Help the Bartons

I met my husband, Nick Barton, in 2009. When we met, he had a beautiful daughter. We married on June 11, 2011. He fulfilled his dream of becoming a fireman and a paramedic. He absolutely loved what he did, and loved helping people. When we felt settled, we decided to add to our family. We had our son in March of 2013. He was the most amazing, sweet baby boy. He lit up a room, and lit up our hearts. When our sweet boy was only four months old, August 7, 2013, Nick had a terrible motorcycle addident. He was air lifted to UMC in Lubbock, TX. I packed an overnight bag, not knowing I'd be there the next eight months. Nick was diagnosed with a severe traumatic brain injury. The left side of his brain was damaged. We did not know if he would make it. The neurosurgeon had to remove a portion of his skull to relieve pressure. We were told that he would have to learn to read, write, walk, and talk again. The news was devastating. He woke up after being in ICU for 8 days. After being in the hospital for 3 weeks, he was moved to a rehab hospital where he stayed for three months. He was diagnosed with Aphasia. He then was moved to the Transitional Learning Center for more intense rehab. There, he learned to walk and speak better. After four very long months, we decided it was time to bring our family back home. We have been home for 7 months, enough time to realize that he needs more help. Nick walks with a leg brace and still needs to strengthen his right side. His arm is still paralized, so he does everything with his left hand. Nick still cannot read or write, and still has problems speaking. He wants to be able to support his family. He dreams of going back to school and wants to help others, as he used to. He has an opportunity to go back to Lubbock, but we cannot afford for me to live in Lubbock again. I will be traveling and staying in hotels most weekends. Hotels, gas, and food can get pretty expensive. If you could please donate, any small donation helps us. If you cannot donate, please say a prayer for us, or add us to the prayer list at your church. Thank you to everyone who is willing to help us by donating, or praying for us.
Chelsea Barton