atleast 3 months. He did the right thing because it was abuse there. Couldn’t live like that. following a servere brain injury like what I had encounterd, But it was horrific, and needed to be away from that…. Then I was with him in FL for 3 months. Then I went to VA in February for help with rides from another brother, for medical appointments. At this point, I could barely talk and advocate for myself, could barely walk or shower. The pain was intense, and I could barely move my arm. Walking, although was a miracle, it just caused more pain and balance issues with ocular vision. In August, I finally met all my own milestones with Nero opathamology. Last hopes for the eye. I had made for myself and made the choice to return home, with not enough improvement. At this point I’ve learnt enough that I know there will never be much more major improvements. The injury is done and over with as much as it can be. The only thing that has changed, is my ability to cope with the new me and new pains. New way of life had to be learned. This type of recovery is far too slow. With it all involved at once, after a long unwanted nap, I have notes from a neurologist dated 5/15/24, stating I can’t work for greater than 12 months, meeting SSDI permanent disability criteria! I was still denied. I am disabled now. Which everyone has bills that don’t stop because of a severe injury. In June, after paying all I could, I informed the credit card companies I couldn’t pay anymore. They said they were going to send hardship paperwork to VA but never did. Months later and numerous phone calls, without being able to work, my credit started taking a hit. A bad one! A total of roughly $14,000-$15,000 in credit debt now. They have not been able or willing to help with my situation at all. I have nowhere to live besides with 2 family members in a one-bedroom, which is not well for anyone and stressful for them. I got approved for housing but there is an incredible wait and it's in review now, and of course, they want more stuff! I don’t know why, as I’ve submitted so much, with no way to pay rent or bills. There’s a time limit on my being here. I’m told to wait until I’m able to work again. Like that’s doable, with nowhere to live? And when is that exactly going to change without work? It’s now difficult to obtain a place to live. I still got denied disability! Now, bad credit and no job. It’s not getting any better without the ability to pay credit cards or phone, or rent if I even had that problem. Please, I need some temporary help until things get back on my feet, to somewhat normal! If I even can, I will certainly never be remotely the same. I have high expectations of things not being too permanent except the sudden loss of vision. I’m disabled and it’s been more than 1 year since life changed. I will never be done recovering for the rest of my life. I’m lucky to be here. Please, I need some help getting on my feet again! And many other things. I would normally never ask for help or anything like this in this way. I’m out of options. I just don’t see a workable way to accomplish the tasks at hand at all. I have never minded a challenge or hard work to accomplish it. This is something that no one could plan for and is on another level. I have completed all of my therapys in all three states. I am also interested in stem cell therapy for spine pains and the right optic nerve in the future, once technology catches up and gets there. But they do have it for the spine, which is $26,900. I doubt I’ll ever see that again, although I remain hopeful! Even for a place to stay and wait out housing to come through, if it ever does. I have just filed my first disability appeal. I have been researching a lot of stem cell growth stuff. I have spoken with people in Panama about it for spine and hip pains. Quoted at $2,900 for my specific treatment to start, until more is known. I was advised to stay current with that from a neuro-ophthalmologist, where that is what he said for optic nerve hope. Also, I would like to add that I would provide proof of proper use of any helpful funds this may provide. I have my appeals and reconsiderations filed as of 2/4/25. I’ve spoken with lawyers and they say expect to get denied twice. So here goes another year with no owed/deserved help. I’ve always paid my taxes and have a work history landing me at 40-80+ hours a week for 25 years! Now I can’t! Hopefully temporarily as long as I can stay on top of my health. That has proven very difficult in this less-than-ideal situation. 2/7/25 I have completed al of my therapys in 3 states. Speech, OT & PT. I wouldn’t need to do this if I was not denied disability. After proving the truth in so many ways. I just spent the past 2 nights at a shelter. Things clearly are not looking too positive. Moving forward, on 2/27/25 I got my privledge of driving back! That will be an incredible help and assistance with everything. Even somewhere to sleep. I can’t work right now and after being denied disability, this will be another challenge financially. A needed one, nonetheless! A new reason I need any help I can get.

mext update, not a good one, now was just denied housing. For no good reason bc it says priority town is xxxx that a case worker did for me. Denial states it was bc mail said E. Xxxx on it wich happens here sometimes. they have both for proof. The zip codes are still the same nothing else has ever had that problem. Zip usually takes care of any issue. They would notice that but not that I’m severely disabled!!! Now more serious problems to fix that take months if not years with nothing.

Any donations would be used for car, housing, debts, emergency’s. I will keep record of what every dollar goes towards and will provide proof . Thank you in advance for your kindness. Making it this far in my story. ! Trying to make lemonade out of lemons, and stay positive!