Help Mike Samuel Get His Groove Back

On May 10th, Mike Samuel had a sudden cardiac arrest caused by an arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat. Only 10 percent of people who go through this survive. We were at a camping resort with friends in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Right after dinner, Mike collapsed into a chair and said, “This isn’t good. This isn’t going to be good.” I had taken CPR training, and I knew immediately that he was having an issue with his heart. I called 911 within 10 seconds. Our friend Milo had an AED machine (Automated External Defibrillator) that we got on him right as he was passing out. The AED shocked him three times while a few of us took turns doing CPR for seven minutes until the firefighters and paramedics came. They were able to restore his breathing and his heartbeat by the time they loaded him into the ambulance.

The Intensive Care Unit at the hospital put him in a coma to lower his body temperature to 34 degrees for a day. This pushed all the blood to his brain and organs. He was in a coma for 4 and a half days total. He spent three weeks in the hospital and six weeks in a rehab center learning how to talk and walk again. 

Thanks to CPR, there was enough oxygen to his brain, so no part died. His MRI reflected this. Nevertheless, he did suffer from oxygen deprivation and has a brain injury. The prognosis is good for recovery. It may take a year to recover fully.

Mike is fiercely determined to get his life back, and it will take time. He doesn’t know when he will be able to work. He needs help paying medical bills and living expenses, such as rent, food, utilities, and the phone bill, for the next few months at least.

It’s a miracle that Mike is alive, and his loving community is a critical part of his recovery. We can help him get his life back. It would be a huge relief if he could take this time to heal, knowing that his rent is covered.

Please consider donating to his recovery. If you can provide matching funds and/or do a recurring monthly donation, that would be especially helpful.

Thank you for your love and compassion,

Heatherly

PS - The cover picture is the day Mike beat his occupational therapist at Jenga.