Help Kai Make The Long Haul
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Help Kai Make The Long Haul
On June 27, our 25-year-old nephew Kai Olney-Miller Malicoat sustained a serious, traumatic injury on his fishing vessel, the “Ginny O,” when his arm was pulled into the deck winch while seining out of Sitka, Alaska. Kai was medevacked to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where doctors estimated that there was only a 5% chance that they would be able to save his arm. He was technically admitted as an amputee and his arm had been without blood flow for over 10 hours. After a 7-hour operation with a team of 12 surgeons, we were elated to learn that the repair of Kai’s brachial artery was successful and that he had blood flow to his arm again.
However, the damage to Kai’s right, dominant arm is extensive. He has undergone eight surgeries to repair bones, veins, and muscles, and to perform skin grafts. Kai’s tricep and 2/3 of his bicep were removed in the initial surgery, and most recently he underwent surgery to reattach tendons and relocate his shoulder. His scapula and six ribs have healed and he has warded off infection, but he has sustained significant nerve and muscle damage.
The next two years will be crucial in Kai’s healing. Bone growth, nerve regeneration, and muscle recovery will dictate whether or not he is a candidate for eventual muscle reconstruction surgery. That surgery will greatly influence the extent to which he will regain use of his arm. Kai now faces “the long haul.”
When Kai was in high school and college, he spent his summers in Sitka, Alaska, working on his father’s fishing boat, the “Tsiu.” When he graduated from Providence College in 2017 with a degree in mathematics, he already knew that he wanted to own and captain a seining vessel, and to earn his place in a profession he loves. Last January, at just 24, he became the proud owner and captain of the “Ginny O,” which he named after his grandmother. Knowing that no one is exempt from the dangers and financial risks of commercial fishing, Kai accepted the responsibilities of his new position.
Unfortunately, the terrible accident that nearly cost him his arm has—for now—stalled the promising course of the “Ginny O” and Kai’s life in general. But we know, as Ginny said when he was brought into port after the accident, that he’s “not done yet!”
Kai’s complete engagement in every aspect of his medical care, and his strength and stoicism in the face of extreme pain and the near-complete loss of function of his limb, has been amazing. We know he is up for the difficult task of rebuilding strength and movement in his reconstructed arm, but he has a long and difficult road ahead of him. And he is going to need help. Along with loss of income during his recovery, Kai will face significant out-of-pocket medical and rehab costs. All funds will go directly toward Kai’s out-of-pocket medical and rehab bills, and toward his recovery expenses. Continued prayers and good energy are much appreciated, too; we know not everyone can donate financially.
We are enormously grateful to Harborview Medical Center’s world-class doctors and nurses who did everything possible to save Kai’s arm, and for the outpouring of love, encouragement, and support we have received from near and far since this traumatic event. Family and friends from both coasts were by his side for over six weeks in Harborview’s Intensive and Acute Care Units, and for several weeks in a rehab facility, from where Kai was discharged in early September.
It’s important to add that during and after the accident, Kai’s young crew, which included his brother André (who spent six weeks by Kai’s side in the hospital), impressed us with their maturity, quick thinking, and courage. The experience brings home how invested we are in this young generation and how worthy they are of our faith and love.
We will keep you updated on this page. Thank you for considering helping fund Kai’s recovery.
Kai’s aunts - Robena and Galen
On June 27, our 25-year-old nephew Kai Olney-Miller Malicoat sustained a serious, traumatic injury on his fishing vessel, the “Ginny O,” when his arm was pulled into the deck winch while seining out of Sitka, Alaska. Kai was medevacked to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where doctors estimated that there was only a 5% chance that they would be able to save his arm. He was technically admitted as an amputee and his arm had been without blood flow for over 10 hours. After a 7-hour operation with a team of 12 surgeons, we were elated to learn that the repair of Kai’s brachial artery was successful and that he had blood flow to his arm again.
However, the damage to Kai’s right, dominant arm is extensive. He has undergone eight surgeries to repair bones, veins, and muscles, and to perform skin grafts. Kai’s tricep and 2/3 of his bicep were removed in the initial surgery, and most recently he underwent surgery to reattach tendons and relocate his shoulder. His scapula and six ribs have healed and he has warded off infection, but he has sustained significant nerve and muscle damage.
The next two years will be crucial in Kai’s healing. Bone growth, nerve regeneration, and muscle recovery will dictate whether or not he is a candidate for eventual muscle reconstruction surgery. That surgery will greatly influence the extent to which he will regain use of his arm. Kai now faces “the long haul.”
When Kai was in high school and college, he spent his summers in Sitka, Alaska, working on his father’s fishing boat, the “Tsiu.” When he graduated from Providence College in 2017 with a degree in mathematics, he already knew that he wanted to own and captain a seining vessel, and to earn his place in a profession he loves. Last January, at just 24, he became the proud owner and captain of the “Ginny O,” which he named after his grandmother. Knowing that no one is exempt from the dangers and financial risks of commercial fishing, Kai accepted the responsibilities of his new position.
Unfortunately, the terrible accident that nearly cost him his arm has—for now—stalled the promising course of the “Ginny O” and Kai’s life in general. But we know, as Ginny said when he was brought into port after the accident, that he’s “not done yet!”
Kai’s complete engagement in every aspect of his medical care, and his strength and stoicism in the face of extreme pain and the near-complete loss of function of his limb, has been amazing. We know he is up for the difficult task of rebuilding strength and movement in his reconstructed arm, but he has a long and difficult road ahead of him. And he is going to need help. Along with loss of income during his recovery, Kai will face significant out-of-pocket medical and rehab costs. All funds will go directly toward Kai’s out-of-pocket medical and rehab bills, and toward his recovery expenses. Continued prayers and good energy are much appreciated, too; we know not everyone can donate financially.
We are enormously grateful to Harborview Medical Center’s world-class doctors and nurses who did everything possible to save Kai’s arm, and for the outpouring of love, encouragement, and support we have received from near and far since this traumatic event. Family and friends from both coasts were by his side for over six weeks in Harborview’s Intensive and Acute Care Units, and for several weeks in a rehab facility, from where Kai was discharged in early September.
It’s important to add that during and after the accident, Kai’s young crew, which included his brother André (who spent six weeks by Kai’s side in the hospital), impressed us with their maturity, quick thinking, and courage. The experience brings home how invested we are in this young generation and how worthy they are of our faith and love.
We will keep you updated on this page. Thank you for considering helping fund Kai’s recovery.
Kai’s aunts - Robena and Galen
Organizer and beneficiary
Robena Malicoat
Organizer
Provincetown, MA
Kai Malicoat
Beneficiary