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Help Jason Recover & Reunite with his Family
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Easter 2023 - last family photo before the accident on May 5th, 2023
NIGHT OF THE CRASH
On that fateful evening of May 5th, 2023, Jason's life took a harrowing twist, just moments away from the sanctuary of his home. A sudden accident shattered our world when his car lost control, colliding with a guardrail and ejecting him from the vehicle, leaving us all in shock.
As the clock approached 10:30 pm, worry consumed me, and frantic attempts to reach Jason went unanswered. The map on my phone showed his proximity to home, but it was oddly askew. A growing unease crept in, compelling me to call for help.
In a heart-stopping moment, an ambulance's sirens pierced the air, and my fear deepened as I tailed it. The ambulance stopped at the very place I was racing towards, revealing a scene beyond imagination—emergency responders everywhere, Jason's vehicle in a ditch, having torn through 65 feet of guardrail, with the driver's-side door gaping open. He lay motionless in the grass.
Overwhelmed with panic, I rushed to his side, only to be stopped & consoled by the sheriff, who told me that EMS was preparing to transport him to a life flight helicopter.
Falling to the ground, disbelief consumed me. "This can't be real. How is this happening?". I hurriedly inquired about the hospital, and with that information in hand, I raced to inform family and make our way to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, a Level 1 Trauma Center, where Jason's uncertain journey of recovery began.
Since that tragic day, Jason's journey has been defined by remarkable resilience, but the road ahead remains long and uncertain.
ARRIVAL AT CCF AKRON GENERAL - MAY 6, 2023 | 12:30 - 1:00 am
In the early hours of May 6, 2023, our hearts weighed down with worry, we arrived at CCF Akron General. The clock hovered between 12:30 am and 1:00 am, and we were greeted with the harsh news that Jason was in Level 1 emergency surgery. We found ourselves in the family waiting area, the silence in the deserted hallways echoing the agony of uncertainty.
The night crept on, and by 3:30 am, a hospital staff member emerged. Desperation urged us to stop him, seeking answers. This staff member happened to be Jason's anesthesiologist, and what he revealed sent shockwaves through our souls. Jason was still in surgery, but it wasn't just any surgery – it was brain surgery. He had fractured his skull.
The words "brain surgery" carried a level of devastation we couldn't have fathomed. We had braced for broken bones, perhaps severe ones, but this reality surpassed any preparation.
In the midst of this unfathomable crisis, we found ourselves in a realm of silence and darkness, grappling with minimal information about Jason's condition and surgical status. It was a deafening and unbearable wait in a situation no one could ever anticipate or plan for—a heart-wrenching reality we still face today.
1ST SURGERY COMPLETE
On the morning of May 6, 2023, at 6:00 am, we received news that filled our hearts with both relief and dread. Jason's neurosurgeon, Dr. Jack, emerged from the operating room and shared that Jason had survived surgery.
Dr. Jack went on to explain the extent of Jason's injuries, a harrowing list that reflected the sheer magnitude of his ordeal. It had been a race against time as Jason was life-flighted to Akron General, where a grueling 5 to 6 hours of neurosurgery awaited.
His injuries were daunting - a fractured skull, left orbital floor fracture, fractured left ridge (eyebrow bone), and a left cheek fracture. In a bid to reduce brain swelling, the neurosurgery team made the agonizing decision to perform a craniechtomy - removal of a significant portion of Jason's front and left skull—a measure that ultimately saved his life.
Jason had suffered multiple facial fractures and skull fractures in multiple places. He also endured left epidural and subdural hematomas, necessitating an emergent decompressive craniectomy to relieve brain swelling due to the fractures. Despite the reassurance from the medical team about the procedure's success, nothing could have prepared us for the heart-wrenching sight we were about to witness next.
SEEING JASON FOR THE FIRST TIME
Chaplain Dave, a source of comfort in our darkest hour, met us at the ICU entrance. With gentle guidance, he led each of us in to visit Jason, one by one. It was my turn, and as he took my hand, we stepped into the ICU, where we shared a heartfelt prayer.
Walking down that corridor, I was confronted with the unimaginable. There lay Jason, frail and battered in a hospital bed. A breathing tube down his throat, a neck brace, and a warming blanket over top of him. His head was a tapestry of blood, sutures, and staples, with an "ICP (intracranial pressure) monitor" protruding from the top of his skull. His eyes were swollen shut, purple and bruised.
Words fail to capture the shock and turmoil that coursed through us that day. I couldn't even cry; our world had been turned utterly upside down.
**THE FOLLOWING PHOTO IS OF JASON, THE MORNING AFTER HIS ACCIDENT & CRANIECTOMY - IT IS A GRAPHIC PHOTO - BUT IT DEPICTS THE UNIMAGINABLE INJURIES JASON SUSTAINED, AND SHOWS THE ASTOUNDING PROGRESS HE'S MADE THUS FAR.**
** PLEASE SCROLL PAST IF YOU FEEL THIS PHOTO MAY UPSET YOU.**
May 6, 2023 - CCF Akron General - NSICU
HOSPITAL STAY - 5/6/23 - 5/26/23
For a harrowing week, Jason lay in an induced coma, his body and spirit enduring the unimaginable. Through the darkness, his incredible progress shone like a beacon, a testament to his unwavering strength. Within two weeks, he was moving all extremities, free from any seizure activity. The intercranial pressure (ICP) was under control and the monitor was eventually removed. His vital signs remained stable. Each day, CT scans of his brain showed reduced swelling, offering a glimmer of hope.
Then, on May 18th, a significant step forward arrived as Jason’s breathing tube was removed. He received a tracheostomy, granting him the ability to breathe with ventilator assistance.
On May 25, 2023, Jason faced another unimaginable challenge - facial reconstruction surgery. Multiple fractures on the left side of his face required intricate procedures to help him regain not only his physical appearance but also his self-esteem.
He spent the next three months with an emptiness on the left side of his skull, courageously learning to walk and talk again, all while wearing a protective helmet.
Jason's determination is nothing short of awe-inspiring. He's been fighting with every ounce of his being, displaying a strength that leaves us utterly amazed.
Then, on June 6, 2023, a miracle happened. I heard his voice again after a month of silence. My heart skipped a beat - the sound of his voice was a symphony of hope and joy. I had never been so elated.
On June 20, 2023, Jason took his first steps with the help of the amazing physical therapists at CCF Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Hospital (pictured below).
On June 22, 2023, another milestone was reached as Jason's tracheostomy tube was finally removed. It was a pivotal moment, enabling him to actively participate in his daily speech therapy sessions. Yet, challenges remained as he grappled with Apraxia, Aphasia, and right-sided Hemiparesis, formidable obstacles still in his path today.
Jason also had a feeding tube in his belly until July 13, 2023. During his time in the hospital, he endured the unimaginable - losing over 50 pounds. But he is a fighter, and today he's back to eating a somewhat-regular diet.
July 26, 2023 - Windsong Nursing Home
August 12, 2023 - Jason & Allie - NeuroRestorative
CRANIOPLASTY
August 18th marked a day we had longed for with bated breath: Jason's cranioplasty - the surgery to restore the missing half of his skull, had finally arrived. This neurosurgical journey was not just about physical reconstruction; it symbolized Jason's quest to reclaim his lost self-esteem and re-establish the intricate pathways within his brain that have been damaged.
8/18/23 - Jason & Allie - 7:26 am - Before Cranioplasty
The operating room's doors closed, and the clock ticked for what felt like an eternity - five hours of heart-wrenching anticipation. With each passing minute, we clung to the hope that this was the final major hurdle, the key to Jason's complete recovery.
Then, like a beacon of hope, Dr. Hawryluk emerged, and the words we had been yearning for flowed: "The procedure went perfectly." In that moment, it was as if the weight of the world had been lifted from our shoulders. No longer did we have to fear the simple act of Jason standing up, walking, or the ever-present risk of a fall without his protective helmet.
But even as we celebrated this milestone, we knew our journey was far from over. Challenges and uncertainties still lay ahead, but your unwavering support has been a constant source of strength and hope for us. Thank you for standing by us as we continue to navigate this path toward Jason's full recovery. Your heartfelt encouragement means the world to us, and we are profoundly grateful for your presence on this arduous yet hopeful journey.
To the First Responders and Healthcare Team,
Words cannot express the depth of gratitude and appreciation we feel for all that you have done. Your unwavering dedication, expertise, and compassion saved Jason’s life, and for that, we are eternally grateful. You were the guiding light in our darkest hours, offering not only medical care but also kindness and hope. Your selflessness and tireless efforts have given us our beloved Jason back, and we will never forget the profound impact you’ve had on our lives. Your tireless efforts, compassion, and professionalism have left an indelible mark on our hearts. We will forever be thankful for the incredible work you do every day. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
8/18/23 - 7 hours after Cranioplasty
8/20/23 - Leaving Akron General
Over the past five months, Jason has been through four different hospitals, rehab facilities, and a nursing homes - each representing a new chapter in his journey towards recovery. He works tirelessly each day, defying the odds and showing remarkable strength and determination. However, the challenges persist, and Jason's return to a normal life remains uncertain.
The path to recovery has been demanding, both physically and emotionally, and Jason faces a lengthy road ahead before he can return to work.
Two years – that's how long it might be before he can once again provide for his family and be the loving father his children know and miss.
10/7/2023 - Jason, Carter (left) & Christian (right)- NeuroRestorative
Jason's resilience and determination shine through every step of this journey. Your support means the world to us as we continue to navigate these obstacles.
Together, we're helping him find his voice, regain his strength, and embrace each small victory with gratitude in our hearts. Thank you for being a part of this profound journey of recovery and healing. Your compassion sustains us on this path to a brighter future.
As Jason's partner, I've been doing my very best to support him through these trying times. However, the transition has already proven to be an immense struggle. We find ourselves at a crossroads…
SUPPORT
After months of constant internal debate, we’ve finally made the decision to turn to you, our loving friends, family, co-workers, and compassionate strangers, to ask for your support. Jason needs your help so that he can receive the care he needs in the coming months as he makes his way back home.
Your generosity can make a profound difference in Jason’s daily life during this overwhelming and challenging journey. Your contributions will support in covering essential expenses, allowing us to focus on Jason's health, recovery and healing.
Jason's path to recovery will involve private, daily, specialized, in-home nursing care, allowing him to heal, both physically and emotionally, in a medically safe environment, and ultimately allow him to reunite with his children. We've chosen private care over insurance-based care to ensure Jason's care is provided by a nurse he knows very well, and who is experienced in his specific medical condition, nutrition, and therapeutic requirements.
Additionally , Jason will need continued outpatient therapy - daily, 3-hour, physical, occupational, vocational, and speech therapy sessions, five days per week. He will also require multiple, weekly doctor appointments with a plethora of medical specialists. These therapy sessions and medical visits have become a central part of our lives.
Your kindness and support mean the world to us, and your contributions will not only ease our financial burdens but, provide emotional strength as we navigate this difficult journey together, and enable us to maintain a sense of normalcy for Jason during this challenging period.
Every donation, no matter the size, is a lifeline for Jason during these challenging times, providing comfort and strength when we needed it most. Your kindness and generosity will have a profound impact on Jason's journey to recovery and the restoration of Jason’s future. We're eternally grateful for your support and the love that surrounds us.
Together, we believe in Jason's resilience and the power of community to help him overcome these unimaginable challenges.
From the depths of our hearts, we thank you for being a part of Jason's healing journey and helping him rebuild his life, one step at a time.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Allie, Jason, & both of our families❤️
9/17/2023 - Jason & Allie - NeuroRestorative
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- In-home Care: $100/day; $400/week
- Rent: $1,000
- Groceries for the week: $150-$200
- Gas for the week: $120
Donations
Organizer
Allie Longo
Organizer
Atwater, OH