Fundraiser for veteran amputated by drunk driver.

 

 

 

 

Mike Melugin Jr. is a disabled veteran with 10 years of combined service between the 101st Airborne Division in the United States Army and the 203rd Red Horse Squadron in the Air National Guard. He is a father of three and a loving husband.

 

He became further disabled when a drunk driver collided into multiple vehicles. Mike’s legs were crushed between one of the vehicles and the guard rail. The trauma resulted in the amputation of his left leg. His right leg suffered less severe damage and will require extensive medical interventions to regain use.

 

Mike was one of multiple victims struck by the driver. Officer Ryan Hayworth, 23, a three-month veteran of the Knightdale police department and veteran of the United States Army, was declared dead at the scene of the collision. Ryan's training officer, Cody Hagler, was also injured and has since been released from the hospital.

 

Being a 100% disabled veteran and the only source of financial income for his family, both he and his wife are used to living on a fixed income. However, life as an amputee is considerably more expensive.

 

It is uncertain how much may be covered by the VA or insurance. In many cases like Mike's, a basic prosthetic can be covered. The prosthetics that allow for increased quality of life are much more expensive but are normally not covered as a medically necessary. Given the disabilities Mike already suffered from serving his country, more advanced prosthetics are a necessity for a faster and more complete recovery.

 

Sadly, the initial prosthetic is not the only prosthetic Mike and his family need to finance. Glenn Garrison, director of prosthetics and orthotics at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, stated most patients will have one prosthesis for the first year, but will likely need a second one to accommodate their changing physique. After that, a prosthesis usually wears out every three to five years. Glenn compares the cost of a prosthetic to the cost of a car.

 

Mike and his family are faced with the monumental expense of making his home and vehicles handicap accessible, on top of the costs of his hospital stay and ongoing care to save his right leg and subsequent rehabilitation.

 

Mike's journey so far has involved a dozen surgeries with several more to go. He is doing his best to manage the pain, but some days are harder than others. Besides his left leg being amputated, the doctors are very hopeful in saving his right leg. This will include skin grafts and plastic surgery if the unknown number of the surgeries are a success. The doctors have not entirely ruled out a below-the-knee amputation of this leg at this time. If things go well and Mike has the proper equipment in place, doctors estimate he may be walking on a prosthetic in a year.

 

Any donations will go towards the upcoming medical expenses, rehabilitation, physical therapies, and accommodations to allow Mike to overcome the new challenges in his life.

 

While considering to donate to Mike, please also consider donating to the GoFundMe for the family of Officer Ryan Hayworth at https://gofund.me/819297ff and the GoFundMe for Officer Cody Hagler at https://gofund.me/3bb26119.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This fundraiser is being organized by myself, Seth Melugin, Mike's youngest brother who lives nearby in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mike and his wife, Elizabeth Melugin, will be the only people to have access to donations raised and will be using it where it's most needed. Thank you for taking the time to read this GoFundMe.