Help the Hettingers Heal After Russell’s Accident

Hi! My name is Justice Wilhelm! I am a coworker and friend of Russell and Teyonna and I am raising money for the Hettinger family’s expenses after Russell’s horrific car accident.

On May 24, Russell was headed home from work to pick up his daughter when he was in a terrible car accident. He was driving along St. Rt. 348 in Scioto county when he hit a tree head on. The crash trapped him in his vehicle for some time. When first responders were able to get to him, he was in pretty bad shape and unresponsive.

Air care was too far from his location and so Russell was rushed via ambulance to the nearest hospital in Portsmouth, Southern Ohio Medical Center. While there he was intubated and given a Head CT which uncovered multiple brain bleeds, skull fractures, a broken bone in his neck and some fluid and swelling on the brain. Russell was also having seizures. SOMC made the decision to Air Care him to Grant Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma center in Columbus, OH so that he could get the medical attention he needed.

While at Grant, doctors inserted an ICP (intercranial pressure) monitor to keep an eye on the swelling of his brain. They also performed surgery to place an EVD (external ventricular drain) which is a temporary system to allow drainage of fluid. The surgeon weaned him off sedation to perform a neurological exam which resulted in not much change. He began to move his arms but would not open his eyes. Weaning off sedation did cause Russell to become agitated.

Doctors chose to keep him sedated to try to keep his blood pressure from elevating and causing more bleeding and swelling. With brain injuries, swelling typically gets worse in the coming days after the injury so it is a waiting game with that. He was hooked up to an EKG to monitor any seizure activity in his brain that they may not be seeing. They also placed a feeding tube.

Russell’s extensive injuries mean that he has a long road ahead. As time goes on, they are finding more injuries. It has been determined both the right and left sides of his skull are fractured. He has blood behind his ear drums. His right side looks more concerning than the left as he may have injured the nerve that controls the muscles of his face which could explain why he is not opening his eyes. We will know more once he is weaned off the sedative. His sinus cavities are fractured as well. They did try to clamp off his EVD, the fluid drain, but Russell was not ready for that so they are continuing to let fluid drain. Again it is a waiting game until we know any more about his condition and prognosis.

Teyonna and Russell just celebrated their second wedding anniversary two days before this horrific accident. They have been together for over 15 years and have a beautiful, spunky and smart 6 year old daughter together. In fact, they had just taken a family vacation and brought Kaison to the beach for the first time earlier in the month!

If you have the fortune and pleasure to know the Hettingers, you’ll know that they exude warmth and love. They are the kindest and most hardworking people you will ever meet. You’d be hard pressed to find better friends.

Russell and Teyonna are a part of the Angels 4 Life family where they work for individuals with developmental disabilities and specifically with individuals with challenging behavioral needs. Every person, staff and friend at A4L absolutely adores them. The following are some of the things the A4L family, some of their closest friends, had to say about them.

“What I know is they are one of the most unselfish people I know. They help others when the help is needed or not needed. They are there for others when times are tough for them in whatever way they can. My words are all the place right now I just really can’t put them all in words. I’m sorry this is rough right now.”

“What I love about them?

They make you immediately feel welcome. They are the hardest working, most kind and loving people you could ever meet. They will drop anything they’re doing to help you. They would take the shirts off their backs and give it to you.

What they mean to me and our friends?

I don’t even know where to begin. They’re family to me. They’ve been there for me and my family when nobody else has. There’s nobody out there like Teyonna and Russell. They’re truly one of a kind and I’m so grateful that I am able to call them my family.

Now for the friends, all of them love them both. They are both amazing with the friends and show so much love, compassion, empathy and most of all patience. If anybody is lucky enough to know them both, they need to keep them by their side. Teyonna and Russell are two that I have so much love and respect for ❤️”

“They are so real what you see is what they are . The love they have for each other is amazing their love of family and their little girl just makes you smile. The kindness in both of their hearts is shown daily. To know them both is a true blessing at work and away. My continued prayers for all. ❤️”

“I barely knew Russell from SODC, but when I started at Angels that didn't stop him from immediately treating me like I was a member of his own family. He was always giving me advice when I needed it and helpful tips. He is so full of love for people that it's intoxicating. He is the kind of person that just brings out the best part of yourself when you’re around him. He always speaks of his wife and daughter and holds them in the highest regard and he fiercely protects his family and friends. When I first met Teyonna, it was the same. She didn't know me from Adam and still treated me like family. What I have come to learn is that they are the most humble, family oriented and selfless people I have ever met and have such beautiful souls. When my wife was in a car wreck he stayed and made sure everything was okay before heading back to work. I haven't known them as long as most but they are family to me and I love them both.”

“Russell and Teyonna are the most caring people I have ever met. They would give the shirts off their backs for anyone. I just love them so very much and they really need this right now. Russell has been with me since sodc and I was delighted when he called and asked me for the job, without hesitation I immediately said yes I would love to have you. He knows no stranger and has always had such a caring heart”

“He is a man that wrote the book of the meaning of so many definitions. Family ,love, loyalty, respect, kindness, and so much more. My girls know them both as their aunt and Uncle. I always know my family has a place to stay that feels like home when we visit. I always know I can count on them both! At any given time. They do not judge people at all, they accept everyone and will help in every way they can. I l love them . That’s my brother and sister for life.”

————————————————————

Teyonna, Russell’s parents and many of his friends have not left his side through this. Teyonna was actually at work at the time of Russell’s accident and had to rush 2 hours to the hospital.

At this time, we want to ensure that Teyonna doesn’t have to leave Russell’s side and doesn’t have to worry about anything.

The Hettingers will need help with the extensive medical bills that this accident will incur from both hospitals, the long ambulance ride, Air Care, his inevitable extended stay, etc. and they will only continue to rise. In addition, both Teyonna and Russell will both be out of work for a very long time while they focus on Russell healing. We want to ensure that all their expenses are taken care of so they do not have to worry and one day can continue to live the life they love with each other and their daughter.

Please consider donating to help Russell heal from this terrible accident, keep Teyonna right by his side and allow them to not worry about anything but healing. Any amount helps them to pay down the mountainous medical bills and expenses they will have.

If you cannot donate, please always share so that this may reach someone who is able to donate. Every share counts and brings us closer to our goal!

*This fundraiser will directly benefit the Hettinger family with Teyonna Hettinger as the direct beneficiary.