For my brother John......his journey to come home
...7 months ago, on a cold rainy October night, just within 25 feet of his doorstep, my brother John took a fall that would alter his life forever. It happened so fast. John knocked himself unconscious by hitting the pavement face first. Everything became a blur from that point. It was pouring rain and we kept him covered, and as still and as warm as we could. He was terrified, crying and said he could not move. Assumed he was in shock from the impact, his face was severely bruised, broken nose and had multiple lacerations. The EMT's finally arrived and we followed him to his first stop- St Luke's Hospital... after several hours we were notified that he was set to be transported to Westchester Medical for an MRI and to be treated by their spinal surgeon.
He had emergency "preventative" surgery. John suffered a major spinal cord injury, fractured vertebra and paralysis. To what extent, was unknown at this time.
The first two pictures were taken a few weeks after his surgery where he was transferred to Burke Rehabilitation in White Plains. It would be several weeks that he would need to wear a stabilizer brace while his body began to heal. His surgeon was optimistic, and his range of motion and ability to walk would require 100% effort on his part to power through extensive physical therapy.
Christmas Day, 2020- John is moved in Mid-Dec to United Hebrew of New Rochelle, and that is where he is as of today. COVID-style visits are outside through glass and this visit Laura and I got to spend 20 minutes. Early on he looked good and was in good spirits. That soon changed.
Most recently, 7 months into his ordeal, my brother John is regressing. The strides he made initially at Burke, are now obstacles, and he lost a tremendous amount of weight since October.
My family and I want nothing more than for John to come home, but in his condition it is not possible without 24/7 care. Care from a health professional.
What you don't know is, February 2020, with the help of my father and step-mother, they gave John his independence . He finally was settled into his own apartment. March 2020 COVID hit- he was isolated for months, then in the fall he began to venture out and this happened. He didn't even have a chance to enjoy his new found freedom.
This has been a difficult journey both mentally and physically for John. At this stage, he has suffered many set backs. Infections, lack of adequate PT and OT, depression, etc.
Our goal is to raise funds towards his long-term care and treatments that are not covered by his insurance. Such as: Botox (used to treat many neurological disorders, including: Blinking or twitching of the muscles on one side of the face ) and to supplement his home health care. Currently, insurance will only allow 8 hours per day and that is not enough for the medical care he needs.
We also are raising funds to put towards home physical therapy, as he needs this to build up his strength and retrain his muscles.
His spinal surgeon said he has a window for recovery of 18 months..he has exhausted 7, and time is not on his side.
My family and I thought long and hard and our decisions are all for John's best interest. Overwhelmed, we realize we cannot do this alone, not for the type of care he needs. Our wish is for John to come back home, to his own place, where he could have a better quality of life in his own surroundings and adjust to his new normal.
My Father, Roe, my sister Kristin, my daughters Jackie & Vanessa, my Aunt Corinne, and my girl Laura - all have taken a huge part in supporting my brother's needs, and handling his affairs. It truly takes a village to be an advocate.
So Friends, I never ask for anything.. only prayers...but this time, I am reaching out to all of you, if there is anything you can contribute, my family and I will greatly appreciate it.
Thank you.
I am humbled and grateful by your generosity 