Help Send Michael (Twin) Home
If you know Michael (twin), then you know he was very talkative, sociable, loved to make people laugh and had a way to make light of serious situations. Throughout his life he faced many adversities but always managed to land on his feet and come out on top. He was a fighter, the life of the party and as we all know he was an identical twin!
Last fall, Michael suffered a gunshot wound to his spinal cord that left him paralyzed from the neck down. He was admitted to Fairfax County Hospital where he started to recover, then was transferred to DC hospital and rehabilitation center BridgePoint in October of 2020.
Upon arrival to BridgePoint rehabilitation center, Michael was alert, interactive and able to talk make jokes with friends and family. He was very aware of what was going on around him and could comprehend and make decisions for himself. He was paralyzed, but his mind was well intact! He was attempting to lift his fingers, avidly posting on social media of his recovery and well being. Despite having a catheter his entire stay at BridgePoint, he was able to speak (and speak his mind) and swallow on his own.
During his stay at BridgePoint, he was very vocal about his dissatisfaction of his care and expressed on multiple occasions how the medical team did not properly care for him. He wasn’t fed in a timely manner, they never bathed him, they didn’t change him as often as they should have, they didn’t brush his teeth and his face and lips were extremely dehydrated. Because of Covid restrictions family members had limited visitation and was unable to step in and assure he was receiving quality care. Early 2021 he contracted a urinary tract infection and expressed signs of a severe headache upon returning to the care of BridgePoint medical facility.
Michael’s last conversation with his family was an intense call out for help to remove him from BridgePoint and admit him to GW hospital, where he could receive proper care. During his last days at BridgePoint, he suffered severe seizures and went into septic shock— a deadly infection in his body which spread to his bloodstream. A once alert, talkative and optimistic Michael was now fighting for his life!
The family sternly believes his health took a turn for the worst due to complications from his gunshot wound that were intensified by the facilities negligence. He was flown to GW hospital where they were able to assess and provide appropriate treatment for his current state. They were able to stabilize him, but Dr’s confirmed if he received an earlier cat scan they could’ve addressed any complications before infection set in.
Michael continued to fight for his life so that he could be with his family and friends that truly love him so much, but after several surgeries his health continued to decline and was pronounced a vegetative state. We know that God is good and merciful and that even in the midst of the storm we trust in his plan.
Family and friends,
We ask that you continue to send your prayers for Twins peaceful transition and to cover the family. Any monetary donation you may wish to give, would be greatly appreciated. All funds will go directly to Twin’s family to cover funeral/ burial cost to help send Michael home the right way.
He was a son, a brother, a friend and confidant with a-lot of charisma, grit and a whole life ahead of him. His youthful spirit, humor and love for his family was felt by all and will be missed tremendously. The continued love and support for Twin and the family is so greatly appreciated.
Let’s show Michael and the Newman Family that they are not alone and how much he is loved by his family and friends!
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:3-5
If you know Michael (twin), then you know he was very talkative, sociable, loved to make people laugh and had a way to make light of serious situations. Throughout his life he faced many adversities but always managed to land on his feet and come out on top. He was a fighter, the life of the party and as we all know he was an identical twin!
Last fall, Michael suffered a gunshot wound to his spinal cord that left him paralyzed from the neck down. He was admitted to Fairfax County Hospital where he started to recover, then was transferred to DC hospital and rehabilitation center BridgePoint in October of 2020.
Upon arrival to BridgePoint rehabilitation center, Michael was alert, interactive and able to talk make jokes with friends and family. He was very aware of what was going on around him and could comprehend and make decisions for himself. He was paralyzed, but his mind was well intact! He was attempting to lift his fingers, avidly posting on social media of his recovery and well being. Despite having a catheter his entire stay at BridgePoint, he was able to speak (and speak his mind) and swallow on his own.
During his stay at BridgePoint, he was very vocal about his dissatisfaction of his care and expressed on multiple occasions how the medical team did not properly care for him. He wasn’t fed in a timely manner, they never bathed him, they didn’t change him as often as they should have, they didn’t brush his teeth and his face and lips were extremely dehydrated. Because of Covid restrictions family members had limited visitation and was unable to step in and assure he was receiving quality care. Early 2021 he contracted a urinary tract infection and expressed signs of a severe headache upon returning to the care of BridgePoint medical facility.
Michael’s last conversation with his family was an intense call out for help to remove him from BridgePoint and admit him to GW hospital, where he could receive proper care. During his last days at BridgePoint, he suffered severe seizures and went into septic shock— a deadly infection in his body which spread to his bloodstream. A once alert, talkative and optimistic Michael was now fighting for his life!
The family sternly believes his health took a turn for the worst due to complications from his gunshot wound that were intensified by the facilities negligence. He was flown to GW hospital where they were able to assess and provide appropriate treatment for his current state. They were able to stabilize him, but Dr’s confirmed if he received an earlier cat scan they could’ve addressed any complications before infection set in.
Michael continued to fight for his life so that he could be with his family and friends that truly love him so much, but after several surgeries his health continued to decline and was pronounced a vegetative state. We know that God is good and merciful and that even in the midst of the storm we trust in his plan.
Family and friends,
We ask that you continue to send your prayers for Twins peaceful transition and to cover the family. Any monetary donation you may wish to give, would be greatly appreciated. All funds will go directly to Twin’s family to cover funeral/ burial cost to help send Michael home the right way.
He was a son, a brother, a friend and confidant with a-lot of charisma, grit and a whole life ahead of him. His youthful spirit, humor and love for his family was felt by all and will be missed tremendously. The continued love and support for Twin and the family is so greatly appreciated.
Let’s show Michael and the Newman Family that they are not alone and how much he is loved by his family and friends!
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:3-5
Organizer and beneficiary
Marche Morris
Beneficiary